I have no air conditioning. I might die. But here's the eleventh part for everyone out there who probably has A/C. Lucky you. Feel blessed. I'm stopping with the complaining now. Promise.
Replies:Willster – I think it’s just that time of year for everyone to move to new homes. I’m glad it’s over with though and I’m settled. I hope the same goes for you. No worries about lateness. Just read at your own leisure. No big. I’m happy you still like it though. More updates to come.
Rachel o4 – Yes, I remember you. Of course I do. It’s cool that you like the soundtrack without even having heard the songs. Ten points for you. And look, I’m updating all soon-like as in right now
.
Tibbs – Yes, happy new apartment to me. Thanks. And I think thanks for the cow doing whatever it’s doing. I’m not sure.
Title: Songs For A Mix Tape
Author: Sarah (unionjill30)
Email: unionjill_30@yahoo.comRating: PG - PG13ish?
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters from ME, and really I don’t own the other characters so much either. Though Kim would like to think she owns me. I’ve been informed that I don’t have to be Kim’s bitch, I just choose to be. Go figure.
Feedback: Yes please
Track 11: The Closest Thing by The Juliana TheoryThe two walked down the stairs and out the door into the cooler night air. A slight breeze blew as they headed in the direction of Penny Lane.
Tara unconsciously looped her arm through Willow’s as they walked eliciting a grin from the redhead.
They walked the few blocks in relative silence, enjoying the night and the company of each other. Once outside the coffee shop, Willow opened the door for Tara before walking inside and pulling it shut behind herself.
The space was relatively empty with only two customers sitting near the back. Adam stood at the counter reading a textbook. At the sound of the door, he perked up and saw Tara and Willow walk in.
“Hey, ladies.” He smiled and waved after replacing the cap on his highlighter.
Both women waved back before moving to occupy a table at the front of the shop. Adam came over to the table and pulled up an extra chair, turning it around backwards before sitting down and resting his chin on top of the chair back.
“Anything I can do for you two?” he asked while looking at Tara and waggling his eyebrows at the smiling woman. Reading her expression alone he knew the date was going well.
“I believe there was the offer of cake in return for this visit,” Tara said.
“Ah yes, the cake. The most important part of the evening,” Adam joked. “Would you like something to drink to go with your cake?”
“Milk would be wonderful,” Willow said.
“White or chocolate,” Adam asked.
“White.”
“Cow or soy?”
“Umm… cow?”
“Two percent or skim?”
“Skim.” The redhead was amazed at the number of questions required to get a simple glass of milk. “Do I need to fill out a form?”
“Nope, sweetie. Just making sure you get what you want,” Adam told her with a smile. He turned towards the blonde. “And you, Tare?”
“Milk. Chocolate. Soy,” she answered without hesitation, skipping over the need for multiple questions.
“A woman who knows what she wants.” Adam winked at his friend. “Coming right up.” He walked back to the counter to prepare the order.
“So why not do the vegan thing anymore?” Willow asked out of nowhere once Adam had gone.
Not wanting to get into too many details of her past, Tara vagued over her explanation. “I’m trying to get back into the habit actually, but I stopped for a few reasons: money, location, health, and Kim.”
Willow almost snickered. “Okay, the first three I can get, but Kim? What’s she got to do with it?”
“You can’t live with Kim and not have cheese with practically every meal. So Kim was my downfall into the world of dairy,” Tara said with mock seriousness.
“Yeah, I hear that cheese can lead to ice cream, and that can lead to whipped cream. Pretty soon you find yourself doing drugs,” Willow joked back.
Tara nearly cringed at the last comment, but brushed it off.
At that moment Adam returned with their drinks, placing them on the table. “Just one sec, and I’ll be back with the cake,” he said as he hurried back to the counter. Not long after he came back with two slices of chocolate cake.
“Thanks, Adam,” Tara said.
“No prob.” He smiled before leaving to give the two women time alone.
Willow took a bite of her cake and thought she’d melt on the spot. “Mmmm,” she moaned as she slid the fork out of her mouth. “That’s just… mmm,” she said after swallowing.
“That pretty much sums it up,” Tara said, giggling at Willow’s description. “He won’t say where he learned, but Adam just knows his way around dessert.”
“I’ll say,” Willow replied as she quickly went in for another bite.
While they ate, Tara took a chance and asked Willow to a show in Ojai to see her friend Mike’s band. Willow happily agreed, elated at the thought of another date with Tara.
After dessert, both women stood to take their dishes to the bin by the counter and to thank Adam for the cake. He was once again looking over a textbook but looked up when they approached.
“Thanks for having us come in tonight. The cake was fabulous,” Willow told him.
“As it always is,” Tara added, grinning.
“Anything for friends,” Adam said. He was really starting to like the redhead after talking to her a few times. She’d been in the shop on numerous occasions, but he had never gotten the chance to get to know her. Now that she and one of his best friends were dating, Adam wanted to get to know her even better and thought of a way to do just that. “Are you busy Friday night, Willow?”
“Uh,” Willow started. It was an odd question, and she wasn’t sure why, or even if, one of Tara’s friends was asking her to get together. She wanted the blonde’s friends to like her, but she hadn’t expected so much so soon. As much as she wanted to say no, she told him, “We kind of already made plans for that night.”
Tara gave Adam a questioning look. He hadn’t mentioned anything to her before. “What’s going on Friday night?”
“My film professor does those Friday Night in the Forum things where they play various films every other week for the community. This Friday is the same one we’re watching in class next Wednesday and I was kind of wanting to go see it Friday and ditch out on class since it’s our last film of the semester and I haven’t missed any days yet,” he explained then added, “And I thought Willow might be interested in it.”
“What’s playing?” the redhead asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Some Swedish film,
Songs From The Second Floor or something. It’s supposed to be decent.”
“I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard of it. Something about it being confusing,” Willow said. It sounded interesting and she was slightly disappointed she wouldn’t get to see the film or get to spend time with Adam and get to know him better.
“Isn’t that the only class you haven’t missed any days in?” Tara asked. Adam was notorious for skipping classes here and there, and it bothered her. She cared about him and didn’t like him jeopardizing his education.
“Yes, Mom,” Adam joked. He knew Tara was watching out for him, and he appreciated it. “But I figure I’m allowed at least one. University policy says I’m allowed at least two,” he added smugly.
Suddenly and idea struck him. “Oh! How about this. Are you busy Wednesday night?” he asked the redhead.
After thinking for a moment, Willow told him she didn’t have plans.
“Okay, Kim has that night off, and we’re doing dinner at Tara’s before my class at seven. You should totally come for dinner then we’ll all go to my class together. We only watch the movie, and discussion isn’t until the next day. Plus, people bring friends all the time.” He was really excited about his idea, and he knew Kim would be happy for the time to get to know Willow as well.
Willow turned toward Tara. “Is that okay with you?” She wanted to clear it with the blonde since dinner was at her house.
Tara smiled. “Perfectly okay.” She was happy Adam had taken a liking to Willow.
“Great, then it’s settled. Wednesday night, dinner and a movie.”
The three said their goodbyes, and the two women headed back to the funeral home so Willow could drive Tara home.
“I had a great time tonight,” Willow said after walking Tara to her door.
“Me too. I’m really sorry about the whole break down though,” Tara said shyly.
“Hey, don’t be. You had every right to get upset.”
The blonde blushed. “It’s still a little embarrassing. I mean, it’s been five years. I should be over it by now.”
“You don’t have to ever be ‘over it.’ She was your mom. That’s gotta be hard. I can’t even imagine.”
“Thanks,” Tara said quietly.
The two lapsed into silence, just looking into each other’s eyes. They were both starting to feel something just beyond their initial crushes.
I’m definitely falling in like with her, Tara thought as she started to smile.
Willow cleared her throat after a moment, wondering what Tara was smiling at. “So, um, it’s getting late and I should probably head home.” She was reluctant to leave but had to wake up early in the morning.
“Yeah, I should get to bed. Work in the morning.” Tara was hesitant as well.
“Okay then. I’ll call you.”
“Okay.”
“Bye.” Willow started to turn to leave. She had wanted to kiss Tara goodnight, but had chickened out for some reason at the last second.
Tara took the initiative and leaned in before Willow could turn and kissed her softly on the lips. “Bye,” she said when she pulled back and smiled before opening the door and slipping into her home.
Willow stood in front of the door even after it closed with a lazy grin on her face. Oh yeah. Definitely like Tara kisses, she thought before walking to her car and heading home.
The members of Alison Ashmore got together on Wednesday evening for practice. Afterwards, they all sat around, catching up on what was going on in their lives since most of them hadn’t talked to each other in a few days. Hiroya was filling Tara in on some surprising news he’d had earlier that morning.
“And apparently she’s working for the same company I do,” he was saying. He’d gone into work earlier that morning only to discover Willow walking in the door a few feet in front of him. They’d talked for a few minutes before she had to head off for a meeting. “She does most of her work at home but comes into the office every once in a while to keep everyone up to speed on stuff.”
Ro had also done some asking around about the redhead since he was genuinely curious about her. “She’s smart, Tare. Really smart. Some of the stuff she’s done makes me look like the only thing I can do with a computer is check my email and play solitaire.”
Tara took everything he said in. It was shocking to hear how he described Willow considering he was supposed to be one of the best software engineers in the region and more than knew his way around a computer. If Ro was admitting someone was better with a computer than he was, that could only mean the person was amazing.
Suddenly Tara felt a little inadequate. Of course she’d always done exceptionally well in school, but she had decided in the end not to go to college. Knowing she was dating someone who was apparently some sort of genius or something left Tara feeling as if she was somehow insufficient. It wasn’t enough to discourage her, but it did give her something to think about.
You have every right to be this appalled with me. Join the club. I signed up a long time ago, and I know how you feel.
Sorry I'm late. I was out spoiling my liver. I couldn't wait. The sun was up for far too long today. And I can't see straight, but the two of you look awfully pretty. And I couldn't wait. Been awake for far too long today.
,
It was heart breaking about 
's mom. I was glad that she could tell 
a little about that. Metz was so cute jumping all over them. 
I'm loving this fic and I can't wait to 
and see where you take it from here. Update soon, please?
)
at Sheila!
give me a bit. jummy 
i guess Tara has a few more secrets to share with Willow.
I'm doing a happy dance. 
man i'm tired. I think I should stop staying up so late. Hmm... I wonder why that is 
Bless Adam..hehe..Love sams xx 
I thought itwas so cute when Adam asked 