by Lydia Rose
“Can we speak for a moment?” Melissa asked already standing behind Jill.
“Sure.” Jill motioned for Melissa to take a seat. “Is there a problem?”
“No. I just wanted to find out how you are holding up with all of the craziness.”
“I feel like I’m being followed by a pack of wolves. They are there wherever I go.”
Melissa chuckled. “Ashley’s song is only adding to the hype.”
Jill nodded. “Ashley was pissed that the song was released at this time.”
“You may as well get everything over at one time. I understand that Rachel had been seeing Ashley before you two got together?”
“Yes” Jill answered looking away. “Did Rachel say anything?”
“Not to me. Are you going to be able to handle this as a professional?”
“Of course.” Jill looked at Melissa. “I’m sure we both will.”
“I hope so.” Melissa stood up. “Good luck on your first day.”
“Thanks, Melissa. I won’t let you down.” Jill called before Melissa left the trailer. Just great. I’m sure Rachel has been telling everyone that she had Ashley first. Jill picked up her script and began to study her lines before she was due on the set.
The first scene was Rachel comforting Jill after losing a patient. It was to be their first kiss. Jill watched as Rachel walked toward her to rehearse the scene. “Hello, Rachel,” Jill said softly.
Rachel grinned. “That was some kiss New Year’s Eve,” she said shaking her hand before she leaned closer to Jill. “She’s some kisser, isn’t she?”
Jill’s mouth dropped open. She knew that Rachel would have some comment for her, but she didn’t know how to respond to this.
“I hope you aren’t disappointed after you and I kiss?” Her smile opened wide and she winked.
“Uh, I think we should wait until we’re filming before we kiss,” Jill finally said.
“Don’t be nervous, Jill.” Rachel’s hand came out and rested on Jill’s arm.
The director drew their attention and they went through the scene. “Now when you kiss her, Rachel,” he moved closer, “turn your head to the left so we can get the right angle.”
Jill’s character sat on the stairs in the stairwell. She was crying with her head lowered when Rachel sat next to her and took her hand. “You did everything you could, Dana.”
“It wasn’t enough if he died.”
“No one could have saved him.” Rachel lifted Jill’s chin and looked into her eyes. “No one, Dana.” Rachel moved closer until their lips met. The kiss lasted only a fleeting minute and Jill forgot to kiss her back.
“Cut. Let’s try that again.”
“I’m sorry,” Jill whispered to Rachel. “I’ll kiss you back this time.”
They moved in for the kiss and Jill returned the kiss before the director yelled. “Cut and print. Perfect ladies.”
“See. That wasn’t so hard,” Rachel said wearing a big smile. “You’re a good kisser too,” she said before she walked away.
Jill drove out of the studio at seven o’clock that night. She had pages of dialogue to memorize, but luckily that came easily to her. “Call Ashley,” she said as she drove down the street.
“Hey, stranger. Are you home?” Ashley asked.
“Not yet. I just left the studio.”
“Want to come over?”
“Wish I could, but I’ve got a script to go over. I’m sorry, Ash.”
“We both knew your filming would dominate your time. So how is it going with the show?”
“I had to kiss Rachel today.” Jill waited for Ashley’s response. When none came, she added, “She told me you were a great kisser.”
Ashley laughed. “Rachel wasn’t so bad herself. How did I compare to her?”
“No comparison, Ash. I don’t love her.”
Ashley let out the breath she had been holding. “Thanks. I love you too.”
“Can I see you Friday night?” Jill asked as she pulled into her parking space.
“I have an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show Friday. I’ll call you when I leave the studio. It seems my song has put me in high demand suddenly,” Ashley said laughing.
“So many people have come up to me and told me to tell you how much they love the song.” Jill chuckled. “Of course they always ask if it’s about me.”
“I’m sorry, Jill. I never expected that song to be released as a single. I didn’t even believe that you would recognize that the song was about you.”
“Oh, honey,” Jill let out a breath, “how could I not know?”
“Well, if you really were straight,” Ashley paused, “it might not have even entered your mind.”
“Good thing I’m not,” Jill said with a laugh as she opened her apartment door.
“Yeah, I still can’t believe you fooled me for so long.”
“Me either,” Jill said laughing.
“Well, I hear you are at home. I’ll let you go relax before your day begins again tomorrow.”
“I miss you, Ash.”
“I miss you too, honey. Good night.”
“Good night, Ash.” Her voice broke with emotion surprising herself. “Good night,” she said again before disconnecting the call.
Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on Jill’s front door. She looked through the peephole and smiled. “Ash,” she said as she opened the door. Ashley walked inside without speaking and closed the door. She now moved into Jill’s arms and kissed her deeply. “Wow,” Jill said as she stepped away.
“Yeah, wow,” Ashley said smiling. “You sounded so sad on the phone.” She shrugged.
Jill laid her head against Ashley’s chest. “Thank you for coming over.”
“I won’t stay. I just had to remind you that I’m still here, Jill.” Ashley kissed her again reaching for the door knob. “Good night,” she said kissing her mouth deeply.
“Good night, Ash.” And then Ashley was gone. Jill leaned back on the door. “Wow,” she said to the empty apartment.
CHAPTER 18
Ashley’s new song and Jill’s filming schedule kept the women apart most nights, but the weekend was theirs. The first episode of Jill and Rachel’s involvement aired and ratings went through the roof. Jill and Rachel managed to find a common ground to make the viewing audience believe that they were falling in love. The internet was blowing up with talk of the show. Ashley’s song “It’s You” was added to the soundtrack to the first love scene of the two women. When the show ended, Jill’s phone rang. “Hi, honey.”
“Hey, I just watched the show.”
“Oh,” Jill said softly. “What did you think?”
“It was strange to hear my song and see you with Rachel.”
Jill giggled nervously. “I was thinking about you the whole time.”
“Yeah, but what who was Rachel thinking about?” Ashley asked giggling too.
“I can tell you it wasn’t me. The moment the scene finished, her girlfriend pulled her away to Rachel’s trailer.”
“So you get Rachel hot and bothered and Sara finishes her off?” Ashley asked.
“I doubt I made her hot and bothered. You try making love in front of a bunch of people and the director is calling out instructions the whole time.”
“I think you underestimate yourself, Jill. I know what your kisses do to me.”
“That may be true, but I’m not kissing her the way I kiss you.” Ashley didn’t respond. “Are you jealous, Ash?”
“No,” Ashley answered too quickly and then sighed. “Maybe just a little.”
Jill lowered her voice. “Don’t be, Ash. I want no one but you.”
“Move in with me, Jill?”
“What?”
“Our time is so limited that if we lived in the same house at least we can sleep next to each other.”
Jill giggled. “I doubt we would get much sleep if we’re in the same bed together.”
“How about if I promise to be good?”
“Oh, I know you are good. That’s why that isn’t such a good idea.” Ashley remained silent. “Ash, don’t you think it’s too soon?”
“No,” she said quietly.
“Can we talk about it this weekend?” Jill asked. She wanted to jump at the chance to live with Ashley forever, but she didn’t want them to rush this relationship and ruin it just as it began.
“Okay. I promise I won’t push.”
“Thank you.”
Filming the week’s episode finished Thursday night and Jill wanted to surprise Ashley with a three day weekend. She arrived at her house and unlocked the door. “Ashley,” she called out as she came into the house. Not receiving an answer, she carried her bag up to the master bedroom. Jill stepped back almost falling over when she noticed a dark haired woman asleep on the bed. She gripped her bag tighter and left the room. As she came down the stairs she saw Ashley’s housekeeper standing there. “Hello. I’m Jill.”
“Is Ms. Ashley expecting you?” the woman asked frowning.
“No.” Jill moved closer. “Who is that woman upstairs?”
Maryann looked at Jill not knowing how to answer, but softly answered, “That Ms. Carly.”
“Is she Ashley’s girlfriend?”
Maryann shrugged. “Ms. Carly has been on the road for the last nine months.”
Jill couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Ashley had a girlfriend and she didn’t bother to tell her. “Would you let Ashley know I stopped by?”
“I will, miss.” Maryann watched as Jill left the house.
An hour later, Ashley walked into the house. Maryann came running out of the kitchen. “Ms. Carly is upstairs sleeping.”
“Shit. What is she doing here?” Ashley asked showing her displeasure.
“She said she just got off the road and was anxious to see you.” As Ashley turned toward the stairs, Maryann continued, “Ms. Jill stopped by an hour ago.”
Ashley’s eyes opened wide. “Did she know that Carly was here?”
“By the time I realized someone else was here, Ms. Jill was just coming down the stairs.”
“Shit, shit, shit.” Ashley was holding her head in her hands as if it was going to explode. Why would Jill be here? Didn’t she have work? “Did Jill say why she was here?”
Maryann shook her head. “No, but she did have an overnight bag with her.”
“Shit,” Ashley said again. “Let me deal with that one first before I see if I can salvage my relationship with Jill.”
“You mean you aren’t still seeing Ms. Carly?”
“No. We broke up before she went on the road.”
Maryann nodded understanding
Ashley walked into her bedroom and sat on the bed. Her hand came out and shook Carly. “Wake up, Carly.”
Carly stretched. “Hi, baby.”
“Don’t baby me. I told you it wasn’t working out. Do you remember me saying it was better if we ended it before you went out on the road?”
“Yeah, but I’m back. Don’t you want to try again?”
Ashley grabbed her head again. “No.” She stood up. “Now please get dressed and leave.”
“Are you sure, Ash,” Carly said gliding her hand up Ashley’s arm.
Ashley pulled away her arm. “Very sure.” She left the bedroom and went in search of Maryann. “If she doesn’t leave, please call me.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Ashley.”
“It’s not your fault, Maryann. Would you please change the sheets on the bed?”
“Of course.”
Ashley grabbed her keys and headed for the door. She now stood in front of Jill’s door afraid to knock. Taking a deep breath, she gently knocked on the door.
Jill opened the door quickly. Her face showed Ashley just how angry she was. “I’m not dating Carly. We broke up more than nine months ago.”
“Then why was she sleeping in your bed?”
“She was under the assumption that now that she was back in town we could start up again.” Ashley looked at Jill who was still blocking entrance to the apartment. “May I come in?” Jill stepped out of the way. “Thank you. I told Carly to get out.”
“Obviously your housekeeper didn’t know you two had broken up.”
“I don’t tell Maryann everything about my life. I hadn’t even told her about you because she was on vacation.”
“When I’m out I see the rag papers that say you are cheating on me with someone different every night. I try to ignore it, but when I walked into your bedroom and saw another woman in your bed…” her words choked back. “I thought what a fool I’ve been believing in you.”
“Nothing is further from the truth that I want anyone else, but you. Yes, I’ve been seen with women in public. It’s either been a friend, band member or someone on my staff. There are no other women in my life. Not that way,” Ashley said firmly.
“I’m sorry Ash for not trusting you.” Jill moved into Ashley’s arms.
“It’s hard for me too,” she said as Jill looked at her face. “You are a beautiful and desirable woman. I worry someone better than me will take you away from me.” Ashley let out a deep breath. “But I do realize that if we are going to last, we both have to trust one another.”
Jill smiled. “Ask me again, Ash.”
“Ask you what?” Jill grinned at Ashley’s question. “Would you move in with me?”
“Yes.” Jill kissed Ashley’s mouth softly. “I would love to move in with you, Ashley.” Her lips came back to Jill’s. “I understand you came to my house with an overnight suitcase.”
“I have the next three days off. Are you interested in spending them with me?”
“I am interested in spending the rest of my life with you, Jill.”
“Good. So am I.” Jill answered clasping Ashley’s hand in hers as she led her to the bedroom.
THE END
If you enjoyed reading my book, please take the time to write a review on Amazon or Goodreads. As a self-published author, I depend on reviews to continue writing new stories. As always, I appreciate the support my fans have shown for my work.
Other Books by Lydia Rose
The Summer of Our Love, Book 1
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? (The Summer of Our Love Sequel, Book 2)
Stay With Me
The House on the Lake
The Country Girl
Coming Home
Are You the One?
The Story of Annabelle & Alison
Love Comes to Alaska
Family Ties
The Cruise
My Heart Wants You
Somebody Like You
Lost Memories
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Love Isn’t Always Easy, Book 3
Return to the Shore, Book 4
Could You Ever Love Me?
