Doubts creep in.

Marissa had a very busy morning at work. She knew it was made more difficult by the fact that she didn't seem to be able to go 2 minutes without thinking about Ryan. He was distracting even though he wasn't there.

When lunch came she got out her phone to call Summer and check if she had some time to join her and she realised she had a missed call. She thought about the fact that she had felt like a 15 year old school girl most of the day because all she had wanted to do was send Ryan text messages.

She couldn't wait to listen to the voicemail. Just to hear his voice. She called her mail box and retrieved her message "Yeah Riss it's me. Look I'm really sorry but I forgot I had a meeting this evening…. I'm not sure I was thinking straight on the weekend….I'm going to have to postpone dinner...Um... I'll talk to you later."

She played it again. What did he mean he wasn't thinking straight on the weekend? Did that mean he regretted it and if so exactly what did he regret? Spending time with her…. Sleeping with her…. Did he really have something on or was he just avoiding her? Like he did last week… He'd said that was work…But how did she really know? All her insecurities started to come to the surface. Where she had been starving before the call, now she wasn't interested in food. She sat in her dressing room going over everything in her mind.

She thought they had really connected on the weekend. But maybe it was all in her imagination. There's no doubt she had come back to LA hoping that they might get back together. But she had never imagined it would happen so soon or with such intensity. Hell they had probably made love as many times over the weekend as she had in her entire life up to now. But she couldn't get enough of him. It was like she'd be waiting for him and only him.

Had she scared him off? Maybe it was all moving too fast for him. He seemed to have been enjoying it just as much as she was. But maybe that's just a guy thing. Maybe they always enjoy it. It's not like she was playing hard to get…Hell…. Exactly the opposite was closer to the truth. Maybe he didn't like women that made the first move…. Although he hadn't put up much resistance….

She rubbed her forehead feeling a headache coming on. She picked up her phone again and called Summer.

"Hi."

"Hi. What's up?" Summer asked hearing the disappointment evident in Marissa's voice. "Bad day at work?"

"No. It's nothing."

"Coop. This is me. You know. The one that knows when you're lying."

"Hm."

"So…What is it? If it's not work then I'm guessing it has something to do with Chino?"

"Why would you think that?" Marissa asked.

"Because nothing or should I say no one, can pick you up and put you down like that boy." Summer explained.

"Yeah…I guess you right. It's just…"

"I'm waiting…."

"Sorry…I got a message from him to say that he had a meeting tonight and he had to postpone dinner."

"Coop. This isn't the end of the world. I know you probably don't realise it but he really is a very high powered businessman. And he didn't get that way by working 9 to 5. I think maybe you are over-reacting."

"Yeah…it's just …"

"Just what? There's obviously more to this… so… just out with it."

"Well he said, I think the words were 'I wasn't thinking straight on the weekend'. I mean what does that mean? Do you think he regrets what happened between us?"

"No I don't. From the look on his face and the fact that he couldn't take his eyes off you, I think he probably just meant he forgot the meeting because the pair of you were so busy bonking your brains out he couldn't think of anything else."

Marissa laughed. "Summer! I wouldn't put it that way."

"Well how would you put it?"

'Um" Marissa went quiet. She couldn't quite find the word to describe what went on between them but she was almost ashamed to admit Summer wasn't far off the mark.

"Yeah… Exactly…. My case rests. So will you please not over react until you at least have a chance to talk to him?"

"Yeah sorry….. So I guess I won't need a ride tonight after all. I can just go back to the hotel in the studio car with Jake."

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you?"

"No. It's out of your way. I'll be fine."

Summer sensed that Marissa still wasn't completely reassured so she said "Why don't you come home with me anyhow and have dinner with Seth and I?"

"Thanks…but I should probably just have an early night. I need the rest… as you've just reminded me. I did have a strenuous weekend…...And I should probably ring Mum. I haven't spoken to her for a few days. She'll be wondering what's happened to me."

"Are you actually going to tell her just what you've been up to because if you are I want to be there for the reaction. You could put it on speaker phone and sell tickets to the event." Summer laughed.

"I don't think telling my mother would be a good idea. It could cause fireworks of a magnitude big enough to melt the phone lines between here and the UK. I don't want to be responsible for that." Marissa suggested.

"So I'm guessing she's still not a fan of Chino's."

"You could say that."

"It amazes me that even though he's a multi-millionaire, she still doesn't think he is good enough for you. And here I was all these years thinking she was just money hungry. There is obviously another side to her."

"Summ. This is my mother you're talking about." Marissa said in Julie's defence.

"Yeah. I know. There's nobody else I know that I could say that about. She really is unique."

"Unfortunately, you're probably right. But she's the only mother I've got. So I have to make the best of it."

"Okay. Then you go and have an early night and I'll see you tomorrow. Try not to worry too much about Ryan. At least give him a chance to talk to you and explain. ….And say hi to your Mum from me too."

"Okay. Ciao." Marissa replied and closed up her phone.

---

Marissa got a lift back to the hotel with Jake in the studio's limo and regretted not having taken Summer up on her offer of dinner. Anything to avoid him. He really was insufferable. She couldn't wait to get away from him.

As soon as they pulled up to the hotel she was out the door and made her way over to collect her key.

"Ah Ms Cooper. We just had a delivery for you. I was just going to get someone to take it up to your room."

"That's fine. I can take it." Marissa replied thinking it was probably a letter from Julie.

"Um Maybe not. It is extremely large."

"Sorry. What is it?" Marissa asked.

He walked out the back and returned a minute later with a beautiful cut crystal vase with about 30 long stem deep pink roses.

Marissa immediately blushed. She knew they were from Ryan. Not many people knew that these were her favourite flowers. Not red, not pink but a mixture of the two. She looked for the card and without reading it she slipped it in the pocket of her jeans.

"Um Thank you. I think I can manage." She said lifting the vase off the counter.

"Are you sure? I can get someone to help you with them."

"No. I'll be fine. She picked them up and went to turn around. But because she couldn't see properly she walked in to someone standing behind her."

"I'm so sorry" she said as she moved the vase to one side to look at the person she had collided with.

"Please don't be. I rather liked it." Jake said. "So aren't you a lucky lady? Is it your birthday?" he asked.

"Um no". Marissa walked past him and made her way to the lift.

Unfortunately while she waited for it to arrive, Jake collected his room key and joined her.

"So who are they from?" he asked.

"A friend." Marissa smiled wondering if she said 'boyfriend' just what Jake's reaction would be. But they had agreed to keep things quiet until they sorted things out between them and after the message today, they definitely had things to sort out.

"Male or female?" Jake asked as the lift arrived and they got in.

"None of your business." Marissa replied.

"Don't you realise I intend to make you my business." He stated.

"How often do I have to tell you? I'm not interested." Marissa stressed.

"I like a girl who plays hard to get." He added.

"I'm not playing." She said as they arrived at her floor. "I'm serious."

"Where were you all weekend anyhow?" he asked.

"I went away."

"Well I guess that explains why you didn't answer my calls" Jake replied and then added. "Are you gay?"

"What? No." Marissa replied surprised at his question.

"Then let me assure you I can make you interested in me." He suggested.

"Look Jake, just leave me alone."

Jake held the door of the lift open and added "You'll keep. But remember, this isn't finished."

---

Marissa couldn't get inside her room fast enough. She locked the door just in case he decided to come back. He really gave her the creeps. She was not going to travel with him in the limo anymore. She would ring Summer and get her to swing past and pick her up in the morning. She knew she couldn't do much at work about him but she felt at least if she made sure there were other people around all the time then surely he wouldn't actually try anything.

She put the vase down on the table in her room and pulled the envelope from her pocket. She ripped it open and removed the small card. It read "Thanks for a 'pleasant' weekend. Thinking of you."

Marissa sat down on the end of the bed and just kept rereading it over and over again. She could feel her eyes start to water and she realised just how concerned she had been after the phone message earlier. Even though she had listened to what Summer had said there was a part of her that had still been preparing herself for the worst. That he was somehow trying to distance himself from her. But looking at the beautiful roses before her she knew that wasn't the case. She couldn't wait to see him again. But at least she now knew that she would have a goodnights sleep dreaming of him not tossing and turning imagining the worst.

She looked at the phone beside the bed with its flashing light and realised that she had some messages. Hoping that she may have one from Ryan she keyed in her access code to listen to them.

Jake's voice came over the line. "Hey doll face. How about you and me getting a bite to eat tonight….and it doesn't necessarily have to be food. I'd be happy to have you eat me any day of the week or weekend as the case might be. Give me a call when you get in."

Marissa quickly moved to the next message.

"Marissa. Where are you? I haven't heard from you for a few days and I wanted to know how things are going? I think you could at least spare the time to call your mother. You do only have one. And I just want to remind you about my advice. You know I know a lot more about these things than you? Anyhow give me a call." Marissa pushed the button to move to the next message making a mental note to call Julie after she'd had her shower.

"Marissa. It's me again. Where are you? I'm starting to lose my patience. You needn't bother thinking you can give me the run around. I'm used to getting what I want. And I want you. So just make it easy on yourself and come visit me. I promise you'll enjoy it. I really do have quite a reputation for being able to satisfy a woman."

Marissa felt the goose bumps on her arms. Jake really gave her the creeps. Surely he was all talk and would never actually try anything. But she was starting to wonder. She decided to have a shower and order dinner from room service. She wasn't going to chance running in to Jake in one of the hotel's restaurants. Thinking of him, she picked up her phone and called Summer.

"Hey Coop. Don't tell me? You melted the US to UK phone lines?"

"No. I haven't even called her yet. So it's still a possibility."

"Okay so what can I do for you?"

"Um… I was wondering if I could maybe get a lift to work with you in the morning. If it's not too far out of your way, that is?"

"No. That's fine. But is there a problem?" Summer asked sensing Marissa's anxiousness.

"Let's just say I had a conversation with Jake that I'd rather not repeat. He really doesn't understand the whole concept of not interested. I mean, could the man be anymore full of himself? He actually asked me was I gay, as if that's the only reason that I could possibly have for not wanting to go out with him."

"Don't say I didn't warn you. But you're right to stay away from him. There's something about him. I don't think I would like to see him pushed too far. I'm not sure how he would react."

"Yeah. I know what you mean. So you're sure it won't be a problem in the morning?" Marissa asked.

"No. It's fine. I'll pick you up about 7:30."

"Okay. And Summ."

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you come up to my room? I have something to show you."

"What? You and Chino aren't into kinky things like taking videos of your weekend or anything are you, cause I really don't think I want to see either of you like that." She laughed.

"No. Nothing like that. How can you even suggest it? You know how much Ryan likes having his photo taken." Marissa replied.

"Yeah. That's right. So what is it?" Summer asked her curiosity piqued.

"Well…I just wanted to show you that you were right."

"Aren't I always?"

"Yeah and modest." Marissa replied.

"Ha ha. So just what was I right about this time?"

"Well I have in front of me a beautiful cut crystal vase full of the most beautiful roses you have ever seen."

"Aw. From Chino I gather?"

"Yeah. So maybe you were right and he really does just have something on. I mean he wouldn't have sent me these otherwise would he?" Marissa asked still trying to find some more reassurance that there couldn't be another reason.

"Not unless he's gotten confused and thought it was your birthday." Summer suggested.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just Kirsten and I both usually get flowers sent to us on our birthdays. But I figure they probably come from Annabel."

"Who's Annabel?" Marissa asked.

"Aw… I forgot. You haven't met her yet. Now there's someone you shouldn't expect a big welcome from." Summer replied.

"Why? Who is she?" Marissa asked wondering why someone she didn't even know would maybe not like her.

"She Ryan's secretary and unless I'm mistaken … Which you know I rarely am … she'd like to be a whole lot more." Summer stated "But of course he's never even noticed." She added not wanting Marissa to start worrying again.

"Hm… So do you think she will be friend or foe?"

"Unfortunately foe. But maybe I'll be wrong. But listen I've got to go and check on dinner. I'll see you in the morning. Have fun tonight. Remember to say hi to your mum from me."

"Okay see you tomorrow."

---

After her shower, Marissa picked up her phone and dialled the number in England. After a couple of rings, Julie answered.

"Julie Cooper Nicol."

"Hey Mum."

"Marissa. Thank God. I've was starting to get worried. I haven't heard from you for a few days. I even rang your hotel looking for you."

"Sorry Mum. I've been really busy" Marissa replied quite liking that fact that her mother had actually been missing her.

"Well… If you notice any wrinkles next time you see me then you'll know that you are responsible young lady."

Marissa smiled to herself. Only her mother could give and take with the same hand. Julie could see it only in terms of what effect it would have on Julie. Marissa wondered was her mother always so self centred and decided that she probably was.

"I'm sure your beautician can fix that in no time, Mum."

"Well. You do know I like to look my best. And I'm afraid wrinkles are definitely not part of the image I like to give out."

"Mum, You know you are an amazing looking woman for you're age. But it really would be okay to start to look a little older, you know. You do have a 25 year old daughter."

"Don't remind me. I sometimes wonder how that ever happened."

"Well do you need me to explain? I could do a birds and the bees talk for you." Marissa smiled thinking there was probably not much she could tell Julie about sex. Although after the weekend with Ryan she certainly felt that her own education had taken a massive leap forward.

"Don't be ridiculous. You know that's not what I mean."

"Yeah. Just think, if I had fallen pregnant at the same age that you did, I could have a seven year old child right now." Marissa stated, all of a sudden envisaging a little boy with sandy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. It surprised her that she quite liked the idea.

"And wouldn't that have destroyed your life?" Julie remarked.

"Did it destroy yours?" Marissa asked wondering had Julie regretted having Marissa at such a young age.

"Well…let's just say it has been different to how I imagined it." Julie chose her words carefully not wanting to upset Marissa. They had taken quite a while to arrive at the relationship they now had and she didn't want to risk anything destroying it. That was why she was so concerned about Marissa being in LA. She knew that Marissa would never forgive her if she found out about Julie's involvement in getting rid Ryan. She thought she had done the right thing at the time. Who would've ever suspected that the boy from Chino would go on to become a multi-millionaire. And hot as hell as well from the pictures she had seen in the magazines. No wonder he was at the top of the hottest bachelor's lists. Hell if she hadn't been vitally involved in the split she would probably be encouraging Marissa to try to get back together with him. But she couldn't take the risk. Her daughter was too important to her. "So how was your weekend?" she asked wanting to change the subject.

"Good. I actually had lunch on Sunday at the Cohen's." Marissa figured she might as well give her mother something and then maybe she would stop asking for details.

Julie started to panic but she reassured herself. Marissa couldn't possibly know anything because she wouldn't be being so nice to Julie if anything had come out. "So who was there?" she asked.

Marissa knew exactly what Julie wanted to know but she wasn't going to make it easy on her. "All the gang. It was just like old times." Marissa added.

Julie realised that Marissa was not going to make it easy for her but she had to know "So was he there?"

Marissa smiled to herself. She knew Julie wouldn't be able to help herself. "Who? Sandy?"

"No You know who. Ryan. Was he there?" Julie asked starting to get angry. She knew Marissa was playing with her but she had to know.

"Yes he was."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Well. Did you talk to him much?"

"Um No." Marissa thought that that wasn't too far from the truth. If you thought about how much time they had been together and how much time they had spent actually talking then it really hadn't been much. Thank goodness her mother hadn't asked had she spent much time in bed with him or naked with him, because the answer to that would have been completely different.

"That was fast I thought it might at least take you a few weeks before you got in touch with him." Julie suggested. Marissa smiled thinking if only Julie realised just how in touch she had been and even more importantly just what she had touched first. She was shocked even now to think about what she had done on Friday night when they hadn't even kissed. Even in her wildest dreams, and she'd had many over the last 7 years, she had never imagined that the first kiss she would give Ryan would be on that part of his anatomy and not on this mouth. But when she had walked in on him … it seemed the most natural thing in the world to do and if she went back again, she wouldn't change a thing. They had spent too many years apart to go on pretending that they didn't need one another. She wanted to make up for lost time.

"So do you have plans to see him again?" Julie asked.

"At this point, no." Marissa replied honestly. She didn't know when she would see him again, she just hoped it was soon.

"Good. Just make sure you keep away from him. He will only break your heart again. And I know you don't want that… Now tell me some more about Jake Hammond. Is he just as gorgeous in real life as he is on a film screen?"

"Ugh. I really don't want to go there but let me assure you that I will never and I repeat never, have anything to do with him as long as I live. The only bad part about work is the fact that I have to see him everyday."

"Hmm. They sound like fairly intense feelings. You do know that love and hate both bring out intense feelings. Perhaps you are just not looking at things the right way."

"Mum. You have no idea what you are talking about. But anyhow, I have to go my dinner's getting cold. I'll talk to you later in the week. Oh. By the way Summer said to say hi."

"Well that was very nice of her. Please keep in touch and remember what I said." Julie stressed.

"Yeah, whatever. Bye" Marissa placed the phone back down as she hung up. She really didn't understand just what Julie had against Ryan. After all this time she thought that she would have softened towards him. He had never done anything to Julie except stand up for Marissa. But surely there must be more to it……….