The next day was Friday and Ephram was working in the mixing room with a director when Ephram's assistant, Rachel, came in.

"Excuse me. Sorry to bother, but, Ephram, someone's here that needs to speak to you."

Ephram turned around and asked, "Tell the person to wait a few minutes, we're putting the finishing touches on this song."

Rachel nodded and then left. Ephram went back to mixing and ten minutes later emerged from the room with a huge smile on his face and walked to his office to see who was waiting on him. Just before he got to his office, he could see a longhaired blonde sitting in the chair in front of his desk. Ephram stopped and took a deep breath and then continued into his office.

"Sorry. I was putting the finishing touches on a new song."

Madison turned around when she heard his voice, "That's okay. I was over here for a meeting with Gene."

Ephram closed the door and went and sat down at his desk.

"So what are you doing here?" Ephram asked trying not to sound mean.

Madison pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and handed it to Ephram. "Directions to Jimmy's house. I thought you might need them to pick Jake up tomorrow afternoon."

"Thanks."

Madison just smiled at Ephram and Ephram smiled back.

"Is there something else that you wanted to discuss with me?" Ephram asked curiously.

"Why?" Madison questioned back.

"Why what?" Ephram replied not knowing what she was asking.

"Why did you settle yesterday?"

"I didn't settle. I just thought that... that it would be easier for Jake in the long run." Ephram avoided eye contact with Madison.

"That's not why you settled."

"Then tell me why I settled, Madison, because obviously you know why I did."

"Come one now. You're sad. I can see it. What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on. I'm fine."

"Come on, talk to me, Ephram. We've got to get over this – for Jake's sake and ours."

"I'm over it. Can't you tell? We're actually talking in the same room without attorneys present."

That comment made Madison crack a smile. "That's true."

"See I even made you smile instead of turn beet red from anger."

"I don't turn beet red when I'm angry."

"That's because you can't see yourself when you're yelling at me."

"Fair enough." There was a period of silence where they just looked at one another and smiled. "So..." Madison said starting to feel uncomfortable.

"So?"

"How about we go grab a drink? Happy hour's started."

"Uhhh, I don't." Ephram was trying to wiggle his way out of going for drinks.

"Come on, it's 4:30pm and Jake's spending the night at Jimmy's."

"I'm not sure, if I'm ready for us to be friends." Ephram kept trying to find excuses, but Madison was persistent.

"Ephram, it's just a drink or two. I was thinking it'd be a nice thank you for ending the craziness that's been going on between us for the past few months."

"Look, I sorta already had plans since Jake was spending the night."

Madison looked disappointed and Ephram noticed it, "Oh, I understand. Maybe some other time?" She got up from her chair and was about to walk toward the door.

Ephram got a crazy idea in his head. He was going to do it. He was going to take the step. "You want to go with me?" He did it; he asked, he thought.

"Oh, I don't know, I don't want to intrude on your plans."

"How about I pick you up in an hour? And pack an overnight bag."

"Excuse me." Madison was stunned. She was thinking what did Ephram mean.

"In or out?"

"Where are we going?"

"Vegas."

"Vegas?"

'Yeah. Sin City. Gambling. Celine Dion."

"What if something happens and Jake needs us?"

"I'll call Jimmy's mom and tell her to call my cell if there's an emergency and I'll put Mindy on alert."

"What about picking Jake up tomorrow?"

"We'll be back in plenty of time. We'll get there by 10. Gamble until morning. Take a short nap, leave by 9 and be back in plenty of time to pick Jake up by 2. So what do ya say?"

Madison was taken aback by Ephram's supposedly thought out plan. She remained silent.

"It's a simple yes or no. There's no need to get a congressional vote on it." Ephram said as he turned his computer off.

"Ummm...." Madison was weighing all the options in her head. Why did he all of a sudden ask me to go? What is he thinking? Is this just a ploy of his? "I'm not sure."

"Look, we'll get separate rooms if that's what you're hesitant about?"

"Oh, no. No. That's not it. It's just... It's just... well, I haven't. I haven't been out of town since Jake's been born."

"Well, if it makes you uncomfortable, then don't go. I was just looking for someone to go with so I wouldn't be by myself."

"Yeah, it's just that this is just so spur of the moment."

"What's wrong with that? Live a little."

Madison just looked at him. Ephram walked toward the door.

"Look, meet me at my apartment in an hour if you want to go. I'm not gonna beg you to go. I gotta go talk to Gene for a minute before I leave."

Ephram took off towards Gene's office leaving Madison there to decide. As soon as Ephram was out of sight, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Mindy to ask for advice.


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