"Explain what?" Jamie yelled back, turning his entire body to face her. She quickly stopped, close to running into him and he continued, "Explain how you're in a secret-- doomed-- relationship with a guy that's both seven years older than you and your producer?"
Jude glanced around to see the stage crew and EJ staring at her. She crossed her arms over her chest nervously. "Jamie, please," she whispered. "You're my best friend…"
Stiffening, Jamie held his head up with a sudden realization. "And that's all I'll ever be."
"Jamie," Jude called after him as he turned away.
Stopping, Jamie said simply, "The Jude Harrison I grew up next to-- The Jude Harrison that would talk to be about anything and everything-- The Jude Harrison that used to be my best friend-- The Jude Harrison that I loved… She's gone." He took a few steps away, but shook his head downwards in disappoint with himself. "I want to be friends with the new Jude… It'll just take some time and some adjustment… I'd rather have slightly-altered-Jude, than no Jude at all."
Jude watched Jamie walk away with his head hung low. She looked around the room again, and all the staring eyes quickly turned away. All she could do at that point was sigh.
"Is it true?" EJ questioned as she approached Jude. "You and Tommy?"
Walking into the conversation, Tommy placed a hand on the small of Jude's back, causing her to turn around and look at him. He smiles at her and answered, "Yeah."
EJ's face lit up. "This is great! You two will be on the front cover of every magazine or my name isn't E--"
"No, EJ," Jude interrupted. She glanced back at a confused Tommy. She had her own reasons. "No big announcement, but no hiding. People will find out… When the find out."
Nodding, EJ added, "Stars need their privacy too." With a little bit of bitterness, she also stated, "No matter what great publicity they'd get."
As EJ left the two alone, Tommy took Jude into his arms and spun her around. "Is Jamie okay?" he asked.
"He's pretty hurt and he needs time," Jude replied simply.
Shyly, Tommy asked, "Are you okay?"
Jude smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "For now."