Choose Me

Big News

*Lena*

I pull my hair up on top of my head before straightening my skirt. Stef has asked me to lunch today, and for whatever reason, I'm a bit nervous. She had recently signed up for this dating site, and I had secretly hoped it would be an epic fail. Of course, I didn't tell her this, and me, being a good best friend, had helped her set it up several months ago. She had since gone out on several dates, but nothing came of them, not even a one night stand. Stef was not one to "fall into" bed with just anyone, and ever since she had broken up with Mike five years ago and "come out," she had only slept with two women, one which was a two-year relationship.

I had no idea what her big news was that she was excited to share with me, but I knew that it had to be big because she had been blowing up my phone all week reminding me of today's lunch. I pull my keys out of my purse before quickly texting my long-term girlfriend, Amber, to let her know that I had already let our small dog, Tippy, out  and that I'd be home for dinner this evening. Jumping in my small sonic, I head on over to Giovanni's to meet Stef.

When I pull up, I notice that she's already arrived which is unusual seeing that she's the one who was always late. My heart races as I step inside, and I instantly spot her in a booth reading her menu. "Hey there, stranger! Long time no see!" I tease as I remove my sunglasses, and she instantly closes her menu and stands, hugging me tightly. I return her hug, and my heart skips a beat as I notice just how good she smells.

"So, what's this big news you've been dying to tell me, Stefanie Foster?" I slide into the booth across from her, and she throws her head back and laughs.

"We haven't even given our drink order yet, there, woman!"

I act hurt, "Of course not, but you've been blowing up my phone all week!"

"Awww, c'mon, Lena! You know I'm joking," she reaches across the table to place her hand on top of mine. The warmth of her skin radiates through my arm, and I can feel my skin begin to flush. I quickly look down at my menu as I clear my throat.

"I think I'm just going to order the lunch special. How about you?"

"Look at me, Len," she rubs my hand before squeezing it to get my attention, and I slowly meet her gaze. "Don't be mad, sweets. Honestly, I know I've been a little eager to talk to you. I have. But can we have a good lunch, please?"

I melt under her sweet words. We have been best friends for well over ten years, and been through thick and thin together. She is the yin to my yang, and honestly, the only one who can complete my sentences and make me melt. I hadn't noticed just how awesome of a friend she was until about a year ago when Amber and I were going through a rough patch. She held me as I had held her when she struggled with her break-up with Mike. She had been the one to encourage me to stay with Amber, saying that we compliment each other, and unlike her and Mike, we had a fighting chance. We rarely have had any disagreements in our friendship, and just recently, I have begun to notice small things about her that I never noticed before. Like the way she moves her hands when she is talking, the way her nose wiggles when she is uncomfortable, and how she stutters when she is trying to get her point across succinctly. All of that and more have begun to make my heart race, and I've been chalking it up to just a close friendship and not the fact that Amber and me are together out of convenience rather than love.

"Yes," I smile as I squeeze her hand back and relax.

"Okay, good!" she winks at me as our waiter comes and takes our order. When he walks away with the menus, I fold my hands in front of me on the table and smile as I wait for her to begin.

She nervously clears her throat as she begins playing with the red, cloth napkin in front of her. "So, I know I haven't told you, but I met someone on that site, and we've been talking..."

I sit forward and interrupt her as my heart begins pounding in my chest. "M..met someone?" I squeak out.

She nods as she continues. "Yes. Her name is Ren, and she lives in San Fransisco. She is a financial consultant. Anyway, we've been talking now for several months, and we've even met up a couple of times...."

I don't hear much else after Stef tells me this news: they've been talking for several months? What the actual fuck? How did I miss that she was falling in love? How could I not know? Why didn't she tell me before now? Why was she hiding this from me? Me! Her supposed best friend! All of these thoughts swarm my mind as I see her lips moving and watch her smiling wider than I've ever seen her smile.

"...and I'm supposed to fly out to stay with her over Halloween. She's having some kind of Halloween Bash with her friends, and it's time I met her friends, you know?"

I take a giant gulp of my water as she finishes her ramble, wondering what else she said that I missed. "That's wonderful!" I hear myself saying as the room begins to spin out of control. I take several sips of water as she continues telling me about this Ren. Ren. What the hell kind of name is that? Who names their daughter Ren? I bet she's an arrogant asshole. That's what I think of when I hear her name, anyways. Anyone who has the name Ren and works in finance is bound to be conceited.

"Earth to Lena!"

I snap out of it as I see Stef's hand waving in front of me, and I laugh softly, playing off my insane jealousy. "Sorry, what did you say?"

Stef's gaze intensifies, and I hope to god she doesn't catch on to what I've been thinking. She licks her lips as she repeats herself. "I asked if you'd be willing to pick me up from the airport when I fly back? I have Mike taking me since I'm leaving straight from work next Friday, but he's not able to pick me up."

My stomach forms several tight knots as I nod and smile. "Of course! Just let me know all of the info, and I'll be there!"

How the hell will I be able to be happy for Stef? I hadn't felt this way about her before now...ever. I feel kind of hurt because she didn't tell me about this woman until now. That must be it. Why else do I feel as if I'll hurl all over my lunch?

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***Welcome to my holiday Stef & Lena fanfic! I decided to include Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas in this one! Enjoy!***