Chapter 2
Chapter 2
xoxoxoxoxo
Santana woke up, showered, and dressed in a comfortable pair of black slacks, a dark gray sweater, and a pair of black ankle boots. She was enjoying a cup of coffee when Quinn let herself into the apartment and began yelling for her.
“Santana! Tell Max to get out; we have to be there in half an hour!” Not noticing Santana sitting at the breakfast bar, Quinn barreled down the hallway, – much to Santana's amusement as she sipped at her coffee – and stopped at the open bedroom door.
“Santana?” Quinn sounded confused.
“Kitchen.”
Quinn came hurrying back down the hall and into the kitchen. Her jaw dropped as she gaped at Santana.
“Y-you-you're dressed,” she stammered out. “What the hell?”
Santana chuckled at her friend's confusion. “Coffee's fresh.” She pointed to the counter. “Help yourself.”
Quinn continued to gape even as she moved to pour herself a cup of coffee.
Santana's phone buzzed and Santana grinned as she saw who it was from.
From Brittany:
3-11-17 9:32am
HI! :) Had a great time last night. Can't wait to see you tomorrow.
Her fingers flew across the phone as she responded immediately.
To Brittany
3-11-17 9:34am
Hi! (: I did too. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
She slipped her phone into her pocket.
“Who was that?” Quinn looked at her suspiciously. “Max doesn't make you grin like an idiot.”
Santana shrugged; she didn't want to talk about Brittany yet. She liked the girl and didn't want to jinx it.
“Come on,” she said, emptying the dregs of her coffee into the sink and slipping the mug into the dishwasher, “we should go.”
Quinn's eyes narrowed. “Santana …”
“Come on, Quinn, don't want to keep your bride-to-be waiting.” Santana smirked and slipped her wallet with her ID, credit card, debit card, and some cash into the interior pocket of her coat. She grabbed her keys off the table by the door and held the door open for Quinn.
Quinn was still standing in the kitchen. She shook her head, emptied her mug, and put it in the dishwasher next to Santana's. “You know you're going to tell me,” she said as she walked past Santana into the hallway. “You might as well just get it over with.”
Santana just smiled as she closed and locked the door. This was going to be fun.
Xoxoxoxo
Brittany bounced into the C&P Spotlight Stars building at 9am, turned on the lights and bumped the heat up to chase the chill away. They didn't keep it up too high because the studios turned into saunas once the dancers started moving around. She'd expected to be dragging a bit after her late night but she was oddly energized. She had to grin as she thought about why that could be.
She walked into her office, dropped her bag on the couch, sat down at the desk, and turned on the computer.
Mike came in at 9:20am and dropped into the chair across from her desk.
“How was your night?” He asked her.
She smiled shyly. “It was good.” She continued inputting payroll into the spreadsheet. She sighed. She hated paperwork.
“Mike, I think it's time we talk about hiring someone to handle payroll, scheduling, paperwork. I hate this crap.” She huffed.
Mike raised an eyebrow at her. “I've been saying that for two months. Why now?”
She shrugged; she didn't want to mention Santana yet but, if she was being honest with herself, hiring someone would free up a lot of time. Time she could spend with Santana.
She picked up her phone. 9:30am.
To Santana:
3-11-17 9:32am
HI! :) Had a great time last night. Can't wait to see you tomorrow.
She grinned as the phone lit up with a message almost immediately.
From Santana:
3-11-17 9:34am
Hi! (: I did too. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Her grin grew broader as she read the text.
Mike was watching her curiously.
“You met someone.” It was a statement.
“Maybe …” she giggled and stood up; she had to go stretch and get the studio ready for her 10am class.
It was going to be a good day.
Xoxoxoxo
They got to the bridal boutique at 9:55am and were greeted with stunned looks from Kurt and Rachel.
“Quinn, how did you manage to get her up and ready? And on time?” Kurt's eyebrows climbed to his forehead.
“I didn't.” Quinn shook her head, still in disbelief. “She was up and ready when I got there. She was drinking coffee.”
Rachel gasped. “What? How? Was Max there?” She narrowed her eyes at the Latina.
Santana just smiled and changed the subject. “So, why are we doing this together? I thought it was unlucky to see the bride's dress before the ceremony?”
Kurt waved off her argument. “That's just an old wives' tale. Based in the days when they were afraid the groom would call off the wedding if he saw how gruesome the bride was beforehand. Technically, it's not the dress, exactly … it's the bride herself. Arranged marriages and whatever. Heterosexual nonsense.” He waved his hand dramatically. “Since they've – obviously – seen each other, it's not really a thing. But … they're going to show us one at a time to sort of preserve the idea of the tradition, I guess.” He rolled his eyes. “Besides … did you want to do this twice?”
Santana laughed. “Point taken. No.”
A young woman came over to assist them. “Is this everyone?” Her voice was soft, unobtrusive.
Kurt nodded. “Those are the brides,” he pointed to Quinn and Rachel. “We'll be helping them decide.” He waved his hand between himself and Santana.
She nodded and led them to the viewing area. Kurt and Santana sat down and were given glasses of champagne while Rachel and Quinn were escorted around the shop, individually, by two of the boutique assistants.
“So, what's up with you?” Kurt asked, a little too casually.
Santana shook her head. “Nothing.” She couldn't stop the smirk that stole across her face. “Just in a good mood, I guess.” She shrugged.
“Uh-huh. I've known you for over ten years – you're never in a good mood. So what gives?” He wheedled.
Her phone buzzed.
From Brittany:
3-11-17 10:03am
Just about to start a class but felt like saying hi again. So. Hi :D
Santana giggled and replied.
To Brittany:
3-11-17 10:04am
(: You're awesome.
Santana grinned and shook her head; she felt absolutely giddy.
Kurt was staring at her.
“What, lady lips? Do I have something on my face?” She was in such a good mood she couldn't even snap at him properly.
“You giggled. Santana Lopez … just giggled.” His eyes were wide with disbelief.
“Whatever. Pay attention – the hobbit is on her way with a stack of gowns.”
xoxoxoxoxo
To Santana:
3-11-17 10:03am
Just about to start a class but felt like saying hi again. So. Hi :D
Brittany couldn't help herself. She, inexplicably, missed the Latina.
From Santana:
3-11-17 10:04am
(: You're awesome.
Brittany giggled and put her phone away so she could start her class.
Xoxoxoxoxo
That's how the day went. They texted back and forth throughout the day whenever either of them had a spare minute.
Mike kept checking in on Brittany. He knew she'd met someone but she was keeping uncharacteristically quiet about it.
Kurt tried to sneak peeks at Santana's phone but she was too quick for him.
Xoxoxoxoxo
Brittany was sitting in her office having lunch and texting Santana who was, apparently, getting ready to kill a hobbit. Brittany wasn't quite sure what that meant but it still made her laugh.
Mike came in and sat down with his own lunch and looked at his friend seriously.
“Britt …”
She shook her head.
“I don't want to see you get hurt. You and Jenny just broke up a month ago and meeting someone at a club …”
Brittany smiled shyly. “I didn't sleep with her, Mike.”
“Wait. What? I thought that was the only reason to meet someone at a club?” He frowned in confusion.
“Yeah. Me too. But …” she ducked her head as she felt the heat creep up her face. “She's different.” Her voice came out in a whisper.
Mike leaned back in his chair, watching as his friend answered another text message, smiling the brilliant smile he hadn't seen in months. “Talk to me, Britt.”
Britt sighed. “We were leaving the club. I assumed we were just gonna go to my place or hers and hook up, you know?”
Mike nodded. “Yeah, I get it. But?”
“She started hailing a cab, then put her arm down, and turned to look at me. Mike, she has the most beautiful and expressive eyes I've ever seen.” Brittany felt a dreamy smile steal across her lips.
“What happened?”
“She asked if we could go somewhere and talk.” Brittany shook her head, still unable to comprehend what happened last night. She raised her head and met Mike's eyes and launched into story. She hadn't wanted to jinx it but, she had to admit, it felt good to talk to someone about it.
Mike stared at her in awe. “Damn, Britt. That's … holy shit.”
“Yeah. The best thing is she didn't say 'we should get together' and leave it at that, you know? She told me she had plans today but then actually made a plan for tomorrow. No open ended thing or waiting for a call or a text or whatever.”
“She does sound different. You said she'd just broken up with her girlfriend though … you sure you're not gonna end up a rebound?” Mike's tone was caring, his eyes worried.
She shook her head. “She told me you don't rebound if you didn't love.” She shrugged. “I think she's right. She wasn't hurting and looking for something quick to ease the pain. I mean, we're talking, texting, taking it slow … so, I guess time will tell. I just … she feels different, Mike.” She really couldn't articulate it any better than that.
Mike nodded his understanding. “Okay.”
Xoxoxoxoxo
They were at Dovetails grabbing a late lunch/early dinner after The Great Bridal Gown Shopping Ordeal of 2017. Santana's good mood started to falter after about the tenth dress the hobbit had tried on. Quinn had chosen hers fairly quickly; a feat that stunned both Santana and Kurt. Rachel, on the other hand …
xoxoxoxoxo
Flashback
“It's too short.”
“It's too long.”
“I don't know. This is more of an eggshell than a bright white.”
“The lace is itchy.”
“The overly isn't laying properly.”
“I'd have to wear heels.”
“Mmm, I think I'd rather have three-quarter sleeves instead of full sleeves.”
“Maybe a cap sleeve?”
“Do you think my boobs can handle a sweetheart neckline?”
“It's … snowy.”
That was when Santana almost killed her. It's SNOWY? What the fuck did that even mean? Quinn had her back to Rachel, so as not to see any of the dresses, and saw Santana snap. She quickly stood up and grabbed Santana by the arm, dragging her out of the boutique.
Forty-two minutes later, Kurt and Rachel came bouncing out of the shop.
Santana had a smile again; she'd been texting Brittany and the blonde had definitely lightened her mood.
“I found it! It's perfect,” Rachel gushed.
Santana smiled faltered slightly. “Good. Can we eat? I'm freezing and starving.” She had forgotten about breakfast and it was now after three and it was New York in freakin' March. Sitting outside wasn't the best idea.
Quinn stood up and pulled Santana off the bench they'd been sitting on and linked arms with her. “Yes, grumpy, we can eat. Maybe your mystery person will text you some more and you'll be happy … or maybe dopey,” Quinn grinned at her.
“Shut up, Fabgay,” Santana said without (much) bite.
“Weak.” Quinn responded and the four friends walked down the street to Dovetails.
End Flashback
xoxoxoxoxo
“Okay, Satan, give. Who are you texting? It can't be Max because she never made you happy. Or dopey. She did make you grumpy. How many dwarves were there?” Kurt frowned as he went off on a tangent. “I mean, Happy, Grumpy, Doc, Bashful,” Kurt stopped to think.
Santana huffed. “Sleepy, Sneezy, and DOPEY.” She finished for him. “Jackass.” She muttered.
Kurt grinned. “You know all seven dwarves?”
“I'm not a Philistine. Snow White is a Disney classic. If a bit … sexist.” She shrugged.
The other three burst out laughing.
“Come on, S, just tell us who it is.”
Santana shook her head. “I broke up with Max yesterday.” She took a drink and tried to divert attention away from Brittany and onto a topic she didn't mind discussing.
“What?” Three voices rose as one in the question.
“And you're just now telling us?” Quinn quirked a brow at her.
Santana shrugged. “It wasn't that big a deal. She canceled on me … again. With another lame ass excuse. So I texted her telling her we were done. Then I turned my phone off and went to Club Xero to drink and dance and let loose. I wasn't gonna waste another Friday night at home. And guess who I ran into?”
“Max.” The three voices sounded bored.
“Got it in one. And she had the nerve to get pissy with me for being out. Like I was supposed to be home, waiting for her to be available, like a good little girlfriend. Fuck that shit. I told her we were done and to walk away.” She took a bite of her pasta. “I'm worth more than a cheating whore.”
“You are.” Kurt said simply. “I'm glad you realize that.” He shook his head. “She wasn't good for you, San.”
“No, she was not. In my opinion, Santana, you would do well to stay single for awhile; figure out who you are and what you want. Maybe date multiple people instead of having sex and jumping into a relationship.”
Santana rolled her eyes.
“You already met someone else.” Quinn's eyes were shrewd and calculating. “That's who you've been texting all day. The person who's been making you grin and giggle like a school girl.”
Santana didn't say anything.
“And you didn't sleep with her,” Quinn voiced her disbelief.
“Wait, Quinn, what makes you think Santana didn't have sex with this person she may have met?” Rachel inquired.
“Because she was alone, up, showered, dressed, and enjoying a cup of coffee when I got there.” Quinn listed the reasons she had for her statement.
“Couldn't … no, you're right. If she had slept with the girl, she'd have still been unconscious when you got there – even if the girl left right after.” Kurt surmised.
Santana finished her meal, dropped two twenties on the table, and stood up. She'd had enough fun and wanted to see if she could call Brittany tonight.
“Where are you going?” Kurt wanted to know.
Santana shrugged. “Home.” Her face a blank mask.
She walked out and couldn't contain the grin that broke free. Honestly? She didn't want to contain it. Eventually, she'd tell her friends about Brittany but, for tonight and tomorrow, she wanted to keep it to herself.