the eras of us ⎹ Lana Parrilla & Jennifer Morrison

Chapter 8

"Fancy," Bex grinned after Lana switched the camera on her phone and showed her best friend some of the new plants she had bought earlier that day. In very artsy-looking vases, they were all placed on the windowsill, creating a gorgeous array of different colors. "I love it."

"Thanks!" The brunette's face lit up with a warm smile as she switched the camera back, allowing the redhead to see her best friend again via FaceTime.

"So, is our girls' night still on? Because I've already picked up everything to make that amazing Taco Salad I've been telling you about."

"Yeah, about that..." Lana hesitated, her expression thoughtful as she bit her lip.

"Oh no, you're not canceling, are you? I was really looking forward to-"

"No, no," Lana quickly reassured her. "I'm not canceling. I just wanted... to... ask... I mean, Trish is coming as well, right? And Julie, too."

Bex chuckled, "Yeah, I know who we invited. Oh wait, do you want it to be just the two of us?"

"No, that's not what I'm trying to ask. I thought... Well, maybe I could, if you're okay with it, uh... ask... Jen... if she wants to join our girls' night?" Lana's words came out slow and hesitant, before she looked at Bex with a hopeful expression.

"Oh, I see."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" the brunette asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

"Calm down, honey," the redhead chuckled. "Of course, you can invite her, but promise not to ignore me when she's around."

"What? Why would I do that?"

Skeptically and amused simultaneously, Bex raised an eyebrow. "Because it has always been that way, and don't try to deny it."

"That is not—"

"Nah-uh, don't," she grinned. "Your focus has always been on Jen when we were all together. Did you know that at some point I thought you girls were dating in secret?"

"What?!" Lana almost shrieked. "I was married back then!"

"Sorry to remind you, darling, but that didn't stop your ex-husband."

The brunette mumbled something incomprehensible while settling onto one of the stools in front of her kitchen island. She reached for a banana from the fruit bowl and began to peel it.

"Oh, don't be a pouty little bitch now and call her to ask. I gotta go anyway; the Taco Salad won't make itself."

"Fine," Lana replied with a full mouth. "See you tonight, I love you."

"I love you too, honey," Bex responded and blew her best friend a quick kiss before ending the FaceTime call.

As Lana sat perched on the stool, methodically peeling her banana, her thoughts swirled around the call she was about to make — the one where she would ask Jen to join the upcoming girls' night. A week of exchanging texts had transpired, their conversations evolving into something more engaging with each passing day. Yet, despite the digital connection, the brunette couldn't shake the desire to see Jen in person again. 'Desire?', she thought and shook her head. That was not the right word, or was it? It had been six days since their breakfast together, and Lana found herself a little nervous to ask for a meet up again.

"Hey, Lana," the blonde's voice was melodic, and she sounded like she was smiling.

"Hey," the brunette replied, suddenly feeling more relaxed. "Do you have plans tonight?"

"Oh," Jen sounded surprised. "N- No, not really, I guess. Why are you asking?"

"You remember Trish and Julie?"