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Chapter 9: You've Got A Friend In Me

Y/N POV

I drop the needle into the groove of Florence's record player across the room and smile as the crooning of Lana Del Ray fills the room. I wipe down the counters and pull a bottle of wine from the collection while I wait for Griffin.

I gave him a call as I left my office, and after deciding against trying to get a table at any restaurant in LA on a Friday night, we agreed on just cooking at home instead. He offered to stop by the store and grab everything we'll need to "whip up the most amazing dish you've ever tasted!" According to Griffin, at least.

I'm keeping myself busy, keeping my nerves at bay while humming along to the music when I hear my phone vibrating against the counter. Figuring it's Griffin, I stop what I'm doing to go answer it. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that it isn't Griffin, but Florence who is calling me.

"Hey babycakes!" I answer with a happy smile on my face. I can't help but laugh at the fact that she yawns before rasping out her own greeting. "Hey baby. What are you up to?" She asks sleepily.

I glance over at the clock and do a quick bit of mental math. "Nothing much. Just keeping myself busy while I wait for Griffin to get here. But the bigger question is why the hell are you up?! It's 4 in the morning there!"

Florence laughs softly at my outburst. "I'm well aware of what the time is, darling. I have an early call time today. But I wanted to wake up early enough to talk to you first. Is that a problem?" She questions. I can't help but smile softly to myself. "Not at all. I'm always happy to talk to you. I miss you." I say sadly. Honestly, Florence being away leaves more than a small void in my life.

Florence lets out a long and satisfying groan before letting out a sigh, clearly stretching. "I miss you too. So much. I've never been this ready for a film to wrap." She says. "How much longer?" I question. "Until December at least. And that's IF we're lucky. But I will have week and a half off for Thanksgiving, so at least there's that." She adds.

I do my best to keep my focus on the conversation at hand. I'm not willing to let myself fall down the rabbit hole of thinking about how my birthday is only a few weeks away, and I still have no idea if I'll get to spend it with Florence.

"A well deserved break that will be. What are your plans for Thanksgiving anyways? You usually go back home to Oxford right?" I ask, doing my best to keep my voice light and curious. It's not like she's obligated to spend her breaks with me, especially during the holidays.

"I've actually been thinking about that. Normally I do go back to Oxford, yes. But this year, all I really want to do is be wherever you are....if that's alright with you?" She says, almost nervously. I'm taken aback by her statement. "Of course it is. That's more than ok with me. But...I don't want you to give up time with your family on my account." I say sincerely.

"Nonsense. We'll figure it out. But we've got time before then. Tell me about your night tonight. Are you excited to see Griffin?" She asks. I chew on my lip nervously. "I don't know. I don't think excited is the word I'd use. I'm more nervous than anything." I admit.

"That makes two of us!" Florence exclaims, making my eyes go wide. "What?! What do you mean that makes two of us?!" I reply, suddenly very unsettled.

Florence laughs heartily. "Oh come on! Have you ever hung out with Griffin just the two of you WITHOUT it ending up in some sort of catastrophe?" She questions. I think about it for a moment, although I really don't have to. "Just because I almost died once, and then got harassed by some creep at a bar once doesn't mean things ALWAYS go wrong!" I argue.

"Whatever you say, love." Florence laughs. "But for the love of god, please be careful! I'm halfway across the world currently. Having to come all the way back because you decided to remain consistent would be more than a little inconvenient." She says, her voice light but it's no doubt a warning.