Sweet Dreams (Sunset Dreams Series Book 1)

by Senhaji, Jennifer

  I decide this is a good time to quote him back to him. “I still think you work too many hours.”

  “Smart ass!”

  “Hey, not nice.” I laugh a little at myself.

  “So any vacations this year?”

  “I hope so. I went to Italy years ago and always wanted to go back. Maybe in the next year or so if I can and there are lots of other places on my list.”

  “Good, I think you should. I love Italy. What parts do you want to see when you are there?”

  “Well, definitely Florence again. I loved Florence. Then maybe head south, Naples, maybe Pisa.”

  “All good. Italy is one of the most beautiful places. When you go, make sure to go to Positano and the Amalfi Coast.”

  “Okay.” I make a note of that. “Are you still in New York?” I ask timidly.

  “Yeah, for a few more days, then next week I go to LA to do some promoting.”

  He sounds tired.

  “Where exactly do you live?”

  “Actually I have a couple of places, but I split most of my time between LA and New York.”

  “Oh, that must be…”

  Jake interrupts me. “Hey, can I call you later, someone walked in?”

  “Sure.”

  He doesn’t call back that night and I realize I’m starting to obsess with the phone like I did with him coming into the cafe.

  This can’t be good.

  A couple of days later I get a text from Jake.

  Hey-J

  Hey-Me

  R u busy?-J

  I have a few mins, what r u doing?-Me

  My phone rings. “Hello?”

  “I’m packing, getting ready to head to LA tomorrow.”

  “So off to Lala land, huh?”

  “Yep. How was your day?”

  Sighing I explain the excitement that was my morning. “Good, except for the whole pitcher of OJ I spilled on myself this morning. Had to work until ten when Laney came in before I could go home and change. Orange juice is extremely sticky.”

  “Jen, you know the juice is for drinking not bathing.”

  “Ha ha! I should have thought of that.”

  Jake hesitates for a bit then says, “So, I might be real busy while I’m in LA.”

  I stay quiet, not sure if he expects me to say something.

  “Anyway, I wanted to let you know in case I don’t have a chance to call for a few days.”

  “Well, have a good flight, Jake.”

  “Thanks Jen, goodnight.”

  “Goodnight.”

  That was weird. I’m not really sure why he called.

  Did he call to tell me he couldn’t call? I don’t get it.

  After two weeks of not hearing from Jake, I start to think I should call him, to make sure he’s okay.

  I need to hear his voice.

  I hate it.

  It makes me feel anxious and my stomach feels all twisted.

  This is ridiculous.

  We are friends, sort of.

  I need to take my mind off of Jake.

  On Friday, I’m at the market picking up some groceries. As I wait in line, I turn and see a photo with a headline on one of the tabloids that makes my stomach drop.

  “Jacob Walker and Amy Warren, Hollywood’s New It Couple?”

  There’s a picture on the cover of Jake with Amy Warren on his arm, outside an LA restaurant. They look so perfect together it makes me want to vomit. Against my better judgment, I give in and pluck the magazine off the rack and scan through the pages until I find the article.

  “Jacob Walker and Amy Warren were seen at local LA Steakhouse RED, enjoying a late night dinner. Witnesses say they looked cozy, leaning in to talk, and were both smiling and laughing throughout the evening. They were seen leaving in the same car around 11 p.m.”

  I feel sick.

  What have I been thinking?

  That somehow our weird little friendship would turn into something else?

  Of course I have.

  That is what I was hoping and didn’t want to admit to myself and now it sounds ridiculous. He’s a star, having dinners with one of the most beautiful actresses in the world, and I’m me. Maybe I’m his chance to have someone normal in his life to talk to, who knows.

  I need to get over it.

  I need reality.

  This is reality.

  I put the magazine back on the rack, pay for my groceries and leave.

  After dropping off my groceries at home, I take my guitar and slowly make my way to my lesson with Jerry in the park.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. Alexander Pope

  Putting down my guitar, frustrated, I sigh. “Ugh, I don’t know if I’m up for this today, Jer.”

  “Is there something wrong?” Jerry puts down his guitar and looks at me in earnest.

  I wish I could tell him, tell anyone, but I can’t. “No, I’m really tired today, that’s all.”

  “How about you go home? You can take a bath and I’ll cook you dinner?”

  “Jer, didn’t we try this before?” Jerry and I haven’t been out since our date when we kissed. I keep making excuses, but I know he can tell I’m still not ready.

  “Jen, how about your friend cooks you dinner and you not overanalyze it?”

  Hesitating, for only a second, I concede. “That sounds nice, thanks.”

  Taking Jerry’s advice, I go home and take a bath. Even though I’m more of a shower person, I feel relaxed and all jelly-like afterward. I put on some clean sweats and a T-shirt and Jerry rings my door bell at six on the dot with groceries in his arms.

  “I thought I could make pasta if that’s okay?” I show him to the kitchen where he places the bags on the counter and starts to unload them.

  “Pasta is good, thanks for doing this, Jer.”

  “My pleasure. How about a glass of wine?”

  “Okay.” I hand him my bottle opener and he pours out two glasses. “So what’s new with you?”

  “Nothing much. I have a new student.” Jer chops parsley and garlic and my mouth starts to water.

  “That’s great. You’re a really good teacher.” I offer to help, but he waives me off and so I sit at the counter and watch him cook.

  “Well, thanks. I enjoy what I do, but I could never be a professional.”

  “I don’t know about that, you sound great to me.” The garlic goes into the pan with a little olive oil and starts to sizzle, filling the room with delicious aromas.

  “I always knew I wanted to be a musician, but it’s really hard to break into the business. I tried for a while, but I was starving. So I started giving lessons to pay the bills and here we are.”

  “Jer, I think you can be whatever you want. I would pay to see you.”

  “Thanks, Jen.” He smiles at me and takes a sip of his wine.

  He ends up making some really good shrimp pasta that we enjoy with a loaf of crusty bread and butter. The conversation is easy as we talk about politics and recent events.

  After dinner, Jer walks me back to the café to close. “Thanks for dinner and the company.”

  “Anytime, Jen.”

  He is so easy going.

  “See you next Friday?”

  “See you then.”

  Laney leaves when I get there and I only get a few customers to keep me company until it’s time to go home again.

  All week I have dreams of oversleeping my alarm and every morning I wake up in a panic.

  Needless to say, it’s not a restful week.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit. Aristotle

  The following Friday afternoon, as I walk to the park to meet Jerry for our lesson, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I wave to Jerry and awkwardly juggle my phone, trying not to drop my guitar and bag in the process.

  “Dagnabit. Hello?”

  “Hey Jen, how are you?”

  Oh,
it’s so good to hear his voice.

  “Good, you?” I’m still struggling with the guitar in my hands, trying not to drop it.

  “Ugh, it’s been crazy here. I swear I don’t know why anyone lives in LA. I never get five minutes to myself.” He sounds stressed out.

  So he’s been busy, I get it. I try to relax my voice. “How long are you there for?”

  “At least another month.”

  I see Jer waiting for me and think maybe I need to go. “Listen I’m meeting Jerry for my lesson. Can I call you back later?”

  “Sure, that’s fine.” He sounds disappointed, but I can’t keep Jerry waiting while I talk on the phone. That would be rude.

  “Thanks, Jake.”

  I wave to Jerry with the phone still in my hand.

  “Hey beautiful, happy Friday.” Jer greets me with a hug.

  “Happy Friday, Jer.” He takes the guitar from my hand and I let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks.”

  “Jen, I had a really good time at your place the other night.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I’m about to put my phone into my bag and see that the call is still connected. Holding the phone up to my ear, to see if Jake is still there, I hear the line click. I put my phone away and get my guitar out of the case.

  Later that night at home, I call Jake’s cell, but it goes to voicemail. I try sending a text telling him I called and to call me back when he gets a chance, but I don’t hear back from him.

  The following Wednesday I get a text.

  Sorry I couldn’t call back-J

  It’s okay-Me

  How was the lesson?-J

  Good, I’m getting better, Jer is trying 2 teach me barre chords-Me

  That’s cool. Anything exciting this weekend?-J

  No. U?-Me

  Not sure yet. Maybe, I’ll let u know. Gotta go, call u later-J

  That was strange.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Time is the longest distance between two places. Tennessee Williams

  August

  On Friday, after my lesson, I invite Jerry to come over so I can return the favor and cook him dinner. I make some really good green enchiladas, rice, and beans and after dinner we sit on the porch steps enjoying some fresh air.

  Jerry takes my hand and asks, “Jen, can we try again?”

  I knew this was coming.

  Jer has been so patient with me. I take a deep breath before answering to gather my thoughts, taking note of the way he holds my hand between both of his.

  There’s no reason you shouldn’t be with Jer.

  He’s smart, thoughtful, and very sweet. We have a lot in common and he’s an attractive guy.

  What about Jake?

  I can’t wait around for something to happen with Jake.

  That is never going to happen.

  “I’d like that,” I say, looking into his eyes, smiling softly.

  Jer leans in and gives me a kiss. When our lips touch, it’s soft and gentle, the same as before. My heart stays steady as I look at him and I decide that it’s all right. It doesn’t always have to be a passionate relationship to work. We are really good together.

  As I pull back, I swear I see Jake watching us before he turns the corner across the street. My breath catches, but when I blink my eyes, he’s gone.

  Keep your mind on Jer, not Jake.

  You are seeing things that aren’t there and Jer is right in front of you.

  Please give Jerry the attention and respect that he deserves.

  Jer leaves a little while later and that night I go to bed determined to make this relationship with him work.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “We’ll be friends forever, won’t we Pooh?” asked Piglet. “Even longer.” Pooh answered. A.A. Milne

  Mid-August

  It’s been a couple of weeks since Jerry and I had dinner and I decided to give a relationship with him a try. I realize it has also been a couple of weeks since that strange text from Jake and I haven’t heard from him since. We’re supposed to be friends, so as a concerned friend I send him a text, to make sure he’s okay.

  Hey stranger, r u alive???-Me

  Thirty seconds later I get an answer.

  Yes, sorry, just super busy, how r u?-J

  Good, how r u?-Me

  Good, the project I was working on is almost done-J

  Congratulations, what’s next?-Me

  Not sure, been reading a lot-J

  I decide to call. “Hey got time to talk?”

  “Yeah, it’s really good to hear your voice Jen.” I can hear the smile in his voice and it makes me smile as well.

  It’s so good to hear his voice too.

  “I tripped on a curb today. Totally made me think of you,” he says teasing.

  “Hey! I’m not clumsy, things just get in my way.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “So what have you been reading? Anything I would like?”

  “Actually, I’m reading two scripts right now. One is sort of ex-spy saves the world which has a really cool twist to the plot and potential for some great action. The other is a love story.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, you’re great at the spy thing, but maybe since you just finished filming the last installment of your franchise you should branch out and do something different.”

  “I’m not good at romance.”

  I doubt that.

  “What’s the story?” I’m intrigued and want to hear more.

  Jake takes a breath and starts to explain. “Well, it’s about two people who knew each other as little kids. They move apart and then meet again in their thirties.”

  “Sounds sweet, is the writing good?”

  “Yeah it is, not a blockbuster, but a good story.” He sounds so unsure of himself.

  “Jake, you don’t always have to make a blockbuster to be a success. I’m sure it’s a good idea to round out your career. Plus I bet your female fans would love to see you in a romantic roll,” I say teasingly.

  “So, you think I should do it?”

  “I think you should do what makes you happy, but why not consider doing something different for a change?”

  “Change can be good.” He sounds like he’s seriously considering it. “What about you, any changes in your future?”

  “Maybe, but not yet.”

  I hear a woman’s voice in the background call his name.

  “Jake? There you are sweetie. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

  “Sounds like you have to go.”

  Why are we always getting interrupted?

  “Yeah, talk to you soon?”

  “Talk to you soon. Bye, Jake.” I feel better now that I’ve talked to him; more relaxed.

  That night I dream of Jake dressed in Regency Era attire bowing to me at a ball. I wake up flushed and frustrated.

  Oh yeah, I can definitely see Mr. Walker in a romance.

  After another week of work, another date with Jer and a few flashbacks to my Mr. Walker dream, I get a text from Jake on Monday.

  I think I’m gonna do it!-J

  Do what?-Me

  The movie, the love story-J

  Great!-Me

  Everyone here thinks I’m crazy-J

  Do what u want, who cares what everyone thinks-Me

  What do u think?-J

  I think u should do what makes u happy-Me

  Chapter Eighteen

  There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. Jane Austen

  September

  On Thursday a package arrives at the café addressed to me. Inside I find a script with the header “Untitled.” An hour later Jake sends me a text.

  Did u get it?-J

  To save time I call. “Did you send this to me? Why?”

  “I wanted you to read it and give me your opinion,” he says like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

  “Jake, don’t you have agents and managers for that sort of thing?
” I panic. I don’t know anything about this kind of stuff.

  “Yes, but you know me and I trust you.” My knees go a little weak when he says this.

  “But… What if I tell you the wrong thing? What if you do this and it’s a flop?”

  Oh God, I should have never have told him to try something different. It will be my fault if it fails.

  “Then I’m not a very good actor.” His confidence is back and I like it. I smile to myself imagining a sexy smirk on his face.

  “Come on, you know what I mean. I don’t want to be responsible. This is way too important.”

  “Just read it.” Jake huffs.

  Ooh, he sounds bossy.

  “Okay.” I’m nervous, but thrilled that he wants my opinion on something like this. As soon as I hang up, I put the script in my bag for safe keeping and decide I will read it later at home.

  Friday and Saturday I spend all my free time reading the script. It’s good and I end up crying at the end. It isn’t one of those horrible odes to Tennyson “Tis better to have loved and lost” pieces of hooey. It actually has a happy ending. Some of us want a happy ending. Some of us need a happy ending. I can see Jake as the male lead. I let my mind wander, picturing him in the romantic scenes.

  On Sunday afternoon, I finish folding my laundry while I listen to the Pixies “Wave of Mutilation.” There’s a knock at my door and I figure it must be Jerry stopping by to see what I’m up to.

  Opening the door, I freeze at the sight before me. Jake stands there, in all his glory, more sexy and handsome than ever. He smiles at the shocked look on my face and I close my mouth so I don’t start to drool by accident.

  Whoa!

  I forgot how his eyes sparkle when he smiles. So pretty.

  Emerald green? Close.

  “Hey,” he says with a relaxed smile, like his stopping by is a regular thing.

  I haven’t seen him in months and he says hey!

  I stammer out, “What…what are you doing here?” He looks down as if disappointed and I realize I don’t seem happy to see him. I give him my biggest smile in reassurance.

  Seeing my smile, his shoulders relax in relief. As if he didn’t know I would be happy to see him. “Can I come in?”

  “Of course, come in, come in.” He walks past me into the cottage and I get a huge lungful of his clean scent.