Chapter Text
“I accept your apology. And I’m really happy for you and your mom,” Didi replied.
Didi swallowed an unusually strong urge to confess that she did have a long game with those background checks up her sleeve. Julie may be a spectacular detective, but when it came to emotions and well romance… she had a lot more digging to do. And Didi wasn’t sure that she was willing to drag her own heart out in the process. As much as she felt Julie’s earnestness in her apology, Didi wasn’t ready to take another risk putting her heart out there.
But she could admit, there was a different type of energy in the moment that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. A promise to a new dynamic to their relationship.
“You know, it’s hard to find friends who truly get what it means to care about your job,” Didi heard herself say.
Julie gave a slight nod.
“In other words, it’s hard making friends as an adult when you’re a workaholic… what if we start over?” Didi asked. “As friends?”
Julie pursed her lips as she thought of her response.
“Hmm, I don’t know. Does being friends mean we get to call each other a ‘remorseless, bottom feeding two-faced rat’?” Julie was smirking at her.
“Jeez, I don’t know. Do you usually refer to your friends that way?” Didi replied sarcastically.
“Okay, point taken. I don’t have any friends. Except Michael Phelps,” Julie said, deadpanned. “You know what, I don’t see why not.”
“Wow Froggy, very charming way to make a new friend: ‘Why not?’”
Julie laughed and Didi felt a tug at her chest, “Precisely why I don’t have any friends. Well lucky you, you’re already learning something about your new friend.” Julie folded her hands onto her lap and asked, “So… what do new friends do in these situations?”
Didi couldn’t help but chuckle and shake her head in disbelief, receiving another laugh from Julie. She was also learning that she liked making her new friend laugh.
That shouldn't be a problem. It felt good to make people laugh, especially your friends. And friends could find their friends hot without acting on impulse. Because Didi wasn’t a damn animal that had to be restrained from pouncing on her new friend.
She had a flicker of doubt as she watched Julie walk away, eyes glued to the sway of her hips.
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Julie was swamped at work and usually, she thrived in the chaos of sorting out problems. But as it was reaching the end of the work day, she was in need of a mental break.
She saw a message pop up on her laptop screen from Megan.
Megan: Hey boss, one last meeting for the day. They're on their way.
Julie drew a steady breath, mentally preparing herself by going through the developments of the case.
As she filtered through her thoughts, another chime came in. This time, on her phone. Surprised by the sender of the message, she couldn’t resist unlocking her phone.
Didi: Hey Froggy, you up for drinks after work?
Without realizing, Julie smiled to herself and responded.
Julie: It's only fair that as your new friend, you also get a nickname. You know that, right?
Didi: Hmm. We'll have to decide what's fair or not face to face. I refuse to approve a nickname over text.
Julie was still smiling.
Julie: Deal. Unity Brews 7pm?
Didi: See ya there *frog emoji*
Julie was surprised that she was actually having a good time. Falling into conversation with Didi was so easy. Maybe it was because they were already so connected - knowing a bit about each other's lives. Julie found she was genuinely interested in hearing Didi talk about her job because well, she already knew most of the residents.
She was also starting to think that she just enjoyed talking to Didi. Something the other woman said in particular drew her in even deeper when they circled back to talk about nicknames.
"So how did 'Froggy' even come about?" Didi looked so intrigued as she leaned in towards Julie.
"He literally made that one up on the spot," Julie said, unable to suppress an eye roll.
"Well, I've heard worse nicknames - so you'll live. Plus, I stand by what I said that day. It's cute," Julie swore she saw Didi slowly blink at that last part.
"I get the sense you’re speaking from personal experience. C’mon, spit it out. What’s the worst nickname you've had?" Julie asked, a curious grin spread across her face.
"Well, an ex-girlfriend of mine thought it was cute to call me 'Deb-Deb.' Needless to say, we did not last long," Didi’s tone was sarcastic by the end.
Julie felt her stomach drop. Didi had a girlfriend?
In a matter of seconds, Julie started to see her friend through a new lens. She was suddenly picturing Didi kissing women. And she had to force herself to stop.
Julie cleared her throat, "Oh, I didn't realize you dated women."
Didi raised an eyebrow as she replied, “Exclusively. Is… that going to be a problem?”
Suddenly her face was burning and she replied, “No not at all. That’d be weird if I had a problem because – I also exclusively date women.” She waited a beat as Didi nodded her head. “Although it’s been years since I’ve actually dated anyone or been in a relationship,” Julie looked away, slightly embarrassed.
“I get it. If it’s hard for us to make friends as workaholics, it feels impossible to meet anyone romantically. And to that,” Didi was raising her drink now. “Let’s cheers. To new sapphic friends,” Julie raised her glass and shook her head.
“Sure, I’ll cheers to that. But I still haven’t figured out your nickname yet,” Julie said, starting to feel a slight buzz. She alluded the sensation to the one drink she had so far. But she wasn’t typically a lightweight.
“Listen to your gut, Froggy. And don’t overthink it,” Didi was smirking at her.
“Fine – Di. Simple enough,” Julie replied, sensing a flip in her stomach at the new sound coming from her lips.
Didi looked smug as she gave an approving “cheers” with her drink.
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The next few weeks passed by like a breeze. The residents at Pacific View seemed to be at their baseline level of dissatisfaction and complaints – nothing out of the ordinary. Didi was having a great start to her day as she did her morning rounds at breakfast, checking in with each table. Earnestly listening to their concerns or rare declarations of gratitude.
She braced herself as she approached Ginny and Elliott’s table. One never knew what to expect when it came to the grumpy couple.
“Ginny, Elliott. How’s your morning so far?”
“The bacon is too greasy and the eggs are too well done,” Elliott grumbled.
“Oh shush. You couldn’t cook bacon without burning down the entire building,” Ginny slapped her husband on the arm.
“So… it’s our usual level of discontent this morning. Great, I’ll take it,” Didi drawled with a smile plastered on her face.
She felt Ginny’s glare linger on her a little longer than usual, so she stayed put.
“And how about you, Didi?” Ginny asked. “You seem… different these days,” Ginny was looking are her inquisitively.
What the hell does that mean?
“Hmm, it might have to do something with my residents unusually on their best behavior the last few days,” Didi said sarcastically.
“No, it’s not that,” Ginny replied dismissively, waving her hand and still staring at Didi - searching for something Didi had no clue about.
“Okay, well I’m moving on from… whatever this is. Have a good day you two.”
Didi excused herself but her attention was pulled to the building’s entrance as she heard one of her nurses shout, “Froggy!”
Didi furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she took in the sight of Julie holding two cups of Philz coffee and failing to sidestep herself out of an animated looking story that her staff was dragging her into.
Ever since officially becoming friends, she and Julie fell into a rhythm of mid-week happy hour drinks after work. They kept in touch during the week, sending random and silly tid-bits about their jobs. Usually, Didi had something outlandish to share about the residents’ impossible requests or drama between sexual rivalries. And Didi was always surprised when Julie initiated their text exchanges – sharing how satisfied she was whenever she got a new lead or clue in a case.
Occasionally, Emily would join them for drinks after a full day at Wheeler. They even had their own group chat going. Ironically, the two workaholics were forming an unexpected friendship with Charles’ daughter and neither of them seemed to mind. Emily was growing on Didi. She was finding that she and the other woman had more in common than she thought. Both naturally empathetic caretakers that also liked to tease Julie while placating to her frosty persona.
“And the guy just seemed so sketch – is that something you can look into?” the nurse asked Julie.
“I mean you’ve only been dating him for a week. I don’t know if running a background check is necessary at this point but – if you really need it. You know where to find me,” Julie said, her masked smile failing to cover her amusement.
Didi finally decided to interrupt their conversation, “Hey you. What are you doing here?”
She didn’t expect her own face to light up at the other woman’s smile upon seeing her. Maybe Julie was just happy to be saved from being ambushed by her staff.
“Hey Di. I was just in the neighborhood and thought you might want an extra pick me up,” Julie handed her the second cup of coffee.
Didi took a sip of the drink and closed her eyes, suppressing a moan, “God that’s good. Also… you remembered my order?”
Julie shrugged and said, “Detective brain.”
Didi was truly learning to appreciate Julie’s brain. And god, she looked gorgeous today. She always did. But something about seeing her in that burgundy power suit, with the light pink blouse tucked in, and those hooped earrings were especially doing wonders for her. It was also making Didi’s own brain short circuit.
She was thankfully dragged out of her momentary lustful haze when Ginny walked up to her and Julie wearing the same curious look on her face, “Huh. You two friends now? I thought you hated her guts, Didi.”
She shut her eyes, hoping the earth below her would somehow open up and swallow her entirely. While her feelings towards Julie after the Cubbler investigation were no surprise, at this point, bringing it up when they’ve mutually decided to move past it was like beating a dead horse. And Didi was just starting to feel like they were settling on even ground, as friends.
“Actually Ginny, Didi has graciously decided to look past all the lies and hurt that Charles and I caused,” Julie looked from Ginny to her before continuing. “And I’m sincerely grateful for that,” Julie added.
A wave of relief washed over every tense muscle Didi was unknowingly holding at the other woman’s words.
“Friends, huh? Makes sense,” Ginny murmured as she walked away.
Didi and Julie were shaking their heads at the older woman as she left them both struck with confusion.
“I’m so sorry about that, Julie. Ginny has no filter – well none of these seniors do, really. And neither do my staff apparently,” Didi heard herself apologizing. She was genuinely concerned that Julie might think she was still harboring old feelings towards her. And Didi was finding out about herself that was far from the truth.
She was starting to really enjoy their newfound friendship.
“Di, seriously? You don’t have to apologize. How you felt about me was no secret,” Julie wore a sly smile across her face and Didi was forgetting how to breathe.
“How I felt about you…” Didi was frozen in place.
“Hating my guts? Not wanting to hear from me or Charles again?” Julie hinted.
Didi let out a shaky sigh as she replied, “Right. Those feelings.” Thankfully, Julie was ready to move past the conversation.
“See you at happy hour tomorrow? Emily said she’ll be running late but we can get a head start,” Julie said.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll be there,” Didi gave her a warm smile. “Thanks again for the coffee, Froggy,” Didi added.
Suddenly, all the air was sucked out of Didi’s lungs because Julie was reaching toward her face. She felt the softest fingers brush against her upper lip, even with the added pressure of Julie rubbing something off her skin.
“Lipstick stain from the coffee cup,” Julie softly chuckled.
Didi was stuck, frozen in place as she watched her friend walk away. It was totally normal for friends to check out their friends as they sauntered away… right?
_____________________________________________
“God, who knew that throwing a party for a 16-year-old boy could be ridden with so much drama,” Emily was guzzling her cocktail and Julie took a swig of her own beer.
Didi was running late to their weekly night out over drinks. It wasn’t unusual for Didi to be running late from work. Julie understood firsthand the demands of Didi’s job.
What was unusual was that she hadn’t heard from Didi all day. Or the rest of yesterday when she brought the woman Philz Coffee. It wasn’t necessarily out of the ordinary for them to go a day or two these days without texting or calling. So why was she so worried? Was it possible that Julie was actually missing her new friend?
She really was starting to like Didi as a person. When she agreed to being friends, she had some semblance of an idea of the kind of person that Didi was. A hard worker, loyal to her residents and the people she cared about, someone who didn’t hold judgement.
But she was learning that Didi was also incredibly funny. And she got Julie’s humor too which was often missed by most people. Another thing Julie admired about the woman, was her competence. Julie had to force herself most days against a growing core belief that a majority of people she came across were… inept.
But talking to Didi was so intellectually stimulating. And genuinely fun.
“Jules? Are you listening?” Emily was waving her hand in front of Julie’s face.
“Oh yeah, sorry. I guess I spaced out for a sec. What’s going on with Nico?” Julie asked.
Julie suddenly felt the pressure of a warm hand on her back. Usually, she was jumpy at a stranger’s touch. But this contact felt familiar, welcomed even.
“Hey guys, I’m so sorry. Believe it or not, Elliott and Dr. Benjamin aren’t the biggest fans of each other. Had to break up an intense debate and remind them of the rules in their book club before another medic could be called,” Didi explained, slightly out of breath settling into the empty chair next to Julie.
“Oh, I believe it,” Emily chuckled. “Dig in. Julie ordered you a drink already by the way. You must be starving,” she said pushing the appetizers and a mixed drink towards Didi. Julie felt the woman’s gaze on her for the first time since she arrived that night
“Thanks Jules,” Didi said under her breath, her eyes fixed on Julie’s. “Did I interrupt any juicy updates?”
Emily must’ve started wherever she left off when Julie tuned her out earlier. This time, Julie was paying attention. Emily talked about how guilty she felt having to plan Nico’s birthday party while she was working and studying two hours away from home two to three days out of the week. She felt like she was missing all the important details of all three of her sons' social lives.
“Look Em, coming from someone who’s mom wasn’t around for all her teenage years – Nico’s not going to hold it against you for planning his birthday party while you’re away a few days out of the week,” Julie asserted. She saw Emily’s shoulders relax at her words. “Plus, what matters is that you’re there on the actual day. That's what he’ll remember,” Julie added.
Somehow, she forgot what else she was going to say. Because Didi was suddenly resting her arm on the back of Julie’s chair. And she felt the slightest warmth from her hand brush against her back. Julie didn’t dare to move. Or breathe.
“She’s right, Em. My mom worked a lot when I was growing up. And even though it was hard at times, I knew she was doing her best for us. She was around for the big stuff and that’s what sticks,” Didi said gently.
Julie saw Emily’s eyes glisten as she nodded her head, “Yeah. I know. Of course, you guys are right.” She sighed and added, “I know I’ve complained a lot about being away from my family a few days out of the week but, honestly? Spending time out here with you guys softens the blow.”
Julie cursed herself not knowing if she breathed too hard or not, because Didi removed her hand from Julie’s chair to pick up her drink.
“Cheers to that,” Didi said. Julie lifted her glass as well and they all gulped down their drinks.
“You guys are coming to the party by the way,” Emily said.
Julie looked over at Didi who was looking at her too with a raised eyebrow and they both turned to Emily as they responded, “We are?”
“Obviously! Just drive over together. It’ll be fun,” Emily took another swig of her drink.
Julie had only been to Sacramento a handful of times for business matters. As she basked in the warm presence of the woman seated next to her, holding her breath as she took in the seemingly never-ending tattoos across her arms, she thought maybe it could be fun.
Or a complete disaster.