The Bet

"Babe hurry they will be here any minute!" Janet yelled from the kitchen. She looked around proudly at all the food she had cooked. Most people think because she has money she doesn't cook for herself but it's one of her favorite things to do. "Clarke baby come on!" She yelled again.

Clarke looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She really didn't feel up to having company but she had agreed to dinner with the neighbors weeks ago. It had also been a few weeks since she brought up marriage to Janet. She said they would talk about it but didn't want to discuss it that very moment. Clarke said she understood and has been on the edge of her seat ever since. It was starting to get to her now. She didn't doubt Janet's love for her and she didn't in any shape or form want to pressure her, but she was ready for a new chapter. Clarke brought her focus back to the mirror after getting lost in her thoughts and snapped a picture.

Me: Got all dressed up for you... please tell me you're still coming.

Gil: Daddy I would NEVER miss a chance to get to know those cute ass neighbors of yours.

Me: J did tell you that they are a couple right?

Gil: Your point? 😏 Pulling up now, see you inside.

Clarke jumped, startled by a knock on the bathroom door.

"Baby? Is everything okay in there?"

Clarke opened the door. "Wow"

Janet smiled. "Wow yourself." She said stepping closer and kissing her. "You look so sexy in all that black."

Clarke wrapped her arms around Janet's waist. "You too beautiful." The doorbell rang. "That's Gil, he texted saying he was pulling up."

Janet took Clarke by the hand as they walked to door. Gil was standing there arms linked with the two men from across the street.

"Janet, Daddy, I want you guys to meet my new friends." He said smiling. "This is Wade."

Wade smiled and held his hand out to greet Clarke and Janet. "Ms. Jackson it's so nice to finally meet you. Thank you so much for inviting us into your home."

"And this," Gil said, "Is Noah."

"Girl I'm so sorry for the way I acted that first day we saw you. I was just a bit star struck but I'm okay now." He leaned towards Janet. "She still fine though girl, I say dayum."

Janet laughed and they stepped aside allowing them to walk inside.

"Girl this house is insane. And the view of the ocean. Ugh it's to die for!" Noah said.

"Thanks Noah, would you like a tour after dinner?" Janet asked as they all headed towards the dining room.

"That would be amazing."

"It's all vegan. I hope everyone is cool with that." Janet said as they all took their seats.

Noah did most of the talking at the table. He talked about his rich father and explained how he and Wade had meet as models.

Clarke looked over at Gil, his eyes were locked on Wade.

She glanced in Wade's direction, he was gazing back at Gil.

Clarke looked in Janet and Noah's direction. Noah was still talking while Janet listened attentively and nodded. Clarke looked back at Gil and kick his ankle with her foot.

"Ow bitch, what??" Gil whispered.

"You could be a little less obvious you know." And they tried to act normal as Janet glanced back at them.

"Is everyone ready for dessert?"

As Janet brought out chocolate covered strawberries, she turned on some music and they all sat in the living room with the doors open. The ocean breeze filled the house and the sunset was absolutely perfect. Janet took a seat next to Clarke resting her feet in Clarke's.

Wade smiled. "So did this happened if you don't mind me asking Ms. Jackson?" Janet looked over at him and smiled.

"Please call me Janet and she has a friend, my producer's niece. Clarke was a fan and she brought her to the studio to try and impress her." Janet smiled as the memories of their first meeting flowed in. "I walked out and there she was, looking at me like no one has ever looked at me before. I couldn't take my eyes off her. We hit it off instantly and have kind of been inseparable ever since." She glanced at Clarke smiled. "She stole my heart from the very first moment so saw her."

Noah put his hands to his lips and squealed. "You guys are just too cute and clearly so in love. Have you thought about marriage?"

Wade glanced back and forth between Janet and Clarke sensing their discomfort over the question. "Baby," He said. "You have and been talking and asking questions all night. Give some one else a turn sweetness." Noah laughed and kissed Wade's cheek.

"Sorry baby you know how I get."

Janet smiled at them. "You ready for that tour Noah? I need to walk off some this food."

"Yes and yes!!!" Noah looked back at Wade. "You staying here boo?"

"Yeah I'm stuffed baby, I'm just gonna chill here with Gil and Clarke if that okay with you."

"K!" Noah said turning around and hooking his arm into Janet's as they disappeared through the hallway.

Clarke's phone rang. "He guys I need to step and take this real quick." She said walking out onto the balcony.

"Hello?" Clarke answered.

"Hi is Clarke Dubious available?"

"Yeah this is she, how may I help?" Clarke couldn't shake the feeling that she had heard that voice before.

"This is Alicia Keys. I heard about how well you did on your last job and I was wondering if you'd like to come auditions for me tomorrow. I have a bunch of people lined up but I was told that you're one of the best."

"Wow yes of course Ms. Keys, I would love to audition for you." Clarke said turning back around to face the glass. Gil was now on the couch next to Wade. His hand was at the base of Wade's shirt as he checked out his Abe's.

"So I will see you at 8am then?" Alicia's smooth and low toned voice brought Clarke's attention back to the phone.

"Yes ma'am I will be there. Thanks again for the call and the opportunity."

Clarke hung up the phone and walked back inside.

"Gil can I talk to you for a minute." He grabbed his cigarettes and followed her out back onto the balcony. "2 things... 1 that man had a boyfriend who is in the same house with us." Clarke said. "And 2, I just got a call from Alicia Keys dude. She wants me to come audition for her!"

"Oh my god! That's awesome Clarke! Doors are about to really start opening up for you!" He said hugging her tight while getting ash from his cigarette onto Clarke's shoulder.

The door opened and Wade walked out. "You know smoking is a nasty habit." He said taking the cigarette from lips, taking a long slow drag from it and handing it back.

Gil smiled. "I have a lot of nasty habits." He responded.

Clarke again glanced back and forth at them. This was happening and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

The door opened again and Noah and Janet joined them. Janet walked past Gil touched his shoulder and stopped at Clarke's side. Clarke smiled, she couldn't wait to tell Janet her news.

"Well it's getting late and we wouldn't want to over stay our welcome," Wade said. "We should be heading home now." Noah pouted but new Wade was right. They both had photo shoots scheduled early the next morning.

Noah walked over to Janet and pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you so much for inviting us over. I really hope we can do this again."

"Most definitely. You can cook for me next time." Janet said.

Noah laughed. "Wade is the chef in our home. He can really throw down girl." Noah bragged.

"Fine and he cooks. Lawd." Gil said, loud enough for only he and Clarke to hear.

Wade embraced Janet and kissed her cheek. "Thank you again. The food was amazing. You slay the stage and the kitchen. You're the girl of my dreams." Janet blushed and kissed his cheek again.

She walked them to the door while Clarke and Gil said goodbye at the balcony. Janet stood there long enough for them to reach their front door and waved goodnight.

Clarke and Gil started clearing the table and cleaning up.

"You guys don't have to do that."

"Nah we got it baby, you spent hours in the kitchen preparing this meal. Sit down and relax." Clarke said.

With four hands they got every thing cleaned in half an hour. Janet stood on the balcony and watched the waves crashing onto the shore. The view was breathtaking. She closed her eyes and took in the scent of the ocean.

Clarke gazed at her from the balcony door and shook her head. She quietly walked up behind Janet and wrapped her arm around her. "You're beautiful you know that." Clarke whispered in her ear.

Janet turned around the face her and gave her a sweet kiss.

"You never kiss me like that Clarke." Gil said walking out to say goodbye. "I have to go bitches, I'm going to go have drinks with Wade and Noah." He said smiling.

"Gil that man has a boyfriend." Clarke said again.

"And I say again... your point?" He said doing his hair flip. "I'm going to go get me a taste of both of those milk duds honey."

Janet shook her head. "It's going to get messy. You better be careful."

"I can handle it." He said kissing them both on the cheek. "Call ya later Lezbos. Love you!" He called out to them before leaving out the door.

They rested on the couch and Janet laid her head in Clarke's lap. She felt her heavy eyes start to close. It had been an eventful day and she was tired.

"Babe." Clarke said looking down at her as she stroked her hair gently.

"Mmhm" Janet responded.

"I Uh got a really exciting call tonight?"

"Oh yeah? From who?" Janet asked eyes still closed.

Clarke looked down at her. "Alicia Keys baby."

"Really?" Janet said opening her eyes to look up at Clarke.

"She wants me to audition for a small house of blues tour she is doing." Clarke said, excitement very evident in her voice. Janet sat up.

"That means that you will be gone a lot."

"Yeah but babe we're not leaving California so some nights may be late nights but I will be sleeping at home as much as I can." Janet actually looked a little sad. "I thought you would be excited for me Janet."

Janet turned to look at her. "I'm sorry baby, of course I'm excited for you. I know you're going to do amazing."

"Do you not want me to go J?"

"I'm just gonna miss you is all. We have been spending everyday together since the tour ended. It has spoiled me." She joked.

"Well if I get this job, it will not cut into our time." Clarke kissed her hand. "I promise baby."