Love and Dreams-Faberry

Chapter Two

"Chill, Berry, you look fine," Santana mumbled as the two of them stepped into the trendy downtown restaurant. Rachel had been fiddling with her hair since they'd left their apartment building and it was beginning to drive Santana crazy.

"Mrs. Barstow, so nice to see you again."

Rachel turned and found the voice belonging to who she assumed was the manager of the restaurant.

"Hello, Peter," Santana greeted with a smile. She allowed him to grasp her hand and kiss the back of it. "This is my friend Rachel Berry."

His eyes went wide when he noticed Santana's companion. "Broadway starlet Rachel Berry?" He kissed the back of her hand as well. "It's certainly a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you," Rachel replied with a smile. "It's nice to meet you too."

He smiled and turned back to Santana. "Shall I seat you ladies in your usual booth, Mrs. Barstow?"

"Please," Santana agreed with an easy smile.

He nodded and led them both back to the corner of the restaurant that was more secluded and quiet and seated them in a section where more of the tables were vacant than used.

"Here you are, ladies," he told them waving towards the booth. "Amanda will be serving you tonight. Can I get you a bottle of wine?"

"Yes, thank you," Santana agreed and he nodded again and headed off.

"Come here often?" Rachel asked with a teasing smile.

"Q's a fantastic chef," Santana told her with a shrug. "Plus I want to support my best friend. We hold client meetings here a lot too."

Rachel's bottom lip slid between her teeth and she found her gaze settled on the table in front of her. "Does she know I'm here?"

"Nope," Santana replied. "But don't worry, she'll be thrilled to see you."

"I'm not so sure about that," Rachel responded.

Suddenly their waitress arrived and poured them each a glass of wine and took their orders. The table was silent for a minute after she left.

"Do you know what happened in high school?" Rachel finally asked.

"Between you two?" Santana wondered. Rachel nodded. "Not really. I know you two had gotten really close and then suddenly you weren't speaking. She went on the warpath after that if I remember."

"We were together," Rachel admitted softly.

Santana's eyes went wide. "Like together together?"

"Eloquent, Counselor," Rachel teased with a smile. "Yes together."

"What happened?" Santana asked. She leaned forward, her hands playing with her wine glass. She was genuinely interested in what had gone down between the two in high school but the feeling of it was nearly too familiar. Nearly too painful.

Rachel shrugged. "Lots of things. Her parents got back together and her dad was a nightmare. But I think it all really came down to the idea of having a future with me. All her life she'd planned the big white wedding to the boy her parents loved and they'd have the house and the dog and kids. I guess living with her girlfriend in a tiny apartment in New York City while I paid my dues off Broadway didn't really mesh with those plans."

"That's bullshit," Santana told her. "Sorry, Rach. I had no idea."

Rachel shrugged. "It's in the past."

"Are you really okay with being here then?" Santana asked her. "If not, I get it."

Rachel shook her head. "It was hard back then but I'd really like to see her."