An Unexpected Reunion

She drops down before me and gestures for me to follow suit, I oblige reluctantly but that disappears quickly when I feel her snake her arm around my waist and shuffle closer to me. "Tell me if I'm pushing my luck..." her voice is quiet and I turn to look at her, her eyes are focused straight ahead and I lean out and push some hair behind her ear.

"Not at all, it's nice." I sigh quietly and lean my head against her shoulder, I feel her tense for a moment before she relaxes instantly and rests her cheek against the top of my hair. "So, why did you bring me here?"

"This is where I come to think. It's where I came and sat for hours after I was told about mum dying..."

"What?" I pull my head up and she looks at me and shrugs her shoulders.

"It was a few years ago, she had cancer. As sad as it was, it was a blessing in disguise. She isn't suffering anymore. I miss her everyday..." she shrugs again and looks away "but it is what it is."

We sit in silence for a moment before either of us speak again "Callie?" My voice is barely above a whisper but she hears me.

"Yes?" She responds quietly but keeps her eyes stay focused on the waves that are lapping against the shore.

"Look at me..." slowly but surely she turns to face me and I brush the backs of my fingers against her cheek "I know you said you wanted to wait for the end of the night to do this... but I don't want to wait." Curling my hand around her chin I pull her lips to mine and they meet softly.

My eyes are closed but I'm sure I can see fireworks going off behind my shut lids as our lips move softly against each other. I've kissed people before, but it's never been like this. Never have I felt it throughout my entire body. I feel her hand tighten around my waist as she holds me close to her.

I don't know how long we stay like that for but when she finally pulls away I'm breathless and flushed, there's a dull ache just below my stomach urging me to push forward. But the rationality in the back of my mind is telling me to stop. Unfortunately, I listened to the rational thoughts and lean my forehead against hers.

"I don't want to, but it's getting cold so I should probably take you home." Her voice is quiet, her hands are resting on the side of my face, her thumbs drawing small circles across my cheeks tenderly.

Reluctantly we make our way back to her car in silence, it's not an awkward silence, it's comfortable. Like even though there was no words spoken, plenty was being said. In her car she starts the engine and only talks when she's asking me for directions, I will the journey to take longer than it did. Wishing for us to get stopped or held up but given the time of night of course the roads were empty so we made it back in record time.

"Here we are..." I murmur quietly, she shuts the engine off and turns to me.

"Can I see you again?" She looks nervous as she speaks and I grin widely. Closing the space between us I brush my lips against hers softly.

"I guess so. When were you thinking?"

"Tomorrow? I can pick you up early and get some breakfast or something?"

"Sounds great." She leans over and kisses me once last time. Before I step out the car and wave her off. I know in myself that this is the beginning of something wonderful and I can't wait to see where it takes me. My heart is beating at rapid pace as I enter the house and make my way back up to my room.

Torie stirs in her sleep and rolls over so she's facing me, draping an arm around my mid drift I keep focused on the ceiling and let silent tears run down my cheeks. How am I meant to face the person I loved and lost so many years ago on Monday? And how am I meant to deal with her being my boss?

Even though I'm dreading facing her again, and I'm terrified of the unknown shit I'm about to step into. There's a huge part of me that is excited about the possibility of getting to know the woman she's grown into, and spending more time with her.

February 2014 -- Callie

I've had to work with Lexie for almost a month, for the most part it's been bearable. Except for when we're stuck in a room alone together, even though I've tried as hard as I possibly can to put distance between us, when we're alone the atmosphere crackles intensely. I've caught her staring at my lips a few times and I feel my stomach clench, at the same time she's caught me staring at hers and that causes us both to blush.

I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut when I found out she had a girlfriend, it was a complete accident. I'd left the office shortly after she had and found them kissing on the street, I brushed past them without looking over my shoulder but the next day Lexie was rather sheepish around me.

There's no part of me that questions the fact that if I was handed the opportunity to get her back I'd jump on it. But we can barely hold a conversation that's about work never mind delving into the personal. Despite my initial reserves about hiring her she's proven to be exceptional, she's organised and hardworking and hasn't once complained when I've asked her to stay late to help me meet my never ending deadlines. I want to repay the favor somehow, try and give her something in return for her dedication regardless of the less than ideal circumstances. I have an idea how to do this, pushing the button on my intercom I call her into my office.

I'm not disappointed when she strides in moments later, this is the first time I've seen her today and my breath catches in my throat when I see her. She looks perfect, loose fitted slacks cover her perfect legs, a tailored button down shirt hugs her curves and her hair is pulled up into a messy bun.

"Is everything ok?" She sounds nervous, this isn't a new thing. She always sounds this way when she speaks to me.

"Of course, take a seat I want to talk to you about something." I gesture to the seat in front of the desk and pull my chair in closer, I flash her a broad smile in an attempt to make her relax. But I can see it hasn't worked so I just roll my eyes. "Alexa, I know things aren't... ideal between us. But I want to thank you for the way you've conducted yourself. You've proven to be an asset and to say I'm impressed is an understatement."

I'm pleased to see her blush and I can't help but chuckle "I see time hasn't improved your ability to take a compliment Lex?" I could kick myself but it feels right, I grin at her and she meets my smile before rolling her eyes at me.

"Something like that. I appreciate it Ms. Jenkins." I hold my hand up and shake my head.

"I think in the interest of trying to get rid of this stupid tension between us you should call me Callie. I have a proposition for you."

She smiles at me and I can feel my heart flutter at the sight slightly "you have my interest." I can't help but raise an eyebrow at her and shake my head.

"Did you go to university in the end?"

"That's a question, not a proposition." She states matter of factly and I can't help but shake my head at her.

"It's a leading question, answer it whenever you've had enough of being sarcastic."

"No I didn't, the timing was never right." She looks down sheepishly and I feel guilty for a moment, that's washed away when I feel angry that her parents took that chance away from her by being overbearing and controlling. As much as I blame Lexie for what happened between us, I know it originated from her parents.

"Well, when I first started here I was doing your job for the chap who at the time was doing mine. As much as I learnt at University, the one thing I've always found has helped me here is the passion I still have for literature. Keith was, and still is, a fantastic mentor. I wouldn't be in this position today had it not been for him." I pause and watch her carefully, her eyes are focused on my lips and I can't help but grin at the apparent effect I still have on her, I deliberately lick them and I'm sure I can hear her breathe in quickly "what I'm trying to say is, if you're interested and willing to learn. Then I'm willing to teach. Clare used to help me read manuscripts and would make notes in the margins but I never really discussed it much with her, never elaborated on any of the points she'd make. Mainly because I knew this wasn't where she wanted to be. But, if you want to learn I'm willing to take the time to teach you everything I know."

"Callie, I don't know what to say." I shrug nonchalantly and rest my chin on my hand and regard her carefully. She's chewing her lip and it stirs something in me, she only ever used to be one of two things. Nervous about something, or horny. I hope it's the latter but something makes me feel it's the former. I may as well get a laugh out of it whilst her guards temporarily down.

"Lex you're chewing your lip. So you're either nervous or something else." I wink at her and she releases her lip quickly, a violent blush spreads across her cheeks and I laugh loudly "I'm guessing you're nervous so what's wrong?"

"You're still a pain in the arse aren't you?" She's grinning at me and for a moment I forget about all the shit that's happened between us and find myself enjoying her company. It's always been easy with her, she's always been able to see past my bullshit and that's what I loved about her.

"Why change a habit of a lifetime, but you're skirting around the issue. What's wrong?" My voice takes on a gentle edge as I stand and move to the other side of the desk and take the empty seat next to her.

"Why are you doing this? After everything I did to you. You gave me a job, you've stayed professional for the most part and now... you're giving me the chance to do something I've always wanted to do. I'm waiting to hear the catch." She looks at me suspiciously and if I'm being honest it's pissing me off a little bit. I clench my jaw and I can feel my nostrils flare a little bit.

"Alexa, I'm giving you the opportunity to learn something new so maybe you can move on and do something more with your life than be someone's personal bitch. Against my better judgement I can't seem to stop wanting to give you everything I can, believe it or not I never stopped caring about you. I just forgot how much until I saw you again. There is no catch, just the unfortunate inconvenience that you'll have to put more hours in and spend more time with me." Before I can stop myself my hands move and brush a stray piece of hair that's fallen from her bun behind her ear "I'd be lying if I said losing you didn't break me Lex, but I want to move forward. I understand you've met someone new and if you're happy then I can accept that. But at the very least I'd like us to at least be friends?"

"Callie... I'd like that." Those for little words held so much promise as our eyes held each-others. She has a soft smile on her lips as she leans across and takes my hand in hers "I don't want you to think that what happened wasn't hard for me as well. It was never what I wanted, but I was young and felt like I had no choice."

I hold my hand up and take mine out of her grasp "this isn't the place to have this conversation, don't think I don't want to have it because I do. But I've got to try and focus once you leave and if we do this now it'll never happen and I'll end up working all weekend. How about we go for a drink tonight? That's if you don't have plans with Cory?" I know what her girlfriends name is but I get it wrong on purpose.

"It's Torie, and we do have plans but I can change them." She doesn't even hesitate when she responds and I have to fight back a smile.

"Only if you're sure? I wouldn't want to get in the way of your plans."

"Stop acting so coy, you're practically giddy at the thought of me blowing her off to spend time with you. I'll call her and re arrange. You can buy for the inconvenience. That and the fact you earn a lot more than me."

I laugh loudly at her swift analysis and shrug "well piss off then. And once you've finished on the phone to whatever her name is I'd kill for a decent brew. Once you're back we can go over my schedule for next week and if you have time I have a few chapters of a new manuscript I've been reading I'd like you to go over for me please. Once we've wrapped up we'll head out and I guess I can stretch to a drink and maybe a bite to eat. I'd suggest seafood but I hate interviewing so we'll have to find something else."

Her laugh fills the room with most wonderful sound and she nudges my arm with her hand, I relish the closeness of her and can't help but grin as she stands and leaves the room. My eyes are fixed on her, and I'd be lying if they weren't glued to her perfect arse as she saunters out of the room.

The rest of the day flies by, most of it is spent with Lexie in my office pouring over manuscripts and asking me questions and discussing her thoughts. I'd almost forgotten how insanely bright she is, one of the biggest things we had in common was our equal love for books. We used to spend hours sat on my sofa or in her room not talking just reading. Those were quite often my favourite times with her, simple, easy, contented.

I'd enjoy it more if her phone wasn't going off every two minutes with text messages from what I can imagine are from her girlfriend. Judging by the way her eyebrows would crease over her eyes every time she read one, or the way her breath would come out harshly, they weren't the good sort. I feel guilty that I'm glad things aren't as kosher between her and the harpy as I originally thought. Maybe there's a chance... No, there isn't. Get a grip Clarissa.

I mentally scold myself and pour over the pages in my hand, I'm so lost in what I'm reading that I flinch slightly when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Lexie's standing behind me, I look up and grin "what time is it?"

"Time for a drink, let's go." She squeezes my shoulder and it feels almost affectionate, I push up from the desk and find myself face to face with her, our bodies are almost touching. She makes no attempt to step back and it takes me back a little. The closeness to her is almost overwhelming, her perfume is wonderful as it fills my nostrils. Our eyes meet and I can taste the air around us, our lips are inches away from each-others and it takes everything I have to clear my throat and step away to put some distance between us.

The walk to the bar was shrouded in an awkward silence, that energy between us was so similar to the one we shared when we first met. I felt the familiar pull to her that I so often felt back then, and still now. Every single inch of me wants to feel her pressed against me, to lose myself in her and make her see just how much I still love her. But I know too much time has passed for that to happen. She's moved on.

Sitting down at a table I order us a bottle of wine and we each order some food. Nothing fancy, but that isn't what this is about. It's time we cleared the air.

Sipping my wine I put it back on the table and run my fingers up and down the stem "thanks for doing this with me tonight. I hope I didn't get you into too much trouble?"

She shrugs nonchalantly but holds my gaze with her eyes "let's cut the bullshit and get on with it then?" She's more to the point than she used to be, and I can't help but smile at her. She attempts to hold to stoic façade for a moment but her resolve cracks and she smiles widely at me.

"You were right in what you said earlier, all this time I've been hurting mainly because of how easy you turned away from me. Before you I'd never let anyone in, and since then I still haven't and probably won't again."

"You thought leaving was easy for me? I didn't have a choice Callie. After dad... well after what happened. I don't know what I can say to make you see that losing you is the hardest thing I've ever been through and I've spent every day regretting my decision." She falls quiet and chews her lip for a moment before continuing "when I met Torie I held back for a while and I didn't even intend to get into a relationship with her but it just sort of happened. I let it happen because I figured it would help me move on and have a life separated from the constant guilt I've had to live with. I thought I was happy, until about a month ago and I saw you again."

Her honesty stuns me into silence for a moment, my mouth has gone dry and I'm pretty sure my mouth has fallen slack. She still has the ability to leave me silent with her words and when she smiles at me, I feel as though I'm nineteen again. Without even thinking I reach across the table and take her hand "I'm going to say this one time Lexie and once it's out there it's done. I don't want things to get weird with work or whatever but I never stopped loving you, seeing you again... as difficult as it was and as much as I've wanted to hate you for everything that happened I just can't. If there's even a small chance that we can make another go of this I'm willing to fight for it, but I'm also willing to give you the space and time you need to work out what it is you want. Until then, I'll settle for having you as a friend."

Before she can reply her face goes blank and she pulls her hand out from mine as she stares at the door behind me, I turn over my shoulder and follow her gaze. There's a blonde woman staring at her, and she looks pissed. I turn back to face Lexie and she shakes her head discreetly at me, before I can ask a question about who she is she's stood next to the table and is glaring down at Lexie who shrinks in her seat under the scrutiny.

"I thought you had to work tonight Lex?" Her voice is clipped and the hairs at the back of my neck bristles at her tone. The instincts I have to defend her instantly kick in and I stand from my seat and hold out my hand to the intruder, who I can only assume is the girlfriend.

"My names Clarissa Jenkins, I'm Lexie's boss."

February 2014 -- Lexie

If the ground could open and swallow me whole, now would be a great time for it to happen. Callie is standing and is almost staring Torie down, sure she has a smile on her face and has introduced her way in such a cool and calm manner. But I recognise the look in her eyes, she's not happy with the intrusion, and if I know her she probably isn't happy with the way Torie's just spoken to me either.

"Er I'm Victoria Weber, Lexie's girlfriend. She said she had to work tonight so you can imagine my surprise when I walk past and see her sitting here drinking with you." Torie's words come out stammered and I smirk a little bit.

I watch as Callie takes her seat again and motions for the waitress to return "why don't you join us for a bit? Alexa's been so busy helping me get ready for the conference I have to go to next week we both skipped lunch and since we had to work late, I figured the least I could do was make sure she eats before we get back to it. I hope you don't mind?" Callie's question may have seemed innocent enough but I can tell by the tone of her voice that she doesn't give a shit if Torie minds and I have to bite back a smile.

"Of course not" Torie pulls a seat just as the waitress arrives.

"Could we have another glass please?" Callie's voice is smooth as silk as she takes quick control of this unexpected situation and I can't help but watch in subtle admiration.

When the waitress returns with a glass Callie pours Torie a drink and sits back in her seat, crossing her legs my eyes momentarily fall to her thighs as they become exposed when the dress she has on rises slightly with the movement. When I look up I can see this hasn't gone unnoticed by Callie and she smirks at me knowingly, of course I blush wildly. Taking a sip of my drink I look anywhere but at either of the two women sat at the table.

"We've ordered food, are you going to be staying?"

Torie looks at me and I shrug my shoulders, I feel guilty but I don't want her to stay "no, I have plans with some friends. So I'll drink this and leave you to it."