Marissa's 'Old Friend'

They had finished up for the day and the girls were all changing back into their own clothes and making plans for the evening to come. James had spent the last few hours between shoots trying to get Marissa to open up about just what or more importantly who, had put the rosy glow on her cheeks but Marissa had steadfastly refused to reveal anything. She wanted to surprise them all when Ryan appeared to collect her. But just the thought that it wouldn't be long until she saw him again had her heart all aflutter. She kept glancing towards the door of the studio knowing that it wouldn't be long until he arrived.

---

Karl was busy shutting things down for the day but he was also keeping an eye on the girls and watching for an opportunity to talk to Marissa alone. He was hoping that the others would leave first so that he could have her to himself for a while and then he intended to speak to her and tell her about how much he had missed her while she was away and suggest the possibility of the nature of their relationship changing. But he didn't really want to speak to her about it with the others all around. He had overheard her decline their invitation to join them all at a club for the night. She'd said that she was still a bit jet lagged and that she'd catch up and go out with them later in the week. So Karl figured that he'd try to have a quiet word with her before she left. Who knows, if everything went according to plan then maybe he could wangle an invitation to drop past her apartment later tonight and continue things. Realising that she was getting ready to leave, he decided that he couldn't wait any longer so he walked over to where the girls all were and asked. "Marissa? Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Marissa was surprised. She really didn't want to be held up this afternoon knowing that Ryan wouldn't be far away. All she could think about was being back in his arms again. But she couldn't very well say no. "Um." She checked the door yet again. "Sure." She shrugged.

"Over here?" Karl asked indicating the other side of the studio, hopefully out of hearing range of all the others.

Marissa frowned but followed him … wondering what he could have wanted. When she got beside him she was surprised as he took her hands into his own, looked earnestly at her and began. "I just wanted to tell you how great it is to have you back. I really missed you." He started.

Marissa felt uncomfortable. She didn't know what this was all about. She and Karl had been friends for a couple of years now … but it was just a friend's … with very very occasional benefits thing. And now, looking back, she didn't really consider them benefits … more slip ups on her part ... nothing more. "Um. Well thanks." She replied unsure as to what he was expecting her to say.

It wasn't exactly the response that Karl had been hoping for but then again, he knew that he had always needed to work that much harder to get her interested than he had with any of the others. Maybe that was why he found her so intriguing. "I was wondering if I could see you tonight? So we could catch up. I know you said that you were still tired but we could always pick up something to eat and a couple of bottles of wine and just go back to your place." He suggested.

"I really don't think so." Marissa replied wondering where this was all coming from. She and Karl had never had that sort of relationship. The only times that Karl had been to her place had been after they had all been out somewhere together and she'd had too much to drink and he'd kindly offered to escort her home. And she wasn't proud of the fact that on a couple of those times she had actually woken up with him in her bed. As far as she was concerned he would never set foot in her apartment again. But how was she to tell him that? They'd never actually dated or anything.

"I'd really like to think that perhaps we could move things along between us. Maybe step things up? If you know what I mean?" Karl suggested.

Marissa was stunned. He was sounding all serious. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened while she'd been away.

---

Sasha and Emma were both ready to go and they looked across the studio wondering if they should wait for Marissa or what? They heard Claudine the receptionist talking to someone in the front office and then a blonde head poked around the entrance to the studio proper.

"WHO IS THAT?" Sasha enquired looking towards the door.

Emma turned and followed her glance. "Ooh. I don't know. But I hope I get to work with him. He's hot." Emma replied. "James look." She called out. "Eye Candy stage left."

James turned around to have a look and then let out a squeal and instantly stopped what he was doing and was about to head off to greet Ryan. "I so hope he's gay." He said to the girls.

Marissa turned around wondering what the commotion was all about and looked up to see Ryan tentatively entering the studio and hesitating beside the door whilst looking around for her. She instantly moved towards him wanting to save him from James who she knew would be closing in on him if she wasn't fast enough. "Eyes off girls. He's with me." Marissa replied as she motioned for Ryan to join her. She quickly walked towards him and left Karl standing where he was … waiting for her answer.

Karl followed her every move, not at all happy about the appearance of this stranger and the way that Marissa had deserted him to greet the newcomer. Although the photographer in him had to admit that he wouldn't mind getting him in front of a lens. The guy positively oozed sex appeal.

Marissa grabbed Ryan by the hand and was about to kiss him when she remembered that she had just walked off from Karl and left him without an answer. She knew that Ryan's timing couldn't have been better because she didn't want to have to answer Karl. And she knew the answer was a definite NO. But she didn't want to hurt Karl by telling him straight out that there was absolutely no chance. He had been a good friend over the last couple of years. She was sorry that he hadn't realised that that's all he would ever be but she also didn't want to put him through any more pain than she had too. She still needed to work with him so she would need to be careful about how she approached it all.

So, she hugged Ryan and then pulled him by the hand to meet her friends. "Hey everyone. This is Ryan. He's um …" she was stuck. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't say husband. And in light of the conversation she had just been having with Karl she didn't want to say boyfriend … at least not until she got the chance to speak to Karl in private. She didn't want to hurt him any more than she had too.

"Um ?" James enquired waiting for Marissa to finish her sentence. "Don't you mean Yum? I certainly think he's yummy." He said as he ran his finger along Ryan's forearm.

Ryan flinched at the touch and Marissa laughed. She could always count on James to break the ice. She looked at Ryan and realised that he was panic stricken. He had no idea how to respond to James obvious interest in him. "He is yummy." Marissa replied only to overhear Sasha mutter "I agree".

And then Emma added "Me too."

"But he's straight." Marissa said addressing herself to James.

"Even better." Sasha threw in as Emma let out a loud wolf whistle.

Ryan felt like he was a piece of merchandise on display the way they were all acting. He guessed that maybe because of what they did for a profession they thought that it was normal to do that but he certainly felt uncomfortable being under their scrutiny. The only one not commenting was the guy over on the other side of the studio that Marissa had been talking to when he'd walked in. He was looking daggers at them all and Ryan wondered if he'd done something to piss him off? Ryan hadn't even said anything to him at this point so he thought that maybe he was just angry at everyone in general. Ryan nodded at the assembled group. "Hi. Nice to meet you all."

"This is Sasha and Emma and James." Marissa indicated "and over there is Karl." Marissa added.

Ryan turned to the guy on the far side of the studio and said. "Hi. I'm Ryan."

"So I heard." Karl said and then turned back to continue working on his equipment.

Ryan wondered about the snub but figured that maybe it was just the French way and so decided not to read too much into it. He turned back to the assembled group only to have James ask. "Were you working on the film with Marissa?"

"No Ryan's …" she hesitated again wondering just what she should say. "an old friend." She finished off.

Ryan frowned. He didn't know what he expected her to say but 'old friend' definitely wasn't it. And he'd sort of been hoping for a kiss but he guessed that maybe she just didn't feel comfortable in front of her friends. But that seemed strange too. He was a little perplexed by her behaviour but decided that they should just get out of there and then maybe he could ask her about it. "You ready to go?"

"Yep." She picked up her bag.

"You sure you don't want to come out with us tonight?" James asked. "You can bring your …friend."

Marissa smiled as James continued to ogle Ryan. "Maybe another night." Marissa replied.

"Nice to meet you all." Ryan said as Marissa linked her hand into the crook of his elbow and they made their way towards the door.

"See you all tomorrow." Marissa said. "And have fun tonight."

"You too. Although, with him … I'm sure you will." James said and then turned to the girls still standing there watching the two retreating figures. "Who is that guy?"

"I don't know but if there are any more of them where that one came from then I'm going to LA as soon as possible." Emma suggested.

"Me too. Did you see those baby blues? I could look into those for hours." James sighed.

"Forget about the eyes. Did you see those arms? Mmpt Mmm. He was cut. He could hold me anytime he liked." Emma said.

"And what about the bum? Small hips. Tight … firm … cheeks. Just like I like them." James added fanning himself as if it was all too much for him to contemplate.

"Forget about the eyes and the arms and the ass. You two are just so innocent." Sasha commented. "Did you look at the crotch?"

Emma and James both shook their heads.

"I couldn't take my eyes off it. Unless he was packing socks in there …He was hung. Well and truly." Sasha informed them.

"If that's the case then no wonder Marissa had a glow about her?" James said.

"Hmmm. It was like a sleeping giant. One that I wouldn't mind awakening." Sasha added.

"From the looks of things, I don't think that she's likely to share." James said sadly.

"I didn't say I wanted to share. I think I want this one all for myself." Sasha replied.