The Bet

Gil screamed as he dramatically ran towards Janet and Clarke.

"There's my bitch!" He said as they embraced one another and shared a kiss on the cheek. He looked over at Clarke and playfully pushed Janet to the side. "Giiiiiiiirrrl, I know you said she was cute but dayum." He held his hand out to a blushing Clarke. "Hey daddy." He said.

Clarke laughed, took his hand and kissed it. "Wassup gorgeous." Janet and Gil giggled like school girls.

"Girl if you don't scoop her I will." He said and playfully blew a kiss in Clarke's direction. He and Janet linked arms and turned to walk inside with Clarke following close behind them.

The restaurant was unlike anything Clarke had ever seen before. Janet and Gil walked over to their favorite table but Clarke on the other hand was still taking in the view.

She did a full 360, wide eyed and wandering. "Wow." She said to herself right before walking backwards into a waiter carrying a basket of rolls, sending both the basket and waiter tumbling to the floor.

"I am so sorry sir. Here, let me help you." The waiter smiled politely at Clarke as she continued to apologize.

"No ma'am, it's okay. I got it."

Clarke wasn't paying attention and managed to tracked down the rest of the runaway rolls.

"Here you go." She said placing the rolls back in the basket that the waiter was holding. " I will pay for all of this." She said reaching for her wallet.

"Ma'am it's okay. It was just an accident, no harm, no foul. Enjoy your meal." He smiled, thanked her for helping and walked away.

Clarke finally made her way to the table and took a seat. Gil handed her a menu.

"I would've given anything to bump into him like that girl. He was hot, can you say... waiter trade." Janet laughed and shook her head at him.

Gil got his chance to make his move when the same waiter returned to take their order. He ordered shrimp and smiled at the waiter.

"Can you leave your number so that I can call you if I have any other questions about the menu?" He said. The waiter laughed but seemed to be flattered by Gil's flirting.

"And for you ladies?" The waiter asked. Clarke ordered Eggplant Parmesan and Janet wanted fries. Gil rolled his eyes.

"No matter where we go, she always gets fries." He joked. Janet snapped back.

"And you always order shrimp. Total fish."

Clarke looked at them in amazement and smiled. Sitting back watching them, she could see the history in their relationship. She could that they were more than friends. They were more like family.

"How did you guys become such good friends?" Clarke asked curiously. Gil looked over at Janet and smiled.

"I moved to LA when I was 16. I wanted to be a dancer." They looked at each other and giggled. "I would have done anything to work with her and I did."

"What did you do?" Clarke asked

"I lied to her." He confessed. "You had to be at least 18 to audition. So I lied. I was so nervous and worried that I would get caught. But I walked in there and-"

"He was brilliant." Janet said cutting him off. "You would never know that he didn't have any kind of training the day he walk in to dance for us. So young and so gifted." She added. Gil touched her hand and squeezed it. Clarke remained quiet and listened on.

"I was chosen for The Velvet Rope Tour. I knew what my job was but I realized pretty fast that my job didn't stop once I was off the stage. We helped each other through some trying times." He looked Janet. "She just gets me, you know."

Janet pulled him close and kissed the top of his bald head. "He's one of best things that's ever happened to me."

"This is my bitch." Gil said as he reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He opened it, pulled something out and sat it on the table.

"The day she gave me the opportunity to do something huge with my life was the day my life begin." He said.

Janet picked up the photo. "I can believe you still have this." Tears swelled in her eyes. She handed the photo to Clarke.

"Of course I still have it. Its always with me." He said.

The waiter approached with the food. He shot a wink at Gil, smiled and walked away. "I told you girl." He said. "Waiter trade." Gil whispered.

They sat quietly for a while and enjoyed their meal. Both Janet and Gil ate more of Clarke's food than their own.

"Clarke, are you from LA?" Gil finally asked. Janet looked up from her fries and over at Clarke. She realized they hadn't really talked about Clarke yet. She suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Clarke had been asking questions but she hadn't even asked Clarke anything about herself. They even talked a little about Eissa, who was currently with his father.

Clarke chewed her food and swallowed. She wiped her mouth. "Um no actually, I'm from Texas."

Janet smiled. That must be where that southern charm comes from. She thought to herself.

"Dallas actually." Clarke finished.

"Really?" Janet asked. "What brought you all the way to California?" Clarke smiled and blushed.

"I'd heard about auditions being held for your Unbreakable tour." Her answer took Janet and Gil by surprise. "I wanted to try out but I kind of chickened out the day of auditions." She said looked down at her plate. "Lame I know."

"You dance?" Gil asked. Janet looked on waiting for Clarke's answer.

"No," Clarke replied. "I sing."