Sorry about the wait guys, but life happened in the form of a major flood where I live, anybody who watched the news last week knows what city I'm talking about! So basically my commute to/from work has drastically increased and is now extremely looooooonnnnnngggg like well over an hour when it normally takes around thirty minutes, due to roads that could be closed for weeks. I'm good, thankfully I had no damages to anything personally and my neighborhood is fine to a certain extent, but I missed half a week of work last week because I simply couldn't drive down the road because the water levels were almost up to my knees. So I've been dealing with all that and the aftermath so needless to say, it's been a stressful two weeks! However all is not lost, I did manage to get my editing done, a little slower than I'd like, but hey it's done now and as compensation I didn't stick to my theory of only making chapter 5-10k words, this one is super long for you guys since you've been so awesome and understanding!
Anyways I hope you guys haven't forgotten about me or this fic because I haven't forgotten about you :)
Disclaimer: I don't own PP, characters, ideas or anything else associated with the movie or any of the music referenced in any of my chapters! However, everything else, including all the mistakes are mine!
A big shout out goes to sugarlandaddict23 for working her wonderful beta skills on this. If you guys don't know sugarlandaddict23 and OhWhatPun have a really awesome and fantastic fic called Like I'm Gonna Lose You! It's a roller coaster ride of emotions and the first person writing is incredible, so if you guys get time I highly suggest you go and check it out!
Remember this is a continuation of their first meeting that took place in Chapter 2! On with the show...
Beca's relief about never seeing the insanely pretty redhead again was short lived when she exits the bathroom and said girl is currently sitting in her usual spot laughing with Jessica and Jesse. She inwardly rolled her eyes, he'd probably just given one of his dumb movie facts or stupid celebrity impressions that he thinks everyone loves. She never really understands them, but it's whatever, everyone always laughs so she just deals with his obsession.
Yet, as Beca silently watches the group, she can't help but be captivated by how beautiful this girl is. There was something inherently natural about her hair, it's a shade of red unlike anything she's ever seen and then there are those eyes. In the brief seconds she was brave enough to look into them, she saw how blue they were. They screamed emotion, everything this girl feels is probably expressed in them and just thinking about the different looks she might get is enough to give her goose bumps.
The thing that really got Beca though was that voice, as soon she cracked that bathroom door, she was drawn to it. Thanks to her mom she has an affinity for old jazz music so it took her all of ten seconds to recognize Billie Holiday's All of Me and it brought back a ton of great memories. The voice was light and smooth and although the song was sang in a different octave, it still worked and was perfectly in tune.
When Beca steps out of the bathroom, she thinks she'd like to lay down that track sometime and maybe they could even record it together. She wasn't joking when she said the girl had a nice voice and she'd love to see what it's capable of, because she has a feeling that they could make amazing music together, even if it's only them that hear it.
However, all Beca's thoughts vanish when the redhead notices her and gives her this intentional and totally deliberate grin. It's the type where only those involved know what's up and it was a silent reminder that her feeble attempts at flirtation hadn't been forgotten.
Now, Beca's not a terribly nervous or outgoing person, although her foul mouth and sarcastic behavior usually makes people think otherwise. She's confident about herself to a certain extent and that easily shines though, but mainly she's a low key person who hates being at the center of attention. Sure she likes going out and having a good time, but she'd much rather hang out with her small group of friends or spend time with her dog.
Making her way across the room Beca's shoes screech to a halt when this girl has the audacity to send her a lavishly seductive wink then immediately engage in the conversation like it was no big deal. And as she wipes the sweat from her palms she thinks she might have to reevaluate the characterization she's just given herself. The effect this girl is having on her is contradicting every one of her personality traits and she's not sure how to handle that.
Instead of heading to the booth, Beca makes an abrupt military left turn and heads straight for the beer, because if she plans on making it the rest of the night, she'll need some liquid courage. She briefly contemplates taking the extra five steps to the space that allows people to navigate behind the counter, but then she'd have to cross directly in front of the redhead's line of vision again and that could, quite possibly, cause her injury.
So Beca approaches the nearest barstool and puts one foot on the bottom rung and the second on the seat. Taking a deep breath she places both hands on the black pearl granite countertop, that just so happens to perfectly match the checkered floor, counts to three and then vaults over the top. Now she's only tried this maneuver twice and usually she fucks up and crashes to the ground, but apparently third time's the charm, because tonight she's just stuck the landing.
Beca's hands shoot up in the air and she smoothly flips around giving a triumphant, "Yes!"
Easily taking a pint glass with the deli's name and logo etched across it from the neatly arranged stack below the counter Beca decided to go for broke. Tossing it in the air she watched it spin and twist until it rapidly descended into her open left hand where it was easily caught. Slamming it down on the generic black rubber bar mat she gave the middle beer tap a pull.
The second Sierra Nevada Pale Ale hit the glass the room erupted in applause and cheers and she was quickly brought back to reality. Picking up the glass she gave it a tilt to prevent foam from accumulating and eyed everyone around her.
"Who needs a refill?" Beca asked with a confident air and smug smile as she flicked the tap back into place.
"That was some serious Tom Cruz Cocktail movie moves," Jesse yelled over everyone's clapping.
"Don't know what you're talking about and don't care," Beca stated eyes purposefully avoiding the redhead who was no doubt grinning and just waiting to say something, "but thanks, I've been practicing."
"That's true," turning towards Chloe, Jessica let out an amused laugh, "she first tried it two weeks ago and barely made it over the counter. Her foot hit the tray of glasses and all the commotion almost gave Aubrey a heart attack."
Beca finally looked at the new girl who seemed amused, but not in the type of way that said she'd get teased about it later.
"In hindsight not my smartest idea, but Fat Amy dared me, so yeah…." Picking up her glass Beca took a sip.
Jesse wished he were there to see that spectacle, "Yeah and I heard all about your ineptitude from my wife that night."
"Hey, I paid for those glasses," Beca defended.
Looking at Chloe, he solemnly stated, "What she fails to realize is I always get shit for her actions later."
"And why is that?" Glancing to the brunette Chloe grinned, she couldn't wait to hear this.
"Because Aubrey thinks my BFF is deliberately being an idiot to get on her nerves," Jesse factually stated.
"I don't have to do anything," rolling her eyes Beca downed a couple swigs of beer before nonchalantly adding, "my presence is enough to do that, but sometimes I just like to agitate her for funzie."
The middle school words were back and the brunette was being cute again and Chloe loved it, "So you purposely piss her off?"
"Well I wouldn't say that…"
"Yes she does," standing up Jessica placed her hands on her hips and looked directly at Beca, who just smirked, "don't believe her lies Chloe."
Hearing that name Beca tensed up, Chloe, she'd heard it before and recently, she just can't remember exactly who told her. The redhead looked like a Chloe, and it was safe to say they'd never met, because someone with a body like that is way too hot to forget. Maybe she's one of Jessica's friends stopping in to chat or for dinner, whatever the case may be she's too tired to contemplate it any further, because in all likelihood after tonight they'll never see each other again.
Cutting Jessica off who was currently informing Chloe of all the things she does to purposely tick Aubrey off Beca grinned, "I get immense enjoyment out of watching her face scrunch up like she's been sucking on a sour patch kid."
Jesse closed his menu with a harsh slap, making all three of them look in his direction. Having everyone's attention, he tried his best to defend himself, "And when she acts like that I'm the innocent…"
"Not innocent," Beca sarcastically cut in taking another sip from her glass. Chloe's holding back laughter, she can see the corners of her lips fighting to not curve into a grin, "Never innocent, because he's too much of a dumbass," there's the smile she was striving for, "to play it cool."
"Anyways," frowning Jesse followed Jessica out of the booth, "I'm guilty by proxy and Aubrey thinks she's a bad influence."
"You laugh, that's why you get in trouble," Jessica grabbed their half empty glasses and headed over to Beca, "to Aubrey, that's the same as being an accomplice." Hopping up on a wooden barstool she passed her glass over, "Refill please."
Rinsing Jessica's glass out Beca grinned, "Any requests or bartenders choice?"
"Surprise me," Jessica turned towards the table, "what about you Chloe?"
Getting up Chloe walked towards the brunette who immediately blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and concentrated on filling the glass. For both their sakes she has no intention of bringing up what happened earlier, the last thing she ever wants is to embarrass someone for no reason, it's just not her style. Besides that was just for fun and they'd both admitted that they'd been flirting.
Stopping in front of the shorter girl, Chloe picked up her glass and finished it off, "I'll take an Anchor Steam please."
"I like your style," Beca smirked.
Chloe heard the double meaning loud and clear, setting the glass down next to the tap she leaned in closer, "And I like yours, but there's a tiny problem."
Intently focusing on not letting a single drop of beer escape the full glass Beca gingerly set it in front of Jessica, "And what's that?"
"You're kinda stealing my job," Chloe teased when grey-blue eyes met hers, "and I don't have any cash to tip you."
Oh, oh, Beca thought, bells and whistles were going off in her head as she stood there staring at the redhead with comically wide eyes. Her initial hopes of never seeing this girl after tonight vanished, because this wasn't Jessica's friend or even a customer at all. This was the new girl Aubrey hired, the one that Jesse was telling her about earlier tonight, she doesn't know how she missed all the clues. Hell the girl was even wearing the same dark blue Divisidaro St. Deli t-shirt with Aubrey's ridiculous catch phrase, Quality Never Goes Out of Style, in yellow letters on the back that all the employees wear. She was such an idiot.
But Beca can't admit to that, because then she'd have to explain to Jesse and Jessica everything that happened in the bathroom. And confessing how she'd been too busy checking out Chloe's body and almost killing herself to see that fucking t-shirt didn't seem like her best option. So she did want any rational person in her situation would do, she played it off.
"I usually prefer cash," Beca cleared her throat, "but I'll settle for your name instead."
"Right, we missed that part earlier didn't we?" Chloe questioned.
"Yep," Beca got a wink and a smile as she refilled Chloe's glass, but it wasn't like the others. This one said what happened in the bathroom was going to stay between them and it put her considerably more at ease. Pushing the tap back she held the glass out and it was immediately taken.
"Thanks!"
Beca watched Chloe take a sip, "No problem."
"So do I get a name?" Chloe shot out hoping the use of reverse psychology would catch the brunette off guard. Waiting for an answer she palmed her glass and let the condensation cool her skin, because no doubt about it this girl was hot.
Beca shook her head no, "Nice try, but tips don't work like that…"
Chloe bit back a laugh, "Ok, well refresh my memory then."
"It's simple, you just sat there," Beca pointed at the chair, "and did absolutely nothing," Jessica was quietly chuckling beside them, but her eyes never left the blue ones that were fucking twinkling in delight, "while I did all the work…" She grinned and held up a finger signaling she wasn't done yet, "Therefore you give me your name."
"I see," Chloe thoughtfully nodded like she was contemplating that explanation, "but what happens if I didn't get quality service?"
Beca had been waiting for that, "In America, it's frowned upon if you don't tip," they both knew where this was going because their smiles were getting bigger by the second, even though she was fighting to maintain her seriousness, "So, you kinda have to give something so a first name works."
Chloe loved every second of this, they were weirdly flirting again, but she also got the impression that this was just this girl's personality, "You have a point, but if I give you my whole name what does that mean?"
"Well I'll assume you got excellent service and it makes Facebook stalking you easier," Beca simply answered with a shrug. "At least then you'll know what I'm doing while you're getting my food or if you don't give it to me until later, I'll just creep on you at three in the morning like I normally would."
Chloe thought this girl was pretty damn funny, "Thanks for the honesty."
Averting her eyes Beca fiddled with her glass, trying not to show how much she'd been affected by that smile, "You know, I figured might as well state the obvious."
"I wouldn't peg you as the stalker type."
"There's a lot you don't know about me."
"There's a lot I'd like to know…"
Beca raised an eyebrow, "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah like your name, but if you want to wait too, that's no problem," setting her glass aside Chloe rested her elbows on the counter, propping her head up with a hand she winked, "I'll just write it down off your credit card so I can Facebook stalk you later."
They'd only worked together a few days so Jessica didn't know a whole lot about Chloe, but so far she liked the older girl and could easily see them hanging out. Chloe was quick witted and funny and easily adapted to any social situation. That's why this whole interaction is baffling, in one aspect it's highly entertaining, but then there's the sexual tension, she could cut it with a knife. And as she flips her eyes to Jesse he just gives her a couple thumbs up and a goofy smile that says he sees it too.
"I like how you brought things full circle," Beca almost fell for the oldest trick in the book, but she'd caught herself just in time. Tapping her fingers against countertop she chuckled, "You're good," she raised her glass in a mock salute, "but not that good."
Chloe wrapped a strand of hair around her finger and kept her eyes locked on Beca's, "Oh you have no idea how good I am," she spoke in a clear and even tone causing the brunette to flush again, because yeah she just went there.
Beca quickly took in her surroundings, Jessica and Jesse were still here and it's not that she doesn't want to lay down her mack daddy skills, because she does. It's just that if it works then she's golden, but if it doesn't, which based on her track record it won't, then it'll only be matter of days until the entire restaurant knows and she'll never live it down. So instead, just this once, she was going to throw in the towel.
Clearing her throat, Beca can't help but chuckle at the whole situation, "And here we are back at square one..."
Chloe liked this girl and she was really looking forward to talking more, laughing she held out her hand, "I'm Chloe Beale, waitress extraordinaire."
"Well since we're being all formal and shit," Beca glared at Jesse whose mouth snapped shut before he could utter a reprimand. Setting her glass aside she reached out and firmly took the other hand, the grip was gentle and warm and comforting, all which surprised her, "I'm Beca Mitchell, Aubrey Posen's biggest pain in the ass."
Jesse had been closely following the entire interaction and as confident and direct as Beca may seem, he can tell his best friend is more than slightly nervous right now. Fingers rapidly tapping against her beer glass was usually a giveaway, but the biggest indicator was the flushed face and half smile that appeared when Chloe spoke. It reminds him of high school Beca, who he hasn't seen in a really, really long time and it shows just how far she's come as a person. She grew up in college, it's where she found her voice and confidence and really came into her own. Although seeing this does make him smile, because deep down Beca's still that same awkward, apprehensive and loveably shy person he met all those years ago. That's the real Beca, that's the person he and Aubrey think everybody deserves to see, but after her mom died a wall was built so strong and so high that they new it would never happen.
"And that's putting it lightly," Jessica softly spoke bursting the pairs bubble, "she's the whole reason that nobody," she pointed in Jesse's direction who picked up a laminated Reserved for M.P.I.T.A card and wildly waved it around, "is allowed to sit in that booth."
"What can I say she loves me," Beca casually stated making her way around the counter and towards her table.
"More like you left her nasty comment cards until she did," Jesse added placing the card back at the end of the table.
Beca dropped down into her seat and slid over to look out the window, "It's comfortable and has the best view, so it's perfect for writing," she looked at Jesse alarmingly when she almost said music, but she got no help because Chloe was quizzically looking between them and all she could stutter out was a pathetic, "you know in my daily journal and stuff."
"I see," Chloe nodded in understanding.
It was nice to know Beca's name and to finally be able to see the girl in decent lighting. And Chloe couldn't help but let her eyes roam Beca's relaxed form as she made her way over to the table. The brunette was just as attractive now as in the bathroom, like really, seriously, painfully attractive and on so many different levels. But they'd barely met and knew nothing about each other, so she didn't need to go jumping into the deep end of the pool when there was a perfectly good shallow end to start in.
"So tell me Beca," Chloe stressed the name as she and Jessica reclaimed their spots in the booth, "what exactly do the initials M.P.I.T.A mean?"
Beca slightly tensed at the invasion of space, but told herself that this was a four person booth and Chloe was just sitting there like any other person would. So she shifted around a bit to make room then ultimately relaxed.
"Major Pain In The Ass," Jesse rushed out before Beca could even begin.
Chloe's eyes flipped to Beca, who just crossed her arms in annoyance, then to Jesse, who was weirdly excited about what he just said, and finally to Jessica who quietly added, "Aubrey thought it was fitting."
"Ok…" Chloe was amused, turning back to Beca she asked, "I'm guessing it's a long story?"
"Yes," came three voices simultaneously.
Chloe playfully reeled back with her hands up, "Wow…"
"Oh fuck it, you'll bound to find out, you might as well get it from the source," Beca bit out picking up her glass, taking a sip she set it aside with a sigh, "In college she used to call me a Smurf."
"Which one?" Chloe interrupted with a grin.
"Lazy Smurf, Clumsy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf," Jesse began listing off names and counting on his fingers until Beca kicked him under the table, "Ouch, Aubrey says you're not allowed to kick me."
"Yeah well, the principal isn't here and I can't get detention."
"You'd skip it anyways," Jesse whined, "You always did."
"Anyways," Beca rolled her eyes and turned back to Chloe, "one day I had enough of her BS and I went out and bought like twenty brooms. Then while she was at class I duct taped them all over her and Jesse's apartment and left a note saying, I know you act like a witch all year long but now you don't have to wait until Halloween to ride your broom."
Chloe bit her lip to suppress her laughter, "Did she retaliate?"
"Boy did she ever," Jesse yelped in pain when he got kicked again.
Jessica motioned Chloe closer, she wasn't around when it happened, but she loved telling the story anyway. It was quite possibly Aubrey Posen's crowning achievement in revenge, "Like a week later Aubrey paid an art student to paint a very Beca looking Smurf on her apartment door. It was tricked out with ear monstrosities and tattoos and it wore a plaid shirt, get her to show you the picture, it's awesome," by this time everyone was laughing but Beca who was very disgruntled, "and Major Pain In The Ass Smurf was its name."
"She came up with that all alone," Jesse had never seen his wife so happy or his best friend so defeated and it was awesome, "I swear, that just made me love Aubrey more."
Saving that information for later, Chloe shook her head, "And you guys are friends?"
"We tolerate each…ouch, fuck you Jesse," Beca brought her leg up and rubbed the shin that had just been kicked. Quickly lifting her other leg everyone heard a loud thump against the back of the booth, "Ok, ok Jesus, Aubrey's not that bad, she's one of my best friends."
"Good," Jesse nodded in triumph, "I'll tell her you said that."
"Jerk…"
"Love you too buddy…"
Just then Beca's stomach growled and she'd never been happier to hear it, letting out an uneasy laugh she patted her stomach, "I guess that means it's time to eat."
"Oh!" Whipping out the order pad from her back pocket and pen from behind her ear Chloe grinned, "What can I get you? Remember I gotta work for my tip?"
Beca swallowed hard again, "Jessica knows, she'll tell you," she mumbled picking up her glass.
"That's not how this works Beca," Chloe reiterated plucking the glass from the brunette's hands, "tell me that way I know, exactly what you want," she set it aside, "so I'll know for next time." Tracing the rim with a finger she watched Beca's eyes follow her movements, "You know since we will be seeing much, much more of each other."
Panicking Beca began rolling her sleeves up as her brain started short-circuiting, "Ummmm…"
Chloe laughed, making this girl blush was way too easy, "My choice then?"
"I-I'll have the Little Italy sandwich," Beca breathed a sigh of relief when Chloe began writing, "it's my favorite."
"Is that the one with salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese…" Chloe began listing off ingredients to Jessica who reassuringly nodded, "Great! Jesse you still want the club?"
"Please," Jesse slid his empty milkshake glass across the table, "and I'll have whatever Beca's drinking."
"I'm on it!" Chloe cheerfully exclaimed already up and moving towards the kitchen.
"Hey Chloe," Beca called out making the redhead stop and turn, running a hand through her hair she tentatively stated, "no tomatoes please…" her request was immediately written down and she couldn't help but smile at the enthusiasm, "but I'd like extra oil and vinegar."
"Anything else?" Chloe asked and Beca shook her head, but Jesse had other plans.
"Yeah put the closed sign up and lock the door," Jesse said with a smile.
Jessica looked at her watch, "But it's not time to close, we still got a half hour."
"It's ok, the owner's my wife," Jesse reiterated pointing at the door again, "so it's like I'm the boss."
"You are far from the boss in that relationship bro," Beca factually stated making him blush and everyone else laugh.
Jessica did as she was told then pointed toward the kitchen, "I'm just going to help Chloe."
"Cool…Oh," Jesse face lit up with an idea, "eat dinner with us, so don't forget your orders too."
"Awesome!" Jessica gave Chloe a high five as they wandered off into the back.
The second the other two were out of earshot Jesse looked at Beca who was avoiding eye contact.
"What was that?" Jesse whisper yelled leaning halfway across the table to make sure the others didn't hear.
"What was what?" Beca played stupid picking at a fingernail, but glancing up she saw him grinning like a madman and she knew what was coming next.
"Oh ho, you know what I'm talking about," he pointed accusingly and his finger was swatted away, "Chloe had you acting like you were fifteen again."
"Dude no, I'm just tired," that's a lie because Beca can't tell if she's acting this way because holy shit Chloe's hot or if she's really interested, oh man she's in so much trouble and it's only day one.
"Dude yes," Jesse mocked, looking over his shoulder he made sure the coast was clear, "you guys were playing some type of weird game that made me and Jessica feel awkward."
Beca crossed her arms and tried to evilly stare at him, but eventually she just slumped down in the booth, because he was right. She wasn't acting as cool, calm and collected as normal, but how could she, this was the fastest anyone had ever flipped on what Fat Amy calls her "blubbering idiot switch". Chloe's simple and innocent words, that laugh and smile literally melted her insides and turned her mind to mush.
"That's my specialty," Beca shot back and her knee started bouncing when she heard Chloe's laughter drift out from the kitchen. It made Jesse knowingly grin, but she wasn't giving in, "Especially around pretty girls."
"So you think she's pretty?"
Beca folded her arms on the table and buried her face in them to avoid the bright red blush her face was sporting, "Fuck man that girl is gorgeous."
Lightly laughing, Jesse eyed his friend, "Then get her number."
"Tried that," came Beca's muffled reply as she lifted a hand up and gave a thumbs down, "and I wasn't very smooth…like at all."
"What'd she say?"
"That once I got my shit together I could try again."
Jesse laughed louder and Beca's thumbs down turned into the finger, "What did you say?"
"You want me to put it simply?" Lifting her head Beca rested her chin on her forearms and Jesse eagerly nodded. He always seemed just a little too invested in her love life, but he was her best friend, so she just rolled with it, "I thought she was a customer, so I hit on her in the bathroom and," she frowned, "I offered to help her practice for a wet t-shirt contest."
Jesse really didn't know what to say, Beca does a lot of crazy stuff, but when something that off the wall comes out of her mouth it's still surprising. Well surprising isn't really the best word because in actuality he kind of expected it, he just can't believe she told him about this little fun fact so easily.
"You said that," Beca nodded and he followed up with, "that's the best you could do?"
"What can I say, sometimes stupid freely flows," Beca sat up straighter, she could tell he wanted to ask more, but she wasn't divulging anymore embarrassing details "so quit looking at me like that."
"Why don't you try being yourself?" Jesse lightly scolded, but Beca didn't say anything, she just looked down at her fingers, "Fine just continue to flounder and never give yourself a chance with a nice girl."
"My life's complicated," Beca rubbed her forehead as she glanced out the window.
He knows exactly why Beca's struggling and it always streams back to the fame and money thing. Her whole life her talent and her mom have been what people focus on and because of that she's perceived differently, when all she really wants to be normal. She has a small close group of friends, so he knows she's capable of letting people in, unfortunately it just takes a long time for them get into that circle. Yet there's just something about Chloe that he has a good feeling about and he thinks she just might be the type of person Beca needs.
"Look, Beca," Jesse shifted in his seat hearing Chloe and Jessica talking animatedly with each other as they exited the kitchen. He wanted to throw out how she'd just told him she wanted to date a nice girl, but he couldn't because that would only cause an argument. So instead he lowered his voice and suggested, "Next time you're alone, apologize and ask to start over."
Beca hated to admit it, but he was right, "Can you like find a reason to get us alone?" She ran her fingers through her hair when Chloe looked over at her, "I'd kinda like to get it over with sooner rather than later."
"Of course, that's why I'm your lesbro!" Jesse held up his hand for a high five, but got nothing except a death glare. Dropping the hand he muttered, "I'll figure something out."
"Thanks," leaning forward Beca harshly whispered, "and we've talked about how being my lesbro isn't a thing."
"But…"
"No," Beca interrupted pointing a finger, "never say it again."
"Fine but you owe me dinner for this," Jesse harshly whispered.
"Deal," Beca added, "but…"
Rapidly dinging bells made everyone jump and Jesse grinned, "Saved by the bell."
"Shut up Zach Morris…" Sliding out of her seat Beca met Chloe halfway, "Let me handle these," she offered taking their plates, "why don't you refill everyone's drinks."
That was very sweet and Chloe really wanted to kiss Beca's cheek again, but it might seem weird to everyone watching. Yet for her it didn't feel strange, it felt natural and really right, to right in fact.
"Thank you…" Chloe said with a smile. Placing a hand on Beca's arm she gave it a gentle squeeze.
Beca winked, "Anytime…"
Moving back behind the counter Chloe got fresh glasses and started on the refills. When Beca laughed at whatever Jessica said she couldn't help but lookup and smile. She wasn't ready for the type of thoughts and feelings she was having about someone she just met. She was still trying to get settled into her surroundings and new job, so she needed to quit reading into things. She's probably miss interpreting the signals anyways, because there's no way someone as hot as Beca could possibly be interested in her.
Beca swears Jesse's the worst wingman ever, hell Fat Amy does a better job at being discreet and that's saying a lot, because Fat Amy's far from tactful. He was all twitchy and nervous and overly excited as he fumbled his way through a pathetic excuse about why he needed to clean up the back instead of Chloe as he pushed Jessica from the booth. Then she could've slapped him when he returned less than a minute later with a pen and paper, stating how they might need this to play hangman or pass love notes. How he ever bagged someone as refined and sophisticated as Aubrey Posen was way beyond her realm of comprehension.
A hand waving in front of her face brought Beca back to her senses, "Sorry, I kinda zoned out for a second."
"It's ok," Chloe smiled, when Beca didn't say anything she joked, "So got any other pickup lines you'd like to try?"
That broke the ice and Chloe laughed with Beca, she was kind of glad they were alone now, it was hard to chat with Beca when Jesse's entertaining everyone. But what Beca did say she took note of, she laughed at the little side remarks interjected into stories and she loved the thoughtful questions she was asked when they did get a few minutes to talk quietly together. It made it seem like Beca was interested in her and she kind of was too, so it was good that they were alone now.
"So about that," running her hands across her face Beca let out a slow breath. When she dropped them Chloe was looking at her in a way said it was ok to take her time, "I want to apologize if you know I made you uncomfortable or whatever."
"No need," resting a hand on top of Beca's, Chloe stopped the nervous tapping, "you didn't do anything I didn't like."
"Really?"
"Really…" Chloe repeated, "And I meant it when I said you were cute."
Beca couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she quietly admitted, "Same goes for you making me nervous."
"For some reason I think the person I met in the bathroom isn't the real you."
"It really isn't…"
The light blush was back and as an eye was tiredly rubbed Chloe held out her hand, "Can we start over?"
"I was just going to suggest that," eyeing the wiggling fingers for a second, Beca eventually reached out and gave it a shake, "So, I'm Beca Mitchell, but you already knew that."
"Chloe Beale," dropping their hands they laughed and Chloe felt the air between them relax again.
"So Chloe Beale," Beca stressed the name making the redhead giggle, if they were starting fresh she might as well start with the obvious, "I've been listening all night and I've learned that you love to travel, are from Atlanta and are only working here part time."
Chloe nodded enthusiastically, "You are right on all counts," reaching for her glass she got a wink and smile that made her heart flutter, "that was smooth."
Beca grinned, "You like that?"
"You get a point for that move," Chloe laughed from behind her glass before taking a sip.
"How many does it take to get your phone number," Beca teased placing an elbow on the table and resting her chin in the palm of her hand.
Dangling the glass between her thumb and index finger Chloe thought for a few seconds. Setting the glass down with a clink, she smugly asked, "And what makes you, Beca Mitchell, think I'm into girls?"
"How do you know I am?" Beca shot right back, a few seconds ago she was almost a hundred percent sure about Chloe, but now with an answer like that she's wavering, "I could just be asking so I can offer to show you around…since you're new in town."
"I asked first," Chloe could play this game all night.
"Touché," prying fingers from around the near empty glass Beca messed with Chloe's left thumb, "Nice ring."
"Thanks, my little sister gave it to me when she was five," Chloe grinned at the memory, it was one of her absolute favorites. The little blonde haired girl was so excited that she ended up giving her the gift two days before her actual birthday, "I was turning twelve, it was too big for any of my fingers and I didn't have the heart to exchange it, so I told her I'd wear it on my thumb forever because it would always make me think of her."
Chloe swears by that too, it's one of the few things she has left of her sister and she refuses to take it off.
Beca smiled at the story, "So that's the only reason you where it?"
"I guess it could mean something else," Chloe evasively added in an amused tone, "I know certain rings, with certain meanings are supposed to be on the right thumb," she grinned, "but my sister told me to wear it on my left because I'm right handed, so I kinda can't change it."
"Regardless, of your excuse," Beca ran the pad of her finger over the smooth silver band, "it was a dead giveaway."
"Was it," Chloe loved the way Beca's hand felt against hers and she loved how her fingers were being toyed with. When Beca looked up she playfully arched an eyebrow, "because I actually don't have a preference, I think you love who you love."
Stilling her fingers Beca questioned, "You don't lean more in one direction than the other?"
"Nope," Chloe shook her head, "I'll date whoever's the cutest."
"Interesting," Beca gave the ring a twirl.
"And I happen to find you very cute…" Chloe dropped a hint, just to see how it was taken and Beca looked a mixture of surprised and pleased.
"Good to know," Beca admitted, they were making progress, now she needs to work up the courage to ask Chloe on a date.
As much as Beca hates being touched or genuinely having people invade her space, for some reason holding Chloe's hand made it all disappear. Chloe's hands are smooth, soft and delicate, while hers are a little rougher and stronger due to years of piano playing and working a mixing board.
"Your shirt," Beca grinned at her and Chloe let her eyes roam the green and orange plaid button down again, "that was your giveaway," she repeated with just as much confidence when their eyes finally locked, "and the fact that you hit on me."
Beca kind of wants to lace their fingers together just to see how it feels, because it was weird how nicely they fit together, but she ended up dropping the hand instead, "Damn it! It's always my clothes."
"Trust me that's not a bad thing," Chloe reassured. What she wants to say is that she finds it sexy, but she's too busy missing the warmth Beca's hand provided to focus on anything else, "I like the look you've got going on," she bit her bottom lip and glanced at the shirt again, "it works well for you."
"Thanks…"
"Just calling it like I see it…"
Beca laughed, she's not used to hearing that because Aubrey loves telling her how she needs to dress more professionally for work. But she works in a fucking recording studio, formal attire is the least of her worries on any given day. The only time Aubrey didn't complain was when she stopped by to see Jesse one day and Adam Levine was in the recording booth with his shirt off. Beca had never seen Aubrey that speechless or flustered before, basically Aubrey flipped her shit when he came out to talk to them and it was awesome. It was pretty hysterical and because she works with Maroon 5 and Adam frequently, she gets to see him greet Aubrey with the same exact excited squeal he heard the first time they met. It embarrasses the hell out of Aubrey and she fucking loves it.
"So, if you're only working here part time, is it safe to assume that you have another job?"
"Yep," Chloe stated excitedly, "and you know how I told you I'm kind of into music, like really into it?"
Beca chuckled watching the other girl practically bounce in her seat, "Yeah I remember."
"Well drumroll please," Chloe waited and got no reaction so she picked up the brunette's hands and playfully slapped them on the tabletop until Beca got the hang of it. Over the clattering of forks she sang, "I'm a journalist and photographer for Rolling Stone Magazine."
Hearing that Beca's pretty sure her breathing stopped, stilling her hands she froze in her seat. That significantly complicates things and puts a screeching halt to her plan of asking Chloe out on a date. Her head was spinning in a thousand different directions, with a thousand different scenarios, and they all pointed to two very bright and very big red flags. Either Chloe was here, working part time in this deli, purely by coincidence or Chloe knew who she was and how to find her.
Beca knew her name was out there, thankfully not the alias she uses daily, but her full name is out there and it's all because of her four year stint at USC's radio station. They still frequently play the mixes she made back in college, like almost on a daily basis. And due to modern technology and the stations extreme popularity with college students, just about anybody in the entire country can stream it live online.
Even if someone like Chloe listened everyday it would still be extremely difficult to pinpoint who she is now, but someone with extremely good journalistic skills, who may have won awards, and has the determination and patience definitely could. Her only saving grace is that her name is fairly common and that there are a handful of other Beca Mitchell's out there. However, when Googleing her name a two page article and obituary for her musician mother, Elizabeth Richardson, does pop up. It was published in the LA and New York Times and has a picture of them together along with a brief summary of her life and accomplishments up until her sophomore year in college. After that connecting the dots and tracing her life through graduation would be relatively simple, that is until she fell off the face of the planet and shied away from the limelight because of one fateful afternoon at her very first internship. The only option a person would have after that is to start running background checks on random Beca Mitchell's in California until information starts matching the article. From there everything is validated including the home she inherited from her mom in Malibu and the purchases of her multimillion dollar house and Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco. And even though she makes all her employees and artists sign confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements about who she is and where they record, Tweets, Instagram's and Snapchats do accidently get out.
"That sounds awesome," Beca stammered out after finally taking a breath.
"Thanks I'm pretty excited about it," Chloe grinned, sometimes she still can't believe she's working for Rolling Stone, "it's literally my dream job!"
Beca coughed trying to cover up her fear, the only problem she has now is if that second scenario is true, how did Chloe know she frequents this deli. Then it hit her and her face visibly paled, Jesse, his name, along with a few others, is listed on the fucking studios webpage. He's also got a god damn public Instagram account that he loves posting pictures on and she swears she's in at least two a week.
"Whoa," Beca looked like she was going to be sick so Chloe handed over a glass of water and watched as it was shakily lifted and a tiny sip was taken, "you ok?"
"Y-yes," Beca fanned herself, nervously trying to play it off. She needed to figure out which scenario she was working with and she prayed it was the first, "Sorry, I just got lightheaded, but I'm good."
"Well just warn me if you're going to puke," Chloe joked and she got a small smile, "that way I can duck and cover."
Nodding Beca decided to press for information, "So, how long have you been with Rolling Stone?"
"A whole five days, " Chloe answered counting her fingers making Beca laugh.
"Cool," Beca held up her hand and Chloe immediately gave her a high five.
"After I finish the internship program, I get two weeks off, then I start my paid full time position."
"And how long's the internship?"
"Just until the end of the summer! I plan on using my time off to travel around California, I'd love to visit LA or Napa."
Leaning against the window Beca laughed, Chloe seemed like anyone excited about their first big job. It would be hard to fake eagerness and elation like, the girl just looked pumped and she knows the feeling. She had the same adrenalin flowing through her veins when she got her first big break too.
Taking a swig of beer Beca asked, "So like what's your specialty?
"I've been assigned to the album and artist division," Chloe wasn't exactly sure what that entailed, but during orientation she soon found out that it was one of the most coveted positions in the company. Then later when she sat down with her new boss she found out that it would also be her permanent position so she was ecstatic, "I'm hoping to do one-on-one interviews or write articles on new bands, you know stuff like that, but my ultimate goal is to have a cover story one day."
"How'd you end up there?" This question held double meaning, because Beca imagines Rolling Stone doesn't exactly advertise job openings on the internet and Chloe may be using a certain knowledge she has as leverage, "I mean a magazine like Rolling Stone is popular, you must be a pretty amazing writer to even get your foot in the door?"
Chloe wasn't big on bragging about her accomplishments, it was such a self absorbed thing to do, but that didn't mean she didn't have any. She had her fair share, including multiple recognitions from Columbia University and two prestigious Hearst Journalism Awards in both writing and photojournalism, and she's proud of them. Except in the working world they don't mean a whole lot and until she proves herself they're just fancy paperweights.
"They approached me in grad school," Chloe happily stated remembering that day, because it was what the last thing she expected, "one of the editors is a guest lecturer on campus and regularly reads the school newspaper. I'd just published a huge expose on an up and coming local band when he came in and asked to speak to me." She hadn't told many people this story, not even her parents, but Beca seemed really interested so she continued, "He liked my writing and photography style, said it is leaps and bounds better than a typical college student and he asked to see my portfolio."
From that short story Beca can tell with one hundred percent certainty that Chloe has no idea who she is. Someone can't make up a lie that sophisticated off the top of their head and not have it sound rehearsed. So Chloe was telling the truth, but before she totally breathes a sigh of relief she just wants to make sure. She hates being this way, it makes her feel like she's living a double life, which technically she is, but until she really trusts someone she can't take the risk of letting outsiders know she's one of the biggest names in the music industry.
"I hear people talk about portfolios a lot, what is it?" Beca interrupted and Chloe just lightly laughed, "Sorry…"
The timid apology was cute and Chloe was more than happy to answer, "Basically it's like a highlight of all your best work."
"Like a demo tape?"
"Exactly!"
"Cool," Beca couldn't help but smile, she felt considerably less edgy knowing all her worrying and all those crazy scenarios she'd concocted were all for nothing. Now though she really wanted to hear the end of Chloe's story, "Ok, sorry continue."
Chloe lightly rested her hand on Beca's arm, but when the brunette glanced down she quickly removed it and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Clearing her throat Chloe smiled, "To make a long story short, after he read through everything he gave me his business card and told me to call him to discuss job opportunities."
"And the rest is history?" Beca joked tapping her fingers against the tabletop.
"Yep pretty much," even though Jesse and Jessica were here, this weirdly felt like a first date and Chloe wasn't nervous at all, which was even weirder, "I got extremely lucky."
"I doubt that, you're talented and just don't want to admit it," Beca got a smile and it just about made her day, "I bet your family's proud, how could they not be, you work for fucking Rolling Stone."
That smile faltered and slipped off Chloe's face, but just briefly. Within a second it was back and Beca noted how it wasn't the same and the sparkle in those eyes weren't happy and authentic anymore, it was forced and almost sad. She made a mental note that family was a touchy subject and that she needed to be careful about the type of questions she asks. Family stuff isn't her strong suit either so she understands and hopefully one day they can share that part of their lives with each other.
Sensing the uneasiness and the mood shifting, Beca quickly asked, "So if you hadn't ended up here, where do you think you'd be?"
Chloe was thankful for the subject change. They were having a nice conversation and she really didn't want to kill the mood with her evasiveness and come off as a total bitch.
"You want me to be serious?" Beca nodded and Chloe playfully covered her eyes, "You're going to laugh, promise you won't laugh?"
"I won't, because mine is probably more ridiculous than yours," they were back on solid ground and Beca was happy about that.
"I wanted to be a political correspondent," Chloe looked at the window in the kitchen door and she swears she saw two heads duck out of view. Turning back to Beca she smiled, "For my undergrad degree, I reported on campus wide concerns and issues, as well as elections."
Listening to Chloe really made Beca want to read anything this girl wrote, "Did anything get out of control, because the Greek system at USC was always at war."
"Actually…" Chloe closed her eyes because just thinking about the insanity an extracurricular activity, that she was a part of, caused was ridiculous and probably made the fraternities and sororities at Beca's school seem tame, "the a cappella groups were…"
"Like a cappella, a cappella? Like music without instruments?" Beca harshly cut in making Chloe lightly blush. Accidentally slamming a hand down on the table she and so Chloe laughed when a fork went flying, "Well how the hell did you get involved with that?"
After making sure their water glasses weren't going to tip over Chloe relaxed back in her seat. Beca looked excited by her admission and ready to ask a thousand different questions and it was pretty freaking adorable. And come to think if it, she does remember Beca mentioning in the bathroom how music was her thing too, so Chloe already feels like they've connected. She also doesn't feel like she has to explain how her love for singing and Barden University's renowned all female a cappella group were major deciding factors in where she went to school. Deep down she knows Beca just gets it.
"I was in one, The Barden Bellas," Chloe happily replied, "it's very popular on campus."
Beca held up her hands in understanding, "Hey I get it, more so than I'd care to admit. Aubrey and Jesse were on a co-ed one at USC, it's where they met."
"No way," Chloe exclaimed smacking a hand on the table making Beca jump in surprise. They were so talking about this the next time she saw Aubrey, grinning widely she pointed at a startled Beca, "Oh my god, were you in it too?"
"No," Beca vehemently crossed her heart then held up her hand like she was about to say a pledge, "I doubled majored, so I was too busy, plus it's kind of lame," she got a light shove and she laughed giving it right back.
"Ok smarty pants what'd you major in?" Picking up her glass Chloe swirled the contents before finishing off her beer and setting the empty glass aside. It was so easy to talk to Beca, there was no pressure, and she'd be perfectly content to sit here all night.
"Would you believe me if I said engineering and math?" Chloe just raised an eyebrow and Beca smirked, "Ok me either," grabbing a straw she twirled it between her fingers just to give her hands something to do, "For real though, I majored in piano and composition for orchestra with a minor in vocal ensemble arrangements."
Chloe's mouth hung open in disbelief, that's not at all what she expected, that's some heavy and hardcore stuff. Music theory was ridiculously difficult in general, so applying it to many different instruments all at once means you had to know your shit. She always admired people who could do that, because they had to be on near genius levels.
Gaining her voice again Chloe asked, "Are you a like Mozart, you know like a child prodigy?"
Lobbing her head back and forth Beca debated on how to best answer that question, because to put it simply yes she was or so she'd been told by numerous college professors when she was seven. It all stated when she was four and her mom taught her to play the piano and by the time she was eight she'd advanced so much that she was taking lessons from a professor at USC. In high school is where things drastically changed, she was enrolled at USC on a full scholarship and began taking college level music courses. She only attended regular school for classes like history and English and because she wasn't a normal student, she was excluded, picked on and labeled anoutcast. She didn't care about the baseball or football teams or even if she was popular, she just wanted to get out of high school. Not every aspect was bad, she had music and Jesse as well as a few other friends and that's all she really needed.
"Prodigy is a strong word…"
"Oh my god you so are right?" Chloe always pictured a prodigy or virtuoso to be completely opposite to who she had been interacting with all night. Beca was just a regular person, somewhat quiet at times, but could also be brash and sarcastic when needed. The brunette was smart and funny and so damn attractive that it hurt.
"According to certain people and tests, yes, but I don't call myself that," Beca really hated that label, she was taunted with it growing up, so hearing it always brought back bad memories. Besides prodigies were practically perfect and her mom always said no one was perfect no matter how good they are, "They don't make mistakes, but I do and I learn from them."
"But isn't the piano and writing orchestra music hard?" Chloe asked, still in disbelief at Beca's nonchalant attitude towards this whole thing.
"The piano is my backbone and stability, it's kind of what I turn too when I need an answer or a break from life," that was probably the most poignant and revealing thing Beca said about herself so far tonight and it was the truth, "and yes, composing is hard," she chuckled at Chloe's awestruck face and she couldn't help but note how beautiful it is again, "because if one thing's off, the whole arrangement goes to shit."
"Is that why you constantly tap your fingers," Chloe had noticed it all night.
"Yes and no," shrugging Beca smiled, "I claim it's a nervous habit, but if my mom were still alive, she'd tell you it was the music trying to get out."
Seeing the fingers move against the glass again, Chloe grinned leaning closer, "Do I make you nervous Beca Mitchell?"
"Yes," Beca was amazed, somehow she'd managed not to flinch away from the invasion of her personal space. Swallowing the lump in her throat she added, "because you're way too pretty for your own good," without even thinking. Slapping a hand over her mouth and closing her eyes she mumbled, "I'm sorry…"
"Well the feeling is mutual," grey-blue eyes cracked open and Chloe saw they were a little scared. Moving the hand away from Beca's mouth she smiled, "you are so cute."
Beca let out a long sigh and slumped making Chloe laugh, "And here we go again with that term."
"Can I ask you something else?" Picking up her water Chloe absentmindedly stirred her straw.
"Sure, I've already said you're pretty what else do I have to lose," Beca added balling her hands into fists so she wouldn't start nervously tapping again.
Sipping her water Chloe playfully rolled her eyes, then set her glass aside, "What does a person with credentials like yours do for a job?"
"I work with Jesse," Beca easily replied, "I'm kind of like a studio musician, it's nothing glamorous."
When Beca has time she sits in and plays the piano for whatever TV show or movie he's scoring and she does help him with arrangement problems, so what she just told Chloe isn't a total lie. But mainly she does it because it's fun and it helps her remember why she loves music so much. It's different from her day to day routine and even though she has full creative control over everything, making that kind of music just isn't fun anymore. To be honest she kind of hates it, but it's only because she's burned out and frustrated and in desperate need of a long break.
"Done anything I've heard," Chloe had like a thousand questions she wanted to ask, because jobs like that were so cool.
"Maybe," more than Chloe ever realized Beca thought with a shrug, "but you'd have to ask Jesse, I don't ask names, I just play. I'm not a big TV or movie person, I'd much rather read a book."
It's kind of weird, they just met and except for the whole movie and TV deal, Beca feels extremely guilty for the lies she's just told. Well it's not really a lie, more like she hasn't told the whole truth, but she still feels bad. All night Chloe has been nothing but nice and genuine and responsive to anything anybody asks and she wishes she could do the same. She feels like she's letting Chloe down by not truly being herself, even though she's given out more personal information in the last fifteen minutes then she's ever given anybody she first meets. Chloe's just nice and she doesn't feel like anything she says will be used against her and now she's left wondering how long she can keep her second life in the dark.
"I'm sorry we can't be friends," mocking offence Chloe moved to get up from the booth.
"What dude why?" Beca reached out fearing she'd said something wrong.
When Chloe turned she saw pleading eyes, "I'm only joking," she giggled and Beca smiled in relief, "but are you serious?"
"Yep I hate movies," Beca factually stated as Chloe sat back down and scooted closer, "I have a few TV shows I regularly watch but mostly I just," she shrugged, "don't."
"Well guess what Beca Mitchell," Chloe proudly put an arm around the brunette's shoulders, "we're friends now."
Beca saw a huge grin and she couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Oh really?"
Chloe gave a fast nod, "Yep and I'm gonna show you the art of binge watching some of the finest shows TV has to offer! Then we'll watch all the movies you should've been watching since you were a baby, we've got a lot of material to get through, so we'll have to start soon."
"Well that's presumptuous, what makes you think I want to come over," Beca said with a straight face.
"Because I'm awesome that's why," reaching over Chloe pinched a cheek and it was swatted away, "and because I've dubbed myself your movie and TV mentor."
"You're going to have to fight Jesse on that," Beca deadpanned, "he's been trying to do that for years…"
"He's weak," Beca snorted and it made Chloe's grin widen.
"So are we gonna like watch Netflix and chill," the burst of laughter that got left Beca totally confused. She didn't make a joke, at least she didn't think she did, but apparently Chloe thought so. She was going to ask Chloe's Chinese food preference, but instead she went with, "What's so funny?"
Chloe was laughing so hard her sides hurt and she could barely breathe, for as flirty and dirty minded as Beca had been earlier, that question was so naïve. And for a lack of a better word it was adorable, this girl seriously couldn't get any cuter.
Calming down Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes, "Do you have any idea what you just suggested?"
"Uhhhhh," picking up her glass Beca replayed everything that happened in the last minute.
"Beca, Netflix and chill is code for going to someone's house and hooking up, there's no TV watching involved," there was no way to sugar coat it and as soon as the words left Chloe's mouth saw the horror cross Beca's face as she choked on a mouthful of beer. Patting Beca's back Chloe asked, "You ok there buddy?"
"Dude that's, I wasn't suggesting that, I swear," setting her glass aside Beca wiped her chin with the sleeve of her shirt, "I was just trying to be hip or whatever."
"It's ok," Chloe lightly laughed again at the innocence, "we'll work up to that," handing over a napkin she seriously stated, "I don't Netflix and chill until at least the third or forth date, until then we're just Netflixing."
"Good to know," Beca mumbled. Here eyes shot in the direction of the kitchen when pots and pans crashed to the ground. Turning back to Chloe, who was equally as startled by the intrusion she asked, "So like does that mean I can get your number?"
"It's looking that way…" Chloe grinned when the light pink tinge returned to Beca's cheeks, "Why? Are you asking me out?"
Despite Beca's better judgment she sat up straighter and shyly asked, "Do you want me to ask you out?"
They were staring at each other again and Chloe really, really wanted to say yes, like scream it actually, because she'd been waiting all night. Except she hadn't been on a proper date in a really long time and there was this underlying fear of letting someone get close again and the inevitable heartbreak it might cause. And it wasn't Beca's fault she was feeling this way, Beca had done nothing wrong, but for the first time in her life she had absolutely no idea what to do.
But seeing Beca's beautiful and caring eyes made Chloe feel comfortable and it was slowly shifting her whole mentality. Yet, she didn't want to jump right into things, so she decided to go with the easy and slow approach, "How about we hangout, get to know each other a little more, and then we can take that step?"
Before her mom died Beca dated here and there, but lately it'd been sporadic hookups with girls she never saw again. So to say she's never had a real relationship, let alone a girlfriend, would be an accurate description. She was ready for a change and something deep in her gut is telling her to take things at Chloe's pace and let whatever happens between them happen. Realistically she knows at some point Chloe deserves to know all about her, but until then she's not going to lie about anything else. She just hopes the decision to leave the fame side of her life out doesn't bite her in the ass later.
"I'd really like that," Beca smiled and she didn't get to say anything else because Chloe was reaching for her phone.
Tapping the home button Chloe slid her finger across the unlock screen and the iPhone apps instantly appeared. Looking to her left she disapprovingly shook her head, "I can't believe you don't password protect this…"
"Well I don't meet very many Chloe Beale's who swipe my shit everyday," Beca joked and got an elbow to the stomach, "but I'll consider it," she wheezed.
Laughing Chloe navigated to the text screen, typed in her number and sent herself a message. She then smiled and snapped a picture to save along with her name to the address book, then locked the phone and handed it over, "There we're all set."
"Thanks," it all happened so fast that Beca really didn't know what to say, but hey at least she got the hottest girl she's ever seen number.
Before either could say anything else Jessica and Jesse came stumbling back into the room and practically ran over to the table.
"Lily was playing with knives again," Jesse breathlessly stated peaking over the top of the booth as he slid into his seat.
"Oh my god you saw her?" Beca questioned in disbelief standing up for a better look, "I haven't seen her since she kicked me out of the kitchen for stealing fries."
Jessica only nodded with a scared look and Chloe really wanted to laugh, but decided it was better not to, "If everyone's scared of her, why doesn't Aubrey just fire her?"
"Because she's scared too, but she's also a good cook," Jesse added in a whisper trying not to draw unwanted attention to himself, because Lily was nothing but precise with knives. Eyeing the two in front of him his smile grew big, "So what have you two been doing?"
Beca swears he's about as inconspicuous at changing the subject as Fat Amy is in a candy store and Jessica looks just as guilty, "Nothing dumbass, we were just talking."
"Oh," Jesse and Jessica face's dropped and that made Beca nervous, because that means he blabbed and she held her breath, "Well then that means you must have been talking about Beca's dog."
Chloe watched Beca's face instantly light up and she completely knows the feeling, she loves her dog too, "She didn't mention a dog!"
"That's surprising, that dog is Beca's prize possession," Jessica teased.
"I'm like that too and I'm sure all dog owners are like that," Chloe countered, because she'd heard all about Rocky the puggle from Aubrey and Jesse. Unlocking her phone she flipped through her pictures until she found the perfect one and proudly passed it around, "This is Billie, I rescued her a few months ago."
The tabled awed and Beca just stared at the scraggily light blonde haired dog with the big black eyes curled up in a ball in the middle of a bed with a smile. It was cute and even though they hadn't known each other very long it looked like the type of dog Chloe would have.
Handing the phone back Beca grinned, "What kind of dog is she?"
"I don't know, she's a mutt, but she's so lovable and sweet," Chloe remembers the day she picked Billie up, the puppy was shy and timid huddling in the back of the cage, but the instant she held Billie it was love at first sight, "we've been inseparable for the past four months, she likes to cuddle and she loves when I sing the Supremes."
They just had so much in common, Beca thought with a grin, "Mine loves Green Day, he goes nuts for When I Come Around and Basket Case."
The first time Jesse ever saw Gizmo go crazy was when Green Day were in the studio a couple years ago. They were done recording for the day when Beca asked the guys if they wanted to see her then tiny puppy get crunk. So everyone, including Aubrey and Fat Amy who had brought in dinner, piled into Studio D where Beca asked them to play When I Come Around. As soon as the song started Gizmo went crazy, jumping and barking and howling at key places in the song as he stood next to Billie Joe Armstrong like he was a backup singer. It was so funny and he knew from that day on that Gizmo was definitely a Beca Mitchell type of dog, he loved music. After the song ended it became like an impromptu private concert with Gizmo sitting in front of the band watching every move they made. They played all their hits and the new album they'd been working on in its entirety. It was an awesome night, he even has the recording on his iPod, but unfortunately it was also one of the last times he'd truly seen Beca having fun at work.
Jesse was just about to tell that story when Beca glared at him from across the table and he sank back against the back of the booth. He'd forgotten Chloe wasn't privy to certain information yet and honestly he was getting tired of having to bite his tongue around everyone, but he let it slide.
"What kind dog is he?" Chloe questioned.
Gizmo's probably so lonely right now, Beca thought, before proudly answering, "An Australian Labradoodle, he was the runt of the litter so he's smaller than normal, but he's still awesome and I've had him for a little over two years."
"Do you have any pictures?"
Jessica and Jesse burst out laughing making Beca and Chloe stop and look at them.
"Does Beca have pictures?" Jesse dramatically asked Jessica who just continued to laugh. Whipping his head to the opposite side of the table he factually stated, "Chloe, he has his own Instagram account."
Turning to face Beca, Chloe saw the other girl idly reading the menu and trying not to pay attention. Tapping a shoulder she asked, "Your dog has an Instagram?"
"Oh," setting the menu aside Beca shrugged, "well Gizmo's my buddy and he lives a pretty an awesome life, so yeah."
"You named him Gizmo?"
"Yes," Beca folded her arms across her chest and let out a huff as Jesse pulled up Gizmo's Instagram on his phone and handed it over to Chloe, "when I brought him home he was so tiny," she held out her hands indicating the puppy's size, "but he had the biggest brown eyes and floppy ears."
"He looked like a Gremlin," Jesse interrupted, leaning over the table he enlarged the first picture of the then eight week old puppy laying on its back, "you know, like from the movie."
"He's right," Beca conceded, after seeing the pictures and being forced to watch the movie she couldn't picture naming him anything else, "his name just kind of stuck."
Chloe's heart melted, the tiny caramel-brown hair puppy with a white patch over his right eye, stomach and paws was just so huggable that she just wanted to curl up with him, "He is so cute."
The squeal made Beca's ears ring, but she laughed before firmly correcting, "Hey Gizmo is a fucking badass."
"Right," Chloe enlarged a new picture and turned it towards Beca, "So badasses love sticking their heads out of the sunroof of your car with their tongue hanging out?"
"What can I say he likes the simple things in life," Beca added because Gizmo wasn't a normal dog he was a renaissance dog, "He likes long walks in the park, his favorite stuffed duck and catching Frisbees…Oh and he loves In-N-Out Burger french fries and playing in my backyard sprinklers. I've been trying to teach him to ride a surfboard, but he'd rather dig in the sand and chase waves, so we're working on it."
"Aubrey says it's because he's stupid," Jessica tossed in making Chloe laugh.
"She's one to talk," Beca scoffed in annoyance, "Rocky walks into glass doors, repeatedly."
"So does Gizmo," Jesse defended.
"No," Beca shook her head, "he only did that once and he was a puppy," her hands knocked on the glass window to prove her point, "so quit making fun him…." She snatched the phone away from a snickering Chloe, "You guys laugh," she screeched out of breath tossing the phone at Jesse, "but momma's little baby could've gotten seriously hurt."
Chloe's not sure what is more adorable, Beca's dog or the fact that he was just referred to as momma's little baby and is in no way embarrassed about that. She can't wait to see Beca and Gizmo together, she bets they are too cute for words.
Unfortunately all this talk about dogs made Chloe really miss hers, checking her watch she saw it was close to ten and frowned, "Guys, I hate leaving the party first, but Billie needs food and cuddles, so how much do I owe for dinner?"
"I've got everyone covered, I lost a bet so no worries," Beca reassured picking up the ticket.
"You sure?" Chloe smiled at the head nod, "Thank you," not even thinking about it she leaned over and kissed a cheek. Realizing how stupid it was she rapidly began picking up empty glasses, "I'll just take these to the back and grab my stuff."
"Do you need someone to walk you home?" Beca hopefully asked and she could see Jesse and Jessica's fucking grins out of the corner of her eye.
Shaking her head Chloe smiled at the thoughtfulness as she backed away, "No thanks, I'm just a block and a half away."
Beca watched as Chloe pointed out the window and towards the street she always walks. Her house was right on Marina Blvd with a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the bay and is just a little over five blocks from here. Maybe at some point she could actually walk Chloe home and because they were going the same way, that's one less thing she has to lie about.
"Ok…" Beca smiled.
After retrieving her purse Chloe unlocked the door, "Goodnight guys, thanks for dinner and the laughs," Jesse and Jessica gave a wave and before she stepped outside she winked, "See you around Beca."
"You definitely will Chloe," knocking on the tabletop Beca grinned, "this is my table after all." After that the redhead was gone and she focused her attention to rummaging around in her bag for her wallet instead of the uncomfortable silence and knowing grins she was no doubt getting. Sliding a credit card out she handed it to Jessica, "Don't forget the drinks and don't give me any crap about how Aubrey says I don't have to pay."
Taking the card Jessica silently got up and went over to the register, before swiping the card she asked, "You want to leave a tip?"
"Yes," there was no question about it, Beca always left a tip, "add an extra twenty, then you and Chloe split it."
"But we hardly did any work…"
"I don't care, just charge my shit."
Jesse moved to sit next to Beca, "So how'd it go? She's nice right?"
"She is, she's…I don't know what to think really," Beca scratched her head because she really didn't know how to describe their interaction, "She's different, sweet, like she's not putting up a front and she's confident about who she is."
Jesse laughed, "Well she sure had you smiling all night."
"Oh my god you two were totally creeping on us," Beca punched his shoulder when he guiltily nodded, "Well for your information…"
"Did you ask her on a date?" Jesse asked hopefully.
Taking the credit card receipt Beca scribbled her name and handed it back to Jessica. Once the other girl was out of earshot she whispered, "No, we're going to start by hanging out and getting to know each other, we've mutually decided to take things slow."
"That's better than a rejection," seeing the hopeful look on his best friends face was all Jesse needed, "See, being yourself helps right?"
"Yes…" Beca annoyingly stated, but with a smile, "God I hate it when you're right," nudging him with her elbow they slid out of the booth, "Well I'm out, I need to check on Gizmo."
"You still going to make me break the news to Aubrey that it's her turn on the drunk dial list tonight alone?"
"Yep."
Stretching Jesse sighed, "You suck, but I'll prolong it by helping Jessica lock up."
"Sounds like a plan," putting on her jacket and shouldering her bag Beca headed for the door. "Later Jessica," she shouted and the girl stuck her head out of the kitchen door and waved, "Jesse is Sunday still on?"
Stacking chairs he nodded, "Oh Aubrey asked if you can pick up some steaks, she's got everything else."
"I can do that, text me whatever else you need," Beca gave a thumbs up backing out of the door. The weather was supposed to be nice and they were grilling for the first time this summer, which meant backyard drinking and bullshitting about life all afternoon, "I'll pick up some beer and that fancy ass wine Aubrey likes."
"Sounds good see you about noon?"
"You know it," Beca yelled slipping out the door.
Beca liked their biweekly dinners, it was like family time, and because the deli closed at two on Sundays there was no telling who would be there or what they'd get up to. One thing is for sure, it was always a good time, even if they just talked and laughed.
Beca was just walking into her kitchen when her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Ignoring it for the time being she took off her jacket and tossed her keys on the counter, then bent down to say hi to Gizmo, who was already on his back waiting for a tummy rub.
"I missed you today too," she laughed when he rolled over and tried to lick her face, "I promise you'll come to work with me next week," she scratched behind his ears when he nudged his nose under her hand, "To make it up to you, tomorrow we'll drive to Muir Beach so you can play in the ocean, then I'll get you those In-N-Out fries you love so much."
Standing Beca moved over to the couch, plopping down on it Gizmo immediately jumped up next to her and put his head in her lap, "I know dude, I'm tired too," she ran her hands though his soft fur and closed her eyes, "we'll go to bed after you eat, I promise."
Retrieving her phone when it buzzed again Beca let out a loud laugh reading the name on the screen making Gizmo lift his head and look at her. She'd never checked to see exactly what Chloe had done in her phone after they'd exchanged numbers.
Hot Waitress [11:17PM]: You're a hard person to Facebook stalk, I'm beginning to think Beca Mitchell isn't your real name.
Beca just smirked and read the second message.
Hot Waitress [11:21PM]: But Gizmo Mitchell has one, hopefully he'll accept my friend request, he seems much cooler than his owner.
Beca [11:25PM]: Oh he totally is, he spends his days perusing the internet, taking naps on my expensive leather couches and eating all the delicious doggy food he wants while I slave away at work.
Hot Waitress [11:27PM]: Are you his sugar momma?
The reply made Beca throw her head back and laugh because yeah now that she thinks about it, she totally is, her dog gets anything he wants.
They spent another thirty minutes joking back and forth, until Chloe eventually said she needed to go to bed. Beca closed her eyes and smiled, she couldn't wait to get to know Chloe better and she knew the perfect place to start. Pulling up her assistant's number she typed out a new message.
Beca [12:07AM]: On Monday, can you get me a subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine? Just charge my usual card…
The response was quick, which didn't surprise her because Emily wasn't anything less than enthusiastic at all hours of the day. Hell she could probably ask that girl to go pickup a pizza from a tiny ass place downtown at two in the morning and Emily would do it with a bright smile on her face and no questions asked.
Emily [12:10AM]: Aye, aye captain! Do you want it sent to the studio?
Tapping the edge of her phone on her chin Beca thought about that for a few seconds. On one hand she wanted to follow Chloe's progress as a writer, but on the other, if Jesse caught her reading it, he'd start pressuring her into doing the interview Rolling Stone had been begging for. She'd already turned them down a dozen times and she can't seem to get it through his and her managers thick skulls that it wasn't happening, at all. She just wanted to read Chloe's articles so they could have more to talk about.
Beca [12:12AM]: No, send it to my house and don't tell anyone, especially Jesse or Gail. I just want it to checkout new bands.
Hopefully that was a good enough lie to prevent Emily from asking any further questions.
Emily [12:14AM]: Understood, my lips are sealed!
Emily [12:15AM]: The website says it'll take 2-3 weeks until you get your first issue.
Beca [12:17AM]: That's fine and don't worry about it tonight enjoy your weekend!
Beca chuckled as she tossed her phone aside, kicking off her shoes she pushed herself off the couch and wandered into the kitchen.
"Come on Giz," Beca yelled when she wasn't immediately followed, but seconds later she heard him trotting after her, "it's dinnertime buddy."
Thanks for reading!
Like it? Love it? Hate it?...I want to know what you guys think! So if you feel so inclined please let me know how I'm doing either by a review or drop me a PM I'm all ears! It really helps me shape the chapters if I know what you guys are thinking!
Again thank you so much for all the reviews and PM's you guys sent last chapter, I think I responded to most of you, but I think there were a few I didn't and I'm sorry about that. But I did get every single one them and I did read them all and I can't tell you how much I appreciate each one. So far I guess I'm doing something right and you guys are liking what is happening.
I originally intended this fic to maybe be between 8-10 chapters, but I love writing it, so yeah that approximation has flown out the window. I'm just going to write and let the story naturally set its own pace. So I hope you guys don't mind, something tells me you won't :) In any case I've still got it outlined all the way to the end, but I'm going to highlight certain things and their interactions in more detail to make it seem like a natural build up to what everyone is waiting for. So yeah, right now that's all I say about that, gotta keep you guys wondering what happens next!
As for my other fic 'A Series of Hilarious and Cute Events' I'll give you guys a quick update. I'm working on the next chapter (slowly), but lately this fic has consumed my mind, so it will be a little longer before we get the next update there. But one is coming I promise, I just can't promise it will be out before I get another chapter for this fic out!
Until next time...