julie’s bangs appreciation blog

"Yes, dad, I know. Gas prices. Yeah. I see them everyday. I told you, with this new firm, it's way less of a drive than before. San Diego was not very kind on my pockets."

You tossed out your drink as you kept walking where you told Lola to meet you. Speak of the angel!

"Uh, yeah. Yup. Hey, dad, I gotta go. I'm meeting up with Lola. You know Lola, please don't do that. One of like five real friends I made at UCLA? The one I actually introduced you to? Mhm. Alright. I promise I'll call you when I have time. Love you, too."

You hung up the phone and ran over to hug your best friend.

"Ugh, girl, I missed you so much," you said while holding her tightly before backing up with a playful gasp at her new look. "Is all this for me? Or is this how new age badass judges look these days?"

"Oh, stop it...I had a little more time this morning," she said with a half twirl. "You like?"

"I love. Absolutely gorgeous. I still can't believe you're a judge!"

"Yeah, yeah," she did a little shrug and sipped the coffee you got her. "But I see you've been doing much more walking these days around that courthouse, little miss litigation attorney," she added as her eyes fell to your backside. "What you been doing?"

"You're never gonna believe me," you said as you lowered your voice to a conspiring whisper and leaned in closer for dramatics. "...Pilates."

Lola audibly gasped. "No."

"Yes."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"You? Pilates? The same girl who said she 'wouldn't be caught dead curling her body into a pretzel for $100 an hour'?"

"I know! One of my good friends actually dragged me to a class of hers to try it out and...I've been hooked ever since."

"I bet you have. All that ass back there."

You lightly slapped her arm and rolled your eyes. "You're one to talk. It'll take me another year to reach all that movement back there. Tell Robin I'm coming for his spot."

"Uh huh. Now will you tell me why you wanted to meet all the way out here?"

You smiled and turned to face the medium sized building to your right, saying your full name and adding "associates" after. Lola's smile widen further and looked back to you with such a proud look on her face.

"Yes! Oh my god, this is for real? You're gonna start your own firm?"

"Mhm. We're gonna start off small, but we will be specializing in criminal and civil litigation, where advocacy matters for the ones are-"

"-often overlooked," Lola s finished your sentence in sync. "I remember, this is fantastic! I couldn't be happier to have you back."

"And I'm glad to hear it because I'm coming straight for you first."

"Me? Why me?"

"So we can finally do what we talked about, dreamed about! I want you to join my firm."

"I... that's a lot to ask from me."

"I know, totally understand, just... think about it, yeah?"

"I'll think about it."

"Good. Cause I'm aiming for Mark next and you know he's always struggled to say no to me."

"I dunno, girl. He's changed a bit since grad. You know he's DDA now."

"That I did not know... even more reason to poach him."

"You are sick," Lola said with a laugh.

Lola and Mark met in the staircase again to talk about their already exhausting days.

"At least there's some good news," he said. "Robin's home."

"And she's back. Apparently for good."

"How do you feel about that?"

"How do you feel about it?" She asked him with a look. A silent pause goes by before they start chuckling.

"Ironic, isn't it? Her showing up right when we're both in time-out?"

"And she's flourishing. Even in her return back home to LA, she's the golden child, and already making demands! You know she asked me to join her new firm."

"We did discuss in law school, the three of us with our names on a plaque & Associates."

"We did, yeah," she mused. "Hey, you free for drinks tonight? With them both in town-"

"-On a school night?" He jokes.

"-we'll go somewhere around here. It'll be fun. Oh," she checked her watch and got up. "Let me back before Sherri realizes I'm gone."

"Uh, pretty sure she knows before you do."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

Later that evening.

You're talking with Lola about your early days at Howard, laughing it up before either of you could fully finish your sentences when Mark walks in with a woman behind him. Around your height in heels, blonde, really pretty. Since Mark came in first, you got up and greeted him first with open arms.

"Markyyy!"

"Oh, god, I've told you to stop calling me that a million times," he said as you hugged each other with a small sway. "You look amazing, as always."

"Why, thank you, you know I had to show out for seeing my best friends again after so long. You clean up quite well yourself," you replied as he backed up and introduced the woman he came in with.

"Quinn. Ah- Amy. Amy Quinn."

You have her a hug and mouthed to Mark 'she's gorgeous!'

"Any friend of Mark's is a friend of mine," you said with a wink and sat down together.

"So, how did you end up friends with these two powerhouses?" Amy asked. You and Lola exchanged knowing looks.

"We all went to UCLA law together," he said.

"We clocked him the moment he came into our Crim Law class," Lola said.

"He came in thinking he was hot shit," you added.

"With a chip on his shoulder."

"And a lot of attitude."

"But we quickly showed him what being a real boss looks like," Lola said and high-fived you.

"And we've been best friends ever since."

"Do you see what I had to deal with?" He said to Amy with a laugh and shook his head. "Robin, how'd your interview go?"

"Interview?" Lola asked.

"Yeah, I told you about the job that came up at the Bureau," Robin said.

"No, you didn't. That I would've remembered."

You and Mark locked eyes for a split second before you looked back down at your drink.

"Another surprise, then. I'm pretty sure I nailed it," he turned back to Mark. "Now it's just a waiting game."

"Well, I hope it all works out. It'd be great to have you back here for good," Mark said while clinking his glass with Robin's.

Now you and Lola lock eyes for a second before she looked back to Robin holding her hand.

"I feel like I've been away from this woman way too long."

The next day; lunch.

"So, what was that look on your face last night?" You asked her.

"What look? There was no look."

"Oh, there was a look."

"I saw it, too," Mark chimed in.

"Okay, don't come back here stirring up the pot like you do," Lola said to you.

"I'm not! I was just surprised at your ambivalence."

"I wasn't being ambivalent. I just don't wanna get my hopes up. That's all."

"Well, that's some bull."

"Hey!"

"So, what is it then?" Mark asked.

"It just wasn't the plan, him being gone so long, but then, also..."

"You get used to having the bed to yourself?" It was your turn to chime in.

"Okay, I'm not talking about this anymore, I suggest we move on."

You thought for a moment then turned to Mark. "What about this Amy?"

You emphasized her name and rested your chin your palm.

"I think...this could go the distance."

"Mark!" You gasped softly, smile getting wider. "I haven't seen you this serious about anybody, like ever. What makes this one so different?"

"I don't know, maybe...maybe she reminds me of you."

That...caught you off guard. He watched you and Lola glance at each other before trying to correct himself.

"Both of you!" He said. "You know what you want, you go for it, no apologies."

"We don't put up with your bull," Lola added.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"What about you?" She asked you. "Why the sudden move back to LA, hm?"

"Ah, you know, I gotta go, actually," you said while checking the time on your phone. "I will catch up with the both of you later."

You packed up your purse and stood up, catching Lola protesting with just her eyes. "I am slammed with licenses and permits to submit. You know how it is. Catch you later!"

Lola scoffed and Mark just watched you leave with a stupid grin on his face. Silence stretched between them before he spoke up.

"Don't look at me like that," he said.

"Like what?"

"It's been years, but the last time we were all together and she left to go do something, you kept giving me those 'I know what you're thinking' eyes."

"I do not-"

He stared at her.

"Okay, well... maybe it's because I do."

"Yeah? What am I thinking?"

"Oh," she began. "Possibly how you might've not realized how flirty you just sounded there?"

"Flirty?"

"Do not play dumb with me, Mark. I caught that save at the end. 'Both of you!'"

"I do not sound like that, first of all. And secondly, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Whatever you say."

He exhaled sharply through his nose--his tell when he was caught but refusing to admit it. He picked at a crumpled napkin on the table, avoiding eye contact.

"I'll admit, the coincidence of you actually trying with a woman you're interested in and her return is something to think about."

"You seem pretty invested."

"Can you blame me? Your dating life is-"

His brow quirked upward, eyes meeting again. "No, no, please, you have the floor."

"...interesting," she finished with a light laugh. "All I'm saying is things have been a little different since college."

"Meaning?"

"I don't think you want me to spell that out for you."

"Something you know that I don't?"

"Mark...do you think I didn't know y'all had something going on?"

He just looked at her then balled up the napkin to toss it out. "I gotta get back to work."

"And there it is. Goodness, that is the one thing you two have in common that has always irritated me!"

"Don't wanna keep Choi waiting," he said while holding up his phone, knowing damn well you knew nobody texted or called him, and getting up to go. "Catch you later."

A week later; Lola's house party.

"Heard you made quite the entrance at the HOJ," Mark said, referring to the case you took on earlier that involved a pimp but you took on the defending position for him. "A pimp? Damn."

"It was a referral from a colleague," you countered, "triple my normal retainer."

"What happened to defending the overlooked?" Lola said as she took a sip of her drink and looked to the side.

"A girl's gotta eat!"

"I mean, it's kinda shady, but it does take a lot to start a new firm, Lo."

"Oh, come on, she's done very well for herself."

"Have you seen the commercial rent in the town?"

"Firm needs to attract deep-pocketed clients. I get it."

"I also need new legal talent."

You looked right at him and smiled.

"You are relentless!" Lola said.

"What? It was just a question!"

"I appreciate the question," he said.

"You don't just ask-"

"Thank you, Mark."

"You allude, you intimate, you insinuate, you imply."

"Insinuate?" you said with feigned offense. "Mark is in a place where he can be persuaded. You, less so."

"Prosecuting is in Mark's blood, right, Mark?"

"Eh...ish."

Lola rolled her eyes as Robin approached with Amy.

"This house is...wow. This view is spectacular," Amy said.

"Thank you. Baldwin Estates--best views in LA."

"I was gonna show Amy the new remodel in the garage," Robin added.

"Lead the way. Ladies," Mark waved and walked off with the two, leaving you and Lola alone.

Two hours later.

You were talking to other people who you knew were lawyers about your new firm then returned back to the group. They all looked at you with knowing smiles because you were the definition of "shameless" in all the best ways.

"Lola, this party was great."

"Thank you. Did you have a good time?"

"Better than good, you kidding? But I am wiped. Think I'm just gonna grab an Uber and go home."

"I'll drop you off," Mark offered. "Quinn already left. She had an early morning briefing."

"You sure? It's not any trouble?"

"Come on, it's you we're talking about. I got you."

"Well, alright," you went to hug Robin first then Lola. "We should talk more about the case later," you said just quiet enough for her to hear. When you left, Robin turned to Lola.

"I wouldn't ask," she said.

"I'm just saying..."

"Robin..."

"Have they...or am I crazy?"

"I'm walking away now!"

"Wow, okay, you don't need to push the hard sell on me joining your firm. I am definitely tempted and flattered, even if you are saying all those nice things just to reel me in," Mark laughed as he pulled up to your condo.

"See, that's the problem with old friends, they always see you coming."

"I just...I don't know if I'm ready to leave the DA's office."

"I get it. It's a big leap for me, too, but there's no denying we've always been good together."

"Yes, we have. All three of us," he made sure to clarify. You pretended not to notice.

"All I ask is that you really think it over. I could really use someone of your vast legal talent by my side."

"I will. I will definitely give it a thought."

You locked eyes, just gazing at each other for a moment. His eyes fell to your lips for half a second before he cleared his throat and you looked down to unbuckle your seatbelt.

"Thanks again for the ride," you got out his car and leaned against the window. "Tonight was fun. Just like old times."

You winked at him and headed in the building. He waited until you were all the way inside. Ignoring the way his heart nearly leapt out his chest on the way home because your expensive perfume was still lingering on the passenger seat.

When he got home, he stared at the ceiling for at least 30 minutes. The only thing playing in his mind not being the fun night he just had with Amy the other day. But...

2008.

You finally got your own apartment on campus and threw a housewarming party! It went so well, but ended up so messy. Ugh.

"I can stay and help clean up," Lola insisted for the third time.

"No, no, you have an 8 a.m. and much needed rest for that exam. I will not let you be irresponsible for my sake. Love ya!"

You pushed her by her shoulders on the way out, giving her a big hug then waved goodbye and shut the door. You turned around, startled by the man standing in your kitchen, eating up the rest of the charcuterie board you had laid out for the guests but never finished. You scoffed on your way back to the kitchen.

"Marky," you began. "What are you still doing here? Thought you left."

"I can help."

"Don't you also have an early class tomorrow?"

"It was cancelled," he said while finishing the second to last piece and standing up straighter. "Prof's got a doc appointment, so...I can help."

You narrowed your eyes at him before swiping the last piece right from under his hand. Chewing dramatically and sighing like it's the best thing you've ever eaten.

"Fine."

You cleaned up much of the mess in the living room and rendezvoused back to the kitchen, taking turns taking out the trash bags. Once done, you stretched and let out a sigh of content.

"Tonight was fun," you mused and leaned on the counter. "Can't wait to get out of this dress."

He laughed and took his spot by your side. "Agreed," he said. "Need anything else?"

"No, you've done enough for me tonight."

"No such thing. I got you."

"Marky..."

"You have got to stop calling me that. I'm 25 years old!"

"And I'll be calling you that until we're 90."

"Whatever. You're sure there's nothing else?"

You give him a blank stare but it was obvious you were holding back a laugh.

"Alright, alright. I can take a hint. See you tomorrow?"

"Some of us still have class tomorrow."

He playfully waved off your statement and stood up to get ready to go. He was only a few steps away before you called out behind him. Your mouth acting before you could stop it.

"Hey, Mark?"

He turned around, spinning his keys on his index finger. You always find that so hot weird.

"Mhm?"

You couldn't turn back now.

"Just wanted to say you... clean up nice. When you wanna."

He stopped spinning the keys. "...yeah?"

"Oh my God, don't make it weird," you faked irritation and moved things around on the counter so you didn't have to watch him contemplate walking back over.

"Did you just give me a compliment?"

"It's not the first."

"It's never been my looks."

"The way you dress doesn't equate to your looks."

"You just said I looked good." He stopped a few inches behind and waited for you to turn around. You faced him and had to pull everything within yourself not to physically react to how close he was standing.

"And?"

"And I wanna say you did too," he said. "Except, you always do."

Mark's gaze dropped to your lips. You looked away to ease that swirling feeling in your stomach. He made the boldest move he could think of right now and tilted your face to look at him head on, finger under your chin.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking if you want to kiss me so badly, now's your chance."

He smiled softly at you matching his energy. No more words needed to be said so he leaned down to kiss you. It was just a normal kiss to test the waters. He backed up a little to see your reaction but what you did was lick your lips and kiss him again. Hands holding his face and all.

This time was much deeper. More intentional. He smirked into it and rested his hands on your lower back. Fingers inches away from your ass but he knew better than to push it.

You pulled back for a second to catch your breath. "Should we be doing this?"

"I don't see why not."

You bit your bottom lip then grabbed one of his hands to drag him to your room. No way in hell were you adding into the mess you just cleaned up.

He laid down on your sheets while you peeled off only your panties and tossed them aside. Climbing on top of him and kissing him after undoing his belt. It was easy to chalk this up to alcohol still being in both your systems, but who knows? Who cares?

You sank down on him with a satisfied hum. He groaned and held on to your clothed hips. Good God you looked so sexy in that dress. Cleavage so exposed it threatened to make one of your tits pop out in his face... he is not complaining.

"You know, if I had it my way, I'd have you on your back. Looking up at me with those pretty eyes," he murmured against your lips. "But I don't wanna mess up those gorgeous locks of yours. Looks like it took a while."

"I'm gonna be sweating it out anyway," you said while finding a good rhythm without losing yourself in the process. You never thought about fucking your best friend until tonight but it's fair to say the way he walked around like that shit was slinging...started to make sense.

It was bizarre that neither of you decided to take your clothes off but that's what made this whole exchange all the more enjoyable. He pushed your dress up past your hips and squeezed at the flesh that was that ass. Watching you take what you need, hearing you clearly having a good time. Eyes shut and a corner of your nipple peeking past your bra. Mark was in heaven right now.

"Think we could ever go up against each other in mock court during class again after this?"

You could slap the smugness off his face before needing to open your eyes to see it.

"I think it's even more reason to."

"I dunno. Seems unethically charged."

You look down at him. Seeing him trying so hard not to stare at your breasts. "You underestimate the power of professionalism."

You gasped and stifled a moan. Bunching his dress shirt between your fingers. His smile never left.

"You underestimate the power of great sex."

"Dick doesn't sway me, Callan," you gritted between your teeth. You could feel that internal wire about to snap at any moment.

"Oh, it's Callan now? No 'Marky' or 'pretty boy'? Your honor, the defense is clearly very biased here."

"You...are ridiculous," you chuckled a bit and kissed him again.

"Someone's close," he whispered into your mouth.

"Stop talking," you whispered back. Bouncing a little harder in his lap and tightening your thighs around his waist. Any other sound you made fell past his lips and your climax hit you in an instant. You didn't stop kissing him. Just rode it out, ruining his dress pants and all, but he didn't care enough to move you. Not when you felt so good wrapped around him. Sounded just as beautiful as you looked moaning his name.

When he came, he pulled out in time and lifted your hips just in case. Making a mess on his shirt but, again, he doesn't care. You physically couldn't stop making out until he was finished and he tapped your rib as a signal to breathe.

You rolled onto your back with a breathy laugh. Hand over your fast beating heart.

"That was..."

"...interesting," he continued your sentiment with a heavy exhale. "This doesn't, like, change anything, right?"

"Totally," you said. "We're still friends and can prove we can remain professional."

"Of course. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Right," you sat up and stared at the bathroom across from your room. "I'm gonna shower. You should join me."

He sat up with you. "To save on that water bill, I assume."

"Yeah. A friendly shower to save on the water bill."

"I like that idea," you said as you stood up. He followed your movements and immediately picked you up from under your thighs, planting another kiss to your lips. He couldn't help himself.

"I do, too."

-

"Ah, fuck," Mark's body stiffened as his warm seed spilled onto his fist, muttering your name. His other forearm over his eyes, lowering it to look at the mess he made while recalling the first time you hooked up. He groaned and went to the bathroom to wash his hands and change shorts. He caught his tired reflection in the mirror before letting his head fall.

You had just thrown your robe on, fresh out the shower and moisturized, getting comfortable in bed when your phone goes off. Who could possibly be texting you at midnight? When you picked up your phone and clicked the message, your heart skipped a beat.

"You up?"

-