Chapter 13
Tori had spent Friday getting everything in order. It was a typical Fourth of July in Los Angeles, with many folks leaving the city for the long weekend. Beck, Trina, and Danielle had already headed to Beck's beach house, but Tori had managed to convince him that there was this epic industry party she just couldn't miss.
Sorting through her parents' mail, an elegant envelope caught her eye. Written in beautiful cursive and gold lettering, it bore the names of Beck and Jade, announcing their upcoming wedding. It was their wedding invitation, a physical reminder of the big event on the horizon.
Just as Tori heard the doorbell ring, she yelled, "I'll get it!" She rushed to the door, dressed casually in jeans and a loose black shirt to beat the scorching LA summer afternoon. Nothing was going to ruin her weekend getaway with Jade.
Emerging from her childhood home, Tori found Jade waiting patiently by her stoop. Jade had opted for tight jeans, her Doc Martens, and a light gray off-the-shoulder shirt. She looked just like she did back in high school but with a kinder gleam in her blue eyes.
"Wow," Jade breathed, her eyes twinkling as she looked Tori up and down. "You look really beautiful."
Tori blushed at the compliment, her smile widening. "Thank you. You look just as beautiful. Breathtaking, as always."
"Breathtaking?" Jade chuckled at the choice of words. "I knew that... but I like hearing it from you." Tori's blush deepened, but she nodded in agreement.
"Shall we?" Jade offered her arm, and Tori gladly took it. Jade's gallant gesture, so different from the Jade she'd known, made Tori feel special.
"Where's your car?" Tori asked, not seeing the familiar black Benz parked nearby.
Jade shook her head. "I borrowed my Mom's Blue Spider. Look around you," she gestured to the nearly deserted streets of Los Angeles, with only a handful of people in sight. "LA is ours for the taking, no familiar faces, no sneaking around behind closed doors, or in the middle of the night on a beach or in front of a bar. This calls for a convertible ride."
Tori couldn't help but chuckle, her smile stretching so wide it almost felt like her cheeks would cramp up. Seriously, how had she missed Jade's feelings for her before? Looking back, it was like they had been right there, right under her nose, just waiting for her to see them. But she had been too scared to admit it to herself, and that fear had messed with her head for way too long.
As Jade and Tori hopped into the convertible, their smiles remained glued to their faces. Their hearts were pounding like crazy, a mix of excitement and those fluttery nerves swirling in their stomachs. Finally, they were alone! No more sneaking around, no fear of getting caught, just two people hanging out. To anyone passing by, they might have looked like strangers getting to know each other, friends with a side of crush, or even a new couple on a cute date.
Sure, they had to come up with a little story to make this happen, but honestly, that was not even on their minds right now. Neither Tori nor Jade cared about that in this moment. All that mattered was that they were together, free to explore this growing connection between them and figure out if it could lead to something more. Tori was really hoping it would, her heart doing a happy dance with excitement.
Their attention was pulled to a ringing phone sitting on the dashboard. Jade reached for her phone to check the caller ID, rolling her eyes when she saw Beck's name flashing on the screen.
"Is that Beck?" Tori asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Jade, who nodded in response. "You can totally answer it if you want."
"Nah," Jade shook her head, determination in her eyes. "I'm just gonna power this thing down." She pressed the power button until her phone offered to shut down, and she tapped that option.
Tori felt a tad guilty for Beck getting ignored, but honestly, she was so into this moment with Jade that it was easy to let that go. This weekend was all about them, and she totally appreciated Jade's full commitment.
After slipping her phone back into her pocket, Jade couldn't help but sneak some glances at Tori. Seriously, how beautiful did she look today? Tori was always a total knockout, but when she smiled, it was like a burst of sunshine. Jade couldn't help but admire it.
"Man, the city's, like, totally empty this weekend," Tori commented, her gaze shifting briefly to another couple walking by, hand in hand. What surprised her was when she felt Jade's hand sliding into hers, their fingers sort of naturally tangling together. It was such a simple gesture, but it sent these flutters swirling in Tori's stomach, and she couldn't resist giving Jade's hand a little squeeze in response.
Jade was a bundle of nerves, feeling like they'd been transported back to high school, with all her feelings for Tori bubbling to the surface. But this time, she wasn't holding back. Holding Tori's hand like this was something she wished she had done six months ago. This was how it was meant to be.
A frown crept onto Jade's face when she felt Tori's hand slip out of her grasp. She looked at the brunette, her lips parting in surprise.
"Are you okay?" Jade asked, noticing Tori's gaze lost in the horizon as they drove up the coast.
"I'm fine, it's just..." Tori chuckled, her eyes scanning the city for any prying eyes.
"What?" Jade's brow furrowed. "Do you not want me to hold your hand?" She worried that she had moved too quickly.
"No!" Tori shook her head. "I mean—" she groaned, seeing the fear in Jade's eyes. "Yes, of course, I want you to. I... I've never wanted anything more, Jade."
Jade's lips stretched into a tiny smile. "Me too."
"I just can't help feeling like we're sneaking around," Tori frowned, frustrated with herself. "I mean, Beck—"
Jade frowned, her lips pressing into a hard line.
Tori groaned, mentally kicking herself. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm ruining this great moment you had planned for us, aren't I? I'm sorry, I just—" Her eyes widened as Jade suddenly stopped the car at a red light and kissed her, a surprise that left her breathless.
As she relaxed, Jade's arms slowly wrapped around Tori's shoulders, pulling her closer, their lips kissing away all of Tori's fears until car horns forced them to part.
Tori's eyes opened to find Jade's beautiful blue ones gazing into her own, her body locked in Jade's embrace. Her heart danced in her chest as she saw all the love in Jade's eyes. Another car horn snapped Jade back to reality, and she started driving again.
"For the record, you couldn't possibly ruin anything," Jade murmured, her eyes fixed on the road. She held Tori's hand, her thumb caressing it gently. "Believe it or not, this weekend is already the best I've had in a long time."
"It is?" Tori whispered, unable to contain her smile.
Jade nodded with a small, genuine smile. They continued their drive, hand in hand, like any other couple in love.
And it was the perfect time. Jade had brunch planned at this cozy, mom-and-pop breakfast spot that she loved visiting from time to time. What could be better than sharing this experience with Tori? After their delicious brunch, they strolled through Santa Barbara, eventually making their way to a Fourth of July fair.
The fair was reasonably crowded, but they didn't mind as they walked hand in hand. That never stopped.
Jade reached for her wallet when they stopped in front of a ticket booth for the Ferris wheel.
"Oh, I've got this," Tori quickly offered, clutching onto Jade's forearm as she rummaged through her purse.
"No, it's my treat," Jade insisted, pulling out a few dollars from her wallet.
"Jade, no," Tori protested, watching as the raven-haired girl ordered two tickets and handed her money through the booth's window. "You've already paid for brunch; let me—"
"Tor, I've got it, really. It's fine," Jade smiled, leaning in to place a sweet kiss on her lips before taking the tickets and leading the way to the Ferris wheel.
During their ride on the Ferris wheel, they held hands the entire time, stealing a kiss or two as they enjoyed the breathtaking view. After they got off, Jade bought Tori a cotton candy, occasionally tearing off a piece or two for herself. They also tried their luck at a shooting range booth, where Jade paid for a ticket, picked up a rifle, and only missed two targets out of many moving ones.
"You win a prize!" the booth attendant announced, handing Jade a little stuffed panda.
"Thank you," Jade smiled, taking the panda and passing it to Tori. "Now, you get a prize."
Tori grinned, reaching for the adorable little panda. They continued to enjoy their day at the fair, holding hands and cherishing every moment together.
Tori's gaze landed on Jade's house, and she couldn't help but question, "What are we doing here, Jade?"
"We're having dinner on my back balcony," Jade replied, a smile playing on her lips as she observed the brunette's nervousness. "Don't worry, we won't be alone. My parents always throw a party. I told Beck that's why I was staying." After all, this day had been so perfect that Jade wouldn't dream of suggesting they spend it alone in her house, where she and Beck had shared countless intimate moments. "I've got something better planned for us. Come on."
"Something better?" Tori couldn't resist her curiosity. She watched as Jade hurried to her side of the passenger door, opening it for her. Once out of the car, she followed Jade into the house, weaving her way through the guests her parents had invited. She had to make an appearance at this gathering to maintain the illusion for Beck, so she mingled, took a few pictures with Tori, and posted them online, all while keeping their true intentions a secret. Eventually, Jade led her to the guest room balcony that overlooked the illuminated backyard pool.
"Are we allowed to be up here?" Tori inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't worry, my parents will be too busy with their guests tonight," Jade assured her, pushing through the door and guiding her outside.
Tori couldn't help but gasp at the sight that greeted her—a beautifully set table for two with dinner already prepared, wine chilling nearby, and candles casting a warm glow. Jade had orchestrated this entire romantic set up just for her, and it was beyond perfect.
"You did all this?" Tori asked, her eyes locked onto Jade's.
Jade nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "Do you like it?" she inquired.
"I think 'like' is a very small word for what I'm feeling right now," Tori confessed, her eyes sparkling with delight as she admired the romantic display.
"Shall we sit?"
With a nod, Tori took her seat, and Jade quickly did the same, removing her jacket and placing it aside before pulling out Tori's chair with a gallant gesture.
"Grilled New York strip steak, medium well, with vegetables on the side. Separated by colors," Jade described the meal.
"You remembered what I ate that one time?" Tori asked in surprise. She often couldn't recall what she had for breakfast the day before, yet here was Jade, with a charming memory.
"I remember what you wore that day," Jade replied with a smile.
"Oh, no."
"What?"
"Now I know you're lying," Tori chuckled, shaking her head. "You always used to make fun of my style."
Jade chuckled as she held her fork, which had a carrot on it. "You don't believe me," she remarked, watching Tori take a sip of her wine. "Your hair was actually curled that day, not wavy like usual. You had on white, skin-tight jeans that had my libido begging for mercy, along with a cream-colored sweater with pink flecks."
Tori's fork clanged against her plate as she took another bite, and she quickly chased it down with a sip of wine she had just poured. She couldn't help but playfully chide Jade, "Alright, now you're just showing off." Their laughter filled the air, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Bringing a piece of steak to her mouth, Jade's eyes sparkled with delight as she listened to Tori's laughter. "You have a very beautiful laugh," she complimented. "I always thought you did."
Tori tried to hide her blush, but the soft glow of the candle before her made it nearly impossible. "Thank you," she replied, a slight smile tugging at her lips.
"Why didn't you ever say anything about how you felt?" Tori asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Why indeed? Jade mentally kicked herself for every moment she spent alone with Beck and didn't pursue Tori.
"To be honest..." Jade set her fork down and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I was having such a wonderful time with you that night that I didn't want to rush into something and scare the shit out of you." She chuckled, and Tori joined in. "And then Beck showed up, and... When you told him we weren't on a date, I honestly thought you were trying to set me back up with him."
"Beck doesn't need to be set up with anyone," Tori asserted. "Everyone's always found him so fun to be around, it just comes with the territory for him. Including you—you went back to him three times." She took another sip of her wine.
"Beck is all fun and games, you're right," Jade admitted, nodding. "But, Tori, you are pure joy. I honestly can't believe you couldn't tell how much I wanted to be around you. Especially considering how much I antagonized you before. Our time together changed me so much."
"Well, now that I think about it, you did ask to hang out together quite a lot," Tori mused.
Jade smiled. "I was using any excuse I could think of at the time."
For the first time since their feelings had come into play, neither of them felt like this was a simple affair. Not even the guilt over Beck crossed their minds.
As the sky began to darken, Tori asked, "Where do you see your career going, Jade?"
"I'm working on getting to know as many people in the industry as I can," Jade replied, a smile forming on her lips. "I want to be a showrunner and join the WGA by next year. I want to keep acting too, and maybe become a director."
"Really? I think you would be great at that," Tori said with enthusiasm.
"Yeah," Jade nodded. "We've worked so hard just to end up being PA's on the set."
"Well, we always have a choice in what we want to do. But this is a great way to get to know people."
Jade sighed, a hint of longing in her eyes. "I promised myself I would never give up. I'm still super young. Besides, I got accepted to AMDA LA too."
Tori's eyes lit up. "No way! We're going to the same school!"
"Yep!" Jade confirmed.
Tori was elated, already making plans in her mind. She was going to ask Jade to be her roommate, as her parents were going to get her an apartment once she started. Then it hit her—Jade was going to be married.
"What happened?" Jade asked, noticing the sudden dejection in Tori's expression.
"I... I wanted to make plans and then remembered Beck," Tori admitted with a sigh.
"Stop. There is no Beck. Not right now." Jade's eyes locked onto Tori's, and she reached across the table to hold her hand. "Now, I'm exactly where I want to be."
"Me too," Tori said with a genuine smile. Their connection felt stronger than ever as they continued to enjoy their intimate dinner.
After their awesome dinner, Tori was totally surprised to find a daybed set up with blankets and pillows at the other end of the balcony. She couldn't remember ever seeing it there before, or when she'd last come across such a cool setup. But, like, was Jade planning for them to sleep here? She'd be totally into that, but it also gave her those first-date jitters, even though it kinda was their first date all over again. Well, sort of, with one big difference.
Jade, picking up on Tori's vibes, was like, "It's cool, I can give you a ride home if you want."
Tori's eyes went from the inviting bed for two to meet Jade's chill blue ones. "Nah," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and a bit of nerves. "This will be a first. I've never had a sleepover on a balcony before."
A smirk played on Jade's lips, and she was all, "Me neither." Her hand moved to gently cup Tori's cheek, her thumb tracing the contours of Tori's cheekbone.
Tori couldn't help but get lost in Jade's touch, leaning into it every time she felt that gentle caress on her skin.
Jade's voice got lower, and she was like, "Would it be, like, super cliché if I kissed you right now?"
Tori nodded, her eyes totally locked onto Jade's. "Yeah," she whispered.
Jade leaned in slowly, and as the fireworks lit up the sky, it was like they were in a movie or something, capturing Tori's lips in a kiss that was just so incredible it could melt them both away. Tori's arms held onto Jade's neck, bringing her closer, while Jade's arms wrapped around Tori's waist. It was, like, just a matter of seconds before they ended up on the daybed, a totally perfect way to end their first day and night spent together.