Count On Me - Sequel (Laughing into Love)

Chapter 16: A Long Day

The filming starts at 7 for the office challenge and doesn't finish till 10. After they are done, Brian looks completely exhausted "ready to head back?"

"You look as tired as I feel." She puts her head into his shoulder "but you did great today. Good job."

"Thanks. I don't know how you're still standing. Thanks for everything." He kisses you on the forehead "sometimes I think your wonder women."

She shakes her head "hardly, just doing my job."

"Well your damn good at it. If I didn't have Lenny I'd have to poach you for myself." He wraps an arm around her shoulder as they start walking out of the office to the car service waiting for him.

"I don't think Sal would be too happy about that." She jokes back.

He makes a funny face "I could take him."

Melanie doesn't doubt it "yah, you could. Are you hungry, should we stop for something?"

"In n out burger? Been awhile since I had one of those" he suggests.

"Never had one but heard good things." She replies as he opens the car door for her to get in. Brian gets in behind her and he driver shuts the door "but you might need to order for me. I might pass out before we can get there."

"What did you eat today?" He asks, remembering she said she wouldn't be able to eat today because of how busy she was going to be.

She shrugs, her eyes already closed "a banana for breakfast and a few pieces of sushi for lunch."

He asks "no dinner?" She shakes her head slightly. He replies "well I know it's late but you gotta eat. Sleep, I'll wake you when we get to the hotel." He kisses her again on her forehead. She can barely hear him utter in a whisper "I love you sleeping beauty."

Melanie wakes up to the smell of something delicious and her stomach growls loudly "ohhh, that smells heavenly."

"Ahhhh, barely even pulled out of the drive through. Ready to eat?" He looks at her with a grin. She nods, sitting up straighter. Brian passes her the double double burger he got her with no tomato and fried onions. He watches her as she takes her first bite.

"Mmmmm, this is amazing" She spits out after biting into it.

He adds "wait till you try these animal fries." He lifts a fry container out of the bag and she takes a bite. He watches her eyes close and roll in her head and he comments "fuckin' good, right?"

"Like an orgasm in my mouth" she mutters with her mouth full. She's had better food, but she's so hungry at the moment it tastes like nothing she's ever had before.

He laughs and places them on his lap, grabbing his own burger out to eat. When they get back to the hotel and clean up, they crawl into bed together and Brian spoons Melanie "you know I love you, right?" He asks as he rubs her hair gently.

"Of course I do, why are you asking me that?" She asks back, the smallest of knots forming in her stomach.

He sort of shrugs "I just want you to know that."

"Okay" She turns underneath his arm "but why?"

He thinks of how to word it for a moment before explaining "because for over a year now you've had some pretty crazy shit to deal with and you dealt with it really fuckin' well and I admire you so much for that. Seriously, after everything we've been through, shit with Marcus and now your mom and this letter. You're my wonder women Melanie, I love you so much it kind of scares me."

"Scares you?" She whispers back, not sure she liked the sound of that.

She smiles "in a good way." He pauses for a second then goes on "you know my last engagement really broke me. I really thought she was it but then there was you. And you made me feel warmth and passion like I've never felt before. Made me want things I never thought I'd want. Everyday I see you, I take a moment just to stare and admire you."

"Well that's creepy." She teases him back.

He shakes her slightly and says back "I mean it, I love you so much."

"I love you too, Brian. More then words can say." She replies, leaning up to kiss him on the lips. Soon after they stop kissing, they fall asleep.

The next morning they wake up together and head down to breakfast to meet the guys. They all talk and chat the first half hour but soon turn to talk movie talk when everyone's done eating and sitting around. Melanie takes notes when she hears something she thinks may be important one of them says so she can give it to Brian to take with them to the meeting. When things wrap up, they go upstairs together so he can change to something more professional for the meeting. After he changes, he comes out and asks her "how's this?"

"Ohh, I like it." She replies, eyeing him up and down. He's wearing dark jeans that are almost black and a black shirt with a light brown tweed jacket.

He turns "yeah? Not too casual but not over the top?" He looks over his shoulder trying to look back at his behind.

She smirks "It's perfect, very Q."

He glances at her and asks "well, should I be dressed very Q or should I be more professional? This is a big thing."

"Babe, you are Q. And they want to make a movie with all four of you and work with you after seeing what you do every day on the show. So yes, be Q, wear the blazer!" She assures him, coming over to give him a kiss.

He smiles "thanks, you're right."

"Okay, I should meet the guys downstairs. I have my phone, wallet. What else am I missing? Shit, this is crazy. I don't remember anything we talked about downstairs. I'm so nervous." He huffs out everything in one big breath.

Melanie comments "wow, I've never seen you like this."

He gives her a fake grin "I know, I've never been this worried. What if I ruin it for us all?"

"Here" She passes him the notes she took "you won't ruin it. Just be yourself and you'll be fine, all of you will be."

He takes the papers from his hands and opens them, smiling when he see's the notes "you're really something."

"I know" She beams proudly and kisses him again "go get em' tiger!"

"I'll call you when we're done and tell you everything. I love you!" He squeezes her tightly and she return the salutation as he walks out of the hotel room.