Chapter 72

"To us,"

Danielle tucked her knees up to her chest, an excited smile on her face as the clock finally hit the hour and the premier of Your Hand Featuring Mine  began. The four women were all anticipating the start, wearing over the top outfits and drinking expensive wine along with tiny appetisers.

Nerves settled into Danielle's chest as the final advertisements played and Stefania reached over to grab her hand. She and everyone knew how important and monumental this was for Danielle and they were all so proud of her. Danielle was classing this as the official beginning of her career and she let out an excited squeal as the opening scene started to play.

It was almost as if Stefania forgot that Caterina existed because her face fell as soon as she saw her on the screen. Perhaps this was going to be a little more difficult to sit through than expected.

"Look, it's you!" Jaina exclaimed as Danielle walked into frame, Barrett matching her energy by waving her hands around. Stefania tried to force her smile because of course, she was happy for her girlfriend but did the first scene really have to be her hugging Caterina's character from behind?

Stefania let go of Danielle's hand so that she could reach her wine glass, taking a sip then keeping the vessel in front of her face to hid any looks of irritance that were threatening to show. Barrett glanced over at Stefania and could immediately tell what she was thinking, though it seemed like Danielle hadn't noticed just yet. As the theme sequence began to play, Danielle finally tore her eyes away from the screen, her shoulder pushed up to her ears.

"I thought it would be worse seeing myself on television," She admitted, relief falling from her body.

"I think I'm still trying to process that it is actually you," Jaina laughed, though Stefania had averted her eyes to the floor as the theme showed a small segment of Danielle and Caterina leaning in to kiss. And while yes, she knew it wasn't Danielle and Caterina, it was Jersey and May, it was a lot worse seeing that then she anticipated.

But this was the premier, she didn't want to draw the attention away from Danielle so told herself to just suck it up and watch the episode. It wasn't like every scene was of them kissing anyway.

The advert breaks brought a moment of relief for Stefania, never more interested in a new car model before than now. She could admit that the show was good, definitely nothing wrong with the storyline so far but did 'Jersey and May' really have to be so affectionate all the time? Stefania walked over to the kitchen and poured herself another glass of wine, Barrett making her way over as well for a refill.

"Are you okay?" She asked quietly, turning her back away from Danielle and Jaina.

"Uh, yeah. Why?"

"Because you look like you want to the smash the television," Barrett replied. "If you tell Danielle that you're uncomfortable watching this, she'll understand," Stefania sighed and quickly glanced over at Danielle.

"There's only fifteen minutes left. I'll be fine," Stefania said as she took a large gulp of wine. "Besides, she looks like an excited puppy and I don't want to miss that,"

"Okay," Barrett smiled at Stefania as they walked back towards the living room, just as the final part started to play. It appeared that Danielle finally noticed the slight awkwardness coming off of Stefania so patted her lap for her to bring her legs up so she could idly massage them. A small act of love.

Stefania made a face as the episode came to an end, fading out on a shot of 'May and Jersey' kissing. Thank goodness that was over.

"That was so good!" Jaina cheered, clasping her hands together.

"Holy shit, have you checked your Instagram?" Barrett laughed as she stared down at her phone.

"No?" Danielle grabbed her phone from where it was resting on the sofa arm and widened her eyes when she realised the sudden increase in following she was getting. Stefania leant in to see, a shocked expression on her face. She wasn't a massive fan of social media herself though she could understand why people would want to follow Danielle. Look at her.

"It won't stop rising," Jaina said in disbelief as she continuously refreshed her best friends Instagram page.

"Should I post something?" Danielle asked, looking at Stefania who just shrugged in response. "Maybe I'll- oh hang on," Her phone started buzzing in her hand, an incoming call from Lucy.

"Danielle! Oh hello!" Lucy's voice rang out as soon as she answered.

"Hey, Lucy," Danielle smiled, tapping her fingers against Stefania's leg.

"This is just a really quick call to say- you did watch it, right?"

"Yes, I did," Danielle laughed.

"Fab! I just wanted to say that some of these reviews are already looking very good. People are loving May and Jersey so I have a feeling that this is only the beginning," Danielle could hear the smile in Lucy's voice.

"Oh, amazing. One quick question though?"

"Go for it,"

"A lot of people are following me on Instagram? Am I meant to do something?" Danielle could hear Lucy laughing from her end of the phone.

"You can interact if you want, yes. Maybe post a story about the pilot but obviously don't say anything about the coming episodes. Next time you're in, we'll get some behind the scenes stuff ready,"

"Okay perfect,"

"Amazing. Well, it was nice to quickly check in with you. I'll speak to you soon,"

"You as well, bye Lucy," Danielle hung up the phone then reopened Instagram, debating what she wanted to post. "I don't know what to post,"

"Do you have a picture from your first table read or something?" Jaina offered.

"Oh yeah," Danielle scrolled through her gallery then found a picture of her and Caterina. That should work. She posted it, tagged Caterina then set her phone to the side. Only for it to start going off like crazy with a bunch of DM requests.

"Woah, you really are famous," Jaina laughed, curiosity getting to the better of Danielle as she started to read through some.

: You're a star in the making!

: I can tell this show is about to be amazing

: I think I'm already in love with you

: So if Jersey and May break up, can I have you?

Stefania rolled her eyes as Danielle read out some of the messages then swung her legs off of Danielle's lap and walked towards the bathroom, not uttering a word. Danielle glanced up at her girlfriend slightly confused.

"She's uncomfortable," Barrett whispered, leaning closer to Danielle. "Seeing you and Caterina like that,"

"I told her that she didn't have to watch it if-"

"You think she'd willingly skip out on this huge moment for you? She hates it, but she loves you," Danielle's face fell slightly. She couldn't even be mad at her girlfriend, of course this would make her feel kind of sucky. And if you added in everything that happened between her and Caterina, it was quite a mess. Danielle was about to say something else when Stefania came out of the bathroom.

"I'm just going to change into something more comfortable," She announced then headed off to her room. Now that Danielle knew, Stefania did look a little displaced.

"If you want to just go and speak with her, we can see ourselves out," Jaina said as she stood up, followed by Barrett.

"Yeah. We can see your annoying ass on television if we ever need you now," Barrett laughed, stretching her arms up above her head. "Wait- you move out in three days, what are you talking about?" Barrett realised when she saw Jaina put on her shoes.

"I've basically moved half of my things already," Jaina shrugged. "And like you said, I can see your face on the television if I really miss you," Danielle rolled her eyes as she pulled her friends in for a hug, forever thankful for their presence.

"Get home safe you guys," Danielle said as she walked towards the stairs.

"Will do, superstar!" The blonde stood outside of Stefania's door and tentatively knocked.

"Stef?" Danielle opened the door and peered in, greeted by a weak smile from her girlfriend. "Stefania," She pouted slightly as she sat down on the bed next to her girlfriend and held her hand. "If you didn't want to watch that, you didn't have to,"

"Don't be silly," Stefania quickly dismissed. "Of course I would watch it, just maybe not very happily,"

"You don't need to watch the other episodes if you don't want to," Danielle said, completely understanding the position that Stefania was in.

"But I want to be a supportive girlfriend. Maybe if you just tell me when you're about to kiss or do anything remotely romantic,"

"I would, however sometimes I don't even know," Danielle said honestly. "The editors swap things and cut things. Even today ran a little differently than what I expected," Stefania just nodded her head and leant into Danielle's side.

***

Stefania stood in the kitchen, humming a song to herself as she made dinner for her and Danielle. It was a couple of weeks after the pilot of Your Hand Featuring Mine and while Stefania did try to watch the next episode of the show, she had to stop. There was no way she was about to watch her girlfriend have a sex scene with her ex from years ago. And even when she closed her eyes, it was loud.

"Hi beautiful," Danielle's voice suddenly rang out from behind her, a tired smile on her face.

"I didn't even hear you come in," Stefania said as she turned around and leant forward to give her girlfriend a kiss.

"You were deep in thought, babe. I tripped over a shoe and you didn't react,"

"You mean you tripped over your shoe?" Stefania laughed as she turned back round to the stove. "The one's that I always tell you to put away?"

"Maybe," Danielle shrugged as she opened the fridge, looked at its contents then shut it again. "What are you making?"

"Food," Stefania bluntly replied.

"My favourite!" The blonde laughed as she pulled out her phone. "Woah. I just hit 20k on Instagram,"

"Great. Another ten thousand people I have to bat away from my girlfriend," Stefania said.

"Is someone jealous?" Danielle teased, an amused look on her face as Stefania turned round to face her again.

"You can't be jealous of something that is already yours," She simply said, walking closer to her girlfriend. "And you, my love," Stefania said sweetly, placing one hand on the side of Danielle's face. "Are all mine,"

"Yeah? Want to make that official?" Stefania froze momentarily. Did Danielle mean what she thought she meant? There was that little sparkle in her eyes as she stared lovingly at her. She knew her girlfriend tended to mix up her words sometimes so surely- "I would make you my wife anyday. You know this," Danielle announced as she stood up straight.

"But you're not- that's not you asking?" Stefania asked quietly, her heart pounding against her chest, her eyes never leaving Danielle. They stared at each other for a moment, Danielle tilting her head to the side.

"I want to say yes," Danielle finally said. "But I am giving you a proper proposal," Stefania slowly nodded her head, eyes wide as silence hung between them.

"Ask me now," She said, just as Danielle began to walk towards the stairs.

"What?" She laughed, turning around and running a hand through her hair.

"Ask me.... to be your wife," Stefania spoke slowly as she took a couple of tentative steps towards Danielle.

"Stefania. I am not about to ask you to marry me in the middle of our house,"

"No, do it," Stefania said much more sure of herself, her steps quickening until she got to Danielle. "This is where we started. Here... in this house is where we, you and I, is where..." She trailed off as she stared desperately into her favourite pair of eyes. "Ask me," She whispered, bringing both of her hands up to Danielle's face.

"You can't be serious," Danielle whispered, her hands resting on Stefania's waist.

"I am hopelessly in love with you, Danielle. And I'm pretty sure that you are with me. You know me well enough to know that I am not joking so if you don't ask me in the next ten seconds, Danielle Kathleen Savre-"

Danielle cut Stefania off by pressing their lips together, the grip she had on her waist tightened as she held her girlfriend close. Like hell would she let Stefania be the one to propose. Even if neither of them had a ring yet.

"Stefania Spampinato. Will you marry me?"

The End of We Need a New Room Mate

A/N: And no, it's not a joke this time. It actually is the end :')

As most of you dedicated readers probably know, my updates on this book have been atrocious recently, mainly because I have been struggling to find inspiration. HOWEVER. I am considering a sequel which I already have ideas for which will in turn, make it easier to write. I'll slowly start posting updates on my Instagram story about whether a sequel will go ahead or if I'll start a completely new book or just focus on 'The Assistant' and my One-Shot book so stay connected over there/ let me know what you think.

Aside from that, thank you all for the love on this book and we shall see where the next one takes us.

xoxo

B

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