Keep To The Script (Complete)

~ Chapter 36 ~

"Which is something I've always been drawn to as a writer. I don't want to make it feel so far out of reach that we'd just pass them by and not think twice about it. I want to draw readers in, make them part of my world while they read away, and maybe see things they never did before. I want my readers walking away from the story with a smile on their face and hearts in their eyes, wishing they could start it again fresh."

"That's very poetic."

"Maybe, but I'm the worst at poetry," she countered, making him smile.

"Honestly, I think you achieved that. I wasn't the only one who read your stuff."

"Yeah, who else do you know and never mentioned?" He grinned as he continued rubbing her back.

"Oh, I gave a copy to my sister-in-law, a few other co-workers, you know, the normal," he answered, shrugging.

"Did you go and buy more copies?" she asked, turning to look at him fully. She took in the faint blush on his cheeks and grinned. "You did!"

"Not because I didn't want to support you, because I did. But I wanted my copy to be signed. And I wanted others to read your stuff. It wasn't bad."

"I didn't say it was," she told him, shaking her head at his antics. It was actually sweet. He supported her long before he even knew her. In a way, that was super romantic to her. "Thank you," she told him, kissing his cheek.

"I'll take another on the other side, please." She rolled her eyes but placed a kiss on that cheek when he turned the other way.

"Okay, you're done for the public display. More can come later when we're alone."

"Oh, do you promise JD?" he teased her, wiggling his eyebrows at her. But she knew herself, she couldn't deny him, she wouldn't deny him. Why? She would only hurt in the process and that wasn't something she wanted to do.

"Look at you two." They both turned their heads and Angel smiled at Molly.

"No call tonight?"

"No, boyfriend is sick. Thought I'd grab a bite to eat in a little place."

"Have a seat," he told her, scooting over for her to pull up a chair next to him. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine," Molly said. "Just a pretty bad cold. Poor baby looks like crap and sounds even worse. I told him I'd let him sleep. When we talked last night, he wasn't looking too good and I kept him up far too long." She placed her order with the waiter when he came back and then turned back to the couple. "I'm glad to see you all got a moment alone. I know work has been crazy and things haven't gotten quite...okay yet."

"It's okay now," Judith told her, looking down at the table. Of course, Molly knew that Judith had been upset. Even after she and Angel had talked, Molly pulled Judith aside and let her know that Molly did not want her man. She had one of her own that she loved fiercely.

"That's good. You two look pretty cozy though. I didn't want to intrude."

"You didn't," Judith assured her. "We were done, just talking about my next book and him buying out the store for my book." Molly laughed as Angel glared at Judith.

"I heard he had bought a few extra copies. See, loved her before you knew her." Angel passed that glare to Molly who held up her hands. Judith watched the two, wondering what that look meant. "Sorry," Molly said, taking a sip of her water. But Judith was curious. To her, nothing Molly said was bad so why the glare? In fact, to her, it sounded like Molly was just teasing him and that wasn't a bad thing. It was like how she had just teased him. Judith glanced at Angel, but she knew she wouldn't get anything out of him. It was better to let it go than question it.

"Going back to the room after this, Molly?" Angel asked, removing his arm from the back of Judith and taking her hand under the table. She leaned a little closer, breathing him in and letting the smell comfort her.

"Probably. It wouldn't hurt either for me to go to bed a little earlier. I don't need any more shout outs." They shared a chuckle and Judith frowned. Not over them, because she was more comfortable with these two, but she could have sworn she heard the sound of a camera clicking. She leaned up a bit more, glancing around.

"What is it?"

"I think we're being watched." She looked back at Angel who frowned.

"Molly, let's go," he told her, standing up.

"I'll make sure to let the manager know to deliver your food," Judith told her, standing up as well. Once more, the glaring light of the camera was focused on these two, and of the people who needed protection, it sure wasn't her.

"I can handle that," Molly said, grabbing her purse and standing. But the next second, a flash went off and Molly squealed.

"Go, I'll handle this."

"Come on," Angel said, grabbing Molly's hand. Judith was quick to follow them, debating on taking his other hand, but another flash stopped her. She could follow at a distance and be okay, she knew that. She didn't need to be right next to him. He stopped, looked back at her, and was about to say something when a reporter got right in his face.

"Late night bite with your girl, Angel?" they asked, microphone in hand. Judith waved to them to leave, talking to the manager herself. Angel ignored the reporter and left out the door quickly. "Do you know them?" Judith opened her eyes wide as the reporter turned on her, leaving her flabbergasted at the question. Without answering, she turned, talked to the manager, and prayed that nothing was horribly stated in the paper.