Beautiful When You Don't Try

Chapter 32

Camila had it bad. After her second show Wednesday, she got home around one in the morning but was back up again by seven for the sole purpose of making it to Lauren's studio by the time the brunette arrived. The closer the taxi got to the building, the more excited she became. She laughed at herself. She imagined she looked like an excited little kid.

Worse yet, was when she entered the studio and locked eyes with her lover across the large room. Only twenty-four hours apart and she was dropping her bag to the floor and skipping across the open space into the brunette's arms.

"Did you get the flowers?" Lauren asked, muffled by Camila's kiss.

"I did. They were beautiful. And the card was just what I needed to get me through both shows."

"Good." Lauren added as she kissed the diva tenderly on more time before she dropping her grasp from the brunette's face to her small hands, bringing them up and kissing her fingers.

"So, what do you have planned for today?"

The brunette sighed in thought. "This afternoon I have a meeting and then what will hopefully be a short shoot in the park. But this morning, I am sending Meg out on her lonesome to see what she can see in New York City." She explained turning to the other brunette behind her.

Camila's smile faltered and fell slightly. She had forgotten about Meg being there. Apparently, the apprentice noticed, and dropped her eyes from Camila's. "So, what are you doing this morning if you are sending Meg out on her own?" The brunette playfully shrugged her shoulders and the diva smiled widely again, bouncing their clasped hands. "Well, then may I suggest that we look into getting that extra seating for your studio that we had previously been discussing?"

"I like that idea. Let me just talk with Kim really quick and I'll meet you down stairs. Okay?"

The diva nodded and received a chaste kiss before Lauren walked to her office. Camila's eyes followed as she made her own way to the elevator, oblivious to the fact Meg was right behind her until she turned around to select the ground floor. They both stood in an awkward silence as the elevator seemed to take forever to descend to their destination. Neither woman even shifted their weight until the doors opened and Meg stepped out first, camera bag over her shoulder. She took five long steps and then stopped abruptly, paused, turned around, and walked right back to the diva who had barely stepped off the elevator.

"She's happy." Meg stated flatly. "You make her happy. It's more than I could do."

Camila stood in stunned silence as the taller woman quickly turned and left the building. What just happened? The diva slowly made her way to the bench along the wall and sat down to process what she had just been told. Did Meg just surrender any claim she may have still had on Lauren? Was she trying to say she approved of their relationship?

"Are you ready?" Camila was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the elevator or Lauren arrive.

She nodded her head and smiled up to the brunette, accepting the offered hand to hold. "So, how are things working out with Meg?" She asked with a warmth in her tone as not to worry Lauren that she may be disproving still. Because if what she just experienced was at all real, she had no reason to be.

"Honestly," Lauren began as they walked out of the building and began their walk. "It's been great. Some of the professionalism has worn off but only to allow the friendship through. I know it is a little awkward for you, but it really means a lot to me that you're okay with this. She's my best friend and I didn't really realize how much I had missed that aspect of our relationship until these last few days."