The Dysfunction Of Evan: Books 1-3 Collection

29. Tabloids

My final week flew by in a blur. It was the night before I had to leave. Tom had sprung for a hotel room, a final escape before we both had to face reality. We had just finished dinner, and Tom was pouring me a third glass of wine. 

"I've been thinking." He said as he handed me my glass and sat down next to me on the couch. "There is a two week gap between the end of Betrayal and when we start filming the next movie. Why don't we go on vacation?" 

"Where would we go?" I asked. 

"I was thinking Australia. I have to be there for principal photography for the Loki show, but I'll only be working five days. It'll be a chance for you to live some fantasies, since you won't be able to be around during filming." He was turned to face me, his arm draped over the back of the couch. "Something to think about. We have plenty of time to plan it." He said. 

"We do. I'd much rather plan the next time we see each other. I'll be here for your birthday, the BAFTA's are the day after." I took a sip of my wine. 

"You'll be arriving on Friday morning, right?" 

"Mhmm. I'm leaving the dress I'm wearing here, don't you dare peek." I said. He smiled. 

"How am I supposed to try it on if I can't look at it?"He joked. 

"You're an ass." I said laughing. 

"Saturday we have lunch with my dad, then dinner with my mum. I think Emma and Jack will be joining us." He took a sip of his drink. 

"I leave first thing Monday morning." I said. "Not a lot of alone time." 

"We'll manage. On the twenty forth, we'll both be in LA for the Oscars. I'll be arriving on Thursday." He said. 

"I think I'm getting there Saturday afternoon and leaving Monday night." I said. I pulled out my phone to confirm. "Yes." 

"I'm leaving Monday morning." He frowned. 

"I promised Natalie I'd go to at least one after party with her." I said. "Why are you leaving in the morning?"

"I've got to be back for the first dress rehearsal." He sighed. "The lead actor cannot miss that." 

"No, he can't." I turned and leaned against him. "I guess we knew it would be hard, didn't we." 

He kissed the top of my head. "We did." 

If there was a time to tell him, it was now. Tell him I don't want to leave, that we can figure out the details, just tell me I can stay. 

"I've been thinking," Tom said. "This year is going to be wicked busy for me. There won't be much time to see you, outside of filming our movie." 

I perked. Were we on the same page? 

"Perhaps, we could talk about us living together starting next year."

I swallowed. A whole year? I wanted to stay now. 

"That," he continued, "gives you time to earn some credits towards your degree, and if we decide to live here, gives you time to look at transfer options." 

That made sense. Still, I'd drop out of school if he said I could just stay now. Say something, you dummy. 

"That sounds like something to work towards." I'm a fucking idiot. 

"You don't sound convinced." He noted, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"I'm just sad that I have to leave. These three weeks have been total bliss." I said. I turned to kiss him.