Unlikely Companions

Chapter 4: Can I change my mind?

I've been in a giddy daze ever since I dropped Sarah home a few days ago. I still can't understand how I got to be so lucky but I'm certainly not complaining. We have been texting a bit here and there when she isn't too busy with work and are still meeting for dinner on Friday. Its Wednesday now and I'm going to check on James in the store, I haven't been in since the night Sarah came in. Talking with her about pursuing my music has really put my life in perspective and I'm considering taking her advice. I've just needed some space from the store so I can figure out what I'm gonna do.

I walk into the store and immediately see James talking with some customers. He is great at his job, such a natural people person. I catch his eye and he finishes up talking and jogs over to me.

"Alex, hey!" James says, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Hey is everything OK?" I say placing a hand on his arm. He looks at me and takes a deep breath.

"We should go into your office," he replies and guides me into the office and closes the door.

"James you are never serious, you're freaking me out here," I say with a nervous laugh.

"I take it you still don't have any social media accounts?" he asks and I nod as a reply. Grandma hated all that shit and I never really had the desire to make any accounts.

"Well you're all over it! Twitter, Instagram, Facebook you name it. But not just online, we got these in today." he finishes speaking and pulls out a magazine from a drawer and hands it to me.

The cover is a huge picture of Sarah and I kissing by her front door. Shit.  In bold, bright text under the photo it says 'SARAH GETS REVENGE ON HOLLAND?!?'

"Who is Holland?" I ask James as I continue to stare at the photo.

"Sarah's ex." he responds with a sympathetic tone to his voice. I look up at him as I throw the magazine in the trash.

"I have to call Sarah," I say suddenly, pulling out my phone and quickly finding her number.

"Of course, I'll leave you to it." James says with a small smile and goes to open the door.

"James?" I call out.

"Yeah boss?" he replies.

"Thank you for telling me," I say gratefully. James just smiles and nods before leaving the office and closing the door behind him. I hit the call button on my phone and it starts ringing. After only a couple of seconds Sarah answers.

"Hey you, how's it going?" She says as she answers the phone and it brings an instant smile to my face.

"I'm good beautiful, how are you?" I try to sound casual but worry seeps into my voice as I speak and Sarah picks up on it immediately.

"What's wrong? Are you OK?" She asks quickly.

"Don't worry I'm fine its just... James just told me the media is having a field day with some pictures of us... from the other day." I say nervously, unsure of how Sarah will react.

"Those little fuckers, its nothing I'm not used to by now but I know its a whole new world for you. You sure you're OK?" she asks again.

"Oh yeah, the whole world saw that I got to make out with Sarah Paulson. I'm actually pretty stoked about it," I reply with a laugh, I'm kind of joking but not really.

"Is that so?" she says flirtatiously .

"Damn right." I say.

"Well- oh shit I'm needed back on set. I'll talk to you later OK? And see you Friday?" she asks, as if I would change my mind. Hell no.