Personal assistant

Doubles

"Cheers!"

Six glassed clinked in unison, the bubbles fizzing in the vessels. Katya's hand disappeared into her baby's stroller, which was being lightly nudged back and fourth by Matt to keep Alec lulled. He was so well behaved for a month old, sleeping peacefully beside us as we toasted my new promotion. The restaurant was busy, though Frederico was making an effort to ensure we still had the best service. He'd kindly seated us at a private table, separated from the rest of the hustle and bustle in a cosy wall alcove. Sasha had ordered the same as me, exceedingly happy with the quality of the pasta dish. Rupert and Matt were deep in conversation about something uninteresting to the rest of us, Katya was busy babbling to Sofia about Alec's rubbish sleep pattern, and I was perfectly content with my own meal. Frederico often took it upon himself to swoop past the alcove and lock eyes with me, clearly attempting to provoke my attention. I couldn't help but giggle at the way Sofia noticed, and was clearly bothered by it. Only in an amicable way of course, she was not unreasonable, she knew Frederico hadn't been told that I was in a relationship with her, he was still under the impression I was single. Absolutely lapping up the jealousy, I smiled at him shamelessly, so frequently she squeezed my thigh under the table as a reprimand, possessive and dominating. I ceased my flirting for now, intent on swiping up every last drop of delicious sauce from my plate. I popped the last bite into my mouth, and the edge of a napkin was pressed to one of the corners of my mouth, cleaning up the small spill. I glanced over to her, she didn't miss a beat in her conversation, placing the napkin back down in her lap and refilling my glass. Her ability to multitask was quite impressive, I would have poured the champagne in her lap accidentally if I tried to complete tasks with the same absent mind she had. 

"How was your show the other night, successful?"

I asked my best friend, and she nodded enthusiastically. 

"The seam on the lead's pants almost ripped at the exact moment he was due on stage, we thought we'd have to send him out in the director's pants instead!"

I loved her costume designs for this show, it was a period drama so lots of large ruffles and over-the-top skirts, something different from her usual wardrobe designs. I'd seen the opening performance, it was actually quite gripping, I'm not usually a fan of live theatre, but Rupert is so I brought him along too. I spotted Frederico speed past again, offering me that familiar exaggerated and pointed smile. This time, I pretended to be too absorbed in conversation to return his affections, and Sofia noticed my purposeful dismissal. My boss smirked, and took a sip of her red wine, slipping me a cheeky wink of approval. Katya had just finished feeding Alec after the main course, and he was becoming fussy instead of drowsy like she'd hoped. I offered to hold him whilst everyone was waiting for desserts, and he only settled when I stood to lightly bounce him up and down, swaying side to side in a tactile rhythm.

"The baby whisperer strikes again," Matt whispered, and Katya gave me a quiet round of applause as I grinned. 

"I'm a jack of all trades," I joked, earning laughter from all four corners of the alcove. I'd ordered a tiramisu for my dessert, the ones from this restaurant tasted like heaven and I couldn't wait, even if I was still stuffed from the main meal. Finally, Alec's eyes closed, but I continued to rock him until dessert was served, I wanted to make absolute certain that he was sleeping.

"This place really is extraordinary Sofia, what a great recommendation!"

Katya complimented her through a mouthful of cheesecake. 

"I've been coming here for years, it's nice to be able to bring such good company."

"Aww, you're such a softie," Sasha teased my boss in a lighthearted manner and I giggled. Sofia shook her head at Sasha, hesitating for a second before swiping the cherry off the top of my roommate's sundae.

"Hey!"

Her spoon tried to bat Sofia's out the whipped cream, but the mischievous woman was too quick and placed her spoon with the cherry perched atop in front of my lips.

"You wouldn't," Sasha looked at me and held a warning finger up. and I paused for effect before placing my lips around the spoon. Her mouth dropped open and she pressed the back of her hand to her forehead for dramatic effect. 

"You spend so much time at the theatre you're now a world class actress," I snorted, and she bowed her head in agreement, forgetting all about her heartbreak at the daylight robbery of her beloved topping. 

Which may I add, was absolutely delicious. 

Even more so when being fed to me by the most gorgeous woman I'd ever seen. How on earth did I win her? The tawny shade of her eyes was so magical when she was in her element, a social butterfly at heart around those whom she was comfortable with, no one else. I was so grateful my friends loved her as much as I did, and that we were able to all spend time together like this. She always had a soft spot for Sasha too, my best friend could quite literally call her every name under the sun, and my boss would just match her banter so flippantly. After finishing dessert, we took time to finish our glasses of wine, chatter comfortable and very fluid. Frederico cleared the table, and did a double-take at the necklace I had on, Sofia's ring resting comfortably against my sternum.

"That's a pretty necklace, I don't recall seeing it last time?" He questioned airily, but his eyes were scanning mine, clearly hopeful for an answer which wasn't the one I was about to reveal.

"It's new," I responded, touching my fingers to it and smiling politely at him.

"Who's the lucky man?" He enquired and the table burst out laughing, including Sofia who placed a hand on my knee in his eye-line, my arm snaking round her neck to draw her towards me in response.

"Oh! My apologies, Miss Lana, Miss Sofia. I did not mean to overstep my mark."

She chuckled amicably, waving down his apology. I hoped he wasn't embarrassed, we were only laughing because his confusion was adorable, and his response very respectful.

"She is a diamond, this one, I wish you both all the happiness!"

Sofia half-smiled at his words, her tattooed arm flexing as she squeezed my knee again affectionately, looking into my eyes.

"She certainly is."