35 Ways to Say 'I Love You' | Joanne (One Shot Series)

Broccoli (Words of Affirmation)

"Hey! Where did you go?"

Joe caught Dianne around the waist as she wandered through the bar. She smiled at him and Joe thought that, for a moment, she was going to lean in for a kiss.

Dianne had been single for a few weeks, but the media had only just found out. She and Joe had been lightly flirting since they met, the tension between them building as they silently dared one another to make the next move. Over the last few days, since they had been working on their Cha Cha together, they seemed to have reached a plateau. They sat close to one another while they rested between run-throughs, they had ended every rehearsal with a long hug goodbye and- after parting ways at the studio- would round off their day with a phone call.

Joe was desperate to kiss Dianne. She was beautiful, inside and out, and it was clear she liked him just as much. He wanted, somehow, to convey how much he liked her. He wanted, too, for her to confirm that he wasn't just imagining that this was a two-way thing.

"I.... I was talking to Amy over there. Why? Are you jealous?"

Joe hadn't realised quite how drunk Dianne was until that moment. They had arrived to the club separately; the production team having put people in the closest taxi whenever they were ready to leave for their post-show night out. He had seen her at the bar when he had arrived but had lost track as he chatted to anyone and everyone, buying rounds of drinks and laughing with all of his amazing new friends. Despite her red hair, the colourful lighting inside the club had made it harder to spot Dianne amongst the crowd.

"Are you jealous?"

Dianne's question seemed to stick in Joe's mind. He had had a few drinks himself, and the alcohol had certainly loosened his tongue. "A bit" he admitted, grinning.

Dianne clearly hadn't expected Joe to be so honest. Her eyes widened for a moment before she winked at him. "Good."

Finishing the drink that Joe had been holding, Dianne slammed down the glass on the bar before holding out a hand. "Dance with me" she said, eyes roaming over his body. "Come on."

Joe took the hand of the vibrant redhead, unsure if he wanted to find out what would happen if he said 'no' to her request. She led him onto the dancefloor and, as the song changed, she began to jump energetically around him. Joe, having expected a completely different experience, joined in.

The two danced together for a few songs, seemingly always making sure they were touching in some way. The DJ put on a song Dianne clearly didn't like; Joe realised this when she rolled her eyes, shook her head and walked off the dancefloor, dragging him behind her.

"What's up?" he asked.

Dianne shrugged. "I hate this song. It's crap to dance to. Shall we get another drink?"

"We can do." Joe glanced towards the door, watching as a few people began to make their way out into the street. Dianne took his response as a 'yes' and went up to the bar, ordering a rum and coke each for herself and her dance partner.

"Here" she said, thrusting the glass into Joe's hand. Joe sipped it reluctantly, which Dianne seemed confused by. Moving closer to him, she leaned in so her chin rested on his shoulder. "Why aren't you drunk, Joe?" she asked. "I wanted to party with drunk Joe."

Joe shook his head before leaning in, the alcohol in his system giving him a sense of reckless confidence he didn't usually possess. "I'm worried that drunk Joe might do things sober Joe will regret" he admitted. "I'm just being careful."

Dianne looked at him and bit her lip. "Do you think you'd regret it?"

Joe shrugged and took a sip of his drink. "Dunno." He didn't have time to explain further: Dianne had lost focus. The song had changed and she tapped her hand on her leg to the beat. As the chorus began, she turned to Joe and grinned.

"Why don't you come on over, broccoli?" she sang.

Joe's head tipped back as he laughed. "Broccoli?" he asked, earning a confused look from the redhead. "It's 'Valerie', you numpty. Why did you say broccoli?"

Dianne shrugged and leaned in. "You're like broccoli."

Joe raised an eyebrow.

"You are" she said, reaching for his hand. "You're versatile and tasty. You're healthy. You've got a big head and little legs. And... well, broccoli is good for you" she held out a finger and touched it to Joe's chest, "and I think you're good for me."

Not wanting her to stop, feeling as if this might be the time where he finally found out for sure how Dianne felt, Joe sat back and let her ramble.

"Like, eating vegetables makes you healthy. My mum always used to say that broccoli would make my eyes sparkle and my hair shine. I... I think you do the same thing. Plus, you make my tummy all bubbly. Except, when I eat broccoli it's probably gas and, with you, I don't think that's what it is."

"That's so cute" Joe leaned in so Dianne could hear him. "I'm glad I don't make you gassy."

Dianne shrugged and leaned in close. Joe closed his eyes as the familiar scent of her perfume filled his senses. "You don't make me gassy Joe," she said as Joe noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath. She reached down and rested her hand on her thigh. "You make me feel so many things, though. Maybe soon, when I'm not this drunk, we can talk about it."

Joe nodded. Looking into her eyes, he smiled softly. "I'd really like that."