I laughed, feeling some of my depression lift. I was right. Anything was bearable as long as I had Jackson. "You'd think I had some sort of terminal illness or something. I'll be fine, Jackson."
Jackson seemed to accept my answer and the rest of the call was filled with details about what Jackson had done the day before. Anytime he asked questions about work, I deflected it by asking him a question about L.A.
By the time I got off the phone, I was feeling better. I puttered around the computer, looking up John Warner's past movies and dreaming about what it would be like if Jackson got the role. I was debating what to do for dinner when I heard the apartment phone ring, the rhythm of the rings indicating that it was Sam at the front desk.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Emma. Mia Sorenson is here to see you."
"Send her up," I said, confused by Mia's arrival.
"Hey!" Mia said when I opened the door for her. "I've got a delivery for you." She held up a plastic bag and I could smell wafts of delicious food as my stomach grumbled in response. I let her in, still confused by how she had known I was here.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but how did you know I was here?"
Mia placed the bag of food on the kitchen counter and opened cupboards until she found plates. "Jackson called me. I can't believe he didn't tell us he was going to California to audition for the great John Warner. He said you were sick and needed food. He was babbling something about feeding a fever and starving a cold, but thinking it was a good idea to feed a cold anyway."
I wished Jackson were here right now so that I could hug him tightly. He never ceased to amaze me with how caring he was. He was in L.A. with probably a ton of things going on, but he took the time to make sure I was okay.
"Jackson is definitely a keeper," I said, watching Mia open cartons of food. "Where's the food from?"
"Gramercy Tavern. They don't usually accommodate takeout requests, but apparently they will for Jackson."
"Yup, definitely a keeper."
Mia paused from portioning out lamb chops and various sides onto two plates. "You don't mind if I join you, do you?"
I shook my head. "Actually, I would appreciate the company."
Mia nodded, but didn't say anything until we sat down at the kitchen table and started eating.
"Jackson said you had a cold, but it looks more like you've been crying."
"I got fired yesterday," I said with a sigh. "I didn't want to tell Jackson because the last thing he needs to worry about right now is a depressed girlfriend."
Mia's eyes widened in sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. But how the hell did you get fired? It sounded like you were almost running the place."
I smiled ruefully. "I don't know about that, but I thought I was doing well. I ended up messing up some big meeting and my boss lost her trust in me."
I still felt like crying talking about it so I concentrated on eating.
"How did you mess it up? Did it have something to do with the stuff you were working on in the Hamptons?"
I shrugged, not wanting to go into the details. "Yeah, but it's complicated. I'd rather not talk about it, if you don't mind. This food is too expensive to cry into."
"Of course. But I think it's a mistake to not tell Jackson. He'll be upset that you didn't tell him the truth when he gets back."
I knew Mia was right, but I was doing it for Jackson's own good. He could be angry with me later, after he got the part in the movie.
I was happy for Mia's company since she took my mind off my troubles. She seemed to know exactly what I needed, keeping the conversation light during dinner, and then she insisted on watching a cheesy Lifetime movie afterwards.
I gave her a hug before she left, grateful that she had come to check on me and even more grateful that I had a boyfriend who cared so deeply about me.
"Call me if you need to talk," Mia said. "I'm a night owl so I'm up all hours of the night."
"Thanks. And thanks so much for coming over and bringing food."
"No problem. Have a good night."
After I locked the door behind her, I settled back into the living room couch, mindlessly flicking through the channels. I grabbed my cell phone eagerly when it rang, seeing that it was Jackson.
"Hi!"
"Hi, sweetheart. It's good to hear your voice."
"You too. What did you do today?"
Jackson gave me a rundown of his day's activities, from reading with other actors to meeting with producers. I purposely didn't mention Mia's visit, grinning to myself at my planned joke.
"So," Jackson said casually. "Did you have any visitors today?"
"No, why?"
"I'm gonna kill Mia."
I burst out laughing at Jackson's disgruntled tone. I had been planning to take the joke further but my laughter made it impossible.
"She was here. That was so sweet of you, Jackson. Really."
"Playing tricks on me, I see," Jackson said but his voice was light. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Do you feel well enough to go to work tomorrow? You sound much better."
"Um, I'll see." If only he knew Mia's visit wasn't the only thing I had lied about.
"Well, I'm beat. I'll give you a call tomorrow night."
"Okay," I said, although I was loathe to end the conversation with him. "I love you."
"I love you too. I can't wait to see you soon."
When Jackson called Thursday night, I lied and said I had gone to work. He accepted it since he had no reason to doubt me. I started feeling a niggling sense of guilt because I was lying to him, but I kept reminding myself it was for his own good.
I was relieved when Friday rolled around, eagerly anticipating seeing Jackson even though I was nervous about telling him I had been fired.
Jackson's flight was due in at three in the afternoon so by the time he got home, it was four o'clock. He seemed happy but surprised when he walked in and saw me sitting on the living room couch.
"I thought you'd be at work," he said, lifting me into a hug and kissing me hungrily. Even though it had been less than a week, I had missed his touch desperately. He seemed to feel the same way as he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. He lifted me as I wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me into the bedroom, laying me gently on the bed.
"I've missed this so much," he said, his eyes glittering. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too," I whispered, pulling the bottom of his shirt up, wanting to feel the hard muscled planes of his chest. Jackson helped me by pulling his shirt over his head, and then reached down to do the same to mine. He unhooked my bra and leaned down, laving his tongue over my hard nipples, making me moan with pleasure.