Hunt walks in to find you sitting on the couch with your hands folded in your lap and your head bowed.
"…is something wrong?" He asks immediately, a tinge of worry in his voice.
You swallow audibly, managing to raise you field of view as far as his chin, but you can't quite seem to make eye contact, a little worried of what you might see there when you finally confront him.
"Thomas…" You speak cautiously. "I have something very important I want to talk to you about, and I want you to be completely honest with me."
You can almost imagine the scowl on his face as he replies. "I'm always completely honest with you."
Your eyes finally flick up, coyly meeting his. "Are you though?"
He regards you carefully, almost as though the two of you are playing poker and he's trying to figure out your bluff. "Alright. What is this about?"
"…Marianne." You force her name off of your tongue as though it's a curse word. You don't mean to say it quite like that because your respect her, at least as a professional, but you can't seem to help it. "I… I know you were with her today, Thomas. Add… my friend saw you with her, and when I called to ask where you were, you lied and said you were on campus."
Silence settles across the room like a fine layer of dust and you see Hunt working his throat, Adams apple bobbing. He doesn't look guilty, so much as inconvenienced, and you're not sure if that should make you should feel hopeful or insulted.
"Ah… yes. Marianne mentioned in passing that Ms. Sinclair was working on the premises today. I suppose I should've been more careful."
Now you're definitely insulted. You suppose that he's not denying it, which is better than nothing, but he's also not jumping to explain himself or why he'd felt the need to lie to you. The tone of annoyance he's taken also grinds your nerves, and you feel the need to stand up for Addison.
"Addi was only trying to be a good friend," you say defensively. "What would you do if you saw your best friend's boyfriend driving off with another woman?"
Hunt's eye twitches. "Well, first things first, I wouldn't assume I needed to inform my friend of their significant other's every action. And in my hypothetical best friend's case, hopefully they wouldn't assume their significant other getting into a car with a member of the opposite sex warranted an immediate phone call to check on their fidelity."
"I'm not surprised that the only best friend you have is hypothetical," you mutter.
He sniffs at the slight, but presumably recognizes that you're lashing out because you're hurt and wisely chooses to ignore it.
"What I'm trying to say is, I find it troubling that the moment you hear about me simply getting into a car with another woman, you feel like you need to check up on me. Admittedly, I did lie when you called, but I have my reasons."
You feel something pop inside you. You're pretty sure it's your self-control.
"Like this is the first time you've lied to me?! You've planted, fed and watered enough seeds of doubt for me to assume the worst when I hear about you skulking around with another woman!" You take a deep breath, trying to steady your voice, stop it from wavering and breaking. "A month ago I wouldn't have even batted an eye… heck, a month ago, Addison wouldn't have even thought to call me, much less practically in tears!"
Hunt's frown turns from disapproving and slightly annoyed to anxious and perplexed. "I'm beginning to feel like I don't have the full story here. What happened between a month ago and now?"
You realize that your fists are clenched so hard that your nails are biting painfully into your palms, leaving little red crescents. You try to relax a bit. It isn't very effective.
"It's funny you should use that choice of wording. I definitely feel like there's a full story I don't have either. Like the day when I came home around 5:00, then left the house again at 7:30 to get something to eat and when I come back, you tell me you got home at 6:00. Or when I was on campus and decided to surprise you after your budget meeting… the budget meeting that professor Singh, when she found me outside your office, helpfully informed me didn't actually exist."
You glare at him accusingly as you speak and his expression, which had been hard before, softens dramatically.
"Oh… oh. I'm so sorry…" He says, taking a step towards you. He reaches out to touch your face, but then thinks better of it and stops mid-motion. "I didn't realize you… I thought I'd hidden it better, but you… if you noticed something strange and were starting to have doubts, you should've told me, and I'd have found another way…"
His sudden change in demeanor somehow makes it harder instead of easier and you finally feel tears welling up in your eyes. You roughly brush them away with the back of your hand.
"Found another way to what? Cheat on me with Marianne?" Despite your resolve, your voice finally trembles and cracks. "What are you talking about?"
"I am not cheating on you. I thought you knew me better than that," he says firmly. You feel like you're being scolded.
"I didn't think you were the type to tell a bold-faced lie to hide your actions either, but you've done it three times in the space of a month now," you mumble, ducking your head so he can't see that your eyes are wet. Not that he hasn't probably noticed already.
"I… I have my reasons. They're not malicious, but I can't explain yet. You're going to have to trust me. And I know it's going to be hard for you, but I need for you not to ask any questions." He sighs. "I've always been an 'ends justify the means' type of man, but it seems that my means have hurt you very badly… I can't apologize enough for that. I hope you'll forgive me when the time comes."
"Can you please stop being so vague and just tell me what's going on?" You ask, wringing your hands and staring at him pleadingly. "Because right now it sounds like you're trying to make excuses for your actions and failing to come up with anything."
He looks torn. "Look… I made a mistake. All I can say for now is that I'm consulting with Marianne on something. I can't tell you what it is. I was worried that if I told you I was discussing something with her from the start that you'd bother me for details and try to snoop around. As you're often wont to do. But now that it's ended up like this, I almost wish I had taken that route…"
"So… that's it?" You swallow. "A bunch of lies, you sneaking around with an ex-girlfriend behind my back, and all I get is an 'it's not what it looks like, but I can't tell you what it actually is'?"
Hunt lets out a deep sigh. "I really want to explain, but I have my hands tied here. Unfortunately all I can ask you to do is wait until I'm ready. I know it isn't fair to you." He looks you square in the eye, as if trying to show you his sincerity. "What I can say right now is that I love you, deeply and completely. Marianne and I are no longer in a relationship for a reason, and I wouldn't jeopardize what you and I have built in order to rekindle some half-baked version of it. I'm not stupid."
You can only watch him helplessly. He certainly looks like he's being honest, but he's an actor, and an accomplished one at that. You want to believe that the kind of emotion on his face right now isn't something you can fake, but you're also not sure exactly what you can believe anymore.
"I… I need time to think," you admit. "I don't know what to do or what to make of this… I mean, I thought we could talk to each other about anything. What can you talk to Marianne about that you can't tell me?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that either, for obvious reasons," he says. "Can you just trust me on this one?"
"I'm not sure I can." You give him the honest answer. He actually has the gall to look hurt. "But I'm going to do my best to give you a chance, because if this really can be explained, I don't want to throw what we have away either. Please don't let me down, Thomas. Please."
Relief washes over his face. "It's been a long time since I've let anyone down. I don't plan to start with you."
You nod half-heartedly. It's all you can bring yourself to do.
He places a tentative hand on your arm. "Would you like to have dinner now? I can make something tonight."
"No thanks," you reject his offer, stomach churning a little at the thought of eating. "I don't really have much of an appetite. I think I'm going to head to bed early and sleep this off."
Hunt looks like he wants to argue, but in the end decides not to push it and lets you do as you wish.
"I'll put some the leftovers in the refrigerator. If you get hungry later, just help yourself."
"Thanks." You force a weak smile. "Goodnight, Thomas."
"Goodnight…" He echoes. You can feel his eyes on you as you retreat from the room.
You change into your pajamas and slide into bed, facing the wall. With the sheer amount of jumbled thoughts racing around your head, sleep doesn't come easily and you're still awake two hours later when Hunt slips into the room. You feel the bed dip under his weight as he climbs in beside you, and a moment later, a tender hand presses gently against your shoulder blade through your shirt. You don't move, feigning sleep, hoping he won't push it.
True to form, he doesn't, instead removing his hand a moment later and sighing into the silence of the room.
"Sleep well," he murmurs, and the bed covers rustle as he rolls over and then falls still.
In the end, you're pretty sure that he falls asleep before you.
When you finally do fall into slumber, it's fitful and you're wide awake again a little past 5 in the morning. Hunt is still snoring softly, and on any other day, you'd mold yourself against his back and let his even breathing lull you back to sleep. But today, you don't want to face him when he does wake up, and you use the opportunity to sneak out of bed, grabbing an outfit for the day and creeping out the door to get changed in the bathroom.
It's not that you want to avoid him, but you're still feeling fragile from your conversation yesterday and you aren't sure you could take any more apologies or excuses today. You'd barely been able to force yourself to send Addison a simple message about it, saying nothing more than, 'Talked to him about the Marianne thing. Apparently it's not what it looks like. Going to see what happens.'
With the premiere of your movie only a day away, you can't afford to be distracted. Chris still seems to sense that there's something off about you when you see him later that day, but since you don't bring it up, he doesn't pry. Instead, he distracts you with lighthearted conversation and doesn't stop to ask you why your smile never reaches your eyes, even though it's obvious he wants to. You're very grateful to him for it, and it reminds you of why you dated him all those months ago in the first place – he's incredibly thoughtful but somehow manages to make it looks effortless.
You idly wonder what your life would be like right now if you'd accepted his proposal to you at the top of the Eiffel tower. You certainly wouldn't be wanting to cry over Hunt. Part of you wonders if maybe you made a mistake, but you force yourself to brush the thought away. You already made your choice.
The day flies by too quickly, and you find yourself going about work as slowly as you can to put off having to go home for as long as possible. Backstage with Chris after yet another TV interview, you spend an inordinate amount of time meticulously removing every your makeup from each and every pore of your skin.
"So, tomorrow's the long awaited red carpet opening, huh?" Chris, already completely changed and ready to leave, strikes up conversation as you delicately wipe away foundation from between the hairs of your eyebrows. "Should I expect to see you with the good professor on your arm?"
You grimace. Chris had been doing so well…
He takes in the dark look on your face and pulls uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt. "So… is that a no?"
"Yeah. I mean, no. It's a no." You sigh. "I'm sorry, Chris. I don't want to talk about it."
He nods emphatically, touching you lightly on the shoulder. "Sorry. I could tell there was something bothering you, I just didn't realize it was to do with… you know. I didn't mean to bring it up. You going to be okay for tomorrow?"
You finally have to admit that your face is spotless and throw away your cotton cleanser, sighing. "Yeah. I'll be fine. Things are kind of weird and tough right now, but I've also been on the bad side of someone who was once literally the most powerful man in Hollywood… so I'll get through it."
Chris doesn't look satisfied, but he doesn't push the issue. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it… although, I guess I'm not the best one to turn to for advice on this."
You actually laugh at that, and even though it's wry, it's still a real laugh.
"Yeah, I can think of at least 20 other people that it'd be better for me to discuss my love-life with, and one of them includes a renowned celeb gossip blogger. You're welcome to distract me any time, though."
"Noted. And hey, I think that was a glimmer of a real smile." Chris grins at you. "Anyway, tomorrow is bound to be a great distraction if you can just hold on until then. Open bar, buffet, hundreds of adoring new fans waiting to be made… it's your first major Hollywood release as a lead."
"You're right." You pack up your things and get ready to go, unable to stall any longer. "Tomorrow's my day… and yours, since you're technically the main character."
"You sure did give me a run for my money, though."
The two of you walk towards the exit of the studio where you part ways.
Once you're on your own, you aren't sure what to do. You still don't want to go home. Right now, you and Thomas are still on tenterhooks and being in the house is just going to be stressful. You'd be tiptoeing around one another, not really sure what to say. You, worried that you're giving him a chance while being played for a fool, and him, knowing that even though you're sticking around to let him prove himself, you're still doubting him.
There's nothing appealing about it at all, and it hurts that the place you've been calling home for months now, the home of Thomas Hunt that you'd once have given anything to even set foot in, has become one of the last places on earth you'd rather be.
Instead of going home, you decide to finally return the 10 or so missed (or rather, ignored) phone calls from Addison, figuring that you can only avoid addressing the topic with her for so long before she decides to send out a search party.
The first thing she says when she answers your call is, "About time! I was starting to think that you were dead… or that he was dead and you'd gone into hiding."
"Only dead inside," you correct her, hoping the humorous tinge you've added to your voice is enough to keep her from taking the comment seriously. "But really. I'm okay… or as okay as I could be in this situation."
"Do you wanna come over? Or do you wanna talk a walk or something together? Sounds like you've got a lot of nervous tension you need to work out."
You immediately brighten up. That'll give you something to do to avoid going home for at least another few hours, and it involves spending more time with one of your favorite people to boot.
"Working out some of this nervous tension sounds like a spectacular idea," you agree. "I'll be there in… as fast as L.A traffic will let me, I guess."
You hear Addison laugh over the receiver. "I'll keep a candle lit in the window for you."
The two of you go to a nearby park and stroll through it leisurely as the sun starts to disappear below the horizon, and you explain the details of what happened yesterday to Addison.
"So… basically, he's just telling you to wait, but you don't know for what or for how long?" Addison sounds pretty disbelieving. "That's asking a lot of you… if it were me, I don't know if I could take it."
"I don't know if I can either, to be honest," you admit. "It kind of feels like he's just biding his time so he can cover his tracks… which I know isn't a good way to think about it, but…"
"But I don't blame you," she finishes for you. "He lied to you, what… three times? That we know of? That doesn't exactly inspire trust."
You screw some fallen leaves into the ground with the heel of your foot, taking out some pent up aggression.
"He's supposed to be all about trust… the only reason I'm giving him the benefit of a doubt is that… cheating seems so unlike him that I'm almost willing to believe his weird non-excuses."
Addison sighs, frown lines creasing her forehead. "Me too, I have to admit… he's so self-righteous that it's hard to imagine him ever doing something like that."
You make a circuit of the park until it grows dark and then retire back to Addison's dorm room on campus. You sprawl across her couch, thinking that you really need to come and hang out with her while things are going well for once instead of always bringing doom and gloom with you.
"So, tomorrow's your big day, huh?" Addison offers you a glass of water. "I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie after all that I've heard about it. Thanks for getting me a ticket, by the way."
"No problem. I wish I could've gotten all of you guys tickets to the after party as well, but the executives said it's for the cast and crew only."
"It's okay," Addison takes a seat next to you. "I don't even want to think about how many extras it must have taken to fill the spectator stands in all the Olympic scenes."
You nod. "I'm pretty sure they could fill up the party by themselves. I'll introduce you to my stunt double at the premiere though. I think you'd like her. She's hilarious, and she's a flipping good gymnast."
Addison places a hand over her heart. "Please, no more puns. I've been so emotionally compromised by your whole lying boyfriend ordeal, I don't think I can handle it."
Despite everything, you can't help but laugh. "Speaking of the party, I still haven't decided what I'm going to wear… I'd better get on that before it's too late."
"Oh!" Addison sits bolt upright, swinging her body around to face you. "Actually, if you'd do me the honor of wearing an ADDI original to the event tomorrow, I may have just the thing."
She runs to a rack in the corner of her room, pulling off a long, flowing dress made up of pastel blues and greens.
"It's from my latest collection, unreleased as of yet, but I can't imagine better promotion than the leading lady of this year's biggest romantic blockbuster wearing it to the premiere of her movie." Addison pushes it into your hands. "So if you like it, go right ahead. It's yours. And I just so happen to have the perfect necklace to go with it, if you're so inclined."
You hold up the beautiful dress, already knowing that the cut of it would look amazing on you, and you grin at Addison.
"I am so, so inclined. Thanks so much, Addison, this is amazing! I'll make sure to plug your upcoming collection for all I'm worth as soon as anyone so much as mentions my outfit."
"So, how about a little fashion show, just to make sure everything goes smoothly tomorrow?" She's already rifling through her jewelry, looking for that aforementioned perfect necklace.
You model the clothes for her, tweaking the look until it's just right until you finally notice the time.
"Ugh, it's getting late… I really don't want to go home." You bury your face in your hands. "I could hardly sleep last night, and I really don't want another repeat of that tonight. Not even all the makeup in the world would be able to hide the bags under my eyes if that happens."
"You can always stay here," Addison offers. "Just for tonight, though. I'm not going to let you get away with hiding from all your problems, hoping they'll disappear. And make sure you let him know where you'll be. I don't even want to think about what'll happen if he thinks you've suddenly run off."
You perk up a little at that. She's right, you shouldn't avoid Hunt, but just for tonight, just so you can relax the night before your big premiere…
"Thanks, Addison. I will. Also, have I ever mentioned that I don't know what I'd do without you?"
She primly takes a sip of water. "You may have a few times. Let's not find out, by the way."
You take another look at yourself in the mirror. Even if you say so yourself, you're looking pretty good. With your star on the rise, your own production company and several successful projects under your belt, you can't help but wonder if maybe all that isn't enough for Hunt. It's a depressing thought. Marianne is pretty much perfect, albeit she is also basically a female variation of Hunt which means she's overly critical. Compared to her, are you still too immature for him? You know you can be a little rash, and your youth is apparent in everything about you. Some may consider that a good quality, but with as distinguished as Hunt is, maybe he considers it a flaw…
You try to push your doubts away and enjoy hanging out with Addison, but no matter how pointedly you ignore them, they continue to lurk in the dark corners of your mind, never quite fully dissipating.
It's not your first red carpet event, but it's the first one for a movie you've had a leading role in, and it definitely has the biggest budget for something you've attended since Chris' Renegade Ranger film. You know you shouldn't be surprised to see just how many of his fans are here, clamoring for a look at him from behind ropes and legions of security guards, but it's always a little overwhelming.
You and Chris are blinded by flashbulbs and bombarded with questions from the press as soon as you hit the red carpet, and as expected, it takes less than a minute for someone to bring up the fact that neither of you have brought dates, and the rumors about the two of you rekindling your relationship.
"No, no, there's nothing between us," you reply with a natural sounding laugh. "It's just a coincidence. My significant other had work that he just couldn't get away from. You know how it is. I don't know why Chris didn't bring anyone. Too many options to choose from, I guess."
Chris laughs, and you can tell it's genuine. "Hey now, you'll stir up even weirder rumors if you keep that kind of talk up. I just don't have anyone special right now, that's all."
You manage to steer the questions onto the topic of your dress, and begin talking up Addison's line, before the reporters finally begin asking questions about the actual movie. It's all over in a blur, and before long you're being ushered into the theatre to introduce the movie.
"It was a privilege starring in my first major production with someone as talented and as experienced as Chris Winters," you tell the hushed audience. "Acting is my true passion, and that's what this movie is about; pursuing your true passion no matter what. I hope that it inspires you."
You step down to let Chris speak, and once he's finished, the lights go down and the movie begins to roll. It's still bizarre, seeing your face, huge up there on the screen while your own voice rolls around the theatre.
The audience seems to be responding well, laughing in the right places and crying during the emotional scene. Someone actually lets out a small scream when it looks like your character is going to flub a move during a routine in the final climatic event at the Olympics. It ends with a standing ovation and you and Chris take the stage again, along with the supporting cast, soaking up the applause.
It's almost enough to make you forget about the situation with Hunt… almost. But you're pretty sure the open bar at the after party will help with the rest of that.
If you'd thought the wrap party had been a lavish affair, the after party for the premiere blows it out of the water. The entire cast and crew, plus a few lucky media outlets are in attendance. Mostly you just chat with the friends you made on set, stuff yourself with food, and take advantage of the champagne that's flowing like water. You do your best to avoid any journalists, which isn't too hard given that several celebrities with names much bigger than yours are in attendance, but as luck would have it one manages to catch you just after the party hits its peak, but before things start to wind down.
"You said on the red carpet today that your significant other, Thomas Hunt, couldn't make it today because of work-related demands. Could it be that he has another major project in the works after your success on Centaurus Lost?"
You immediately force your face to keep from falling, plastering a smile on. The journalist is a fresh-faced young woman, not that much older than yourself, and you can tell that she means no harm.
"Oh… I don't think that's for me to say…" you try to deflect the question. "He would never forgive me if I gave away his secrets before he's ready."
You force a laughing, hoping it doesn't sound as hollow as it feels. You don't want to talk about him. Not right now. After a certain stage, you've always been a bit of a sad drunk, and talking about Hunt right now kind of makes you feel like you're going to burst into tears.
The reporter begins to ask you something else, but you cut her off.
"I would love to continue this conversation, but I think I've had a bit too much champagne and I really need to use the bathroom," you tell her, flashing an embarrassed smile. "Would you mind if I excused myself?"
You don't wait for a response, placing your glass on a table and dashing of in the direction of the restrooms. Inside, you lean against the row of sinks, trying to get a hold of yourself. Your head is kind of pounding, and it's nothing to do with alcohol. You could really do with some fresh air right now.
You poke your head out of the door and when it doesn't seem like anyone's looking, you duck out through some ornate double doors onto a balcony, and lean against the railing. You're 10 floors up, and the sounds of cars and voices from below are faint.
"How am I supposed to make it through this…" you mutter to yourself.
The doors click open behind you and you're so surprised you almost go keeling over the railing. You whirl around, seeing Chris standing there, hands up.
"Sorry. Did I startle you?" He joins you, looking out over the city. "Saw you come out here alone after that reporter nabbed you. Something she said bothering you? You know we can have anyone whose overstepped any boundaries be asked to leave. Their papers won't make a fuss if they want to be invited to attend an event like this again."
You shake your head. "No, no… she was perfectly polite. She accidentally hit a sore spot."
Chris looks at you, concern etched into his face. "Hunt? I know I said I wasn't going to pry, and I guess I shouldn't given our history, but… I dunno. You're not acting like yourself. I'm worried. Are you going to be okay?"
You stare back at him. Even after all that happened, even after you broke it off with him, Chris had continued to pine after you without getting involved with anyone else. You can't help but wonder again if you made a terrible mistake ending things with him. With Hunt, you can't help but worry whether you're good enough for him. Somehow, with Chris, that worry has never crossed your mind.
You place your hand over his atop the railing, and he looks at you in shock.
"What?" Despite being an accomplished actor with some legendary adlibs, he seems lost for words.
"I think he's cheating on me," you say, and you can't help the tears welling in your eyes. "He says he isn't, he said to wait and he'll explain but I just feel so… I feel so unwanted. Am I not good enough?" You grip his hand tighter and Chris looks torn.
"That's, uh… that's a lot to take in, all of a sudden. Cheating? Thomas Hunt?" Chris swallows, looking down at where your hands are overlaying. "Look, I don't know what's happening with him. But what I can say is, you'll never be unwanted. You're amazing. You know how badly I wanted you. Still want… well."
You look at him pleadingly, desperate to feel a sense of validation, moving closer until you can feel the heat from his body.
"I'm worried I made a mistake, ending things with you. If it was you, you'd never…" You trail off.
Chris bites his lip. "I don't think… I don't think this is a good idea. You've been drinking. You're not thinking straight. And I'm trying to move on… so unless you're planning on breaking up with Hunt, then…"
You take a deep breath, then pull your hand from his, staring down at the ground in shame.
"You're right. I'm sorry, Chris. This isn't fair to you."
"No, it's okay," he assures you. "Why don't you give me the lowdown on the situation and I'll see if I can help."
You feel a rush of gratitude.
"Okay. I'll try to give you the short version of events." You give Chris a brief summary, leaving out Marianne's name. "Then when I confronted him, he told me it wasn't what it looked like and asked me to wait for him a little longer."
Chris looks thoughtful. "And you said you'd wait?"
You nod. "Yes… but it's so stressful. I don't know how long I'm going to have to wait and it's eating at me."
He looks at you, a little forlornly, and you realize it must be taking a great deal of effort for him to give relationship advice to the girl he'd had his heart set on for so long.
"Okay. If it's the not knowing that's bothering you, I think I have something that'll help. Ask him to give you a definite date that he's going to clear everything up by. If he doesn't keep his word, then walk out. Even if it's some big project he has to keep under wraps, if he's serious about this, then I'm sure he'll choose to tell you instead of letting you go."
You think about that. Hunt doesn't seem like he'd be a fan of ultimatums, but on the other hand, this is your mental wellbeing at stake. He'd have to understand. There could be some wisdom behind Chris' words.
"I'll… I'll try that," you say hesitantly. "Thanks, Chris. And sorry about…"
"Don't let it bother you," he says quickly. "We all do stupid stuff in moments of weakness. I'd know better than anyone."
That finally gets a smile out of you. "We'd better get back to that party. It wouldn't do to have the two leads go missing."
"Shall we then?" Chris offers you his arm and leads you back into the fray.
Hunt looks a little disheveled when you get home, although you suppose you don't look that much better yourself. He looks up sharply when he hears you walk in, though he doesn't stand up from the dining table.
"Thomas," you greet him.
For once, he looks a little lost for words. "You came home today."
You nod. "Yeah… I thought we needed to talk." You seat yourself in a chair next to him. "Look, I know I said I'd wait for you until you were ready to…"
"It was unfair of me to ask you to do so," he interrupts. "I'm sorry. When you didn't come home last night, I… ended up fairing the worst. I worried maybe you thought I deserved a taste of my own medicine, wanted to see how I liked it if you said you were with Addison, but were with… someone else."
He actually looks ashamed. You suppose that's an improvement.
"Thomas… can you at least tell me when you'll be able to let me know what's going on? I… I nearly did something very stupid with Chris tonight. I didn't in the end, but…"
Hunt looks hurt, but he doesn't seek any details. "I suppose I deserved that. I'm glad you didn't actually…" He trails off, clearly not wanting to voice the idea. "Anyway. I want to make this up to you. Let me take you on a date tomorrow, and I'll come clean with you by the end of the day."
You look at him in surprise. "That's… sooner than I thought."
He gives you a half-smile. "It's sooner than I thought too, but like I said. It was unfair to ask you to wait. I spent all of today getting everything in order."
"Is that why you look like you only just managed to survive a hurricane?" You ask with a raised eyebrow.
He glares at you. "Very funny. I had better things to do than maintain my meticulous appearance today."
"For once," you say before you can stop yourself.
Hunt's eyes narrow, but then his mouth suddenly curves up and he starts to laugh; it's a tired, tired laugh, but it's full of relief.
"Of all the things I missed about you, I didn't realize one of them would be your attitude."
For some reason, the comment makes your weary heart feel a little refreshed.
"It is my best feature," you say.
Hunt shakes his head, but reaches over the table to take your hand in his. You don't pull away.