Cara threw her purse and keys on the table by the front door.
Steph walked in from her bedroom.
"How did your day go?" Steph asked she sat down on the couch.
"It was alright, I guess," Cara replied.
"Did you talk to Hayden?" Steph asked curiously.
Cara relayed the lunch and what she and Hayden had discussed
Steph smiled, "...good. I'm glad. I was worried I was gonna have to go beat his ass."
Cara laughed lightly. "Nah, I don't think that'll be necessary."
"Well, if everything is okay, why do you seem down?" Steph asked. She knew her best friend too well.
"Well, everything was fine until I had to meet Sienna Miller."
"Oh shit," Steph couldn't hide her surprise.
"Yeah, my sentiments exactly," Cara said wryly.
"What was she doing there?"
"Apparently, she's going to star in Forest Park's newest film and they want Hayden to do the film with her."
"Oh shit," Steph replied. She had also heard about the alleged romance -
"The girl looks like she just friggin' walked out of a boho chic magazine....I don't even have the right hair."
Steph rolled her eyes, "listen, Hayden likes you...that much is obvious."
"Well, if what we've heard is true, he also liked Sienna at one time...and now he has to see her again...."
Steph was quiet for a minute. "Oh so what? Don't let that get to you...just focus on getting to know him - you guys are dating now, right?"
Cara nodded, "I guess...why do I suddenly feel like I'm back in jr. high school? Wondering if the jock is going to pick the prom queen over me?"
"....because you're mental," Steph said sarcastically. "When are you all going out again?"
"I'm not sure...we haven't really talked about it. He called me on the way home from work though," Cara said with a smile.
Steph's smile brightened. "See?! I'd say you don't have anything to worry about."
Cara smiled. Somehow, she didn't seem so sure.
~~~~
"Hell of a day huh?" Tove asked Hayden when he walked in to the kitchen.
"You got that right," Hayden replied.
"Hey, I tried to warn you as soon as I heard about the Hurricane," Tove said, referring to Sienna by her nickname.
Hayden rolled his eyes, "I know and thanks...I was more concerned with clearing the air with Cara though....I am not going to waste another minute worrying about Sienna."
"Good to know....so you're really over all of that huh?" Tove asked, a curious tone evident in his voice.
"Of course," Hayden said. "That was only reaffirmed when she showed up at the office, twice."
"Good...then you shouldn't have any problem doing this film with her then," Tove said, hopeful.
"I know what a big deal this is for Forest Park...and for us. So, yes, Tove, I will do the movie," Hayden replied.
"Yes! Excellent!" Tove exclaimed. He proceeded to call the Bentley's to work out the details.
~~~
8:00pm that night --
Steph and Cara were in the living room watching a marathon of reality TV. Steph was sprawled out in the floor, painting her toenails and Cara was lying on the couch.
There was a knock at the door that made the two nearly jump out of their skin.
Steph jumped up to look through the peephole. "Get up! Get up!" she said in a loud whisper. "It's Hayden!"
Cara jumped up in horror at the fact that she was in a ratty old t-shirt and shorts.
"Go! I'll cover for you!" Steph said as Cara jumped over the coffee table and made a beeline for her bedroom.
Steph opened the door. "Hey Hayden. Nice to see you! Cara's...uh, in her bedroom....she'll be back in a minute."
Hayden looked curiously but didn't say anything other Hello and asked Steph how she was doing.
The two were making casual conversation as Cara was in her bedroom throwing on a tank top and a pair of dark jeans.
Cara emerged a moment later and smiled.
Hayden looked over at her and grinned, "Hey....sorry I didn't call first."
"No problem," Cara said casually, trying to mask the fact she was out of breath from all the running around to find a cute outfit.
Cara walked back toward her room and Hayden followed. "So what's going on?" she asked as he sat on her bed and she shut the door.
"I've decided to do the film," Hayden replied.
Cara only nodded, silent for a couple of minutes.
"You think its a bad idea," Hayden said quietly.
"No, not at all....I think its great...as long as its something you want," Cara said.
"Yeah, it actually is," Hayden smiled. "It's a great role and it would be a great project for me....and I've gotten past all of that other stuff."
Cara was quiet, when Hayden spoke up, "...I don't know if you knew...but Sienna and I...we had started seeing each other on our last film....but things didn't work out."
Cara could tell he was searching for any expression to show that she'd already been privy to this information. She nodded slightly, "I'd heard something to that effect...but who knows when those stories are true and when they're not."
"Yeah...well that was true, unfortunately....but things are very different now."
He stood up and walked over to Cara. He lightly touched her cheek. "I'm getting to know someone like you....and its changed everything for me."
Cara smiled.
Hayden took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.
"Well, I had just wanted to talk about it with you....get your opinion," Hayden said. He slowly walked toward the door. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Cara caught Hayden's hand as he turned.
"No....don't go," she found herself saying to him.
Hayden turned to look at her, her hand still holding his.
"Will you stay here with me?" she asked, looking him in the eye.
Hayden smiled, looking into her eyes. "Yes, I'll stay here with you."