Aaron was already asleep when I got home. That seemed to be the routine lately -- I got home in time to catch Conan O'Brien and usually fell asleep on the couch.

It wasn't as if I had wished for these circumstances -- but Aaron understood these were necessary sacrifices to make for my career.....and they were temporary....

That's what I was telling myself at least...quickly understanding why so few relationships remain solid in the entertainment industry (and I was only on the sidelines).

You throw the world's rich and beautiful together in a strange place, away from significant others and lots of down time -- things would happen, it was almost inevitable.

My mind wandered - Hayden had to have a girlfriend, it seemed almost impossible for him to be single....what guy in his mid-twenties with fame, money and his looks would be single? It's not like he didn't have a bevy of willing females, that was for sure.

The group of females outside the studio waiting for glimpses of Hayden only seemed to grow with each passing day.

I had actually seen Hayden greet many of them one afternoon after lunch - his friendly demeanor calming some of the more excited fans. His laid back, ultra sweet nature had only served to make me more angry about the way he'd been to me.

I truly felt as though I had the plague or something....I just wouldn't even allow myself to believe what Mandy was trying to convince me --

~~~~

The next morning, I was sitting in Greg's chair on set, looking over the sides from the day's shoot. The scenes were between Josh and Hayden. They were playing brothers who were on opposite sides of the law - Hayden's character was a law student and Josh was playing an underachiever who's life was quickly sinking into the drug scene.

Josh sat down beside me and flashed a grin. "How are you this morning?"

I looked over and smiled, "I'm awake -- somewhat...how are you?"

"Same -- had a few too many shots of tequila last night," he said, closing his eyes and leaning his head back on the chair.

"You should come out with us some night," he said. "It's usually just a bunch of us from work - just to blow off some steam since we're all here and pretty much don't know anyone else..."

I smiled, "Thanks for the invite -- I don't know...maybe....I think, right now, it wouldn't be the best idea though. I haven't seen my boyfriend for more than 5 minutes in two weeks....for me to actually use down time to go drinking...it would probably cause some issues."

"Suit yourself, just know you're welcome to come along -- bring him too, if you'd like," Josh said. "Diane is coming down at the end of the week."

I smiled, "I'd love to meet her - I've heard so much about her."

Josh liked to talk a lot of junk about being surrounded by gorgeous women but everyone could see he was absolutely enamored of his girlfriend Diane, who was also an actress.

Josh jumped up when Joby, the director walked on set.

I took a sip of coffee and looked across the room to find my eyes meeting Hayden's.

He was standing by craft service with a coffee. He had what could only be described as a 'half smirk' on his face that quickly turned when he looked at the ground.

I didn't know what to do at that moment, so I diverted my eyes back down to the script on my lap.

We wrapped at an unusually reasonable time -- 8:00PM. I was really enjoying being on set. It seemed as though I was as great a help to Greg on set as I was in the office so he almost preferred me to be there. I knew Sharon was probably chomping at the bit, sitting in the office and thinking about the opportunities I was having as Greg's assistant that she had missed out on -- I sympathized for about a second until I remembered how horrible she was to me and it became a fleeting thought.

Josh was heading out of the wardrobe building as I was walking to my car.

"Hey Laurie - tonight at 10 - McArthur's - a lot of people going -if you're interested!"

I nodded and smiled, "We'll see - but thanks!"

I drove the distance home to find Aaron sitting on the couch and a dinner spread on the table.

He barely looked up at me when I walked in.

"Hey sweetie," I said, walking over to kiss him on the cheek.

His eyes remained on the TV.

I stood up, not sure what to say and trying to read the expression on his face.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Ah - nothing....I made dinner, two hours ago," he retorted.

I was taken aback. This wasn't like Aaron at all.

"Well, thanks for making dinner -- but you know how crazy my schedule is....and I came home as soon as we were finished," I said.

Aaron only shook his head. "You said this would be your 'normal office work week," he merely replied.

"Well, it was supposed to be -- but Greg -- needs me on set...and I can't just walk away when I want to."

"What if I need you?" Aaron asked, looking into my eyes for the first time. "I need you - and you're never here..."

I felt like I'd been slapped in the face.

"Aaron -- I thought you were supportive - you knew this would be kind of crazy for a little while but its temporary."

"How temporary is it, really? I mean, you want a career living your life like this!" Aaron exclaimed. "Am I supposed to just forget I have a girlfriend because you're working all the time?!"

"Why are you being like this?" I asked, filling my eyes begin to tear up. "You know how much this means to me."

"Yes -- yes I do," Aaron said through gritted teeth. "It's just the fact that its become painfully obvious lately where I rank in your list of priorities."

"You know what you mean to me -- but this is not fair," I said, feeling the tears stop and the anger begin to boil. "I've worked my ass off to get here and the last thing I expected was that you would turn on me because of it..."

"I guess I thought I could handle it -- maybe I can't," Aaron said.

He walked back toward the bedroom.

"Can we just talk about this, please?" I asked.

"Maybe we can talk in the morning -- I have to be at the hotel very early tomorrow....ya know, crazy work schedules," he said in a biting tone that made my blood boil.

"Fine -- if that's the way you want it," I said putting my coat back on.

"Wait - where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going to take a drive...I think I need some air...." I said to him. "...and some space."

Aaron rolled his eyes, walking into the bedroom without another word and shut the door.

I put on my scarf, grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

I found myself in front of McArthur's restaurant. I took a deep breath and got out of the car to walk inside.