Page 95 of A Simple Love

“I’ll read it.”

We finished dinner and headed outside, waiting for the valet to bring around my car. Annie was going on to another meeting.

“I’ll see you back in LA.”

I bent and kissed her cheek. “Thanks for coming, Annie. For everything.”

She nodded and tilted her head. “Worlds can change. Remember that.”

I watched her walk away, unsure what she meant.

The following week, Davis sat down next to me, offering me a tired smile.

“Almost done,” he observed. “You’ve got two more scenes, and you’re free.” He rubbed his temples. “I assume you’re not sticking around for the wrap party next week?”

“No. Annie needs me back in LA.”

“And what do you need, Oliver?”

I blinked. “What?”

“Do you need to be back in LA?”

“Yes. I have meetings. And if it goes well, then rehearsals. Luckily, most of the film is being shot on the studio lot with only a few outside scenes. It’ll be private.”

He nodded. “Do you ever stop and think about what Oliver the person needs?”

“I need to work. I like working.”

He rubbed his chin. “Right.” He shifted in his chair. “Haven’t seen Kassie around much.”

“She’s busy with her accounting business. Plus, the pie thing. She’s on the go constantly,” I said, keeping my voice even.

It was the truth. She was always baking or had her head bent over her keyboard as she worked on whatever it was she did for clients. All I knew was it was far more involved than I could fathom. We had dinner when we could, and I still spent time with her, but things were different. We were no longer together the way we had been. We were transitioning to friends again, and I knew I had to let it happen. But I hated it. I missed her. Missed the intimacy between us. Missed waking up with her. Feeling her arms around me. I had no idea how I was going to say goodbye to her. Leave her behind. Simply the thought of it caused an ache in my chest that throbbed.

But if friendship was what she needed, I would do that. I owed her that, at the very least. I would leave Richton on a good note, knowing Kassie would still have her life after I left.

What I was going to do without her was another question.

Davis spoke again, interrupting my musings.

“I live in San Fransico.”

“Oh,” I replied.

“I moved there four years ago.”

“I see. Great city.”

“It is. I have freedom there. A real life. I like having that separation—some privacy.”

“That’s…great,” I repeated.

“Yep.”

He stood and smiled. “It took me a while, but I figured out my priorities. And I realized that sometimes, what seems impossible is, in fact, very possible.”

I was totally confused. “Right.”