"What are you doing here?" Cara asked, a tone of urgency evident while stil trying to keep her voice down.
"I had to see you," Hayden said, staring right into her eyes. "I couldn't leave things the way they were -- I went to Kaylen's party for a little while and caught the first flight out here."
Cara nodded, looking back to see if her parents had caught on to who was at the door.
Hayden tried to look past her into the living room. "Who's in there? Is that your family?"
"Yes...that's why we really can't talk about this right now...so...why don't you come inside?"
Hayden nodded.
Cara opened the door wider to allow him entrance.
"Hey everybody, I'd like you to meet Hayden. He was able to make it in town after all," Cara said, announcing to the group.
Cara's parents grinned and Steph's jaw dropped.
Hayden shook hands with Cara's father.
"It's nice to meet you-- we've heard wonderful things about you," Cara's mother gushed, which caused Cara to grimace.
Hayden grinned, "Likewise, I've heard wonderful things about you."
The group sat down again - this time with Hayden on the couch next to Cara and her mother, Cara's father in one armchair and Steph in the other.
"So, how is shooting on your new movie going?" Cara's mother asked with a grin.
"Mom!" Cara said- slightly embarassed. The last thing she needed was her mother gushing over Hayden like a fan girl- especially when Cara was supposed to be angry at him.
Hayden smiled at Cara, "its okay- I don't mind talking about work....its going well actually. I have to admit though, I'll be glad when this shoot is over." His eyes bore into Cara's who promptly looked away.
"I'm sure its nice to be back in Toronto though," Steph spoke up.
"Yeah, its alright - I mean, my family is there, which is great -- but this has become more like home," Hayden said, reaching up and playing with Cara's hair.
Cara tried not to flinch -- after all, she was supposed to be very upset with him, but she could feel the anger fading quickly.
"Does anyone want something to drink?" Cara jumped up from the couch and walked into the kitchen.
Hayden got up to follow her as her parents and Steph resumed an earlier conversation on the stock market.
Cara turned around in the kitchen to face Hayden. "What the hell was that?"
Hayden grinned, "...what? I just thought we ought to try and make it look convincing, ya know?"
Cara rolled her eyes.
"I presume that they've heard none of the nonsense then?" Hayden asked carefully.
"No, not that I am aware of...but knowing my father, he really doesn't know or you'd be on the ground in pain right about now," Cara retorted.
Hayden looked at her. "I had to come back here and see you in person....I think since I've been away that you seem to have forgotten how much I care about you...and that I would never do anything to hurt you."
"I didn't forget that -- that photo was just a painful contradiction," Cara said, looking right at him.
Hayden sighed. "I don't know how many ways I can say it....I'm sorry...really, I am. I don't have any feelings for Sienna and I don't know how I can prove that any more than I already have."
"Well no more photos would be a start," Cara said saracastically.
"Tell me -- what do I gotta do?" Hayden said. "What can I do to make this up to you?"
"I don't know...I don't....I don't know if there's anything you can do," Cara said in a defeated tone causing Hayden to reel back as if he'd been slapped.
"So...what? Is that it?? You just can't trust me anymore..." Hayden trailed off.
Cara looked at the ground.
"I just need some time to think...."
Hayden could feel bile rising in his throat, "....time to think about what exactly?"
"....we really can't talk about this right now," Cara said, reminded that her parents were in the next room.
"Do you want me to leave?" Hayden asked.
"No....stay and talk with my parents -- I really don't feel like having all of this overshadow their trip...so for now, just play it straight and normal..."
Hayden nodded.
He followed her back into the kitchen, very wary of the next time he and Cara would talk about this and what might be said.
Two hours later
The group was laughing heartily at one of Hayden's stories about shooting in Italy.
Hayden had really come into his own around people that he didn't know well. It wasn't difficult with Cara's family - they were so warm and welcoming.
The group was thoroughly enjoying themselves and even Cara managed to put anger aside and enjoyed just being in Hayden's company again.
Before long, the group was ready to retire for the night.
"Well, I ought to be going," Hayden said carefully.
Cara nodded as her mother hugged Hayden again.
"Will we see you tomorrow?" she asked him.
Hayden merely looked over at Cara.
"Yeah, I'm sure we will," Cara replied, causing Hayden to give her a small smile.
"I'll walk you out," Cara said to Hayden as he said his goodbyes to Steph and Cara's father.
The two had stepped outside when Hayden spoke up.
"Your family is awesome, I really like them."
"Yeah they're pretty cool," Cara smiled.
Hayden stepped forward, putting his arms around her waist. "I think you're pretty great too."
Cara could feel it happening again -- she was getting lost in his gaze and was powerless to stop it. It was amazing how could just a look or a smile could completely weaken her resolve. It was a concept that both fascinated and frightened her independent nature.
Hayden closed the distance between them.
The two stood there for several moments, the kiss turning more and more passionate by the second.
Cara pulled away, completely frazzled by the kiss.
"What?" Hayden whispered, nuzzling her neck.
"This doesn't change the fact that I'm still upset...." was all Cara could reply.
"I know....but don't worry....I'm going to find a way to make all of this up to you...I promise," Hayden said.
A few moments later, they parted ways.
One last lingering kiss and then Hayden was back in his car. Cara watched him drive away and then walked back up the sidewalk and into her apartment.