2 months later:
I walk down the stairs from my apartment to the asphalt. Evana ran ahead of me, the leash flapping against her side. Jared wanted to meet me at the beach, and since I had been working my ass to meet my initial goals for my book, I decided it was a good treat.
When I got to the beach, I brought Evana out of the car and started walking towards the water, where Jared said he would be. Evana lead me through the thousands of people mobbing the stores and tourists taking pictures. We hit the sand and Jared came right in view.
"Go get him!" I say as I unhook Evana from her leash. She bolts right to Jared and hits the back of his legs. Her mass was enough to knock him over, almost causing him to dive into the water. I ran to catch up to them, as the catch up.
It had only been maybe 5 days since our last date. It seemed like forever though. Shannon and Tomo came over for the occasional get together, and usually after those I spent the night. Nothing had happened between Jared and I, yet. I could tell he sensed my discomfort at the times things got heated, when I had flashbacks of Cameron. Although he tried to help, it didn't seem to work.
As I ran towards them, my smile grew bigger. I got close enough to wrap my arms around Jared's waist and lay my forehead between his shoulder blades.
"Hey there." he says with a little laugh.
"Hi." I smile.
Jared turns around and greets me with a kiss.
I back away and grab his hand then begin to walk, "How has your book been coming along?"
He looks over, "Team Jared is fucking great. We just inducted our newest member."
I raised an eyebrow, "Who would that be?"
He looks down at my dog, struggling to catch up, "Evana. She works 10 times faster you." he chuckles and kisses the side of my head.
I laugh and push him away, "You're such a jerk!"
He grasps my hand and pulls me into his side despite my sarcastic resistance.
Jared suddenly runs towards an untouched space of sand and begins to drag his finger through it. I stand and watch as he engraves the sand.
After about 5 minutes it becomes apparent what he's been working on: a tree with Eva's pawprints as the leaves.
As Jared finishes he looks over at me for approval. I shrug, "The leaves are uneven over there and the branches are lopsided."
He laughs, "You don't know what you're talking about! Stick to writing!"
"Says the actor and musician!" I yell back.
He shrugs and bends down to pet Evana.
Without warning, Evana starts throwing up her breakfast.
"Eva!" I run towards her, knealing down and petting her back. "What happened?"
Jared shakes his head with a very concerned look, "I don't know. I didn't even touch her and she just. . . this!"
I snap her leash on her and pick her up. As Jared and I rush back towards the car, I search for a napkin for her.
"I think I'm going to take her home. Probably too much excitement." I mutter, a thousand thoughts going through my head.
Jared nods and tells me we can meet tomorrow. He hugs me and lightly kisses me before sending me off with my dog.
