FALLING FOR SHAWN

Chapter 26 - The Big Confrontation

The next couple of months were incredibly busy. Camila was getting rave reviews for the North American leg of the tour and Shawn flew to meet her when he could, but he was busy doing the studio work for the movie. As it turned out, she was in California for the week he was scheduled to work with Louisa Fontaine, fresh out of rehab and making the most of it by telling her story of hardship and redemption via Vogue, People and the late show circuit. He and Camila were both staying at her house, their house now, in the Hollywood Hills and on the morning he waited for a car to take him to the studio, Camila sat on his lap and rested her head against his.

"I don't like the thought of you in the same building as that woman," she said vehemently.

"Jake's going with me, I'll be fine," he said, smiling. She sounded jealous but of course there was a lot more to it than that. "And Barry had her sign a shit ton of legal documents to say she won't harass anyone, that she'll stay sober and clean during the shoot and no inappropriate relationships."

"I know the drugs can be blamed for a lot of her actions, but the feelings, the jealousy and the resentment will all still be there. I'm glad there's only a few scenes to shoot."

"You could come if you wanted," he said, hoping she would still say no. He didn't like the idea of Camila having to face Louisa, or vice versa for that matter.

She shook her head. "No, just the thought of it....I get angry and scared and guilty and jealous... I'm going to lunch with the girls, I'll meet you for dinner like we planned."

"Here's my car," he said, looking at his phone. He kissed her and lifted her off his lap. "I'll message you when I know I'm about to finish."

Jake was waiting in the car and opened the door for him, looking around as if he was the secret service searching for a sniper. As the car pulled away Shawn watched Camila waving forlornly. He had not been looking forward to this day, seeing Louisa again, but conversely the scenes they were filming, the love scene, the death scenes, were the most demanding he had, and he knew that they were a gift. If Louisa hadn't gone crazy and been sent to rehab, the original storyline would have prevailed, and in contrast it was weak and bland. This new direction had brought out something in the script that had given it heart and Barry, the writers, the whole cast and the producers knew they were onto something good. Now the pressure was on to deliver. He had played it down a bit to Camila, he told her he was nervous, but not how much was relying on it, for the film itself, and for his career.

Kelly was waiting for he and Jake when they arrived and she was effusive in her apologies. A couple of hours later, after costume, hair and make-up, he stood on the set, the green screen spreading behind them. West strode towards him, they had been working together the past few weeks, and they discussed the basketball scores and a funny story about one of the crew members and then West went quiet. Shawn turned to see Louisa walking towards him. She was dressed in costume for the scene, and he was surprised to see her look nervous and self-conscious as silence fell while she walked towards he and West.

"West," she nodded toward the other man. "Shawn."

"Louisa," he said.

"You guys ready for this?" she asked nervously.

"Places please everyone!" came the call and West climbed into the cockpit seat ready to start the scene, leaving Shawn and Louisa alone.

"Hear you completed rehab," Shawn said, watching her warily. "Well done."

She shrugged. "I had no choice," she said. If he was hoping for apologies or signs of change he was disappointed. Maybe he just had to accept that this is how she was.