Previously on Soft as a Rose, Sweet as Wine
Lexa walked through her front door and hung Aries' leash on the hook next to her keys. She heard noise coming from her living room and walked in to find Anya sitting very comfortably on her couch with her feet propped up on the coffee table. There was a bag of chips beside her and a soda can next to her feet.
"Why did I think it was a good idea to give you a spare key to my house?" Lexa moved through her home picking up Anya's shoes and setting them by the door and then moving to the kitchen to get a coaster to place under her drink. "Ever heard of coasters? Oh wait, of course you have! Every time you come over and I tell you to use one."
Anya simply rolled her eyes and kept her focus on the TV. "Whatever sis, you know you love it when I come over and brighten your day with my presence," Anya took a handful of chips and handed them to Aries who was sitting on the floor looking up at her adoringly.
"Oh my god! What are you doing? You know I am training him! He's never going to learn to behave if you keep spoiling him and sneaking him junk food!" Lexa called Aries over in an attempt to get him away from the contraband snacks. Instead, he just gave a quick bark and finished his chips before moving over to where Lexa was waiting. "You two will be the end of me."
"Relax sis, a couple of chips won't kill him" Lexa just rolled her eyes, knowing there was no use in continuing her chastising when Anya was never going to listen. Besides, Aries loved her and she couldnât really blame Anya completely for giving in to his adorable puppy eyes. Instead, she just grabbed a handful of chips for herself and settled into her couch. âWhy are you even here?"
"Mom called. She wanted to know if you were coming over for Aiden's birthday next week. Said you haven't been answering your phone, and you better call her back before she comes here in person." Anya loved delivering messages from their mother. She always put on a smirk and never hesitated to tell their mom when Lexa rolled her eyes during her delivery.
Anya and Lexa were not biological sisters, but blood could not make their bonds any tighter. Anya had come into the Wood's family when Lexa was seven and Anya was ten. Lexa's mother wanted more children, but when the doctor told her she wouldn't be unable to have any more, she decided to become a foster mother instead. Her father loved kids just as much as his wife and was always happy to go along with anything that made her happy.
Anya had bounced around from family to family since she was three and she was a little hardened and mistrusting by the time she came to live with the Woods family. But Lexa always wanted a sister and she quickly bonded with the blonde rugged girl. Despite Anya's efforts to push her away, Lexa was so persistent to love her, that eventually Anya had no choice but to love the wild haired girl as well. Mr. And Mrs. Woods were kind and loving to Anya which made her feel like she belonged for once in her life. After a couple of years, the Woods adopted Anya and despite the fact that they were as alike as night and day; Anya and Lexa were inseparable.
A few years after Lexa went to college, their parents adopted Aiden. Lexa always complained that Aiden had it too good now that Anya was out of the house. But the truth was that she loved Aiden as much as Anya and she always found new ways to spoil him as much as she could; as did Anya.
"Did you take Aries for a walk by 5th again?" Anya asked with a smirk.
"No," Lexa's answer was too quick and Anya quickly picked up on it. "Liar. How long are you going to walk an extra thirty minutes just trying to run into that blonde again? It's been like three weeks dude. Move ON!" Anya actually loved the fact that Lexa was still pining over the mystery blonde. It gave her material to tease her. Which, she believed, was the right of all big sisters.
"There is nothing to move on from," Lexa shrugged her shoulders and gave her attention to Aries who was lying on the couch beside her. "She was cute, no big deal. I don't care if I don't see her again."
"Then why do you keep waking you dog in the same place where you last saw her?"
"Aries likes that street. There's a lot of flowers on the sidewalk and he likes to smell them as we walk." Lexa replied indignantly.
"Uh huh, whatever little sis," Anya rolled her eyes and just like that, she lost interest. "What are you getting Aiden for his birthday?"
âOh no, Iâm not telling you. Thatâs why youâre really here isnât it?â Lexa was glad to move the conversation along but she was now worried about her sisterâs real motives for breaking in to her house. âIf I tell you, you would just try to buy something bigger and better and I have a really good one this year already planned."
"Not better than mine," her sister shot back.
Lexa rolled her eyes, she would not be baited into another gift war. Last time she let herself get dragged into Anya's friendly competitions, it cost her a fortune, and she got in trouble for buying her brother a motorcycle. Especially because Aiden was only turning six. Selling that thing had been a nightmare.
Lexa and Anya spent the afternoon talking and watching Netflix while Aries lounged around the house and occasionally went through the doggy door for a sprint around the backyard. They walked Aries again in the evening â this time just around the neighborhood â and returned to Lexa's for some pizza and beer. She loved quiet nights in with her sister. She was her best friend and the only person she felt she could talk to and be herself with.
As the night grew darker and they could no longer keep their eyes from closing, Lexa went up to her room to rest while Anya took to the guest bedroom. Aries was close behind and jumped and curled up on Lexa's bed. Lexa had tried to get him to sleep on his bed by the door but she couldn't resist his sad little face when he cried to be let up. "You're going to kick me out of this bed and make ME sleep by the door one day," she said with a smile as she gently rubbed behind his ears and gave him a kiss on top of his head. "If you're good, we can take another walk by 5th on Sunday and maybe, if we're lucky, we will run into Clarke." A smile flitted across her face at the thought of running into the blonde again.
Clarke looked in the mirror as she put on her earrings. Raven's firm was honoring her latest genius design which had brought the them the highest paying account in their history. Raven was the youngest architect at her firm and was proud of every accomplishment she had achieved. She had worked hard to become the best and made no apologies for her genius. Those who could afford it, fought to have her create some breathtaking masterpiece for them.
"You ready babe?" Octavia yelled out as she made her way through the apartment to Clarke's bedroom door.
"Almost!" Clarke was on the floor looking for her other shoe as Octavia walked in. "Lost shoe again?" Octavia asked already knowing the answer. Clarke just looked up and smiled. Organizational skills were just not at the top of the list of things she was good at. She knew it; and so did anyone who ever spent at least five minutes with her. She found her shoe under the bed and did quick work of getting it on. "Ready!" She yelled jumping up from her bed and twirling so Octavia could admire her outfit. The midnight blue dress hugged all her curves perfectly and ended just a few inches above her knee.
The two girls left the apartment and got into the cab that was waiting just outside their building door. When they arrived at the building â which Raven had designed â they took in the structure with awe. At the top of the steps, two men in tuxedos asked for their invitation and looked up their names on their clipboard. "Miss Griffin, Miss Blake, Please enjoy your evening," The man on the right subtly looked them both up and down admiring the two beautiful women in their stunning attire. "Thank you" replied Octavia with a flirtatious smile.
"Keep it in your pants O, we havenât even made it past the door yet." A quiet laugh and a smile was Octavia's only response.
The inside of the building was even more luxurious and magnificent than the outside. There were stunning chandeliers and ceilings that seemed to be touching the sky. Wooden beams gave the building a rustic feel that somehow tied everything else together.
"Clarke, Octavia! Over here!" Raven's voice came from a table near the back of the room next to a stage. They made their way to the table, noticing the sea of men in suits and women in high end cocktail dresses on their way.
"I think that woman's dress costs more than our apartment" Clarke observed as she sat next to Raven. "You're probably right" Raven answered with a laugh.
"Congratulations, we're so proud of you," Octavia said as she took a seat on the other side of Raven.
"Thanks guys. I'm so happy you are here with me today," Raven smiled and took a sip of her champagne. "Doesn't the place look great? The event planners we hired have done an amazing job. Octavia, you should get their info. Aren't you having an event to celebrate the anniversary of your restaurant in a couple months?"
"Yeah I am. The place does look great." Octavia acknowledged.
All three of them looked around the room taking in the decoration. The light of the candles at each table bounced off the chandeliers giving the room a fairy tale look. The room was simply decorated, but somehow, the light of the candles and the wisteria hanging from the ceiling made the room seem magical.
The presenter called the attention of the guests and asked everyone to take their seats. After a few minutes, he was followed by several of the firm's most important partners taking the stage one by one to praise and congratulate Raven on her work and skills. Octavia and Clarke toasted and smiled with the crowd after every speech, and they felt immense pride for their friend. Only they knew how much Raven had sacrificed, struggled and overcome to be where she was now. Only they knew about her late nights studying and working two jobs to pay for college. Both Clarke and Octavia's parents had offered to help Raven pay for school. They loved her, and were happy to help, but Raven wouldn't accept any help but her own. When it was Raven's turn on stage, she thanked her partners, her staff, and made a few jokes. At the end, she looked at the girls sitting at her table and thanked her family for their support. Clarke and Octavia knew she was speaking to them. They were the only family Raven had. A tear escaped Clarke as she looked up at Raven being praised for all her hard work. "OK, enough of the mushy stuff. Ladies and gentlemen, let's party!" With that, Raven left the stage and made her way back to her friends. They congratulated her and hugged her; but shortly after, Raven was called for pictures and asked to greet a list of people who were just dying to meet her. She excused herself, and went off with the photographers and press.
"Well, it's an open bar, so it would be a shame to let it go to waste." Clarke stood and winked at Octavia. "I'm going to get a drink. Want one?"
"No, I'm going to go introduce myself to that tall drink of water over there. He's been giving me the eye and it would be a shame to let that much sexiness go to waste."
Clarke rolled her eyes and stood. "You have your priorities and I have mine," she laughed and gave Octavia's shoulder a light squeeze as she walked by. At the bar, Clarke took a glass of champagne and started to look around the room for any familiar faces. From behind her, she heard a familiar voice that made her heart skip a beat.
"Alright people, make sure drinks are well stocked. Hors d'oeuvres and champagne should be making their way around the room. Donât forget to smile!"
Clarke turned around to look for the familiar face but only saw two young men who were busy pouring drinks and taking new orders. Great, now I am hearing her voice in my head she thought to herself with a sigh. But then, she heard it again. "Nyko, can you please check the sound system? I have heard this song like four times already. Don't let it get repetitive." Clarke turned around again and notice this time that the voice was coming from a walkie hanging from the bartender's belt. Her face lit up with a smile before she could stop it. Could it mean she was here? Would she get to see those green eyes again? She made her way through the room trying to find her. She wasn't sure what she would say but she didn't have the self control not to seek her out. Clarke never behaved this way, she was used to men and women flocking to her for attention. Something about Lexa though called out to her and she couldn't help but want to find out what it was.
She spotted Lexa at the back of the room next to the stage. She was looking intently into a tablet and muttering commands into an earpiece. Dressed in a cream colored dress that hugged her torso and then hung loosely to the floor. Her hair was pulled up in a elegant up do and she looked as beautiful as Clarke remembered. Without warning, as if feeling her presence, Lexa looked up and met Clarke's eyes. As blue met green, the entire room disappeared for a brief instance.
Lexa wasn't sure if she was actually seeing Clarke standing across the room or if she had wished seeing her again so much that she had started to hallucinate. When Clarke began to move towards her, she suddenly felt nervous and contemplated turning and hiding behind the stage. Instead, she changed channels on the walkie and spoke to Anya. "She's here!" Lexa was panicking. Lexa Woods did NOT panic.
"Whoâs here?" Replied Anya, annoyed at not getting complete information.
"Clarke. The blonde I told you about from 5th street" Lexa said in hushed voice.
"Really? Where? I wanna see her!" Anya was by the entrance and started walking towards the main room in hopes of catching a glimpse at the mystery girl who had her sister all worked up. "She's coming over, what do I do?" Lexa asked in a rush all the while smiling at the people who walked by and glancing at Clarke who kept moving closer and closer.
"Tell her there's a cozy room in the back where you can get to know each other better!" Anya answered. Lexa glared at her walkie as if Anya could feel her stare. "I'm being serious, you idiot!"
"So am I," was Anyaâs only unhelpful response.
"She's close, I'm going offline for a couple minutes." and with that, she cut off Anya's chatter with the click of a button. She took off her earpiece and looked up to meet blue eyes. Blue like the sky on a summer day, and a smile that was just as bright as the sun.
"Hi there," Clarke looked into Lexaâs green eyes and felt that they seemed to make her float and also held her firmly in place.
"Hey," Lexa smiled and answered.
"So you're the brilliant event planner I keep hearing about."
"I don't know if I would say brilliant, but I am flattered at the compliment" Lexa looked at the floor for a second then looked up with a shy smile that lit up her face in a way no candle or chandelier ever could. "Are you an architect?"
"Me? No, actually, Raven Reyes is my best friend." Clarke said with a proud smile.
"Really? Your friend is magnificent. Her work is inspiring. It was an honor for us to plan this for her." Lexa's praise was sincere and that somehow made Clarke like her more.
"Don't tell her that. I don't think her head could take it." Clarke let out a laugh and Lexa could see her pride for her friend despite her sarcasm and offered a smile in return.
"It was great seeing you again Clarke, but I'm afraid I have to get back to work. I'm sorry to have kept you from your date who surely must be looking for you." An innocent way to test the waters, Lexa thought.
"I didnât come with a date," Clarke answered, a little too quickly, "Unless you count Octavia â my other best friend and roommate."
Lexa looked into Clarke's eyes and smiled. "Well, then let me give you my card. Perhaps next time we can run into each other on purpose?" She looked at Clarke for a reaction and found that Clarke had suddenly turned a little serious. "Is everything OK? I'm sorry if I'm overstepping Clarke" The way she said her name was like honey; soft and sweet. "No, not at all," She smiled and took her card. Their fingers brushed slightly and Clarke's smile grew.
"I really must get back. Have a lovely night Clarke. I hope you enjoy the party" Lexa looked into those mesmerizing blue eyes one last time and walked away. She made a mental note to stay behind the scenes as much as possible for the rest of the night. Lexa put on her earpiece again and checked on all the channels to make sure all was running smoothly. She then turned on the walkie, and as soon as she did, she heard Anya's unruly voice.
"So, did you tap that? Talk about a quickie you werenât even gone for a whole 10 minutes. Had it been that long?" Anya's voice rang through.
"No Anya, and keep your voice down! People might hear you." The last thing Lexa needed at the moment was someone overhearing Anya's inappropriateness, or thoughts of Clarke's soft lips on her own. She would torture herself with those images later. Now, it was time to get back to work.
The cab ride home was worse than a murder interrogation. Clarke was sure that if she told Raven and Octavia that she had stashed a body in the apartment, there would have been less questions. They took turns firing questions at her, talking so quickly that Clarke didn't even bother trying to get a word in until they were done.
"What was she wearing?"
"Did she look hot?"
"Did you get her number?"
"Did you ask her out?"
"Are you going to call her?"
"Where was I this whole time? How did I miss this?"
"How come you didn't come get us and introduce us?"
The questions finally stopped and they looked at Clarke expectantly. Clarke took a deep breath and answered. "She was wearing a beautiful dress that looked very nice on her. She looked lovely. She gave me her business card and I did not ask her out. I don't know if I will call her yet," looking at Octavia she added, "You, were busy mingling with that Lincoln guy who works with Raven, and I didn't come get either of you because it was a very brief encounter and I didn't see her again all night."
Both girls frowned and looked at each other deciding not to push further. When they reached their building, they paid the cab fare and made their way inside. As they walked into their apartment, they each took off their heels and dropped them by the door. Octavia turned on the TV and Raven took the ice cream out of the fridge while Clarke took out spoons from a drawer it was all a very practiced ritual after a long night out. They didn't have to tell each other what they were doing; after years of living together, through college and after, they just knew. They all sat on the couch and ignored the TV as they recounted the night's events.
"Another successful event" Lexa tapped her beer to Anya's as they sat on the bar stools. Around them, the cleaning crew was picking up all evidence of the party.
"Yeah, and you got yourself a hot date!" Anya teased.
"No, Anya I didn't. I just gave her my card, that's all. I don't even know if she will call." But they both knew that Lexa was hoping she would get a call. "Well at least now you can stop walking down 5th like every day, you stalker" Anya quipped and elbowed Lexa gently in the ribs.
"Shut up. Help me pick up the rest of the equipment so we can go. I have a very handsome pup who's waiting for me at home." Lexa smiled at the thought of Aries waiting for her by the door.
When Lexa got home, she opened her door and just as she thought, Aries was waiting patiently for her. She loved her place but she hated coming home to an empty house. Aries saved her from lonely days. Getting him was the best impulse decision she ever made. One minute she was feeling lonely and the next, she was at the pound and bringing Aries home. It was love at first bark. She made her way to her room and went through her bedtime routine mindlessly. As she lay in bed, she thought of Clarke. Her mother would say that it was fate that they kept running into each other, but Lexa wasnât one for superstitions. She would say however, that blue was quickly becoming her favorite color. She hoped she would call. If only so she could hear her soft melodic voice and if she was lucky, see those eyes one more time.
"Let's get some sleep Aries, before we go walking down 5th again" She laughed softly to herself and closed her eyes.
