“How, in all the times that we’ve stumbled home from a club and drunkenly poured our hearts out, has this never come up?”
Caitlin had locked away the memories of stolen kisses, sleepovers, and pillow talks she had shared with her ex, sealing the vault tight. The years she had spent with Gemma were too precious to unpack, too sacred to share. Especially after she had been the one to send it all up in flames.
“I tried really hard to block out Gemma and our past. I thought that maybe if I didn’t talk about it, it would hurt a little less.”
“I guess I get that. But you could have talked to me.” Maddie looked hurt that she hadn’t been trusted with the truth, no matter what Caitlin had done. “I’ll always be here for you, you know.”
“I don’t deserve you. You’ve been an amazing friend to me since the day we met, and you never hesitated when I needed you.”
“Don’t forget it.” Maddie winked, and Caitlin knew that she had hit the jackpot when she befriended Maddie. She had always been there when Caitlin needed to be rescued from someone at the bar, wiped her tears when she hadn’t gotten a role, and was the only person Caitlin felt like she could alwayscount on.
“Now tell me more about this movie that you’ll be starring in with your ex.” Maddie laughed ironically at the twist of fate, and Caitlin felt a little more relaxed.
Caitlin recalled what she knew about the movie, but she hadn’t yet gotten to the end of the script. “I’ll be playing a housewife on the Upper East Side of New York, married to a man with generations of family wealth, but then I meet this woman. We become close friends, and eventually we fall in love.”
“Damn. So, I’m assuming you and Gemma will have to kiss at some point? And maybe a sex scene?” Maddie leaned in, living for the drama of the situation.
“I’m not sure, but I’m going to assume both.”
“That’s tough.” Maddie reached over, laying her hand on Caitlin’s forearm for emotional support. “I know I’ll be across the country, but ‘I’ll be there for youuu when the rain starts to pour.’”
Caitlin giggled as her friend started to sing the Rembrandts’ theme song for the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It was one of their favorites.
“Thanks, Mads. I’m sure I’ll be calling you all the time. The first interaction with Gemma was already messy, so I can’t imagine how three months together will go.”
“Can I give you some advice?” Caitlin nodded her consent before Maddie continued. “Be honest with her… and with yourself. If you need to clear the air, do it. Don’t let the history between you two ruin this opportunity. You know how this industry can be, especially when it comes to women. You don’t get many chances, and I want the world to see what my best friend can do.”
“I know. You’re right. This role matters to me, and I won’t let Gemma make me lose sight of that. I’ve been waiting foreverfor a part like this, sapphic and nuanced. I want to honor Kate’s story—and mine.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. “Five minutes!”
“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 theirprofiles.
“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.
