The Arrangement

4

Lili
I woke up with a crook in my neck. I sit up with a groan and see Dakota on the floor. Weird, he never sleeps on the floor. I look over and Cole was asleep on the bed. Oh. I get up and head to the kitchen, Dakota trailing me. I make breakfast and take Dakota outside. We get back inside and Cole was in the kitchen making coffee. "Good morning." I say. "Morning." he yawns. He gives Dakota a bone, and he runs into the living room to the dog bed. I laugh and get a cup of coffee.

Cami came into the house. "There's a doorbell and a knocker." Cole says. "What is it Cami?" I ask. "I need your help." she drags me back to her car. "This must be serious." I say. She drives us to her building. "What is this about?" I ask. She drags me up to her office. "Cami." I say. "I needed your help. I have to get photos of my clothes on models and no one can come in. Please please please." she begs. "Ok. Just show me where the clothes are." I say. She hugs me and takes me to the changing room. "Ok. I'll tell him I found someone for photos." she says.

She finally let me leave after hours of taking pictures. Her assistant drives me home and I step through the door. Dakota runs up to me and nudges me. "I'm ok." I pet his head. I go to the bedroom and change into some comfier clothes. I wash my face and go to the living room. I watched movies and then Cole and Dylan came through the door. "Oh hey. Didn't know you were back." he says. "I got back a few minutes ago." I yawn. "Where were you?" Dylan asks. "I had to basically model for Camila because no one else would. They had to pictures of her clothes." I say. Dakota jumps up on the couch. He nudges me slightly, and rests his head on my lap. "When did you get him again?" he asks. "Umm. I can't remember exactly, but it was a few years ago." I say. Dylan looked at him weird. "What?" I ask. "Nothing. He just doesn't seem like a dog you would have." he says. "I rescued him. They were about to put him down. Nobody wanted a service dog, but I needed one and he is exactly what I needed." I say, rubbing Dakota's head. "Service dog?" he says confused, "you don't seem like someone who needs a service dog." "I keep it under control most of the time." I say. I find a movie to watch and they sat in recliners. Dakota rolled to his side and I scratched his stomach, making him roll over even more. He jumps up and licks my face. I look at him confused. "What?" Cole says. "He's acting different. Maybe it's Dylan." I tease. "Wow. I'm hurt." he fakes an expression. "Oh too bad. You're both stuck with me." I laugh.

Cole
Dylan pulled me into a room once Lili fell asleep. "I didn't know her dog was a service dog." he says. "She doesn't like to talk about it." I say. "So you two are getting closer?" he asks. "I guess. I honestly don't know." I sigh. "You want to get closer with her." he states. "Why would you say that?" I ask. "Because it's obvious. You still like her, even thought you claim to hate her. How do you know she doesn't or does feel the same as you?" he states. "Then why don't you go ask her." I retort. "I will when she wakes up." he nods slightly. "Cole? Dylan?" we hear and he smirks. We head back to the living room, and she was looking for us. "Sorry. We didn't want to wake you." I say. She nods and yawns. "I'm gonna take him for a walk." she stands. "I can take him if you want." I suggest. "Thank you." she smiles and Dakota hops off the couch.

Lili
Cole left with Dakota and Dylan sits next to me on the couch. "So how do you feel about Cole?" he asks. "What do you mean?" I ask. "Do you hate him, or have your feelings changed about him?" he replies. "Oh. I honestly don't know how I feel. When we kissed at the wedding, it was......I don't know how to explain it." I sigh. "Maybe your feelings for him have changed." he shrugs. "What are you trying to get at?" I ask. "I know you were forced together, but you still deserve to be happy." he says. "Maybe." I reply. "Plus, I might want a niece or nephew in the future." he grins. "Seriously?!?!" I laugh. Cole gets back with Dakota, and Dylan had to leave. "Hey." I smile. "You're in a good mood. What did he do?" he asks. "Nothing, Just knocked a little bit of sense in me." I say. "Oh really?" he asks. "Ha ha. Laugh all you want. I'm going to bed." I say. I change into some shorts and couldn't find any of my pajama shirts, so I got one of Cole's. He steps in the room and smirks at me. "Already stealing my shirt." he laughs. "I couldn't find any of mine and yours is pretty comfy." I retort, getting under the covers. "You want me to stay tonight?" he asks and I nod. He gets in next to me and Dakota looks up at me. "Come on Dakota." I say. He jumps on the bed and gets by our feet. Cole wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer and we fall asleep.

I got up before Cole and took a shower. I got dressed and made breakfast. I put the coffee pot on and he came into the kitchen. "Morning." he says. "Good morning." I hand him a cup. "Thank you." he smiles. "You're welcome." I reply. I set a plate in front of him, and get my plate and coffee. I yawn and lean against him. "Maybe you should go get some more sleep." he suggests. "No. I'm good." I mumble. "You're practically asleep." he chuckles. "Maybe, but you're comfy." I reply. "Sure." he says.

We watched movies and then my phone rang.

L: hello?
??: Lili, it's Leo. Your album is at the top of the list!
L: really?!
PL: really. The press want to do an interview of you whenever you're free.
L: oh. Uh. I don't know. You know I hate doing interviews.
PL: I know, but this is a great opportunity for you.
L: how? Make me more famous and rich? I don't need or want that.
PL: I don't understand?
L: I'm not doing the interview.

I hung up and took a deep breath. Dakota nudges me a little harder than he normally does. "I know. I know." I mumble. "You ok Lili?" Cole asks. "No." I whisper.