"Jo, I've seen your boyfriend in a gorilla suit this morning."

Jo rolled her eyes, and tried to hush Sam at the same time. First of all, she was barely awake after tossing and turning in bed the night before, and secondly, they were at work. She didn't need anyone to know about her and Tom. Least of all at her workplace. "He's not my boyfriend."

She had however seen the gorilla suit herself. Not on YouTube or something, but in a picture Tom sent her sometime during the night, probably right after he came backstage. His hair was messy, his stubble was still there, and he grinned like an actual 5-year-old. He was a little sweaty as well, but Jo tried to ignore that. At least as much as she could ignore a sweaty Tom.

Sam didn't seem to be convinced. At the moment, he was sitting on a chair in front of Jo's desk, and scrunched up his nose. "But you went on two dates."

"No, we didn't."

"Yeah, you totally did." He leant over her desk now, lowering his voice. "Did he kiss you?"

Jo felt herself blush, and fought it. "I'm not telling you." She tried not to think about Tom's hands holding her face, how he tasted of coffee, and how his thumb brushed over her cheek when they separated after what felt like hours and seconds at the same time. Jo also absolutely didn't think of Tom walking her back home, his pinkie touching hers ever so slightly while they walked side by side. Oh, and Jo also forgot the kiss good-bye in front of her door. No, she had never thought about that all day yesterday, or this morning.

"He did! That wasn't a no."

"That wasn't a yes, either."

"But you would have totally denied it, if he didn't," Sam grinned. "Good for you, little roomie!" With that he slapped Jo's shoulder a little harder than necessary, winked, and then went to his own office.

With him being the deputy editor-in-chief, Jo felt even more guilty for not telling him anything, but if William Kaine said, you couldn't tell anyone, you really couldn't. Being her friend didn't help, and telling Nick without Sam finding out was basically impossible. So, naturally, Jo felt ready to burst. It wasn't from giddiness, or excitement, but from anxiety, guilt, and sheer panic. She spent the whole former day scolding herself for letting it go that far.

Jo liked the kiss; she even enjoyed it very much. But she led him on. It wasn't enough that she was lying to him, on top of that, Jo was acting like she was dating Tom. She couldn't do that. She couldn't allow herself and Tom any more dates. What she did wasn't fair to him anyway, she couldn't add heartbreak to that betrayal as well.

So, it really was an easy thing to do, wasn't it? He wouldn't be there for a whole week, and then he'd land back in London and would immediately go to South Sudan the day after, as he had texted her yesterday. That would be another week. Although it would minimise her research time, it would give her enough space to get over this stupid developing crush, and get her back on track with the actual task. Totally easy, everything was going to be fine.

"Miss Kramer?!" Jo jerked at hearing William's voice right next to her ear, and turned her head to the right. "I've been standing here for the last minute trying to get your attention. Is everything alright? Are there any problems with your little project? Which I'm still very excited about, I must tell you."

"Sorry, William. No, no problems at all. I was just thinking about doing some more research during the next week, since Tom...Mr Hiddleston is not in the country right now."

"That sounds good. But see, if you can maybe stay in contact with him. Makes the job easier, huh?" He winked, before turning, and headed back to his office, before Jo could even think of a response.

"Yeah, so much easier," she muttered before focusing on the monitor in front of her to proofread the article that was due by lunchtime.

***

In the evening Jo considered herself lucky that Sam and Nick were out on a date night. Because she was pacing. Jo was actually pacing all through the flat, she even found herself in the bathroom twice, because somehow the flat was too small.

While in the morning, and during the day she had told herself that she had it under control, that she didn't miss him, and that there was nothing to worry about, Jo started getting messages from Tom in the early evening. They were funny, and sweet, and of course she answered. So now, Jo was staring at 13 messages on her phone, and panicked. She didn't even know why. All they did was texting. That still didn't equal dating or getting more involved with Tom. On top of that, the texts made her smile.

T: Just finished a breakfast meeting. Could be worse ;) How was your day?

J: Stressful (as always), but good. About to head home, thinking about getting some dinner on the way. Strange, we're like, a whole day apart.

T: We are! But it's great "talking" to you now...

J: I feel honoured that you thought of me ;)

T: Of course! Not just now by the way.

J: I thought of you today as well...

T: You did? :)

J: ...and how great you look in a monkey suit.

T: Oh, ha ha. So, you've finally watched the video, and not just looked at the picture? And it's an ape.

J: Smart-arse. Yes, I've watched the video, loved it! I may even watch the movie, I liked the ape. (See, I'm learning.)

T: Such a fast learner! So, Kong is the only thing you may like about the movie? Nobody else?

J: Well, every movie with Samuel L. Jackson is kind of great, so I'd watch it for him as well ;)

T: Maybe until March I'll have you convinced to watch the movie for more than one actor ;)

And that was when Jo started to panic. Not because she of course would love to see the movie for Tom, or because he was ready to convince her. She panicked, because he was talking about March. March as in two months after January. She wouldn't know him anymore then. Or at least, Jo was sure that Tom wouldn't want to know her, and she couldn't blame him.

T: Did I say something wrong? No pressure! I was joking, really.

T: Jo?

T: Look, I'm about to go to another meeting right now. I didn't want to scare you, I promise. March is a long time ahead, I know that. I... well, I have to go.

J: No harm done! I picked up my food, and had a shower when I got home. I've seen your texts just now. Have a great day!

That was a lie. Of course it was, but Tom didn't need to know that. Gosh, she needed to tell someone. Jo couldn't tell Sam or Nick, her family surely wouldn't understand half of it, and every other friend she had in London was either working with her, or would just tell her not to do it, and go back to Germany.

So, Jo dialled the foreign number she knew by heart, and spoke as soon as she heard the phone being picked up. "I need your help!"

"Hello to you, too, dear Josefine. How are you this evening? I sincerely hope you've got a good reason to call me, the news are about to start, and I wanted to watch them while drinking a cup of tea. Ha! Did I sound English enough for a phone call with you?"

"I don't have time for this, Eva. I can't breathe, I'm panicking, I have a problem."

"Okay, shoot." That was what Jo loved about Eva. She could be incredibly silly, and making her laugh, but she was there and focused whenever it counted.

"So, my boss wants me to write a story about a celebrity, to earn me my promotion. You know, how much I love London, I can't stay here without a job. The story is kind of investigative, because said celebrity was in the news quite a lot, but doesn't talk about his private life. So, there I am, running into him in a café, make it look accidental, we drink coffee, we meet up, we go out, we kiss. I still need to write the article, I'm panicking, help me."

"Wow. Okay... What do you want me to say?"

"I don't fucking know, that's why I'm freaking out here!" She didn't really mean to yell, but Jo didn't have time to apologise, she could do that later.

"Did you fall for him?" Eva was in work mode, and Jo was oh so thankful for it.

"No. I mean, we kissed, and we text, but it's not like we're exclusive or anything. We met up. He's actually not even in London right now, not for the next two weeks. But he's sweet, and caring."

"Did you find out anything about him? Something that could help you?"

"Not really, no."

"Okay. I know you want to stay in London, but do you think it's worth it? I don't want to be a moraliser here, but the way you met is kind of shady. Fucked up, to be precise."

"I know, I know. But yes, I want to stay here. Maybe I just won't go on another date with him? Tell him I need space? Or...to be friends? Or...something?" It helped to say all of this out loud, to get it out of her head.

"Do you think you can do that? Again, I'm not judging here, I just want you to know about the consequences." She knew, Jo knew all of this. It wasn't like she didn't tell all of this to herself.

"I have to, Eva. I just needed to tell someone. As soon as I get the information for a good story, I'll be able to walk away, and we won't see each other again. And until then, I'll just be a little more direct. So, I don't have to meet him that often, right?" When there wasn't an answer from Eva at the end of the line, Jo asked again. "Right?"

"And he's really not an asshole?"

"He's really not."

Eva sighed. Jo could see her, rolling her eyes, pursing her lips, and twirling some blonde strands around her finger, before sighing again. "I'm not really sure you'll be able to pull off this 'We're only friends'-thing, but I'm here, if you need to talk."

"That's all I'm asking."

"Okay, Fine...," she used her special nickname for Jo, the one she only used when she was mothering her, the one that didn't sound British but German, and the woman knew she could count on Eva, "I hope you won't end up broken hearted."

"I won't. My main concern is him, to be honest."

"Alright." There was a slight pause. "Is there any chance you can tell me who it is?"

"No."

"Can I guess?"

It was the first time since those last messages from Tom that Jo actually let out a small laugh. "You can try."

***

He fucked up. He really did, didn't he? Tom paced his room he just got back to after a meeting for the upcoming Skull Island promotion. He didn't even want to ask Jo about seeing that movie, and he sure as hell didn't want to suggest they'd still date in March. If they were dating at all. He didn't believe the 'I was in the shower'-line one bit. He had scared her, and now Tom wasn't sure, if he should persuade Jo at all. After the kisses they shared, he thought they were on the same page, but maybe not?

Honestly, he missed her. He knew that probably wasn't healthy. He'd seen her three days ago, it wasn't like it was a lifetime without her. But mostly, the actor felt lonely. At the same time he had the feeling that everyone was staring at him. He didn't google himself, obviously, but he wasn't stupid, and he had ears and eyes. People were still talking about his past relationship, and although he'd been in LA for the Emmys, this was the first time he was in a city with his former girlfriend, and the rumours went wild. Luke told him about them, but it was not like they could do anything about it, except him living his life like a normal human being, and hoping that somehow they would end up at different places at the same time with paparazzi taking pictures of him. Proofing they weren't together, so to say.

So, really, it was only natural to want someone to keep him company, or to talk to, right? And having spent at least a part of his time with Jo during the last two weeks, it was only normal to miss her. A little bit, not much. Still more than Jo missed him, though, or so it seemed. After all, he didn't get an answer from her. Maybe, he should just not crush on her that much. He could go slowly, ease into it, and just spend time with Jo. That was a great idea. Not dive into it too fast.

The kisses were pretty amazing, though. Like, really amazing. But maybe he shouldn't think about this now, and take a cold shower instead. He would still have another meeting later in the afternoon, after all.

He was still pacing, Tom realised, and stopped. This was getting ridiculous. Two weeks! He'd known her for two weeks. And then he thought about kissing her again.

Tom groaned, and fell on the couch behind him. He leaned all the way back so he was laying on it fully, and rubbed a hand over his face. He would have so many meetings that upcoming week, that he probably wouldn't have much time to write her, but he was absolutely sure of the fact that he couldn't wait another week after that to see Jo again. So, Tom did the only thing he could think of at the moment, and grabbed his phone from his pocket.

T: Good, so you know I was joking about seeing Kong before. But I'm not joking now. See me when I come back?

J: Of course, you'll have to tell me everything about your time in South Sudan.

T: I don't mean after that trip. I mean before, when I come back from LA.

J: Tom, you'll come back on the 22nd, and you'll leave on the 23rd. You won't have time to meet me.

Tom smiled, and ignored her objection. She remembered his travel plans.

T: I'll arrive in the afternoon. I'm totally selfish here. I'll probably take a nap. So I'll need your help packing, and cooking. And I want to see you. Come to my house? I'll text you the address? Please.

He was almost tempted to send a selfie of him pouting to go with the message, but refrained from doing so. He went all in. If she didn't want to meet him, his world wouldn't shatter, and he wouldn't bother her for the next two weeks. He would distance himself then. His hands became sweaty. Still, he didn't have to wait as long as he thought, and Jo's answer surprised him.

J: I'll be there.