Getting into the car Leigh tells Jackson, "Sorry that I took so long. I went ahead and dropped off an extra steak at Chase's."

"So I guess that means you told him I was coming tonight too? Was he ok with that?" Jackson asks.

"Yeah, he said it's fine. Where are we going first?" Leigh says grabbing the newspaper trying to change the subject.

"That one right there, Jackson says pointing to the ad. I already put the address in the GPS."

Jackson was trying to find something close to the studio so the commute wouldn't be so bad. He really only need one bedroom, but two would be great so that he could use one as an office.

After a few hours of driving around, they narrowed the search down to two places. Jackson said he had another one that he would like to check out, but he could do that on his own tomorrow.

"Great because I am starving, and I believe you promised me some lunch," Leigh says. They went to a burger place in Leigh's neighborhood.

"This place is great, and the food is awesome," Jackson says.

"I'm glad you like it," Leigh says.

"I like the area around here too. You seem to be really happy here Leigh."

"I really like my job, and I'm making new friends," she says.

"So you don't miss being at home, and your old friends?" Jackson asks frowning.

"Well yeah of course I miss my friends and family. I just felt like this was something that I needed to do you know. To get out there and take care of myself, be on my own. I want to make a name for myself where no one knows who my parents are," she says.

"I understand," Jackson says. "I'm glad that we get to spend a little time together while I'm here. So no one here knows who your parents are?" he asks.

"Actually I told Chase and his parents last night. It kind of came out in the conversation. I did tell them that I didn't want anyone to know, and they understood. Turns out Charles is a big fan of my mom," Leigh says smiling. "I promised to introduce him to her when she comes out for a visit."

"Please make sure to save a dinner for me when she comes. You know how much I love Grace too. I miss getting to spend time with all of the Jensen's, Jackson says sadly. You were all like my second family, and I screwed it all up."

"Jackson it was a long time ago, just let it go," Leigh says grabbing his hand.

"I know, but I lost my best friend and the only girl I have ever really loved all at one time. I wish that I could go back in time and change so much," Jackson says.

"Look we can't change the past. All we can do is be happy right now, and make a great future for ourselves," Leigh says.

"I agree," Jackson says looking deep into her eyes, while still holding her hand.

"So when is the last time that you talked to Wyatt?" Leigh asks pulling back.

"I saw him in town having lunch with some friends about a month ago. We said hey, but that was about it. I didn't want to interrupt his time with his friends," he says.

"Jackson I'm sorry you guys never got back to being close again. I wish that I could change that," Leigh says sadly.

"I understand why he felt like he could never trust me again. I lied to him about being with you, and then I cheated on you. Honestly, I wish he would have just kicked my ass back then. Then he could have gotten some of the anger out instead of ignoring me all of these years," Jackson says.

"I asked him not to so he is just doing what I asked him to do," Leigh admits.

"So how is he doing?" Jackson asks.

"He is doing great. He is working on a movie in LA right now, so I don't get to talk to him very much. Wyatt always wanted to act like mom did, and I wanted to direct like dad did. Maybe one day I will get to direct Wyatt in a movie, and he will have to do everything that I say," she says proudly.

"Yeah good luck with that," Jackson says laughing.

"Hey, he listened to me about not kicking your ass before. I'm sure I could call him right now, and tell him I changed my mind. He will gladly make a quick trip to Atlanta," Leigh says pretending to look for her phone in her purse.

"Wait hold on a second. In theory, I know I still deserve to get punched out by your brother, but he is a lot bigger now than he was in high school," Jackson says pretending to be scared.

"Alright you are safe for now," Leigh says.

"So tell me about Chase. Anything that I need to know about him before we start working together?" Jackson asks.

"I would rather you get to know Chase on your own, and not be influenced by my opinion of him. I really wish that you had met at work and not at my apartment," Leigh says.

"I can skip the dinner tonight if you would rather us not spend time together around you," Jackson says.

"No at this point I think it would be a good thing for you to hang out, and get to know each other a little before work tomorrow."

"Why do you think that?" he asks.

"Well before I knew you were coming out here for work, I told Chase about what happened with us."

"Why did you tell him about us? Our relationship is none of his business," he says.

"I know, but we got to talking about why each other had left home. He asked if it was because of a guy, and I didn't want to lie."

"So you did leave home to get away from me," Jackson asks looking hurt.

"No, I moved here for my job. You know as well as I do that we weren't in a place to make any decisions about us at the time. I knew you wanted more, and I just wasn't ready for that. So I guess in a way I did run away, but I didn't do it to hurt you."

Jackson looks off in the distance clearly hurt by her words.

Leigh grabs Jackson's hand and says, "I want us to be friends, but you hurt me, Jackson.  Then we spent a lot of time apart. How about we work on getting to know each other again as adults? We can hang out together some while you are here. Would you be willing to do that?"

Jackson looks at Leigh and gives her a small smile.

"It is really all that I can offer right now. I have to consider what Christopher would think. He may not be here right now, but he is my boyfriend. I would never want to hurt him or give him any reason not to trust me," Leigh says.

"I understand, and I would love to spend time with you while I am here. You are the reason that I came here," he admits.

"Jackson, no please tell me that is not true."

"Well I mean I came here for the job, but I'm not going to lie Leigh I wanted to be near you too. You know that I love you, and I will always love you. I want you back in my life, but I understand that you have moved on. I will try to accept that. Just please give me some time to work thru it ok, he says looking at her sadly. I just want you to be happy," Leigh.

"I really want you to be happy too Jackson."

"Christopher is a lucky man to have you in his life, he says smiling lovingly at her. So I guess if Chase knows about us, then obviously Christopher knows as well?"

"Yeah, but I didn't tell him until after you said you were coming here," Leigh says.

"So you told Chase, but you hadn't told Christopher?"

"I didn't want anyone to know that didn't already know," Leigh gives Jackson an annoyed look. "It just came out when Chase asked me about it. I guess I had been holding it in for too long and needed to get it out."

"You could have talked to me," Jackson says.

"We did talk about it back then, and then we had sex. Do you not remember that part?" Leigh says sarcastically.

"Of course I remember that night! It was one of the best nights of my life until you asked me to leave," Jackson says.

"Look I don't want to fight. All that I am saying is that I hadn't told Christopher because I was embarrassed about what had happened between us."

Leigh realizes what she has just said seeing the look on Jackson's face. "I wasn't embarrassed about our relationship Jackson, just how it ended," Leigh explains. "I decided to tell him because I didn't want him to find out later on that you had been here all this time, and then think that I had kept it from him."

"So I guess Christopher and Chase pretty much hate me then. Kind of explains why Chase didn't really have much to say to me when I met him," Jackson says.

"He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't know you. That's what we can work on tonight at dinner. Actually, I told him you are a lot alike," she says.

"Oh, I am sure he loved hearing that. You compared him to the guy who lied to his best friend to be with his sister behind his back and then cheated on that same wonderful girl. The girl that this guy obviously has a thing for. Despite the fact that she is dating his brother."

"What are you talking about? Chase does not have a thing for me. He likes to flirt with me, and kid around with me, but that is it," Leigh says.

"Look all I know is that guy was ready to take my head off when I opened your door yesterday. He only calmed down a little when you stepped in between us," Jackson says.

"He is just looking out for me while Christopher is gone. You were a strange guy in my apartment, and opening my door."

"I am glad someone is watching out for you Leigh. I really wish that guy could be me, and trust me so does Chase."

"Well we should probably be heading back," Leigh says, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah I have a couple more errands to run before dinner, so I will take you home."

They leave the restaurant and head for the car. "Thanks for spending time helping me today Leigh. I really appreciate it. I'm glad we got to talk, and I look forward to spending time together while I am here."

"Me too," Leigh says.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you to your door?" he asks as they pull up outside her building.

"No, I'm good. I will see you tonight."

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea for me to come tonight Leigh," he says as she is getting out of the car.

"Everything will be fine. Just give him some time to get to know you," she replies.

"Ok I will see you tonight," Jackson says as she closes the door.

Thanks so much for reading my book. Please vote, and post comments to let me know what you think!
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