10 months later, at Jen's yearly holiday tree trimming party.
Jen and Brad have talked occasionally since last winter, but there's no denying that the incident at Brad's house changed something between them...
The walls Jen built up after they divorced have come back up, and it has prevented them from getting any closer.
Ellen : It's delicious Jen. What the hell did you put on this?
Jen : Well I had...
Brad : In correction, what the hell did "her chef" put on this.
Brad takes a bite of the turkey Ellen's talking about and winks at Jen.
Jen : Wha... Brad. I've cooked some of this food.
Brad : But not the turkey right?
Jen : Well, no.
Brad : And not the casserole?
Jen : No...
Brad : So what'd you make?
Jen : The side salad.
He laughs, which causes Jen to grab one of the napkins and start hitting him with it.
You see... there are times when the walls are left down.
Jen : Brad!
Brad : Hey!
Brad responds by trying to get it out of her hand by tickling her and neither of them are considering the fact that it might be weird of them to act like this.
They're just that comfortable with each other.
1 hour later :
Amanda : Well... this was a success.
Amanda comes walking towards Jen who's throwing together some guac in the kitchen.
Jen : Thank you, honey.
She sighs while adding the salt.
And as always, Amanda senses there's something bugging her.
Amanda : What's up?
Jen : Oh, I just... I'm a little upset Justin couldn't be here.
Amanda : Yeah... it feels a bit weird not having him around.
Jen : But I guess his life is in New York now... or I mean it always has.
Amanda : Jen...
Amanda approaches her, but as she's about to say something to try to make it better, Jen grabs the guac and walks out of the kitchen.
Jen : I'll be fine.
This isn't exactly the first time Justin's let her down. Yet, she never expect him to, which is why she always ends up getting disappointed.
Not necessarily with Justin, but herself... for always being so god damn depended on him. Even now, nearly two years after they've broken up, she somehow still finds herself missing him from time to time.
Or maybe she just misses having someone.
15 minutes later :
After downing two shots of tequila in an attempt to lighten up, Jen finds herself outside in her backyard, looking over her view of Los Angeles.
Where she often finds herself escaping whenever she needs some time to think.
Brad : So this is the place you've ran off to.
Brad comes sneaking up behind her, like usual... and joins her.
Brad : I can see why.
Jen : Do you have a tracker on me or something?
Brad : Maybe... or I just remember all the places you would escape to whenever you couldn't take any more of my shit.
He takes the drink out of her hand and takes a sip of it.
Jen : I thought you quit drinking.
Brad : I did... a sip won't hurt me.
He makes her laugh, instantly putting her in a better mood.
Brad : So tell me. What's going on?
Jen : Oh, it's nothing...
Brad : Jen, come on.
Jen : It's just... you're kind of the last person I'd talk to when it comes to this.
He furrows his brow, not following her.
Jen : Oh what the hell...
For some reason Jen decides to let down her guard and not care that it's Brad she's about to spill her heart out to.
Jen : I'm lonely. Like shit.
Maybe it's the tequila... or maybe she just trusts him.
Even after everything that's happened between them.
Jen : And I don't know if it's because I miss him or... if I just miss having "someone" there.
Brad : Yeah, that's...
Jen : Did you ever feel that way after you and Angelina split? Or do you still?
Brad : For a while, yes. But I especially remember feeling that way after...
Jen turns to him and widens her eyes.
Brad : After you and I broke up.
She goes silent for a minute.
They both do... but it's okay because they know what's about to happen.
Jen takes a step closer, before she lays two hands on Brad's face and finally does what she's been wanting to do for a long time.
She's just not been able to admit it to herself.
Brad : Jen...
Before he's able to say another word, she presses her lips against his.
A feeling of desire, that is so overwhelming Jen's knees go weak, washes over the both of them.
Courteney : Jen!
Jen, being pressed up against the wall, with Brad's body between her legs, freezes.
She can't get caught with him. Not tonight. Not now.
Courteney : Jen! Are you out here?
Jen : Oh, fuck. I... I should go.
Brad : Yeah... yes.
She runs off to get to Courteney before she gets to them, not wanting her to find out about what just happened.
Courteney : There you are. What the hell are you doing out here?!
Jen : I... I was just in need for some fresh air.
Courteney : Alright... but everyone's literally asking for you. Let's go back inside.
Jen : Uhm. Okay. Yes.
Brad sneaks back inside a couple of minutes after Jen, just to be on the safe side.
But his gesture is all for nothing, as they've already been seen together...
not by Courteney, but by Amanda, who followed Jen outside, wanting to check up on her.
15 minutes later, in Jen's living room :
Rita : Getting back on the road has really been a big help for me.
Jen : Yes, I can only imagine. In my case getting back to work has had some of the same...
Amanda : Can I talk to you for a second?
Amanda's not the type to interrupt someone in the middle of a conversation, letting Jen know it's something important.
Amanda : Hi Rita, sorry.
Rita : No, it's totally fine.
Jen : Uhm, yeah sure.
Amanda grabs Jen's arm and they go back outside, making Jen feel odd, knowing what happened there just a few moments earlier.
And so does Amanda.
Jen : What's going on?
Amanda : I should ask you the same.
Jen : I don't follow.
Amanda : Okay, I know this is none of my business, but I'm just...
Jen fears she knows what's coming next.
Amanda : I saw you.
And she was right.
Amanda : I saw you and Brad kissing... up against the wall.
Jen : You...
Amanda : And that's great. That's really good. I just... I didn't know anything was happening between you guys.
Jen : It's not.
Amanda : It's not? Then what was that?
Jen takes a moment to think before answering her. Mainly because she doesn't know what to say.
Jen : I don't know. We kissed, I... we got caught in the moment.
What was their kiss?
Jen wonders if it's something that will happen again. Technically it had already happened once before. Last year, at Brad's house.
Which makes this their second kiss. When leaving out the thousands of kisses they shared when they were married.
Amanda : So you're not dating?
Jen : No.
Amanda : Oh...
Jen : Is that a good thing?
Amanda : Why are you asking me?
Jen : I don't know. I want your opinion.
Amanda : Well... sure, it is. Just be careful.
Later :
Jen and Brad avoid talking to each other the rest of the night, as neither of them want to attract any more attention necessary.
However, every now and then their eyes meet from across the room, causing one another to blush.
Jen : Call me.
Jen mouths to Brad, with her hand showing the telephone sign.
Still, she can't seem to get Amanda's voice telling her to "be careful", out of her head.
Brad : I will. You looked beautiful tonight.
He mouths back, causing butterflies to appear in her stomach.
And that's probably because she knows exactly what Amanda's on about.
She would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid to be hurt by him again.