Chapter 6 #2
“You’re going to do great. Let’s go out tonight and celebrate. I’ll help you forget all about your ex. Pick me up at nine,” Maddie said before they were led out of the trailer for their next scene.
Later that night, Caitlin picked up her best friend at nine o’clock on the dot.
Punctuality had never been her strong suit, but Maddie was even worse.
After they had both been late on many occasions, they made a pact to help them improve their time management.
Whenever they went out or had a work event together, whoever was late had to buy their drinks the next night out.
After paying a few hefty tabs each, the two had become increasingly on time in both their personal and professional lives.
After a winding drive through the Hollywood Hills, Caitlin caught sight of the glowing red neon sign just as their driver turned into a narrow driveway and stopped at the front entrance of the Chateau Marmont.
The moment she stepped through the door, the old Hollywood glamour and European-inspired architecture enveloped her. Inside the courtyard, lush greenery framed the space like a secret garden. It was the perfect hideaway for a private night far from the public eye.
After sliding in from opposite ends of the same side of the maroon leather booth, Maddie immediately started to survey the area.
Lined with red silk lanterns and dim candlelight, the room felt romantic with a slight air of mystery.
The coy look in her eyes let Caitlin know exactly where this night would lead them.
“Those two over there.” Maddie subtly pointed out two beautiful brunette women standing near the bar. They were facing each other, giving Caitlin and Maddie a view of their profiles.
“They’re pretty.” Caitlin glanced in the direction that Maddie had nodded. “Think they’re single? Or queer, for that matter? And not already on a date with each other?”
Caitlin’s so-called “gaydar” was notoriously bad, but Maddie had a gift. She could read people like a book.
“They’re definitely lesbians… definitely just friends… and single? We’re about to find out.” Maddie winked as she asked their server to send a round of drinks over to the women—her number one move, which nine times out of ten, worked.
Like magic, once the two women had received their drinks on Maddie’s tab, they made their way over to the booth.
“Thank you for this,” the taller brunette said. “I’m Kim.” She reached out and introduced herself to Maddie first, then to Caitlin. “This is my friend Michelle.” The shorter woman, her hair slightly lighter, shyly waved from next to her.
“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m Maddie, and this is Caitlin. Would you like to join us?” She gestured to the two vacant chairs on the opposite side of the table.
Michelle sat across from Caitlin and Kim near Maddie, silently answering their earlier question. If a woman was not interested, they probably wouldn’t have come over to their table in the first place, but they definitely would not accept the invite to join them.
The night started out slow as the four of them shared more general information about themselves—what part of the city they lived in, how each pair of friends knew the other, and what they liked to do in their spare time in LA.
“Are you from here?” Caitlin asked the green-eyed woman, relaxing into the buzz from the liquor.
“I am. Born and raised in Chino Hills. What about you?”
“I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania called New Hope. I moved here a few years back for work.”
After another round of drinks had found their way over to the table, Kim slid her chair closer to Maddie’s side of the leather bench, creating their own private conversation. Following suit, Michelle moved toward Caitlin.
Michelle told Caitlin how she had worked her way up from a production assistant to a showrunner, now working for NBC. Caitlin didn’t volunteer much information about herself in return. If Michelle hadn’t already recognized her as an actress, then she preferred to leave it that way.
After learning about Michelle’s career, Caitlin shifted the discussion toward more personal topics.
They connected over their mutual escape to The Valley, as far as possible from Los Angeles’s tourist traps.
They had both opted for the quiet coffee shops and sunset hikes north of the bustling city.
They laughed over insider drama that Michelle shared from her years working on reality television, Caitlin soaking up every detail.
When Love Island came up, she saw Michelle’s eyes light up with guilty delight.
“Wait, you actually watched it?” She laughed, nudging Michelle’s arm.
“Religiously.” Michelle grinned. “But don’t tell anyone! I’ve got a reputation to protect.”
Soon they were play-fighting over which couple had real chemistry, their banter bubbling with playful jabs and lingering glances. Turns out, reality TV was their not-so-secret love language.
“I have a confession.” Michelle moved her hand from the stem of her wine glass to place it tenderly on Caitin’s forearm. “I knew who you were as soon as we came over here. We actually met once before, even though you probably don’t remember me. I was a production assistant on Plan C.”
Well, that answered Caitlin’s earlier question. She had felt a sense of familiarity when the woman sat down next to her, but she hadn’t been able to pinpoint where she had known the pretty brunette from.
During her years in LA, Caitlin had learned to keep her love life separate from her career and avoided workplace romances, especially with assistants.
Once or twice, a castmate had crossed that line into Caitlin’s personal life, but she tried to keep her boundaries firm.
If not, when things didn’t work out, it inevitably made the set uncomfortable for everyone.
“I thought I recognized you from somewhere, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.” Caitlin leaned into the moment and traced Michelle’s hand with her fingertips. “I’ve worked on a lot of rom-coms, but a car accident for a meet-cute? That was a first.”
Michelle giggled. “I guess the road to recovery could be a bonding experience.”
Caitlin shrugged, joining Michelle’s laughter. It had been an interesting concept for a romantic comedy, but one that had worked. Everyone had loved that movie when it premiered in theaters across the country.
“I know it was a long time ago, but you were always so nice to me. Not many actors are kind to assistants in Hollywood. So I guess you really stood out to me. I may have had a little crush on you,” Michelle said shyly as she took a sip of her espresso martini, trying to hide the blush spreading across her face.
Caitlin felt her own face warm at Michelle’s admission, flattered. Most people only acknowledged her looks. It was endearing to be liked by a woman for her kindness. She brushed her thumb along the heat rising on Michelle’s cheeks.
They were having a great time, and the conversation flowed so easily that Caitlin hadn’t realized how late it had gotten. Maddie and Kim had left about an hour ago, but neither Caitlin nor Michelle had made any moves to go, simply enjoying each other’s company.
“Would you want to get out of here?” Michelle asked.
Caitlin nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. It had been a while since she left the bar with a woman.
Caitlin quickly paid their tab, then the two women walked hand in hand out the door into the cool night air.
At the curb, they slid into the back of Caitlin’s black car, which whisked them off toward Michelle’s house in Sherman Oaks.
Caitlin hadn’t known what the night would bring, but the way it had unfolded was a welcome surprise.
When they arrived at Michelle’s house, Caitlin realized that she didn’t know what the protocol was for a night like this. Should she walk Michelle to her front door? Would she ask Caitlin to come inside? Did Caitlin want to be invited inside?
She could hear Maddie’s voice in her head, urging her to live a little. At the same time, unbidden, the image of Gemma’s pain-soaked face flashed through her mind.
Caitlin shifted her gaze to Michelle. “It was nice hanging out with you tonight.”
Michelle looked over, concerned. “You aren’t going to come inside?”
“I’d like to take you out on a date first. I don’t want to come in and give you the impression that I’m only here for a one-night stand. Unless that’s all you’re looking for, of course.”
Caitlin hadn’t asked a woman out in ages, and she feared that she wasn’t being very smooth.
Michelle smiled. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
“How about Saturday?”
“That’s perfect.” Michelle gestured for Caitlin’s phone so she could type in her contact information. “Text me,” she said as she leaned in to kiss Caitlin’s cheek.
Caitlin watched out the window as Michelle made it up the brick path to the brown front door.
“Michelle!” Caitlin shouted, louder than she had needed, and stepped out of the car.
Michelle turned around as Caitlin quickly walked up to where she stood with her key in the lock. “Did I forget something?”
“No, I did.” Caitlin closed the space between them and gently laid a soft kiss on Michelle’s lips. “Goodnight.”
Michelle’s mouth turned up into a smile as Caitlin headed to her car. When she looked back one last time before opening the door, Michelle gave a little wave and disappeared inside.
Fifteen minutes later, Caitlin arrived home. She toyed with her phone, deciding if it would seem too desperate for her to reach out to Michelle already. Not caring much for rules, she sent the text.
Caitlin: It was great meeting you tonight. I had fun and am looking forward to Saturday.
Within a minute, Michelle responded, reassuring Caitlin that she wasn’t the only eager one.
Michelle: It was great meeting you... again ;) Can't wait!