4 - Tom

I hadn't expected to run into her, figured I'd have to go back to her shop but when I'd looked up and seen her standing there looking back at me it was all I could do not to rush over. That wouldn't have been a good idea, there were too many people around but then her friend had saved me from having to find an excuse.

It'd surprised me that her friend didn't seem to know we'd already met either. Sure she'd kept the events out of the tabloids, which I was very thankful for, but she hadn't even shared it with her friend. Now I felt even worse for my assumption this morning and knew I had to find a way to make it up to her.

What surprised me even more is she just forgave me. Maybe Chris was right, the best way to start an apology is to admit you were an idiot. She'd invited me back to her shop to have lunch and that had turned the whole day around. I was nervous the whole walk back. Not necessarily about being seen by the paparazzi, though that was a concern, but because she seemed less nervous than I did and that's not the usual response I got from women.

They reached the shop and she quickly let them in and relocked the door.

"It's just pastries and breads down here but if you'd rather we can go upstairs and find something." She says turning to look at me.

I'd been rushing to get out this morning but it was much as he remembered. How I hadn't already found this shop before now was a mystery. Small book stores were the best, and this one had coffee and snacks too.

"Whatever you'd rather." I say smiling at her, "I didn't catch your name this morning."

"I didn't figure you'd remember it from last night. I'm Eliza."

"I would like to properly thank you for what you did for me."

"I didn't do it so you'd owe me Tom. Zawe's rejection hurt you; you're allowed to have a breakdown. Despite playing a god you are only human. It hurts when feelings aren't returned."

"I should've known better, all of my friends told me it was a bad idea. But she moved in with me a few months ago, the next logical step..."

"Can I give you a piece of advice?"

"Of course."

"Women are not logical when it comes to romance. Why else would so many of us prefer the murdering brother to the hero brother."

I knew she was joking, at least partly, but it made sense too. Smirking at her I give her my best Loki impression.

"I am burdened with glorious purpose."

I get the desired response as she giggles and rolls her eyes at me. "If you're going to tell me to kneel next you're going to be sorely disappointed. Favorite actor or not, I kneel to no one. Not even Loki of Asguard."

I can't help but laugh out loud. She was indeed a fan and I liked that. Sure, plenty of fans had quoted lines to me or requested them but this felt different. There were no cameras around and we were just having fun. It was nice.

"You mean Loki Laufeyson. He wasn't born on Asguard."

"Born no but he was raised as an Odinson, brother of Thor. By birth or not he's of Asguard. And before you ask, he's not a villain either. Come on upstairs and let's get something to eat."

For the next hours we talk and joke like old friends, though it'd been less than twenty four hours since we'd met. She didn't treat me like I was famous either. She asked questions but she also answered mine. I was reluctant to leave, I had nowhere I had to be now that Zawe and I had broken up and I wasn't much looking forward to the questions I knew would be coming. I'd have to answer them eventually otherwise they'd make up their own answers which was always worse.

"You're welcome to stay." She says as if reading my mind.

"I don't want to be a bother. You've already done so much for me."

I knew if I was seen here it wouldn't take long for crowds to gather.

"You're not a bother. But once I close I do have to go across town for Katy's play." She adds as an afterthought.

"What kind of play?"

"Just a small one. She wants to be on Broadway someday."

"Would you mind terribly if I asked to join you?"

"I could be persuaded."

Was she flirting? Judging by the way her eyes widened and her face reddened she had, though maybe not completely intentionally.

"Then I suppose I can stay if you're sure I won't be too much of a distraction." I smile at her.

"Oh you're definitely a distraction."

Yes, she was definitely flirting. Had the sting on Zawe's rejection not been so fresh I might've encouraged it but it wouldn't be fair to Eliza when I knew my heart was still broken. Besides she deserved someone that wouldn't make her life chaotic. Short term wouldn't be so bad, the paparazzi would assume they were together but once the movie was finished and I left they'd leave her alone again.

"On a serious note, you know once the paparazzi see us together they're going to assume..."

"I'm not worried about it if you're not. You'll be leaving once filming is done."

Even though I'd just thought the exact same thing, hearing her say it stung for some reason.

"Besides, it might make Zawe jealous thinking you've moved on so quickly." She smiles wickedly, "I'm totally up for that. It'd serve her right."

"I don't want you to think I'm using you. It's not like that. I enjoy your company."

"Tom I know you could find someone much better, and famous, if it was like that. You don't have to worry about it. I'll get to hang out with one of my favorite actors for a bit. And before you ask I'm not expecting anything from you."

Again it stung. Why did her not wanting more make me feel bad? She was right, any of my female costars that weren't in a serious relationship would be willing to play my plus one for a while until I got over Zawe but she was the one I wanted to be around. I have no idea why but when she is nearby, my heart didn't hurt so much.

"Then I guess we're on the same page." I say smiling.

"I need to go open back up. You wanna stay up here? You're welcome to the bed if you want to sleep."

"Do you mind? I may come down in a bit if you're sure you're okay with this, being seen with me I mean."

"I'm sure. Make yourself at home; books, movies, my laptops in the bedroom, whatever you wanna do."

She walks out the door and down the stairs, glancing behind her once to smile at me and then she was out of sight. I walk to the living room and start scanning the book titles. Most were young adult fictions that I recognize but to my surprise there were two whole shelves of much older books including several William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. Not the new reprints either, the old leather bound ones. Coming to the DVDs I smile as I notice she has ever movie I've been in. But here too there was a wide variety of genres and tv series collections.

My cell phone starts ringing in my pocket and I pull it out to see a video call from Chris coming in. I swipe to answer the call.

"Hey, how'd it go?" He asks.

"It went fine. I'm still here with her. Well she's downstairs opening the shop back up and I'm up in her apartment."

"And you're still going with the story there's nothing going on?"

I quickly fill him in on what they'd talked about and by the time I'm finished he looks like he's as excited about it as Eliza had seemed.

"That's bloody brilliant. You should bring her to the cast party on Friday."

"I hadn't even thought about that. I'll ask her if she wants to. Can you guys behave?"

"I doubt it. So when are you guys going to start?"

"Today, I'm going with her to her friend's play tonight and I'm about to go make an appearance in the shop."

"Good luck brother. Have fun and who knows, maybe this was meant to be."

"Don't go there."

"Just saying man, things happen for a reason."

I roll my eyes and hang up. We'd agreed to no expectations and that was that.