Emily returned home and watched the clock waiting for the time she had agreed to call JJ. She had a million ideas on how the night could go, most of which she stopped with a cold dose of reality. JJ is her friend. JJ is straight. JJ is doing this out of friendly obligation. Elizabeth would not except her 'lesbian ways'. The brunette chanted those truths like a dream crush mantra. The only way she would get through the next week was to repeat this mantra whenever her imagination got away with her. She was beginning to think this whole thing was a bad idea, as it clearly didn't negate the emotional labour associated with the event like she had hoped, it only served to add new worries to her already anxious mind.

Her internal monologue was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing, and vibrating itself across the stone bench top.

"Hey JJ"

"I thought you were supposed to be ringing me at 8?" The blonde quipped with a smile in her voice.

"Yeah sorry about that I got lost in thought. I will just send you a picture on the invite, but I will be picking you up so no need to worry about the details too much." She snapped a quick photo of the creased card and sent it ti JJ.

"Oh its hosted by the French Ambassador?"

"uh, yeah" Emily replied, confused by the familiarity in the blondes voice. "you know him?"

"God no! I've just heard he is a dick." She explained.

"Well that's kind of why you're coming with me." The brunette chuckled.

"What?! Oh is he one of the men your mother wants you to date?"

"Yeah he seems to be the front runner at the moment."

"Ooh good, I can't wait to give him an 'eat your heart out' smile!"

Emily spluttered, finding breathing difficult at the idea. "Yeah that would be funny." She said weakly, reinstating her reality mantra at the flood of arousal cause by JJ's words.

"So when should we go dress shopping? Or do you already have something to wear?"

"We can go tomorrow if you want? I'll get something new to go with you, dress shopping is way more fun when you're not the only one who has to do it."

The pair continue to chatter for a few minutes more before calling it a night. Emily responds to the RSVP supplied on the invitation, for the first time ticking the box for 'guest'