Again... "These" mean people talking.
~This~ means an inaudible thought.
***These*** mean new scene location or my description of a setting.
*This* means something emphatically or expressively stated.
Please review. But be nice. I'm a gentle soul. ************************************************************************
***One week has passed since chapter 1.***
***Penny walks up to Jake.***
"Here you go."
"What's this?"
"A message."
"Uh..."
~She walks out of my office before I can respond~ "Penny?"
"Yeah, Jake?"
***She keeps walking.***
"Since when do you take messages?"
"Since now. Um, I'm gonna need to take tomorrow off."
"You sick?"
"No."
"Vacation?"
"No."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. So, is it okay?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
***She goes to walk away, but he has more to say.***
"If you tell me why."
"I just won't show up, then."
"Fine. But if something were wrong, you would tell me?"
"Jake, it's none of your business."
"I can keep a secret."
"That's not the point."
"Penny, I'm your boss. I can't just give you the day for no reason."
"There's a reason."
"Tell me, then."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Jake!"
"Fine. You can have the day off."
"Thank you."
***Penny walks away. Dylan approaches about a minute later.***
"Did you decide where to go for that lunch meeting tomorrow?"
"What lunch meeting?"
"The one with that executive from the station. The one you begged me to go to with you. Jake, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Uh, the Italian place is good."
"For lunch? Isn't it kind of dark in there? I was thinking that little café down the street might be nice. Lot's of light. Seating outdoors. What do you think?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
"Great."
***He suddenly looks at her seriously.***
"Dylan..."
***She looks at him waiting for a continuation, which he doesn't give.***
"Nothing. Never mind."
***She ignores this and decides she'll say something instead.***
"Tonight, though..."
"Huh?"
"We can go to the Italian place tonight."
"Well, if you don't like it-"
"No. It's just that I don't think it's good for a lunch meeting. It'll be perfect for us. Dark. Intimate. Sexy."
"I'll call for a reservation."
***Frank walks in.*** "Jake, need you out here!"
***Jake looks at Dylan.*** "I'll call when I'm done here."
"Jake, you have an assistant."
"Dylan..."
"Right. I'm sorry. I just don't see what the point of having an assistant is if you're too scared to ask her to assist you."
"That's not it. I can't ask her to do something like that for me. I promised her."
"You promised her?"
"Yes, I did. Dylan, I'm not going to keep doing that to her."
"Why did we come back, Jake?"
"Now isn't a good time for this."
***She turns around and shuts the door of his office.*** "It'll have to be. Jake... "
"You know why I came. I came back because I thought it was the best thing to do. That's all."
"That's not an answer."
"It'll have to be."
"Jake."
"Dylan, I have to tell you. You're acting-"
"I'm acting, what?"
"A little... jealous."
"And I shouldn't be?"
"No."
"So I'm just imagining this, then?"
"Imagining what?"
"Your new obsession with keeping Penny happy. Wasn't it you the other night who told me to just leave her alone and stay out of her way? Why would you say that to me? And why are you making promises to another woman, anyway?"
"I think it's only fair."
"Jake, I can't help having a problem with your friendship with her. Especially now. You were five seconds away from telling her she was the one. You chose Penny. Then you see her kissing another guy and suddenly I'm the one? You're not very good at making up your mind. I need to know that you're committed to this. To us. I don't want to get hurt. And I don't want to be played with."
"Dylan, I moved here for you. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. You're the one. I just... I owe her."
"I understand. I just can't help feeling this way."
"I know. You don't have to worry. You're the one I want." ***He grabs her arms and stands face to face with her.*** "You're the one I want."
"I believe you. That's all I needed to hear. I should get going. Are we still going to dinner?"
"I'll call right now. I love you."
"I love you too."
***Penny walks by seconds after Dylan has gone. Jake sees her.***
"Penny?"
"Mm-hmm?"
"Were you looking for me?"
"Why would I be? I was sitting right there. I would've noticed if you'd gone anywhere."
"I mean, 'did you need me for something?' "
~I know what you meant, moron.~ "No. Uh, Frank does."
"Oh, right. I forgot. Do you know what he wants."
"I don't know what anyone wants."
"What?"
"No, I don't know what he wants. I think it's something about one of his raccoons getting loose or something."
"Thanks, anyway."
"Sure."
***Jake sits at his desk with the door open.*** ~Penny, is not okay. She isn't even making jokes or poking fun. She told me she loved me, and I chose a woman who had never even given me the time of day up to that point. I betrayed her friendship. What have I done? What have I done to Penny? What- ~
"Jake?"
"Dylan."
"Did you call? Is there a table available?"
"Uh, no. I was just about to."
"Oh. It's just that when I left you said you'd call then and. it's usually pretty booked. They might not even have-"
"I'll call. I'll do whatever it takes. We will have a table there tonight."
"Okay."
------Dylan------ ~I could call. But, why should I? Jake said he'd call. He's acting strange. I don't- ~
***She sees Penny.*** "Penny?!"
"Dylan?"
"Can I talk to you?"
"No."
"Please. It'll only take a minute."
***Penny stands there.***
"Do you know what's going on with Jake?"
"Why are you asking me? *You're* sleeping with him."
"I'm seeing him. I'm not just sleeping with him. We're in relationship."
~Okay, rub it in, Barbie.~
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"What do you want to know? I don't know anything about the guy."
"He just seems a little preoccupied."
"Maybe it's because he's decided to be Super-Jake and make the show into something it's never been."
"Yeah, you're right. That's probably it. Thanks."
***Penny walks away without saying anything else.***
*****Next day. Afternoon. Jake and Dylan sit waiting for the executive. Jake stares at every person who walks into the café.*****
"I thought more people would choose the outdoor seating on a day like today." ~Where is this guy?~
"Maybe they're all here for meetings. Too much wind today. Papers flying. That's generally not a good thing."
***He's too preoccupied to catch her failed attempt at being clever. She's too preoccupied with his being preoccupied to have actually been clever.***
"Jake?" "Jake?!"
"Hmm?"
"Everything's going to be fine. This is just a formality, right?"
"He's late. Why is he late? If they were suddenly supporting the show, he wouldn't have the nerve to be late."
"Or he's in traffic."
"I-"
***Jake's cell phone rings.*** "Hello? Yes. Really? That's... yeah. Okay. Sure, no problem. All right. Thank you for calling."
"Who was that?"
"The exec."
"What did he say?"
"He's not coming."
"What does that mean for the show?"
"They want to cancel. We've got two weeks to turn this thing around."
"Two weeks? That-"
"Should've never gone to New York. I should have never moved to Miami in the first place."
"Jake..."
"I'm sorry. Just... my life was a lot simpler before any of this."
"And it's complicated now?"
"I thought being with you would make it all make sense. But it hasn't."
"I don't have magical powers."
"Well, sometimes it feels like you do."
"Was that a compliment?"
"Yes, it was a compliment."
"Just checking."
"I never felt this way about anything until I met you. I-"
***He stops mid-thought and sees her. Sitting outside. She sees him too. Looks right at him, in fact.***
"Jake?"
"We should get going."
"We haven't eaten."
"We'll get something on the way."
"I'm hungry. We're already here. Why not-" ***She looks to where he was looking moments earlier.*** "Oh. Is that Penny?"
"With Gavin." ~Is that what she took the day for?~
"That's good for them. They should..." ***She trails off, deciding she doesn't really meant it.***
"Dylan, can we go?"
"I don't see why we should."
"Don't you think this is awkward?"
"No. Why would it be?"
"We're in here together. They're out there together..."
"Exactly. They're out there. We're in here. They probably don't even know we're here, Jake."
***Jake looks back towards Penny. She doesn't seem to be the slightest bit concerned about any of this.***
~Well, if she isn't moving, I'm not either.~ "You're right. We should stay. Um, go ahead and order. I have to go to the bathroom."
***Penny stands up.***
"Gavin, I'll be right back."
"Okay."
***She walks up to Jake. He's too busy staring at the wall, wondering what he's feeling, to notice.***
"Hi, Jake."
"Penny. Hi. What are you-"
"I'm having lunch. What does it look like?"
"With Gavin."
"Yeah, well, neither of us has very many friends. And we've got a lot to talk about considering..."
"What?"
"The only two people we've ever loved only love each other."
***That wasn't meant to be so poignant. Yet that's exactly how it hits both of them.***
"Penny, Dylan and I--we can go."
"You were here first. We can all stay. But, I'm pretty sure Gavin doesn't want to see Dylan right now, so... I just won't let him come in here."
***Jake nods.*** "So, is it a date?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't. He's just... not the guy for you."
"And what guy is? You suddenly an expert?"
"He's a drunk. He'll hurt you."
"Not more than you already have."
~I can't believe she's being that honest. Maybe I should be too. Maybe I should tell her that I *was* going to pick her. That I had thought maybe... That would just hurt her more. I almost loved you. Could I say that? No, what--~
"I'd better get back before he gets suspicious. Have a nice lunch, Jake."
"You too, Pen."
***She walks away.*** ***Jake sits back at the table.***
"You were gone a while. You okay?"
"Yeah. I was talking to Penny."
"Oh. You were?"
"She's here with Gavin."
"I know that, Jake."
"No, um, he doesn't know we're here. She doesn't think he should, so, we're just going to try to make sure he doesn't find out."
"He's a big boy."
"I know. But he's hurt. And apparently everyone feels the need to protect him. You always did."
"Does it bother you?"
"That you were protective of Gavin? It *did,* I guess."
"No. I mean, that Penny's being protective of him."
"Only because I don't want him to hurt her. You?"
"No. It doesn't bother me."
~I *know* she's telling the truth. I *don't know* if I am. Is that a problem? I know she wants to believe me. But should she?~
***Penny and Gavin's table.***
"Did you see her today?! She was all over him."
~This'll annoy him.~"Who?"
"Don't give me that. You know who. Dylan!"
"They're dating."
"She never did that when we were dating."
"Yes, she did."
"Well, it never made me sick, when we were dating."
"Made me sick."
"Very funny. I've gotta get her back. I can't take this. Do they even fight?!"
"Who knows? Don't waste your time trying to win her back. It isn't worth it. They're not worth it."
"Then why do I feel like she is?"
***Penny subtly looks past Gavin to Jake, then back.***
"I know the feeling."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"What, seeing them together? It did."
"You're telling me it doesn't anymore?"
"I'm telling you... They're not worth it. Whatever you feel, just forget it."
"I can't."
***She looks back towards Jake.*** "You have to."
Please review. But be nice. I'm a gentle soul. ************************************************************************
***One week has passed since chapter 1.***
***Penny walks up to Jake.***
"Here you go."
"What's this?"
"A message."
"Uh..."
~She walks out of my office before I can respond~ "Penny?"
"Yeah, Jake?"
***She keeps walking.***
"Since when do you take messages?"
"Since now. Um, I'm gonna need to take tomorrow off."
"You sick?"
"No."
"Vacation?"
"No."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. So, is it okay?"
"Sure."
"Thanks."
***She goes to walk away, but he has more to say.***
"If you tell me why."
"I just won't show up, then."
"Fine. But if something were wrong, you would tell me?"
"Jake, it's none of your business."
"I can keep a secret."
"That's not the point."
"Penny, I'm your boss. I can't just give you the day for no reason."
"There's a reason."
"Tell me, then."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Jake!"
"Fine. You can have the day off."
"Thank you."
***Penny walks away. Dylan approaches about a minute later.***
"Did you decide where to go for that lunch meeting tomorrow?"
"What lunch meeting?"
"The one with that executive from the station. The one you begged me to go to with you. Jake, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Uh, the Italian place is good."
"For lunch? Isn't it kind of dark in there? I was thinking that little café down the street might be nice. Lot's of light. Seating outdoors. What do you think?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
"Great."
***He suddenly looks at her seriously.***
"Dylan..."
***She looks at him waiting for a continuation, which he doesn't give.***
"Nothing. Never mind."
***She ignores this and decides she'll say something instead.***
"Tonight, though..."
"Huh?"
"We can go to the Italian place tonight."
"Well, if you don't like it-"
"No. It's just that I don't think it's good for a lunch meeting. It'll be perfect for us. Dark. Intimate. Sexy."
"I'll call for a reservation."
***Frank walks in.*** "Jake, need you out here!"
***Jake looks at Dylan.*** "I'll call when I'm done here."
"Jake, you have an assistant."
"Dylan..."
"Right. I'm sorry. I just don't see what the point of having an assistant is if you're too scared to ask her to assist you."
"That's not it. I can't ask her to do something like that for me. I promised her."
"You promised her?"
"Yes, I did. Dylan, I'm not going to keep doing that to her."
"Why did we come back, Jake?"
"Now isn't a good time for this."
***She turns around and shuts the door of his office.*** "It'll have to be. Jake... "
"You know why I came. I came back because I thought it was the best thing to do. That's all."
"That's not an answer."
"It'll have to be."
"Jake."
"Dylan, I have to tell you. You're acting-"
"I'm acting, what?"
"A little... jealous."
"And I shouldn't be?"
"No."
"So I'm just imagining this, then?"
"Imagining what?"
"Your new obsession with keeping Penny happy. Wasn't it you the other night who told me to just leave her alone and stay out of her way? Why would you say that to me? And why are you making promises to another woman, anyway?"
"I think it's only fair."
"Jake, I can't help having a problem with your friendship with her. Especially now. You were five seconds away from telling her she was the one. You chose Penny. Then you see her kissing another guy and suddenly I'm the one? You're not very good at making up your mind. I need to know that you're committed to this. To us. I don't want to get hurt. And I don't want to be played with."
"Dylan, I moved here for you. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. You're the one. I just... I owe her."
"I understand. I just can't help feeling this way."
"I know. You don't have to worry. You're the one I want." ***He grabs her arms and stands face to face with her.*** "You're the one I want."
"I believe you. That's all I needed to hear. I should get going. Are we still going to dinner?"
"I'll call right now. I love you."
"I love you too."
***Penny walks by seconds after Dylan has gone. Jake sees her.***
"Penny?"
"Mm-hmm?"
"Were you looking for me?"
"Why would I be? I was sitting right there. I would've noticed if you'd gone anywhere."
"I mean, 'did you need me for something?' "
~I know what you meant, moron.~ "No. Uh, Frank does."
"Oh, right. I forgot. Do you know what he wants."
"I don't know what anyone wants."
"What?"
"No, I don't know what he wants. I think it's something about one of his raccoons getting loose or something."
"Thanks, anyway."
"Sure."
***Jake sits at his desk with the door open.*** ~Penny, is not okay. She isn't even making jokes or poking fun. She told me she loved me, and I chose a woman who had never even given me the time of day up to that point. I betrayed her friendship. What have I done? What have I done to Penny? What- ~
"Jake?"
"Dylan."
"Did you call? Is there a table available?"
"Uh, no. I was just about to."
"Oh. It's just that when I left you said you'd call then and. it's usually pretty booked. They might not even have-"
"I'll call. I'll do whatever it takes. We will have a table there tonight."
"Okay."
------Dylan------ ~I could call. But, why should I? Jake said he'd call. He's acting strange. I don't- ~
***She sees Penny.*** "Penny?!"
"Dylan?"
"Can I talk to you?"
"No."
"Please. It'll only take a minute."
***Penny stands there.***
"Do you know what's going on with Jake?"
"Why are you asking me? *You're* sleeping with him."
"I'm seeing him. I'm not just sleeping with him. We're in relationship."
~Okay, rub it in, Barbie.~
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"
"What do you want to know? I don't know anything about the guy."
"He just seems a little preoccupied."
"Maybe it's because he's decided to be Super-Jake and make the show into something it's never been."
"Yeah, you're right. That's probably it. Thanks."
***Penny walks away without saying anything else.***
*****Next day. Afternoon. Jake and Dylan sit waiting for the executive. Jake stares at every person who walks into the café.*****
"I thought more people would choose the outdoor seating on a day like today." ~Where is this guy?~
"Maybe they're all here for meetings. Too much wind today. Papers flying. That's generally not a good thing."
***He's too preoccupied to catch her failed attempt at being clever. She's too preoccupied with his being preoccupied to have actually been clever.***
"Jake?" "Jake?!"
"Hmm?"
"Everything's going to be fine. This is just a formality, right?"
"He's late. Why is he late? If they were suddenly supporting the show, he wouldn't have the nerve to be late."
"Or he's in traffic."
"I-"
***Jake's cell phone rings.*** "Hello? Yes. Really? That's... yeah. Okay. Sure, no problem. All right. Thank you for calling."
"Who was that?"
"The exec."
"What did he say?"
"He's not coming."
"What does that mean for the show?"
"They want to cancel. We've got two weeks to turn this thing around."
"Two weeks? That-"
"Should've never gone to New York. I should have never moved to Miami in the first place."
"Jake..."
"I'm sorry. Just... my life was a lot simpler before any of this."
"And it's complicated now?"
"I thought being with you would make it all make sense. But it hasn't."
"I don't have magical powers."
"Well, sometimes it feels like you do."
"Was that a compliment?"
"Yes, it was a compliment."
"Just checking."
"I never felt this way about anything until I met you. I-"
***He stops mid-thought and sees her. Sitting outside. She sees him too. Looks right at him, in fact.***
"Jake?"
"We should get going."
"We haven't eaten."
"We'll get something on the way."
"I'm hungry. We're already here. Why not-" ***She looks to where he was looking moments earlier.*** "Oh. Is that Penny?"
"With Gavin." ~Is that what she took the day for?~
"That's good for them. They should..." ***She trails off, deciding she doesn't really meant it.***
"Dylan, can we go?"
"I don't see why we should."
"Don't you think this is awkward?"
"No. Why would it be?"
"We're in here together. They're out there together..."
"Exactly. They're out there. We're in here. They probably don't even know we're here, Jake."
***Jake looks back towards Penny. She doesn't seem to be the slightest bit concerned about any of this.***
~Well, if she isn't moving, I'm not either.~ "You're right. We should stay. Um, go ahead and order. I have to go to the bathroom."
***Penny stands up.***
"Gavin, I'll be right back."
"Okay."
***She walks up to Jake. He's too busy staring at the wall, wondering what he's feeling, to notice.***
"Hi, Jake."
"Penny. Hi. What are you-"
"I'm having lunch. What does it look like?"
"With Gavin."
"Yeah, well, neither of us has very many friends. And we've got a lot to talk about considering..."
"What?"
"The only two people we've ever loved only love each other."
***That wasn't meant to be so poignant. Yet that's exactly how it hits both of them.***
"Penny, Dylan and I--we can go."
"You were here first. We can all stay. But, I'm pretty sure Gavin doesn't want to see Dylan right now, so... I just won't let him come in here."
***Jake nods.*** "So, is it a date?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't. He's just... not the guy for you."
"And what guy is? You suddenly an expert?"
"He's a drunk. He'll hurt you."
"Not more than you already have."
~I can't believe she's being that honest. Maybe I should be too. Maybe I should tell her that I *was* going to pick her. That I had thought maybe... That would just hurt her more. I almost loved you. Could I say that? No, what--~
"I'd better get back before he gets suspicious. Have a nice lunch, Jake."
"You too, Pen."
***She walks away.*** ***Jake sits back at the table.***
"You were gone a while. You okay?"
"Yeah. I was talking to Penny."
"Oh. You were?"
"She's here with Gavin."
"I know that, Jake."
"No, um, he doesn't know we're here. She doesn't think he should, so, we're just going to try to make sure he doesn't find out."
"He's a big boy."
"I know. But he's hurt. And apparently everyone feels the need to protect him. You always did."
"Does it bother you?"
"That you were protective of Gavin? It *did,* I guess."
"No. I mean, that Penny's being protective of him."
"Only because I don't want him to hurt her. You?"
"No. It doesn't bother me."
~I *know* she's telling the truth. I *don't know* if I am. Is that a problem? I know she wants to believe me. But should she?~
***Penny and Gavin's table.***
"Did you see her today?! She was all over him."
~This'll annoy him.~"Who?"
"Don't give me that. You know who. Dylan!"
"They're dating."
"She never did that when we were dating."
"Yes, she did."
"Well, it never made me sick, when we were dating."
"Made me sick."
"Very funny. I've gotta get her back. I can't take this. Do they even fight?!"
"Who knows? Don't waste your time trying to win her back. It isn't worth it. They're not worth it."
"Then why do I feel like she is?"
***Penny subtly looks past Gavin to Jake, then back.***
"I know the feeling."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"What, seeing them together? It did."
"You're telling me it doesn't anymore?"
"I'm telling you... They're not worth it. Whatever you feel, just forget it."
"I can't."
***She looks back towards Jake.*** "You have to."
