That Summer

And Destiny Says That I'm Destined to Fall...

Emma and Stevie boarded the plane, acting as if nothing happened these last 24 hours. Their day really only consisted of eating the lavish spread Stevie ordered from room service and cuddling while watching TV. There was kissing here and there, but nothing beyond.

They sat facing across from each other on the flight, which was only about 45 minutes long. Stevie decided to take a nap while Emma did some work on her laptop, so there wasn't much interaction that would signal anything to the rest of the group.

They landed in Tampa, greeted by a giant car that fit both Emma and Stevie along with Sharon and Jana. "Stevie, are we going out with Tom tomorrow?" Sharon asked.

Stevie turned to the back row of the car, "I believe so. Right, Em?" Stevie asked.

Emma lifted her head from her phone, "Yes, his assistant confirmed earlier this afternoon. We have you set at some restaurant he chose, but it was only for two... I can change it though! How many?" Emma said almost frantically.

"Don't worry, ba... Em," Stevie stopped herself from using her pet name in front of the girls, giving Emma a knowing smile. "Just tell them 6 to be safe. Waddy might want to join."

Emma softly smiled back, dialing the number saved in her phone to change the reservation. Stevie lightly rubbed her foot against Emma's, unseen by the girls in the back.

"Damn, Steves..." Sharon started, "she's really got it together! You might not need Karen back in the fall."

Stevie rolled her eyes, annoyed that Sharon would even compare the two, especially in front of Emma. "She caught on quick..." Stevie smiled as she responded, "I can attest that she's a well-oiled machine." She smirked at her own innuendo, squeezing Emma's knee.

Emma nearly choked on her water, shocked that Stevie would be that flirtatious, but realized nobody else in the car understood the joke besides them.

They pulled up to the hotel; Emma got out first, checking in with the front desk to have them open the service entrance and close off the elevators for Stevie to arrive. It was around 10pm, so the lobby was pretty quiet, but she still made sure to follow protocol.

She went back out to motion the driver to drive around to the back, and Emma walked through the lobby to meet Stevie in back.

Sharon and Jana came out first, waiting for Stevie in the elevator. The four women pressed the button to their floors – Sharon, Jana, and Emma staying one below Stevie's top floor suite.

Emma paused when they reached her floor, looking at Stevie to figure out what the plan was. "Em, call my room in like two hours or so to confirm our schedule tomorrow." Stevie said coolly.

"Oh, you don't need me to check the room?" Emma asked.

"I told security to handle it from now on... it should be part of their job anyway." Stevie replied, anxiously playing with Sulamith's fur.

"Alright." Emma nodded, stepping out of the elevator with Sharon and Jana, the elevator doors closing behind them.

She felt weird walking to her own room after staying with Stevie all night, silently hoping that she'd get to see her later.

"Emma!" Jana called after her. Emma whipped around to see the two women standing in the hallway. "We're going down to the bar in about 20 minutes, if you want to join us."

Emma smiled at them, unsure of whether to join. She wanted to make a good impression, but she also wanted to freshen up in case she was seeing Stevie later.

"I'm a little tired, but I'll come down for a little bit!" Emma replied.

"Cool, we'll meet you down there at 11." said Sharon.

Emma walked into her room, throwing her suitcase down and laying on her bed. It seemed way too big for one person. She knew she couldn't possibly fall asleep alone.

She tried to stop thinking about what would happen tonight and instead fixed her hair and put on some mascara before going down to the hotel bar to meet the girls. She turned left out of the elevator, finding Sharon and Jana already seated and sipping on dirty martinis.

"Emma! What can we get you to drink, dear?" Sharon asked.

Emma sat down next to them, glancing at the menu. "I'll take what you two are having." She said impulsively. She knew vodka would go straight through her, so she wasn't going to stay for more than two drinks.

The three women talked for about an hour, each downing two martinis. Emma was a little tipsy, but not nearly as bad as last night. She looked down at her watch, realizing it was almost time to call Stevie.

She was enjoying her time with the girls; they were really nice, making an effort to get to know her and include her in all of the band drama.

"This was really fun, thank you for inviting me; I needed this!" Emma smiled, pulling out her credit card.

Sharon stopped her, placing her hand on hers. "Don't be silly, Emma... it's on us." she said with a smile. Emma smiled back, giving each of them a friendly hug before heading back upstairs.

She laid back on her bed, waiting ten minutes before calling Stevie, as instructed. Time felt like it was moving so slowly. She missed her, and she missed feeling safe in her arms under the covers, feeling like the only two people in the world. Shit...Emma thought. Am I totally falling for her?

All of a sudden, only a minute before she was going to call Stevie, the hotel phone rang. Emma leaned over to answer, "Hello?" She spoke into the receiver.

"Hi, baby..." She heard a familiar rasp on the other line, causing an anxious shiver down her entire body. "Room 1801. Come upstairs."