! BAD GIRLS ! BAD GIRLS !

( a sex and the city fic )

WATER GRILL
los angeles, california
7:15pm

the water grill restaurant was lively, the atmosphere buzzing with conversations all around. the walls were lined with floor to ceiling windows, and a glimpse of the city skyline could be seen.

joel pulled out my chair and i sat down, facing the front of the restaurant. i had the perfect view of the front door which i enjoyed, i loved people watching.

i smoothed out the skirt of my dress while joel sat across from me. the restaurant was lit by soft candlelight, creating a romantic and intimate ambience. i picked up the menu in front of me but before i could say anything joel spoke up.

"you look beautiful." he said, his eyes locking onto mine.

a light blush crept across my cheeks, i never knew how to handle compliments. "thank you, you look nice yourself." i said as i looked over joel.

he wore a crisp white button down and dark trousers, looking very sophisticated.

joel smiled and looked at the menu. suddenly, a waiter appeared beside the table and asked for our drinks. joel looked over the drink menu for another moment before looking up.

"whiskey. onice." joel spoke to the waiter before glancing at me.

"just a red wine, please." i said.

the waiter nodded and took the drink menus, leaving us once more alone with our dinner menus. joel leaned back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other.

"so, have you been here before?" i asked joel curiously as i scanned the menu.

he shook his head, "no, but it's one of the better restaurants in the area. the reviews were good." he said as he continued to browse over the menu on the table.

i laughed softly and looked up at him, before noticing a darker haired woman, a darker haired man and an older woman all walking in together. my jaw slightly dropped and i hid myself with the menu.

joel raised an eyebrow, "what's wrong?" he said, watching my reaction as i tried my best to hide behind the menu.

"nothing..." i said, trying to act nonchalant. i slowly placed the menu down. "can we switch seats?"

joel looked confused, he glanced towards the front of the restaurant, then back to me. "why?" he asked, clearly bewildered at my words.

"remember my friend i was telling you about and she's dating my brother and they went to meet my mom?" i said with an awkward chuckle.

understanding finally dawned on joel's face and he smiled, shaking his head lightly. "you're kidding me."

i laughed, "i wish i was kidding but unfortunately no. they just walked in. so...please?"

joel chuckled and stood up. "yeah, yeah. i'll switch seats with you."

he came around the table, switching seats with me. as he sat down in his new spot, the waiter returned with our drinks.

"thank you." joel said with a smile to the waiter as the waiter placed our drinks down on the table. the waiter left once more which resulted in joel and i being alone with our drinks.

"i'm so sorry-" i began to say but joel shushed me by shaking his head and giving me a smile.

"it's fine, don't worry about it." he said, placing a hand over mine in reassurance. i felt myself relax under his touch as he held my hand.

"i can't believe they are here right now..." i said with a sigh.

joel chuckled softly and squeezed my hand, "i can't believe it either, what are the chances?" looking stressed, joel eased my worries. "tell me more about new york." he said probably trying to distract me.

i sent him a soft smile, appreciating his efforts to keep me calm. "well, it's a pretty chaotic place, but i love it." i said as i took a small sip of my drink. "always loud, people everywhere, all the time. but when it's good, it's good. great restaurants, amazing shows, incredible people."

"sounds intense but definitely interesting." joel spoke, the corner of his lip slightly turned up.

i chuckled, "it is. i've lived in new york for long enough, so it's just normal for me now. but when i'm here, i kinda miss it."

joel nodded, "i can see that. it's your comfort zone, your stomping ground. you know, i've been wanting a reason to go to new york...and i think you may have given me one."

at joel's words, a feeling of excitement washed over me, but i wasn't sure how serious he was. i gave him a smile. "really? what's your reason?" i teased.

joel smirked as he moved a little closer to me, "you, of course." he spoke.

i felt a flutter in my stomach at his words and i ducked my head, a small smile appearing on my lips. "i'd be happy to be your tour guide." i said with a nod before someone walked by to the restroom, carrying a familiar scent. charlotte. she hadn't noticed me yet.

i tried my best not to look up, as i didn't mind seeing charlotte, it was my mother that i did not want to have any sort of interaction with. i felt joel's eyes burning onto me, waiting for my reaction.

"is that her?" joel asked, his voice low and quiet. i knew he didn't want to make a scene.

i took a glance and saw charlotte turn a corner, before nodding. "yup, that's her. she's my friend. i just know if she sees me she'll be kind of loud about seeing me and then-" i started to say before hearing.

"jamie!"

i grimaced as i heard charlotte's voice ring throughout the restaurant. my mom definitely heard it. i felt joel' eye's look at me with curiousity. as i looked up, i saw charlotte making her way towards the table.

"charlotte, honey! hey!" i said as i got up.

charlotte came over in her tight fitting pink dress and stiletto heels. her dark brown hair was curled and fell over one shoulder. she was beautiful but she was also loud and unapologetic when she was excited. she came over and wrapped me into a big hug.

"hi! i thought you'd be at the hotel with the girls!" charlotte said loudly. joel chuckled lightly, amused by my friend.

i smiled awkwardly and glanced to joel, slightly embarrassed. "um, yeah. i met up with a friend for drinks."

charlotte finally turned towards joel, noticing him for the first time. her eyes lit up as she took him in. "oh, who is this?" she asked me.

charlotte looked at joel. "this is joel." i said in response to her question, looking at joel as he sat there taking her in.

"pleasure to meet you." joel replied, extending his hand.

"the pleasure is all mine." charlotte said, shaking his hand and smiling at him. she looked back at me. "he's cute." she whispered with a knowing smirk. i smiled at her before she whispered again. "your mother has been driving me crazy."

just then, my mother and dakota walked over.

my mother's eyes widened as she came over. "jamie." she said in surprise. she came over and hugged me, a gesture that was a bit odd, considering our relationship wasn't the best. "did not expect to see you here."

i nodded, "surprise."

dakota's eyes landed on me and he smiled, giving me a nod in greeting. "there she is." he said, coming up and hugging me.

"fancy seeing you here." i said jokingly.

suddenly, both my mother and dakota's eyes fell on joel at the table, his presence not going unnoticed. "and who is this?" my mother said in a suspicious tone, her eyes narrowing at joel.

my heart sank at my mother's tone, i knew she was suspicious of joel but i didn't want her to say anything rude.

joel stood up, a warm smile on his face. "hello, i'm joel." he said smoothly, sticking a hand out for my mother to shake.

my mother took the offered hand and shook in a hesitant manner. her sharp glare never left him. i saw the slight judgement in her eyes as she looked joel up and down, clearly inspecting him.

"it's nice to meet you." joel continued, his voice still pleasant. but i could tell he picked up on my mother's judgmental attitude.

then a waiter walked over. "excuse me, the walkway is being taken up." he said as he saw all of us standing. "you're more than welcome to get a bigger table for all of you."

"oh that's okay-" i said but my mother interrupted.

she quickly nodded, "yes, a big table please." she said in the typical dismissive tone. i sighed, i was dreading sitting with the group, but i had no say in the matter.

~~

so, dinner was interesting to put it lightly. my mother had decided to sit beside joel, not allowing him any way out from her scrutinizing. she asked questions about what joel did for work, where he was from, where he lived, where he went to school, all the typical motherly judge-y type questions. joel answered them politely but i saw the slight annoyance in his eyes.

dakota and charlotte joined in with conversation. dakota would make jokes, sometimes directed at me, to keep things light hearted and fun. i'd laugh along, but i just wanted the night to be over quickly.

my mom, however, kept her focus on joel. she was inspecting him closely, as if he was a specimen underneath a microscope. i saw joel's eyes flash at me occasionally, i could tell he was doing his best to remain polite.

THE STANDARD HOTEL
los angeles, california
9pm

as joel pulled up to the hotel to drop me off, he let out a loud sigh. "i'm sorry tonight was such a bust." i said.

joel chuckled lightly as he parked the car, "it wasn't completely terrible." he teased and turned to me, a small smirk on his lips. "but next time maybe we should steer clear of your mother."

i groaned and shook my head. "i've been trying for years. ugh, i'm sorry. she's so judgmental." i frowned, slightly embarrassed by my mother's behavior.

joel's expression softened and he reached out, placing a hand on top of mine. "hey, you don't need to apologize for her. it's okay." he reassured, his thumb caressing my knuckles.

i felt my irritation melt away as he touched my hand, his touch always had the ability to soothe me. "but she was so rude." i said, still feeling a bit bothered by my mother.

joel chuckled lightly, "she's a bit intense, i'll give you that. but i can take it." he teased, a twinkle in his eye. he continued to caress my knuckles, his thumb gliding over my skin.

"goodnight, joel." i said to him.

he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, the touch gentle and brief. "goodnight." he replied, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

i smiled softly before getting out of the car. i then thought of something and looked at him, gesturing for him to roll down the window.

he rolled down the window, raising a quizzical eyebrow at me. "yeah?" he asked as he leaned out the window.

"did you want to come up?" i asked.

"up to your hotel room?" joel clarified, a sly smile appearing on his lips. he was teasing me, the tone of his voice was flirty.

i couldn't help but laugh a bit, blushing slightly as he teased me. "yes, joel, that's what i'm suggesting."

he looked like he was about to say yes, but something changed. "i actually have an early morning tomorrow. rain check?"

i blinked at joel's words and felt a pang of disappointment, but i managed a smile. "yeah, of course." i said, trying not to sound too let down. "rain check."

joel seemed to sense my disappointment and he gave me an apologetic look. "i'm sorry, i really do have an early meeting. as much as i'd love to spend the night with you, i have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow." he explained. "i wanna see you again before you leave though." he added.

i nodded understanding, the feeling of disappointment lessening a bit. "it's okay, i get it. you're a busy man." i responded with a small smile.

joel smiled back at me, his expression softer now. "thank you for understanding." he said, his hand now resting on the window sill. "i'll call you to make plans."

"you better." i said in response, a cheeky smirk on my lips.

joel chuckled softly. "i promise i will. you're hard to forget." he said with a playful wink.

i felt myself melt under his gaze as he winked at me, and i had to push down the temptation to invite him inside right here, right now. "behave, poet." i teased before walking away.

he chuckled again as i walked away, knowing exactly what i was thinking. "night, jamie." he called out from the car.

i looked over my shoulder at him, feeling my heart flutter at the sound of my name leaving his lips. "goodnight, joel."

i finally made my way inside the hotel, feeling a mix of emotions. i was still disappointed that joel wasn't staying over, but at the same time there was a spark of anticipation for our upcoming plans.

THE GRIDDLE CAFE
los angeles, california
10am

"i'm sorry, you're mother crashed your date?" miranda said as i filled the girls in on last night.

"what is this, highschool?" samantha butt in.

carrie shook her head as she stirred her coffee, "that never happened to me in highschool."

"well it's happening to me and i'm in my thirties!" i snapped.

"your mother just sounds a tad possessive." carrie replied, taking a sip of her coffee.

i chuckled sarcastically. "you have no idea."

"what is it about california air that makes me sleep so well?" samantha said, her skin glowing.

"it's not the air. your headboard knocked you unconscious." carrie snapped.

"woah, woah...what did i miss?" i asked.

"i slept with dildo garth last night." samantha said with a wink. "you heard us?" she asked carrie.

"i didn't." miranda answered.

"no, miss. snore...you wouldn't." carrie said as she looked at miranda.

"are you okay?" i asked carrie.

"i'm cranky." she answered before adding, "i have to take another meeting with bradley cooper and his partners. we're all gonna sit around and brainstorm what goes wrong with "carrie," and all her "relationships.""

"don't go." miranda said.

"i have to, they flew me out here." carrie said with a sigh. "i'm their little writer monkey."

"well, i've got something to make you feel better." samantha said as she reached in her bag, pulling out three boxes of dildos.

"oh, dildos! i'm all perked up." said carrie as she examined her box.

"they're autographed. one for each." samantha said.

"my friend went to california, and all i got was this lousy dildo." miranda said sarcastically.

"can we put these back where they came from? people are staring." i said as i handed it back to samantha.

"please it's la. no one cares if your egg whites have a side of cock." she said as she looked at the eggs in front of me.

"as much as i enjoy the fine life-like craftsmanship...i think i'm gonna leave mine with you." carrie said as she gave her toy back to samantha alongside mine. 

"i'm gonna hold onto mine, la isn't working out the way i had hoped." miranda said.

"what do you mean?" i asked.

"i haven't found anyone!" she said. "you've found someone, samantha's found someone, and here i am. alone."

"oh don't say that." i reassured. "there's someone out there for you."

"i hate when people say that." miranda quipped.

"hey, where's charlotte? you said she was at that dinner last night." samantha said.

carrie rolled her eyes, "your head wasn't the only one being knocked unconscious from the headboard."

"she and dakota?" miranda said.

"mhm." carrie nodded.

"moving on," i said, not wanting to hear this about my brother.

THE GROVE
los angeles, california
3pm

shopping with my brother and mom, what could go wrong? i mean, shopping with my family, this should be fun....i thought to myself sarcastically as i wandered around a large crowd with my mother and brother at the grove.

the streets were bursting with people as merchants, street performers, and tourists filled the open-air shopping mall. the sounds of laughter, music, and chatter filled the air as i trailed behind my mother and brother on the sidewalk.

my mother had insisted on coming along on our little excursion to the grove, she said it was because it had been years since she'd last been, but i knew she was just trying to get inside my head again. i couldn't tell you how many times i had to stop her from making an unpleasant comment about my relationships.

"let's stop in here." dakota said as he pointed at a girly store.

dread began to fill me as i realized what store he was referring to. "really?" i said, a mix of annoyance in my voice.

dakota smirked, "yes, really. i want to get something for charlotte and jemma."

"jemma...where is that kid anyway?" i asked.

"with her grandpa in san francisco." he answered as we walked in.

the store dakota picked was indeed very girly, filled with pink and floral patterns on just about anything you could imagine. i followed him and my mother into the store, bracing myself for a headache.

as we made our way through the store, my mother and dakota picked out little presents for themselves or respective girls in their lives. i followed them quietly, the entire store was filled with bright, girly colors and patterns, i half expected a pink explosion to happen any minute.

as i continued to follow my family through the store, i noticed my mother's eyes on me more than usual. she seemed to be inspecting me more intently, and i knew that something was on her mind.

after a few more minutes of the silent observation, my mother finally spoke up. "you're dating someone here." she stated, her tone a mix of curiosity and disapproval.

"i wouldn't call it dating-" i tried to explain but was interrupted.

"you're going on dates, that counts as dating." she interrupted, her expression slightly stern. "i just don't understand why you're even entertaining this man when you're leaving this week."

i let out a sigh, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed. "mom, please don't start." i said, not wanting to get into my love life with her right now.

"i just don't understand why you're doing this." she continued, ignoring my plea. "you're a beautiful woman with a good job, you should have been married years ago. why aren't you?"

my mother's words stung as she brought up the topic of my love life again. i attempted again to shut it down. "mom, i said please don't start."

but she persisted, "i just don't understand it. most women your age are married with kids by now."

the comment struck a nerve, and before i could think, i responded, "well maybe that's because i've never seen a successful marriage. and i don't want to end up like you and dad."

my words hung in the air, the uncomfortable truth of the situation weighing heavily on me. my mother looked taken aback by my candor, but i couldn't take the words back. the years of watching my parents' unhappy marriage had left a deep impression on me and shaped my views on relationships.

my brother, who had overheard the conversation, looked between the two of us, a look of discomfort on his face.
finally, my mother spoke up, her voice quiet. "you still blame us for your romantic failures?"

i could feel my emotions bubbling to the surface, years of pent-up frustration coming to a boiling point. "can you blame me?" i retorted, my voice quivering. "you and dad made me swear off marriage."

my mother opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. the weight of my statement was evident on her face, she knew i was speaking the truth.

we stood silently in the midst of the cutesy little store, surrounded by pink and lace, the juxtaposition of the girly surroundings and the heavy atmosphere felt ironic.

finally, my mother spoke up again, an edge of defensiveness in her voice. "you can't blame everything on your dad and i."

"can't i?" i shot back. "i grew up watching you argue and fight, resenting each other and making no effort to fix things. you broke my idea of what love and marriage are supposed to be like."

my mother's face softened, the realization sinking in. i could see her trying to come up with a response, but she looked at a loss for words.

dakota, sensing the tension, attempted to lighten the mood. "you know what, i'm gonna go over to the perfume section. find charlotte something." he said, practically sprinting away.

i watched my brother run off, leaving me and my mother standing in the middle of the aisle in the middle of a store that resembled a princess convention. the silence between us was deafening.

my mother then rolled her eyes and walked further into the pink store, leaving me alone. i let out a sigh as my mother walked away, leaving me in the middle of the store. the pinks and florals around me felt like a mockery to the heavy conversation we had just had. i leaned against a display of flowery jewelry, feeling a mix of anger and sadness.

~~

housekeeping notes!

what a chapter...

i didn't proofread this, so sorry for any errors!

dakota is completely smitten for charlotte.

you all met blake (jamie and dakota's mom) and if you're confused on who that beautiful lady is on the gif at the beginning it's barbra streisand aka the face claim for blake.

would love to know your thoughts (like always)

i have a jack schlossberg fic out now! (america) <3