***
Pressure pushed her into the leather seat. Outside the window, the airport and runway grew smaller and smaller as the jet climbed toward the sky. Soon Boston would be little more than a pleasant memory, and she’d start work on another set for her current movie.
When the city below became a dot on the landscape, she picked up her e-reader. She’d started a biography about Cleopatra on Monday as a way to pass the time at night and keep her mind occupied. So far she’d made little progress on the book.
“I expected to see Sean here today,” Avery said. She had her own e-reader out. “Did he stop by yesterday?”
“We said our goodbyes on Saturday night.” Had she already read this page? It sounded familiar.
“Goodbye as in for good? I thought you planned on inviting him to California. What happened?” Avery dropped her e-reader into her carry-on.
Mia turned off hers, too. Between her lack of concentration and her sister’s questions, she’d never make any progress right now “I wanted to, but I didn’t get the chance. Sean ended things on Saturday.”
Tears began to build up again. This time she refused to let them come. Already that week she’d wasted enough tears on Sean.
“I thought this one might work for you. You seemed so happy, and he got along so well with everyone at Gram’s. Was it because of the distance?”
Mia looked out the window again. She’d shared the same view at one time. In fact, even up until they boarded the jet, she thought after he had time to think he’d show up with a change of heart. “Something like that.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, but somehow she kept the tears back.
A warm hand slipped over hers. “I’m sorry. I know you cared a lot about him,” Avery said, her voice kind and sympathetic. “But it’s for the best. With you living on different coasts it would’ve been hard.”
Yeah, she’d told herself the same arguments. Not that they helped. Her heart insisted on doing its own thing. “Avery, I don’t want to discuss this right now. Can we talk about something else?”
“You know I’m right though.”
Here sister loved to have the last word. “Not now, Avery.” Mia allowed her aggravation to creep into her voice. “Maybe some other time.”
“Fine.” Avery pulled her hand away. “Did you know Mark ended his engagement?”
Avery always did know the gossip on every set. “Where did that rumor start?” Gossip like that came and went with the wind.
“From Mark. I overheard him on the phone with Shauna. When he got off he told me he’d asked her to move out of his LA apartment before he returned. He didn’t come right out and say it, but I think you’re part of the reason. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
Her sister’s comment warranted an eyeball roll even if the behavior was childish. “Mark and I are friends. And he looks at every woman like that. Even you.”
“No, it’s different when he looks at you. Since his engagement is off maybe you should see about starting something with him. Who knows where things will go? If nothing else it’ll help get your mind off Sean.”
Mia turned her e-reader back on. “I’m going to read now.”