So Much More

Friends, Coworkers and Lovers

After breakfast, they went to the nearby village to buy some of the essential items Emily forgot to pack in her suitcase. Since Elena's tone had been frantic, Emily had packed her things in a frenzy which made her forget her toiletries bag. They explored the village a little. She had been here once with Jamie and the memory came crashing down on her. For Emily's sake, she ignored her emotions and they kept exploring.

Soon enough came time for her to be on set. Emily drove her on set and she hung out on Dakota's trailer. She got ready and got on set. She didn't remember doing her performance but suddenly she finished her take. Since the director didn't complain, she took it that she did well. As she took off her makeup and took off Peyton's clothes to give back to the wardrobe team, she picked up her cell.

I just got off set. Can we talk now?

His text came a few moments later. Sure, meet you back at the house?

She thought back to Emily who was waiting for her in her trailer. She went to the trailer, borrowed the rental car from Emily and asked Elena to drive Emily to the house later. She promised to text them as soon as her conversation with Jamie ended. How ever it went.

I'm driving back right now. She texted him.

Through the drive to the house she was nervous. She dreaded what was going to happen. She tried to be optimistic. They hadn't seen each other in two days and she had missed him so much, she was almost willing to let things slide. But then she remembered her conversation with Emily. If he doesn't feel the same way – you're only hurting yourself in the long run by staying.

She arrived at the house earlier than she anticipated. She saw his rental car on the driveway and felt her heart beat quickened. Her steps dragged as she walked the short distance from Emily's rental to the house. Jamie waited for her on the foyer, dressed casually in a tees and dark jeans. He looked so damn handsome, she bit back the need to kiss him.

It turned out she didn't have to curb her instinct because he went to greet her, pecking her on the lips once. "Hey, Dakota."

"Hey," she greeted back and was surprised at the strength to her tone. She didn't feel brave or powerful at the moment but that didn't mean he had to know that.

"I'm sorry you haven't seen me these last two days. With the girls staying at the hotel and shooting schedules, I thought it was best that I stayed with them for the time being." He averted his eyes from hers but he had used a nonchalant tone. Once again she wondered how things went so wrong.

She kept her gaze on him, daring him to see the pain so clearly reflected in her eyes. "So they've arrived?"

"Yes," he said simply.

"They could stay here at the house." His eyes shot up to hers with a frown. She could tell he had thought of that but decided against it. "That would be more comfortable for them, wouldn't it? The house is spacious enough to easily accommodate three active young girls."

He shook his head. "This is your house too. The studio rented it to the both of us. The girls are messy and they're loud. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

Why couldn't he see that what he was doing was making her more uncomfortable than having three darling girls stay with them? She swallowed. "Making me or you uncomfortable? I understand you don't want me to meet them, I can get out of your hair while they're here." I can get out of your hair from now on.

He finally stared at her. "What I said that day... that wasn't what I meant. Of course I want you to meet the girls while they're here. You already know Dulcie and Elva. And they've asked about Aunt Kota. I just don't think they should know that we're involved. If they find out that Daddy's living with a woman, they would jump to conclusion right away." He ran a hand through his already-messy hair. "And I don't even want to think about Millie's accusation if the girls mention it to their mother. She already thought I cheated on her with you while filming Fifty Shades."