Perfectly Lonely - Jessica Marin Page 0,12

image away from my brain as he’s enemy number one in my book, no matter what he looks like.

“Whatever, hypocrite!” Robert throws the pen right back at me, his aim just missing me as it hits the top of my laptop instead.

“I can hear the little beasts are out,” Jenna says as she steps out of her office. “Alright, children, let’s break for lunch. I’m going to the restroom and when I return, please have it figured out where we are eating today.” She turns on her heel and heads to the master bathroom.

“Aye, aye, Mom!” Robert chimes, while saluting her.

“I don’t understand how she puts up with you two,” Mason mumbles. Robert and I gasp and look at him in shock that he actually spoke. Mason smiles at our reaction, closes his laptop, and stands up to leave with us.

“He finally speaks!” Robert jokes as he gets up from the table. “C’mon Mason, we all know that we’re your best gig to date.”

“I wouldn’t say my best gig…definitely the most amusing one so far.”

I’m about to respond that he wouldn’t know amusing if it bit him in the ass when we hear a key sliding into the front door lock. Our confusion turns into disbelief as the door is flung open and Cal rushes in. He looks disheveled in a wrinkled white t-shirt, running pants and sneakers. He drops his bags and looks around, his blue eyes wild with need as he scans the room.

“Hello,” he greets us and starts walking forward into the apartment. “Where is...” his voice trails off as he catches sight of Jenna. We turn our heads to see she’s standing right outside her bedroom door, her hand over her heart, mouth open in shock.

“Is it really you?” she faintly asks as I see her eyes start to water up. “Am I dreaming?”

“No, darling, I’m really here,” he says, his eyes raking up and down her body as he slowly moves toward her.

“How? You never told me you were on your way!” she croaks, not being able to hold back her emotions any longer.

“It was unexpected. One of the crew got hurt, unfortunately. Director told us to take a fortnight off, so I got on the first plane home. I wanted to surprise you.”

“What’s a fortnight?” Robert whispers to me.

“Two weeks,” Mason whispers back before I could answer. Not that I had any idea since I’m not up to speed with British jargon.

Jenna suddenly catches all of us off guard by crying out and running straight to Cal. He lifts her up and she automatically wraps her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She buries her face into the crook of his neck, her back shaking from her sobs. I can’t contain my own tears falling down my cheeks as her cries stab at my heart. Seeing my best friend in pain is excruciating, but watching her reaction makes me realize just how deeply in love she is with him.

“Please don’t cry, darling. I promise you, Jenna, we’re not doing this again. Do you hear me?” He nudges her with his chin to get her to look at him. “We’re not going to be apart for this long ever again. Okay?” He brushes away her tears with the pad of his thumb, wraps his hand around the back of her neck and crushes his lips to hers. Jenna tries to kiss him back, but she’s so overcome with emotion that she resumes hiding her face in his neck again.

“Do you guys mind giving us some privacy?” Cal asks as he carries her into their bedroom and kicks the door shut. The three of us look at each other, grab our belongings, and head to the front door in silence.

“Well, we know what Jenna is having for lunch today,” Robert quietly says, as he closes and locks the front door. I cover my mouth to stifle my giggle while Mason shakes his head in disgust as we head to the elevators for our now extended lunch break.

6

Chase

Harrington spotted at O’Hare.

I do a double take as I read the text from a fellow paparazzi who likes to spend his days stalking the private plane terminal at O’Hare International Airport. What the fuck? I’ve been trying to get in touch with Cal for days. He could have at least warned me that he was heading home. I quickly text Robert for confirmation and ten-seconds later, he responds.

Robert: He just showed up as a surprise