Jared and Taylor wouldn't stop talking about how hungry they were, so Colin and I took them to the hamburger place that Lana and I had visited the day before. Despite having just put away a filling breakfast not an hour before, Colin and I still found room for some fries with their delicious fry sauce.
Jared; being the observant kid that he was, noticed that Colin and I were holding hands underneath the table.
"Are you guys finally dating?" he asked eagerly.
"Jared!" I said in exasperation.
"Don't worry, I read about Colin's divorce in the tabloids," Jared assured us. "Helen was very vocal about it."
Colin buried his face in his hands and sighed.
"I haven't looked at any magazines since we arrived," he said. "Figures that she would try to get as much attention out of this as possible though."
"Hey don't worry about it," I said, rubbing a hand across his shoulders. "The tabs lie about practically everything. No practical, logical person is going to believe them."
"Colin, I'm sorry," Jared said apologetically. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"Don't worry about it, lad," Colin said, attempting to lighten the mood. "Why don't we head back to the house? We can figure out what to do after that."
"Sounds good to me," Jared said, still looking worried.
Taylor nodded her agreement. I gathered up our trash and tossed it in the nearby bin. Jared and his twin were already halfway to the door by the time I turned around. Colin, however, was still in his chair, staring off into space.
"Colin, come on," I said. "Let's get back to the house, then you can think all you want."
"I need to clear my head. I'm going to go for a walk," Colin said, pushing away. "You take the kids to the house. I'll text you if I need to be picked up."
"Colin, are you sure you're okay?" I asked as he walked away.
"Don't worry about me, Morrison," he replied.
I watched as he walked past Jared and Taylor and left the restaurant. Jared looked at my in confusion. I shrugged and picked up the car keys from the table.
"Come on, let's get going," I said cheerfully.
Ginny came running out of the house as soon as we pulled into the driveway.
"Jared! It's so good to see you!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. "I feel like you're hardly around the set anymore. And when you are, I'm not in the scene you're filming."
"Henry's had kind of a small role in the last couple of episodes," Jared said wistfully. "I hope they don't write him off the show."
"They would never," I scoffed. "Once Upon a Time wouldn't be what it is without the boy who believes."
"True," Jared grinned. "It would be nice to have a life outside of acting though. You know, and friends."
"Why do you need friends when you have me, Jare?" Taylor beamed.
"She's got a point," I teased.
"Hey where's Colin?" Ginny asked, noting his absence.
"He had some stuff to do," I said quickly, giving Ginny a look. "Later," I mouthed.
"Is Josh here?" Jared asked.
"He's in the kitchen," Ginny said. "Go on in. Everyone's excited to see you."
Jared grabbed Taylor's hand and dragged her into the house. I started to follow. Ginny grabbed my arm.
"Jen, what's going on?"
"I'll tell you later," I said. "Now's really not the time."
She still looked curious, but nodded. I put an arm around her and we walked into the house. Jared and Josh had started wrestling in the kitchen. Taylor was giggling on the sidelines. I just smirked and moved towards the fridge. I grabbed my bottle of Dr. Pepper and a glass and poured myself some liquid magic.
"Where's the wonderful Captain Hook?" Lana asked sarcastically.
"Don't you worry your pretty little head about it," I replied just as sarcastically. "He's not plotting some sneak attack on you."
Remembering Colin's words, I pulled out my phone and checked it while I sipped my drink.
Colin: Jen, I'm sorry for what I said. I don't mean to push you away. Guess the tables are turned now.
Jennifer: Colin, I just don't think you should be alone right now. We're in this together right?
Colin: I don't think this is something you can help me with.
Jennifer: That's a cop-out.
Colin: How observant of you. That doesn't change the facts.
Jennifer: Fine. Do what you want. I'll be here if you need me.
Colin: I appreciate it.
I tucked my phone back into my pocket. Lana was watching me with interest. She, wisely, chose to say nothing though. Sean sauntered into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, watching Josh and Jared goofing off.
"Does anyone want to build a sand castle?" Georgina asked. "I never got to play on the beach as a kid. And I've been dying to try it."
"You sound like such a kid," Taylor laughed. "Isn't it supposed to be Jared or I that suggests that?"
"Did I not just mention that I never got to do things like that as a kid?" Georgina retorted. "I think you can cut me some slack, ma'am."
"We should have a contest to see who builds the best sand castle," Taylor challenged. "Between your lack of experience and my youth, we're about evenly matched."
"I agree," Georgina said with a bright smile. "Maybe we can convince a few of the others to let loose and act a little crazy for once."
Taylor glanced at the wrestling which Sean had now joined.
"Something tells me that won't be very hard."
Georgina giggled in agreement and the two new friends set off for the beach, arm-in-arm. Jared pulled away from Josh and Sean long enough to see his sister leaving and jumped to his feet to join her. Josh and Sean weren't far behind.
"I think I'll figure out what I'm going to make for dinner," Ginny excused herself. "And Oliver probably isn't old enough to be playing and choking on sand yet."
"I'm going to duck out and do some retail therapy," I said with a grin. "I just got a text from PR. They've set up some TV interviews for right after we get back and I need some new outfits."
"Mind if I join?" Lana asked. "I'm not a big fan of sand castles."
"No problem," I replied. "Have Robert and Emilie disappeared back upstairs then?"
"No, they took the extra car and went out for some alone time," Ginny explained. "They promised they would be back for dinner and actually come down this time."
"Good. I would hate for them to miss out on the point of this vacation," Lana drawled.
"And what exactly is the purpose of this vacation?" I asked teasingly. "Besides vacationing."
"To grow closer as a cast of course," she answered. "After four seasons we still have bonding to do."
"Let's go," I said with a laugh. "We can bond on the way to the mall."
"Have fun, girls," Ginny chuckled.
"Oh we will," Lana said mischievously. "Don't miss us too much."
Lana and I barely made any conversation on the way to the mall. My only comment was to ask her if she was coming to the Comic Con. To which she replied that she was. Then she became absorbed in texting her husband. Once again, I was reminded of what I was missing with Lance being out of my life. I could've been texting him about my adventures right now. Or better yet, he could be here with me.
"What kind of impression are you hoping to make with these outfits you need for the interview?" Lana asked as we parked and headed into the mall.
"I'm hoping to look super thin and sexy," I said. "After all the tabloid talk about how fat I'm getting."
"Oh you know its complete nonsense. But I see no reason why you can't look thin and sexy," Lana replied. "Personally, I'm going to be trying to look more professional. My role as a lawyer in that new movie is something I need to show that I can pull off."
"So a business suit for you and a little black dress for me?" I teased.
"I'll be looking for a skirt and blazer set," Lana said. "And we'll see what we can find for you."
She strode confidently right into the first shop on the left. I followed slightly less confidently and found her already flipping through racks of clothes.
"Hold this," she said several times in a row, handing me articles of clothing.
Five or six items later, she dragged me back to the dressing rooms and shoved me inside.
"Try the blue one on first," she ordered.
A sales associate made her way back to us as I closed the door.
"Are you looking for anything in particular, Miss Parilla?" she asked. "We have lots of new styles."
"Miss Morrison here is looking for an outfit for a TV interview," Lana revealed. "Fun and flirty."
"Well, I'll go pick some things out and we'll see what we can come up with."
I emerged from the dressing room as the associate disappeared into the racks of clothing. Lana gestured for me to turn in front of the mirror. I twirled slowly, showing off the flouncy skirt of the dress she'd given me.
"What do you think?" Lana asked.
"I don't know. I don't feel like this neckline is really my thing," I said, plucking at the plunging neckline distastefully. "I like the skirt though."
"The skirt is flattering on you, but it's not showing off the thin that you wanted," Lana said, circling me like a vulture. "And I agree about the neckline. You'd do better with something more fitted. I love the color on you though. It's perfect."
I nodded and moved back inside the dressing room.
"Red one please," Lana called after me.
The red one turned out to be a fitted sheath with a sweetheart neckline. The hem of the dress came to just above my knees. I stepped out and spun for Lana, this time without prompting.
"Hmm," she said, looking me up and down. "I'm not liking that color on you. It makes you look to pale. You ought to be showing off your tan. But the style is perfect. I'm going to ask if they have it in a different color."
I watched for a second as she hurried off and then went to change into the next dress. It was a royal purple with spaghetti straps and a flat neckline. It wasn't as fitted as the red one and hung kind of awkwardly off of my frame.
"Eww, take that one right off," Lana complained when she saw me. "Not your style at all."
"Gladly," I laughed.
The sales associate approached and draped a dress over the top of the door. I grabbed it and slid it on. It was a teal blue version of the red dress. I fell in love with it before I even left the room. I could tell Lana loved it by the way her eyes lit up.
"That's the one, Jen. I insist you wear that one to the interview."
"Great, now I just need shoes to go with it," I said.
The kind sales associate accompanied us to the front and I paid for the dress. Lana and I then continued down the strip mall until we reached a store that was selling what Lana was looking for; more professional type clothes.
"You go on ahead and find some cute new outfits," Lana said. "I don't need any help to pick out a boring suit."
"Are you sure?" I asked. "I can just be company."
"I'll only be a few minutes," she promised. "You get started and find some outfits for me to try on too. Canada's going to start warming up and I need clothes to wear."
"Okay, if you're sure," I said, backing away. "And after that, we need shoes."
"Of course," Lana smiled.
I waved slightly as we parted ways. I was barely a few feet from the store I was headed to when I nearly plowed through a very handsome looking man.
"Well imagine running into you here, Morrison," Colin grinned.
"What are you doing here? Shopping?" I demanded.
I continued on my way and he followed me.
"I felt like some window shopping," Colin explained. "But shopping with you sounds much more interesting."
"This is quite a walk from the hamburger place," I commented.
He followed me all the way into the store and stood, watching, as I started flipping through blouses looking for suitable options.
"I'm in better shape than I look," he said off-handedly. "When will Lana be rejoining you?"
"Us, you mean?" I laughed. "And to answer your question: as soon as she's found a suitable outfit for our TV interview."
"What are you looking for?" he asked.
"Some new clothes," I said.
"Well duh," he replied with a laugh.
"Here, hold this," I said, handing him a hanger.
"Is this really your style?" he asked, looking it over.
It was a tight roached top with a bow across the sweetheart neckline. I smiled at the fact that he was trying to give me fashion advice.
"It's not my style, but it is Lana's," I assured her. "But you really don't think I could pull this off?" I added, holding it up to myself.
"You'd look lovely in anything, Jen," he back-tracked. "But you look extra lovely in certain things, and I don't think that's one of them."
"Nice save," I said drily.
I handed him another shirt as I talked. And another. Then a couple skirts. And some pairs of pants. By the time I was finished, Colin had almost disappeared behind all of the clothes he was holding.
"Come with me," I said, making my way back to the dressing room.
"Let's see what you've picked out for me," Lana announced as she marched into the store carrying a small bag.
I started taking items off of Colin's arms and sorting them into two piles. Lana grabbed one of the tops and a pair of pants and went to try them on. I pulled out a skirt and a top and disappeared as well.
"Make sure and show me," Colin said with a grin.
"Would you like to tell me why O'Donoghue has magically appeared?" Lana called over the barrier between our rooms.
"What can I say?" I laughed. "He's a sucker for a damsel in distress."
"Are you fashion emergencies that serious?" Lana said sarcastically.
"I can hear you, Lana," Colin said casually.
I looked briefly in the mirror before slipping out to show Colin. I had picked out a cap-sleeved, turquoise, lace top and slid on a boarding school type pleated skirt in charcoal gray. Colin raised an eyebrow when he saw me. I was surprised he didn't wolf whistle.
"I like that, a lot," he said finally. "You should get that."
"Thank you for your expert opinion," I laughed.
Lana emerged wearing the roached top I had picked out first. She had paired it with a pair of gaucho capris in black. She looked stunning.
"I'm impressed with your choices so far," Lana said, spinning in front of the mirror.
Colin, to his credit, stayed as we tried on outfit after outfit. I, to be perfectly honest, bought way more than I should have and so did Lana. And I was so excited to look at shoes. After all, a woman could never have too many pairs of shoes. And I did have a weakness for high heels.
"What shoes do you think I should wear for the interview?" I asked Lana.
I traced my hand over the toe of a pair of suede heels. She surveyed the store thoughtfully.
"Well, you definitely need heels," she said. "They'll make your legs look amazing and fit in with the sexy look you were going for."
"I agree," Colin added. "I have a weakness for women in heels."
"How high of heels though?" I posed.
Lana offered me a pair she had just picked off the shelf. I looked at the four inch silver heels in shock.
"I hope I don't trip over a power cord and fall on my face," I mumbled.
I slid them on and walked up and down the aisle to test them out. They were perfect and made me feel super sexy, just as Lana had said. By the time I reached Lana and Colin again, she had picked out a pair of sensible but hot looking black heels.
"I need some sandals and some new boots," I said, setting the box with my heels aside.
"Define 'need'," Colin teased.
I glared playfully at him and moved to pick out some more shoes. A pair of caramel colored wedge sandals and a pair of high-heeled black boots later, Lana had found a new pair of strapped sandals to go with her summer outfits and we were paying at the register.
"Want a ride back?" I asked Colin as we exited the mall.
"That would be greatly appreciated, love," he said with a smile.
Regardless of Lana's glances in our direction, Colin intertwined his fingers with mine as we walked casually to the car.
"Did Jared miss me while I was gone?" Colin asked.
"You wish," I smirked.