Thanks for your patience. For the next three chapters, the posting schedule will be back on track. We will see what I get done with NaNoWriMo to determine the rest.

Thank you, as always, to Team Harpy.

Chapter 15

Bella

"How's your steak?"

At Paul's question, I realize I'm shuffling the food around on my plate, so I smile, then take a bite. "It's good. I'm just not that hungry. I snacked a lot today."

"Pizza and French fries?" he guesses.

"Something like that." We've been out a couple of nights since he started, and it's been nice catching up outside of work. Honestly, it's just nice being out, period.

He sits back and does that thing he's always done when he's trying to figure me out—regards me very intently as if the answer is just going to jump out at him. It's slightly annoying.

"Just ask whatever it is you want to ask," I say, jumping to the point.

"Is he just your friend or is there something else going on?" We both know who the he is in his question.

"Is there a particular reason you feel the need to know?"

"He looks at you like you're something to eat. I don't like it." I bark out a laugh. "What? It's weird, Bella."

"He's married."

"So you keep saying. Is that to remind me or yourself?"

I throw back my head in aggravation. Why can't everyone let this go? I look back at him and meet his eyes. "I don't need reminding. I'm fully aware that Edward, my friend from fifteen years ago, is married. It's everyone else who keeps forgetting."

"He's the main offender, or so I hear."

"I'm not doing this with you, tonight or ever. I want to enjoy our evening before we return for an eighteen-hour day on set tomorrow. Can we do that? Please?"

He looks like he has more to say, but he politely nods and asks if I want dessert.

"Have you met me?"

He laughs a little and loosens up for the rest of the night. There are some paparazzi outside the restaurant when we leave, and they snap a couple pictures. They're respectful, so I let them. I even give them a smile. It's the ones who will knock you down for a good shot I'd like to see crash and burn.

There's also a few younger fans, and they don't really recognize Paul as his episode hasn't aired yet, so he dutifully takes the obligatory photo and waits patiently for me to sign a few items before the valet brings his car, and I wave goodbye as we leave.

"Does that ever get exhausting?" he asks.

"No, not really. At least, not yet. I worked so hard for this moment to arrive, and now that it has, I have no problem taking the good with the … I don't want to say bad because the fans are why I have a job, but it can be overwhelming at times. It's just I can't do the most mundane things without an audience, and that can be irritating, but mostly, it's fun. The fans, that is. The paparazzi are usually blood-sucking vultures looking for their next payday."

"And have they hit paydirt on you yet?"

"I give them nothing to write about other than what I wore before I had a stylist." I laugh. "Surely, you've been the source of entertainment before."

"I mean, I have a career and people usually recognize me, but they can't pinpoint how. I haven't reached the success you have."

"Yet."

He smiles at me. "Yet. I was really excited to get this role."

"I'm really glad you did."

He grabs for my hand, and I don't pull away as he drives toward my hotel. Paul is a great guy, and I could see myself dating him, so why not? I am single, after all.

So, I ask him to come up when we arrive but make it clear it's just for coffee and conversation. Netflix and Chill and Chickin' and Dickin' are off the table. I'm no prude, by any means, but I am discriminating with my body. My penthouse suite has a small balcony, so we take our coffee out there. It's getting warmer, but I still burrow under the fleece throw I have outside on my chair.

"Nice digs," he remarks.

"It was between this one and the one across the hall. This one has an incredible view."

"It sure does."

I sense him looking at me, but something keeps me from engaging. I don't know if it's fear or something else I don't feel like analyzing right now.

"Did I tell you my mother said hi?" He changes the subject, and I admire his ability to "read the room".

"No, you didn't. How is she?"

"Good. It was rough going for a couple of years after my dad died, but she moved out of the big empty house and into a condo where she has loads of friends. She makes them watch Olympic Med every Thursday night with the picture of the two of you I took years ago predominantly displayed on her mantel. They're all very jealous that she knows you."

"That's so sweet. You should call her one day during our downtime so we can chat."

"She'd like that; thank you. So," he began, drawing out the word, "I have a question." At my obvious facial expression, he hastens to add, "About the show."

"You know there's a lot I don't know or can't say, but I'll answer if I can."

"I don't hold out much hope that I'll end up as a regular, but do you think Maggie and Liam are endgame?"

"Hmmm, I haven't really thought that far ahead. I don't see how they would be with the obvious roadblocks to the storyline, namely Irina and now Embry. But you have to remember there was no Liam until last fall. It's astounding how popular his character is. If you would've asked me last year, I would've said Maggie and Riley. With each episode, opinions change, so from a professional standpoint, I don't really know."

"And your personal opinion?"

"I'd like to see Maggie with someone who didn't lie to her, who didn't lead her on, who wasn't entangled. Maggie deserves better than waiting for Liam to come to his senses. She deserves someone available and ready to commit."

"Someone like Embry?"

"Well, yeah. But I have no say over the script, you know that, right?"

"I'm not angling for a recurring role, Bella. Well, not on Olympic Med anyway."

I look at him in obvious confusion.

"You'll get it eventually," is all he says.

We talk a little more before he looks at his watch. "It's getting pretty late. I should go."

I glance back at the clock in my living room and am startled to see it's after midnight. I get up and stretch before giving him a gentle hug. "Thanks for tonight. It was good to get out."

He smiles and nods before moving to kiss my cheek. "We should definitely do it again soon before I go poof," he teases.

"Meh, I'm sure you have until at least the finale before they kill you off." I wink. He laughs and lets me lead him to the door. He lingers just a bit, and I think he might try to kiss me, but as if sensing my internal panicking, he just grins and walks away.

And it isn't until I'm almost asleep that I get what he meant during our conversation about Maggie and Liam.

"He wasn't talking about them at all," I whisper.

Edward

Surprisingly, Jess wasn't that upset last night. We had a nice dinner and went to bed. She's up before me this morning, which is slightly unusual, but I shrug it off and hop into the shower. I'm dressed and ready to head to work in half an hour. Still no sign of Jess. I decide she must have an early job and grab my jacket, grateful that warmer temps are coming.

Jess bursts through the door, two brown grocery sacks in her arms, startling me.

"Oh, you're leaving already?" She frowns. "I tried to hurry, but there was a line at Blazing Bagels. Can you stay for breakfast?"

"Uh … yeah, sure."

"Great! I just need to run to the bathroom really quickly." She chucks the bigger bag at me, then darts off.

I unpack the bag and decide to wait for her before I start eating. I check my watch. I can be an hour late. I have nothing pressing this morning.

She returns a few minutes later and sits down perpendicular to me. I start to eat but stop when I see her watching me expectantly. I chew and swallow.

"Thank you for breakfast. It's great."

"You're welcome." She hesitates. "I need to say a few things, if that's all right."

I look at her curiously as she seems uncertain, which is not a Jessica trait. "What's up?"

"So, I know I've been an insecure bitch lately," she starts.

I incredulously chuckle, then cover it with a cough. "Sorry," I say as I clear my throat. "You were saying?"

"It's been just you and me for so long that I was never prepared for a woman from your past to show up, and I haven't been dealing with it very well. And I'm sorry. I realized last night you're not your true self around me, and I feel that's my fault."

"It's my fault too," I admit. "I also wasn't prepared for her to resurface. But I need to reiterate this to you. None of this is Bella's fault. I could have been more forthcoming, and you could have been less intimidated. This is on us, and it is our responsibility to make this marriage work, not hers."

"I think I see that now, and I'm more at ease now that she's dating Paul. I can see now that she's just your friend, and I'll sincerely apologize to her as well."

I want to ask where she heard that but refrain for … reasons. She hugs me, and I hug her back, wishing I was breathing in Chanel No. 5 instead of Ralph Lauren.

And that is all on me.

"So, word has it you're dating Paul," I nonchalantly mention as we eat some frozen yogurt, waiting for our call time.

She swallows slowly, taking her time in answering. "Where did you hear that?" She's deflecting.

"Jess," I admit sheepishly.

Her pointed look isn't lost on me.

"We've been out a couple times, but I wouldn't say we're dating," she finally answers.

"Would he say that?"

"No, probably not." She sighs. "He's nice, and he's attractive. And he's …"

"Boring."

"Edward," she admonishes.

"I'm sorry, but you could do a lot better."

"I could do a lot worse as well." She takes another spoonful of her dessert.

"What's he got that I don't?" I tease.

"It's what he hasn't got that's appealing." Her tone is purposefully light, her statement deafening.

"Speaking of Jess, she's looking for you," I tell her, changing the subject. This conversation topic will go nowhere fast.

"What now?"

"She wants to apologize for her behavior."

"Again? Just tell her I accept. No need for a conversation."

"I'd like you two to get along."

"You're certifiable, you know that? We have nothing in common."

"You have me." I shoot her my now famous crooked smile.

"That's not enough." She gets up and throws her empty cup away.

I guess the conversation is over.

We remain quiet until it's showtime, and then we run through our scene once before the cameras roll.

"Action!'

In this scene, Maggie and Liam are in the elevator again, and she's laughing about the bad sex with his wife she was accidently informed about. It's a lighthearted moment that I'm happy about as everyone is so very heavy lately.

We get it in four takes, and that's a wrap and the end of our day. I spot Jessica the same time Bella does, and she does her best to avoid her, but my wife is the definition of a bulldozer and won't be swayed.

She does approach her hesitantly though. "Bella?"

To Bella's credit, she smiles patiently at her, even though I know she wants to be anywhere else at the moment. "Jessica. How may I help you?"

"I wanted to apologize."

"Again?"

"Sincerely this time. I've been a jealous shrew, and I hope you can forgive me."

"Nothing to forgive. It's water under the bridge or whatever."

"I can make it up to you. You and Paul should come over for dinner."

I try to keep my eyes from bulging out of my skull. Bella looks horrified.

"That would be weird."

"Why?"

"Not even two days ago, you were thinking I was sleeping with Edward, and now you want to break bread? How do you not think it's weird?"

"Well, when you put it that way …"

"Let's just move on. I'm just trying to make it through this season, and then rest for three months."

"Big plans with Paul?"

Bella looks at her as if she's a puzzle to solve, then I swear I see the lightbulb appear over her head.

"I don't know yet," she responds slowly.

"Edward and I are going to Paris! It will be so romantic."

"Paris, huh? I hope you both have a great time." She makes a show of checking her watch. "I have to get ready for dinner, but I'll see you around."

"With Paul?"

"Yes, with Paul." Bella's eyes shoot to me, and it's then I realize what she already has. Jess is only being so gracious because she thinks Bella is with Paul.

"Have a great time, and yes, I'll be seeing you." Jessica smiles brightly at Bella as Bella scurries away.

"What are we doing for dinner, babe?"

I shake myself out of my less than kind thoughts and force a smile.

"Whatever you want, Jess. Whatever you want."

The more that you say

The less I know

Wherever you stray

I follow

I'm begging for you to take my hand

Wreck my plans

That's my man

You know that my train could take you home

Anywhere else is hollow

I'm begging for you to take my hand

Wreck my plans

That's my man- Willow, Taylor Swift