16 - Tom

Opening my eyes slowly I look at the ceiling for a minute, smiling as what had happened a few hours earlier came flooding back. Turning my head slightly I see her. She'd stayed and that thrilled me. She was still completely naked, as was I, with the sheet barely covering her.

As if sensing my gaze her eyes flutter open and she smiles at me, making the butterflies in my stomach take off.

"Sleep well?" She asks, stretching her arms over her head.

"I did. You?"

"Very. Are you hungry?"

I raise an eyebrow and she laughs, "For real food."

"I could eat. Give me fifteen to shower? Unless of course you'd like to join me?"

"As tempting as that is, if we start that we'd likely stay in bed the rest of the night."

"I'm okay with that." I tease, leaning in to kiss her.

"You have a movie to finish mister." She breaths against my lips.

"Rain check until tomorrow evening then?"

"Definitely." She says kissing me briefly then rolling out of bed.

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Good. Now go get showered before I change my mind."

"If that's an option..."

She just laughs and slips my t-shirt on that was laying at the foot of the bed and then her panties before leaving the room. It was a nice view and had me wishing I could get her back in bed. But she was right; I needed to get this movie done tonight.

As soon as I make it to set Chris founds me. He looked annoyed and that never boded well.

"Okay spill it. What are you playing at?" He demands as soon as he is in front of me.

"What do you mean what am I playing at?" I ask truly confused by the hostility rolling off him in waves.

"Your ex is waiting for you in your trailer. I swear if you're trying to play games with them both..."

"Zawe's here? Why?" I ask even more confused, "I haven't spoken to her since she rejected my proposal."

"Then why is she here? People are talking!"

Glancing around Chris was right. It was like that first morning all over again.

"Wait! You think I'm, what, double dipping?" I ask getting annoyed myself.

"Do you have another explanation that makes sense?"

"How should I know why she's here? You know how I feel about Eliza. Why would I tell you that if I was still seeing my ex too?"

He narrows his eyes at me and studies my face for a long moment. I was serious, I had no idea why she'd be here, and I certainly didn't want her here. Chris didn't even like Eliza, so even if that were the case and I was double dipping, why should it bother him?

"I thought you didn't approve of Eliza and I anyway?"

"She's a good woman, who doesn't deserve to be played."

"You knew she had fallen in love with me didn't you?" I ask, coming to the realization.

"She told you?" He asks completely surprised.

"We told each other actually."

"Oh! Well then forget what I said before. Go find out why the wicked witch is here."

That attitude change had completely flipped in a mere matter of seconds and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm not sure I want to."

"Want me to go kick her out? I'm totally game for that."

"No," I sigh, "closure is good."

"Alright, but if she sends in the flying monkeys give a shout and I'll come running."

Walking to my trailer felt like I had lead feet. Why was she here? What could she possibly want now? Wasn't humiliating me once enough? Bracing my hand on the handle I take a deep breath and turn it before I can talk myself out of it.

She was sitting on the couch that ran the length of the wall between the door and the small kitchen, flipping through a book. She looks up as I enter and smiles shyly. I feel like I've been kicked in the gut by a horse but force a smile.

"I wasn't sure you'd see me. How have you been?" She asks, standing up.

"I'm fine. What do you want Zawe?" I ask closing the door but not moving further into the room.

"I've had time to think and I wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have laughed at you."

"It's done and over with now. I've moved on."

The pleasant smile fades from her lips and she folds her arms over her chest.

"Were you seeing her behind my back?"

"Not that it's really any of your business now but no. I met her the morning after you dumped me. You really think I'm that kind of man?"

"I don't know, you sure didn't waste time hooking up with the first woman to cross your path. And I didn't dump you; I just said I didn't want to marry you."

"You left me at the restaurant."

"But I miss you. Can't we go back to the way things were before? We don't have to be married to be together."

"I don't want things to be like they were. Eliza's a good woman, who accepts me as I am."

"She's just after the fame being with you brings. Can't you see that? Why else would she be so eager to jump into bed with you."

"I'm not going to stand here and listen to you talk about her like that. She doesn't need or want my fame. If you came here thinking we could try again I'm sorry but you wasted the trip."

I turn the door handle and push it open. She crosses the floor, kisses me and then grins up at me linking her hands behind my neck.

"If you change your mind, you know how to find me."

"Don't hold your breath." I reach up and remove her hands from my neck, "Good bye Zawe."

She smiles and walks out of the trailer, leaving me standing in the doorway dumbfounded. I could not wrap my mind around what had just happened.