Settling Down [KJ Apa]

Chapter Twenty

"And that is a wrap on the LA shoots. A big thank you to our local crew and our amazing set of extras!" I shout above the applause as people look at me, "And it is also a wrap on my amazing co-director Martin. Thank you for making the jump with me."

They continue to clap as Martin takes a bow. He then hugs me, and I'm fighting the tears. He's taught me a lot during these past months and now I had to do it on my own in New York to finish the movie.

"You'll do great, Georgia." He tells me as if he could read my mind, "I'm sure of it."

"Thank you, Martin. It really means a lot." I smile at him, "I'll be seeing you tonight, right?"

He nods before he leaves my side. I look around to all the people chatting and laughing as I rock back and forth on my feet. I've been doing pretty okay the past 3 weeks with throwing myself into work to distract myself from feeling, but there is a month of break coming up and I don't know if I will handle it.

I walk up to the concession stand and take a doughnut. Eating my feelings could maybe work.

"Scared you don't have food at home?"

I turn to my left and Keneti is standing there, with a grin I can hardly read.

"I'm sure we do have food at home. Just trying to eat my feelings. You know how it is."

He sighs, "George... At least leave some doughnuts for other people."

I laugh at him, "I thought you were going to rip into me for trying to eat my feelings."

"Oh, I was going to do that when we got home."

I roll my eyes at him. He's kept me in check the past weeks, feeding me and making sure I got up for work. But he's also been hovering over me. It's cute, but man, I am getting frustrated. Quite sexually frustrated.

Keneti pushes his hair back and I focus on a strand of hair that falls back on the left of his forehead. It curls up a little, and I want to push it away and jump him. Okay, my hormones are all scrambled up.

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" He pulls me out of my thoughts.

"We're meeting the crew at Laverne's at 9pm, the car is picking us up at 8:45, so we really should start drinking around 6."

"Please. We'll start at 7 while we're getting ready."

"Man, you really do know me."

________

Keneti hands me another cocktail as I try to apply a last layer of mascara, which is not quite easy with 2 cocktails already in my body. Good as Hell from Lizzo starts playing in the bedroom, sending the vibes all through my body.

"I do my hair toss, check my nails. Baby, how you feeling? Feeling good as hell."

I'm finally finished with my make-up, so when I get up, I start dancing onto the music all the while I'm singing so out of tune. I only stop when I notice Keneti leaning against the door frame.

"It's nice to see you happy again." He smiles.

"Alcohol does that to a broken person." I grin matter-of-fact, "No, I'm really happy tonight. Could be different in the morning, but I just want to live in the moment right now."

"Good. Because you need to have some fun tonight."

"Well, if you keep bringing such strong cocktails, I won't be able to go and have fun."

"Maybe you should put on some clothes so we could actually leave with some dignity."

I look down at what I'm wearing, or lack there of. My silk robe has opened up a little, revealing the black laced bra I'm wearing.

"Aw, man." I sigh, grinning, "I really thought this outfit was going to get us some free drinks at the club."

"I would be fighting off the creepy men. That's what would be happening tonight."

I laugh as I undo the knot on my robe, letting it slide off as I walk to my walk-in closet. I can hear Keneti suck in some air until I turn the corner.

It's been strange with Keneti though, the last few weeks. While I've finally made peace with my feelings and tried to flirt with him, he's been holding back. I would actually see him holding back, with his touches and comments. Man, he made dirtier comments when I was pregnant than now.

I grab the emerald cami top off the clothing hanger and put it on after taking off my bra since the top works a lot better without bra. Then I finally squeeze myself into some black skinny jeans before I put on my black strappy heels.

I check myself out in the mirror as I put on some layered necklaces.

Damn, I look good.

I enter the bedroom again as Keneti has changed as well. He's wearing a floral shirt which top 4 buttons are open and some black jeans. He looks H-O-T.

"Done checking me out?" Keneti grins as I look up at him.

"Pretty sure you were doing the same." I shrug.

"Not at all."

He shakes his head as we leave the room and walk downstairs.

"Liar."

His face breaks into a grin as I grab my envelope clutch from the table in the hallway. I know him better than he realizes.

"Should we wear jackets?" Keneti asks.

"Nah. We'll be inside most of the night."

He nods understandingly as he opens the front door for me. Luckily, the producers have sent out some SUVs, because I'd rather have us all get drunk and be stupid than people being grouchy because they still have to drive. I'm just happy I'm not going to be the only one going home drunk.