Jackson tried to make love to me slowly, but we had been apart for too long and soon we were greedily grabbing at each other, quickening the pace until he was pounding into me, taking us both over the brink.
"It feels good to be back," Jackson said afterwards with a satisfied grin. He was laying on his back and I was nestled to his side.
"It feels good to have you back." I paused, knowing I needed to tell Jackson the truth sooner rather than later. "I have a confession to make."
Jackson pulled back slightly so that he could see me face. "What's that?"
"I didn't have a cold. I was just upset and didn't want you to know because I didn't want you to worry. I got fired."
Jackson sat up abruptly and I followed suit, wrapping the sheet around my naked body.
"Wait, what?"
"I got fired from Mass Comm. Something happened with that presentation I was working on. Somehow, the changes weren't saved, although I don't know how that's possible. I checked it over and over again to make sure it was right. But when Janet went through the presentation with the client, she ended up looking like a fool because everything was wrong."
"This happened on Tuesday?" Jackson asked, his expression thunderous. I nodded cautiously.
"Shit, Emma. You've been lying this entire time? I even asked you about work and you said everything was fine. I was babbling on and on about all the great things that were happening in L.A. while you were here depressed? How do you think that makes me feel?"
I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry, Jackson. I just didn't want you worrying about me. You needed to concentrate on your audition, not about your girlfriend back home who got sacked."
Jackson's eyes darkened, his face taut with tension. "You lied to me, regardless of whether or not you apologize for it afterwards."
I hadn't expected Jackson to react so fiercely. Yes, I had lied to him, but it wasn't that big of a lie. And I had done it for his own good.
"I don't know what else to say except I'm sorry, Jackson. I thought I was helping you."
Jackson sighed, rubbing his forehead with his hand, and then pulled me close, kissing my forehead. "I know I'm overreacting. It just makes me crazy that you lied to me. It makes me even crazier to think that you were here feeling sad while I was having a great time in L.A. I should be consoling you instead of yelling at you right now."
I snuggled closer to him, grateful that his anger had passed. "It's okay. And you're right. I lied, regardless of why I did it. But you deserved to have a good time in L.A. My getting fired didn't negate that."
"How are you feeling? You must have been shocked."
"I was when it first happened, but I'm starting to get used to the idea. I'm sure I'll find something else."
Jackson tipped my chin up so I was looking into his eyes. "That's my girl. You're brilliant. There's no way you won't find another job." His expression became fierce, his eyes piercing me. "Please don't ever lie to me again, Emma. I can't handle not knowing the truth, especially when it has to do with you. I want all of you, and I can't have that if you're not honest with me."
"I promise," I said solemnly, regretting ever having lied to him. "I'll never lie to you again."
Jackson kissed me softly and I melted into him. When he pulled back, there was a dawning realization in his eyes and he started grinning like a madman.
"What are you so happy about?" I asked, looking at him askance.
"I know it was a crappy way to happen, but it actually works out perfectly." Jackson took a deep breath before continuing. "Before I left today, I got an official offer for the movie. But not as a supporting actor. John Warner is casting me as the lead."
I lurched upright, my eyes widening. "Oh my God!" I screeched, feeling like I was about to explode with happiness and pride. "I can't believe it! Oh my God!!"
I tackled Jackson into a hug and he burst out laughing, our joy mingling together. I pulled back, catching my breath. "This is amazing. I mean, I feel like bouncing off the walls right now. How can you be so calm?"
"I've had a plane ride to get used to it."
I smacked Jackson on the shoulder. "You should have called and told me!"
"I wanted to tell you in person because I thought we had a lot of stuff to figure out. But now it's working out perfectly. I know how painful it was to lose your job and I'm sorry about that. But now you have nothing holding you to New York. You can come to California with me."
Jackson was beaming at me as his words sunk in. Things were changing rapidly and I was trying to keep up. I hadn't even considered going to California before but now there was nothing stopping me. I was nervous about it and a little apprehensive, but I knew that no matter what, I wanted to be with Jackson. And if Jackson was in California, I would be there too.
"I guess I could be convinced to subject myself to sunny days and endless beaches," I said wryly.
Jackson grabbed me and buried his face in my hair, seeming relieved. "I was so worried the whole plane ride about what we would do. I don't think I could handle being apart from you for so long with only a measly weekend here and there."
He lifted his head, his eyes shimmering with emotion. "Now we'll have a life together in California. You and me, Emma. It'll always be you and me."
We spent the night excitedly planning our move to L.A. Although we weren't moving there permanently, Jackson wanted to rent an apartment since we would be there for so long. He was planning on keeping his apartment in New York since he owned it, with the possibility of renting it out although he wasn't too keen on the idea. We had to move fast with our decisions because they were expecting Jackson to be back in L.A. in a week. Pre-production was already complete and they were itching to start shooting, even though Jackson had just been given the script.
The following week was a whirlwind of activity as we prepared for the move. Claire had been stunned when I told her I was moving out, and I apologized profusely for the short notice and promised to pay rent until she found a new roommate. She had waved the offer aside, saying that she was thinking of just living by herself. She had been even more surprised when I told her the news about Jackson's movie offer.
Nathan and Mia were ecstatic, promising to visit us as soon as possible. My mother was less enthused. Not only did I have to tell her that I was moving to California, but that I was doing so with a boyfriend that I had never mentioned. I had hoped that she would be excited when I told her I was dating a soon-to-be movie star since she always poured through celebrity magazines, but she had just sniffed and said things could still fall through last minute.