Isn't It Good?
The next exciting installment!
Part 7: An Unheeded Warning
Sophie laughed her way out of Ollie's shop and quickly trotted down the street. "That was a close one," she thought. "I can't believe I have...used to have a crush on him. He obviously doesn't like me. He would've said something by now if he did, right?"
She wasn't too sure of herself on that point and began to doubt. "But what if he does have feelings for me? He's awfully sweet, isn't he?" She mulled this over a minute but then remembered the one person who had recently waltzed in and stolen her heart. She disregarded Oliver and her past life, thinking only of John and wondering what his idea of dinner could be.
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"I 'aven’t seen you 'ere this much since the old days, when you were 'iding from Mimi," Madge said with a chuckle, "What're you 'iding from now?"
John looked at her and tried to act as normal as he could. She could tell that she had struck a chord somewhere.
"So you are 'iding? I thought as much. Listen, John," she said packing the last of his dinner, "I’ve got no control over you. I never 'ave 'ad. But I will tell you one thing. You can run from whatever you like, but it'll always catch up with you."
"Madge, I'm not a child. I do know a thing of two about life," he replied.
"Do you, now? Could've fooled me. I don't suppose this is for Cynthia, is it?" she asked, changing the subject. John didn't answer her.
"Mmhm. You know, John. You can't go about, breakin' 'earts just because you can. And Sophie's like family to me."
"Hold it, Madge. Who said anything about Sophie?" John quickly said.
Madge stood there, her hand on her hip, giving John a maternal "We both know what's going on here" look.
"We're just friends, you know. There's nothing going on between us, if that's what you think." John lied.
"I just don't want to see 'er get 'urt. And that goes for you too, you know. Don't think you can run around on Cynthia and do as you please. You won't get away with it, Johnny."
"Madge, don't worry about me. I'm fine. Cynthia's fine. I'm just going to have dinner with a friend. Can't a man have dinner as he pleases, anymore?" he dramatically said.
Madge laughed. "Just take care of yourself, alright?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thanks for the dinner. Goodnight."
"G'night," she replied and shook her head.
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"Just a minute," Sophie replied to the knock at the door. She paused to regain her composure.
"Hi," she said, acting as if her heart wasn't racing.
"Hi, did you get my note?" John asked anxiously.
Sophie nodded. She followed him through to the kitchen where he unpacked their dinner.
"I hope it's nothing too fancy. I mean, I'm not dressed for the occasion, if it is." she said.
"Unless fish and chips are fancy to you, then you've got nothing to worry about," John said, sending her a smile between his deliberations on where she might keep the plates.
"They're in the cabinet to your left." Sophie replied.
"Ta." He pulled out two plates and seeing the bottle of wine on the counter, grabbed two glasses from the next cabinet.
"Been at play while the cat's away?" she asked.
"I was just trying to make a spot of tea this morning."
She offered to help but John wouldn't hear of it. Sophie watched John as he precisely set the plates. She did get the silverware out, though. Just to save him the trouble.
"Which do you want? Left or right?" he asked.
"I don't know. Surprise me.," she said holding out a hand.
"Alright," he said, and gave her a kiss. "Surprised?"
She laughed, "Yes." She picked up the plates and carried them into the living room, John following close behind with the glasses and bottle of wine.
"I hope eating on the coffee table's okay? I think it's a little cozier. Well, that and the other table is a total mess."
"No, I don't mind."
"You know, this isn't exactly what I expected," Sophie admitted.
"Isn't it? Maybe it is what you expected. Maybe you expected the unexpected."
"Well, I do seem to find myself doing a bit more of that with you around."
Both laughed. They continued to eat and talk, still finding new things they had in common and new ides to share. John loved being able to bounce his thoughts off someone with a somewhat different perspective. Sophie was still amazed at how unlike John was to the stereotypical star persona. They felt as if they'd known each other for ages instead
"Oh," she suddenly exclaimed, "It's nearly two. I do believe it's time for bed."
John gave her a look of perhaps slight skepticism. She giggled.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. Unless..."
"Unless what," he asked taking her hand.
"Well, unless you'd..." she paused. John took the opportunity to kiss her.
"I'd love to," he said and she kissed him back.
Part 8: Close Calls
"Good morning."
Sophie looked up at John, responding with a sleepy smile. She snuggled up in his arms, breathing in his scent, a combination of smoke, sweat, and something she couldn't quite place. It was lovely.
"You smell like strawberries," John said, his head resting above hers.
Suddenly, Sophie sat up in alarm. "Morning? Did you say it was morning already?"
Wide-eyed, her thoughts raced through all of the things on her agenda that day.
"What time is it, John? I'm going to be late! Why did you let me sleep?"
"Hold on. Slow down. It's only eight-thirty. Where could you possibly have to be this early?"
"Oh!" she said, actually looking at him for the first time that morning. "Didn't I tell you? They want me to do a commercial... (Or was it the photo shoot?) for Mrs. Somebody's Something or other...The name's not important but this could be my big break. Did you say eight-thirty?" she quickly changed the subject. John nodded.
"Thank heavens. I don't have to be there until ten." She finally relaxed and found her place back in his arms, her head resting just under his.
"I didn't know you were a model," John said with a little surprise.
"I haven't done much. Charlie actually got me into it. But I figure I can't go on waitressing all my life. I mean, I adore Madge to death but there's just not that much money in it. It's pretty much either modeling and acting or marrying a rock star," she laughed, but quickly realized what she had said. "Oh, John. I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."
"No, I know you didn't," he reassured her. They sat in silence. Sophie could sense a bit of tension in the air. "What is it, John? You seem worried or tense or something."
"Oh, nothing. Just go back to sleep." Though at first, she found her wandering thoughts made it impossible, that is exactly what she did.
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"You're very nearly almost late," Charlie said as Sophie rushed in.
"I'm not though."
They went quickly to the dressing room, and she hurried to get ready.
"Where have you been? I thought you were meeting me early to go over out lines," Charlie tapped her foot in annoyance as Sophie finished her makeup.
"Oh, I already did that with..." she stopped before she said John's name.
"Nevermind, it's not important. They're almost ready for us, though."
They hurried out to the set. Max, the photographer/director, put them into place. Three hours later they were finally finished. Charlie thought it was odd Sophie had flubbed her lines twice, considering it was usually she who made the mistakes. Crediting it to general worry, Charlie thought nothing else of it. They grabbed their purses and headed out.
"We'll do those stills next week, alright?" Max said as they were leaving.
"Okay," Sophie said making a mental note.
"See you, Max," Charlie said.
"Bye, Sophie. See you, Charlie."
After they were out on the sidewalk, Sophie finally spoke. "Why don't you two just date already?"
"What do you mean?" Charlie asked, trying to sound genuinely confused.
"Charlie," Sophie stopped, turning to face her, "Are you blind? I mean really. He was totally flirting with you today. And you obviously like him. What's stopping you?"
"Who? Max? No, it'd never work out. And besides, he's not my type."
"You mean he’s not filthy rich?” Sophie asked as they walked on.
"Sophie, that was mean. I'm not that bad." Charlie thought a moment.
"You know though, falling in love with a rich man, isn't that bad of an idea. Who would have a lot of money, do you think?" she laughed, hoping Sophie would join in on the joke.
"I don’t know, Charlie. I guess some famous person."
"Oh, like Paul McCartney? He's still fairly available I hear. And he must have bundles of money. Or you know, one of the others. Although, that really nice looking one, what's his name? John, that's it. I know he's married. Too bad, isn't it?" she laughed a bit.
Sophie nearly froze. What on earth made Charlie start talking about him? There were plenty of other famous people weren't there? She felt a strange overprotective feeling, as if John was hers and no one else could mention him. She laughed with Charlie, hoping she wouldn't notice her change in moods.
"I wonder how one would go about meeting one of them though? You wouldn't think they'd just be walking around on the street. They'd get mauled probably." They walked along as Charlie rambled and Sophie thought.
"You know what?" Charlie suddenly said.
"What?"
"I think that's what I shall wish for for my birthday?"
"What?"
"Have you not been listening? A date with Paul McCartney. I mean, it can't hurt, can it?"
They laughed. Sophie wondered if she might be able to arrange that. Although, Charlie could be a pain sometimes, she was her best friend and had a great influence in bringing Sophie and John together. But then again, she knew that John would never agree to set them up.
They continued until they got to Sophie house. Charlie almost came in but she remembered she had a previous engagement. They said goodbye, and Sophie walked into the house, not knowing how lucky she was that Charlie didn't come in.
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Ooh, cliffhanger-y. lol. Sorry folks, I had to do it. Stay tuned!
Love,
Anna