Moments Lost and Found (16 page)

The situation at the awards show
unnerved Sam. She believed Laurent’s explanation, and she believed that he
wouldn’t be unfaithful to her. There were never any red flags like mysterious
late night meetings or unexplained absences. But Sam wondered if it was her
inexperience in relationships that made her so naïve, so trusting of his word.
He was French, after all. They were famous for their mistresses.  But she
didn’t want to be one of those women who spent half their time handwringing
about their man. Sam always thought those women seemed desperate and pathetic.
She also assumed that they had put all their eggs into one basket: their
relationship. Sam already had concerns that Laurent was too big a part of
everything in her life, personal and professional.

But the nauseating feeling she had
when she saw him with Stacy made Sam realize just how much she had invested,
emotionally, with Laurent. Not that she didn’t already have a taste of what
losing him would feel like. Those three weeks they spent apart after the
paparazzi outed them, Sam had never felt so alone, so empty, ever. Before
Laurent, she had always been comfortable and happy in her solitude. But those
few weeks proved to her that, without him in her life, she felt like a shell of
who she was. And she hated herself for feeling that way. The problem was, she
had no idea what the solution was. She knew that professionally, she had to
diversify, and she was on track to do just that. But it was the emotional
heartache that she worried about. For someone who had always anticipated every
possible move, she knew that she couldn’t plan how their relationship would go.
Hell, if it had been up to her planning, she’d never have been in a
relationship with him in the first place.

The problem was, she had never before
been as happy as she was. She hated to admit that it was because of him, but it
was. Laurent was becoming her best friend. In addition to everything else that
he was to her: major client, lover, damn him if he didn’t somehow corner every
market of hers. Was she becoming one of those women she so despised? Was she
putting all her eggs in one basket? She knew the easiest thing to do was to
pull away. It would hurt at first, but it would keep her safe. But for the
first time, she realized she didn’t want to pull away. She had never before
felt what she did for him, with anyone else. She was close to other people, she
had a few friends, but what she had with Laurent went so much deeper. How would
she deal with it if he cheated on her? She would leave him, of course. But
planning for that possibility was a sure torpedo to what they had. And, it may
never come to be.

The only thing she could do was to
treat their relationship like she would treat an account. Do everything to make
it the best it could be. She knew well enough that in her business, sometimes,
the best work didn’t get chosen. So, if she weren’t enough for him, if he were
to actually stray, then Sam would know that it wasn’t because she wasn’t
enough. Some men, some people, were just never satisfied with what they had,
they always had to see if the grass were greener. With all his ambition, she
could understand if that was part of his makeup, but that didn’t seem like the
Laurent she had come to know. Then again, she also knew that it hadn’t even been
a year that they had been together. Could they really know each other
completely?

They had been through a lot
together, and it seemed like every time they passed one hurdle, they came
across another. Perhaps that’s what kept things interesting. Or, perhaps that
was all part of the process of getting to know each other. Of feeling each
other out and seeing how they’d each react in different situations. Maybe
that’s how people knew if their relationship would work. If they could get
through the tough times, then maybe they would make it. Sam felt like in the
time they had been together they already were presented with a variety of
situations. Some brought on by outside forces, and others stirred up by each of
their own insecurities, pasts or issues. But, as she reflected, she felt
confident that through all the scenarios so far, they weathered them and
learned from them. For as much as they had been through, Sam was realizing that
it really does take a long, long time to truly know someone, to truly let one’s
guard down, and to truly be in sync. Especially the older they got. And
especially for two people who were as headstrong as they both were.

Sam finally heard from TimeCap that
the last round of presentations and meetings would be made to their new CEO at
their corporate headquarters in New York. Sam had no idea that they were even
looking at a new CEO as all their dealings thus far had been with the
President, the head of marketing and everyone else under the sun. Great, she
thought, one more person to add into the mix. He or she will probably send them
back to square one.

Sam tried to do some research as to
who the new CEO was, but she couldn’t find any information online. She and Mark
were close enough, and both fed up enough with the process so far that she
called him to see if he knew anything.

 “So, am I going to be seeing
you in New York?” Sam asked when he picked up the phone.

 “Hi, Sam.” She could hear the
smile in his voice.

 “Hi, Mark. How are you?” she
asked with sincerity.

 “Good. Sick of this bullshit
with TimeCap. Jesus, how long have they been yanking both of our chains?”

 “Yeah, I know, it’s been a
couple months now, at least.”

He chuckled, “Only feels like
longer.” She laughed too.

 “So, do you know anything
about this new CEO?” she asked.

 “God, Sam, I swear I wonder if
you’re sometimes reading my mind. Honestly, I was going to call you and ask the
same thing! I didn’t even know they were looking for a new CEO.”

 “If it makes you feel any
better, Mark, neither did I. So I wonder if all this work that we’ve both been
doing has just been one huge circle jerk. Cause if this guy or gal is the final
say, and we haven’t been presenting to them, what’s to say they’re going to
like anything that the others have been dicking around with for all this time?”

 “No kidding. And no, I can’t
find anything about the new head. It’s got to be a big deal if they’re keeping
it this under wraps.”

 “Yeah, I know. I don’t have a
good feeling about it. Or maybe it’s just that this whole process has been so
f-d up.”

 “No, I’m with you, something’s
weird, but it’s still a huge account. Golden handcuffs.”

 “Exactly. So will you have
time to let me take you out for your birthday while we’re in New York?”

 “You remembered” Sam said
almost sadly. She hadn’t talked about the trip yet with Laurent, but she
assumed, hoped, he’d be there with her. She was hoping they could make it a
work / pleasure trip.

 “You’re kidding me, right? Of
course I remembered. When have I ever not remembered your birthday, Sam?” Mark
sounded hurt.

 “Never, Mark. But if you’re
good at counting, then that means you know how old I’m going to be. Us women
want you men to both remember and forget.” She heard him chuckle.

 “I see. You women always make
it easy on us guys.” Sam laughed. Then Mark asked again, “so, will you have any
free time while you’re there?” he was being persistent. And Sam felt badly, but
she knew that if she were there with Laurent, he wouldn’t want to share his
time with her with another man.

 “Honestly, Mark, I don’t know.
I haven’t made my travel plans yet, but I’m guessing it’ll be a pretty jam
packed trip, so maybe we just celebrate when we get back?” She knew what she
sounded like.

 “So, that’s code for: you’re
going to be there with Laurent and he’s going to want you to spend all your
free time with him?”

 “Wow. That transparent, eh?

“Nah, I just know you, Sam.” God,
Sam hated hearing him sound so sad. He tried to recover quickly though, “So,
what day are you presenting? Do you know yet?”

 “Naturally, on my birthday,
Friday the 26
^th
. You?”

 “Um, same?” he said. “morning
or afternoon?” this was getting weird.

 “I’m in the afternoon, you?”

 “Morning.” Was all he said.

 “Maybe I’ll see you in the
lobby. God, Mark, this has wrong written all over it. It’s like they want us to
see each other.”

 “Yeah, no kidding. Why don’t
they just put us in gladiator costumes and send us into an arena.” He said.

 “Seriously. I wonder if this
is going to be one of those sick corporate tests where they have hidden cameras
to see how we regard each other as we pass in the hallway.”

 “Honestly, Sam, the way this
whole thing has gone, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least.”

 “I kinda hope you get it.” Sam
said, half serious. She knew something was off about this entire process, but
the carrot had been dangled and she couldn’t help but reach for it.

She heard him chuckle and then say,
“Yeah, I should be so lucky. Ok, Sam, see you in New York.”

 “Bye, Mark.”

Once again, Sam hated that she was
afraid to broach a subject with Laurent. She worried that he’d be mad for two
reasons. One, that he may have to change whatever plans he might have already
made for her birthday, and two, that her birthday would have to be shared with
work, in New York. But there was nothing she could do. It was the culmination
of months’ worth of work and the client dictated where and when the final
meeting would be. It was unfortunate it fell on her birthday, in New York, but
c’est
la vie
.

It was two weeks exactly before the
meeting in New York when Sam and Mark had been notified. It just so happened
that it was a Friday night and Sam would be spending it, like usual, with
Laurent. She figured it was the perfect time to discuss it.

She got to his house and they made
small talk, catching each other up on their respective weeks and the like. When
they finally sat down to dinner, Sam broached the subject, “So, Laurent,
honey,” she started and he broke out into a huge grin. He started shaking his
head and laughing. “What? What’s so funny?” Sam asked, somewhat indignant.

 “Samantha, you know I say this
with love,
Cheri
. You are quite possibly the worst poker player, ever.”
His grin was infectious. She couldn’t help but smile.

 “
Merde
.” She said as
she rolled her eyes.

 “So, you obviously have
something you want to ask me, something you want me to go along with,
honey
.”
He winked. It sounded so funny in his French accent when he said ‘honey’, that
alone made her laugh.

Then she collected herself. She knew
that mention of TimeCap and work wasn’t going to go over well, but, the bandaid
had to be ripped off.

 “We finally heard back from
TimeCap. It seems they have a new CEO who will be choosing the agency,
finally.” Sam paused and took a sip of wine. “And, they have set the meeting
for Friday, the 26
^th
.” She waited for any reaction. So far, none. “In
New York.”

Laurent slowly nodded, “I see.”

Sam tried to quickly add, “I was
hoping you would come with me, and that we could make a long weekend out of
it.”

 “Hmmm, let me see. Friday,
April 26
^th
. That rings a bell. Hmmm, I have something planned for
that day, but I can’t quite seem to remember it right now.” Then he stared at
her, “Samantha, does that date have any significance for
you
? Is it
perhaps a day that you should be honoring some way other than working?” he
spoke to her like she was a little child.

 “Laurent, I had no choice in
the matter. They told me, they did not ask. And they’re the client.” She tried
to explain, “I know it’s my… it’s supposed to be a special day, but we can just
celebrate that night, and that weekend.”

 “Samantha, it’s your birthday.
Your 40
^th
birthday”

Before he could continue she shouted
“Hey!” teasingly.

 “So, if you want to spend it
in a meeting with a potential new client who’s been jerking you around for the
last however many months it’s been, then that’s your prerogative.”

 “Will you come with me?” she
asked softly.

He reached across the table for her
hand, which she put into his, “Samantha, do you have any question in your mind
that I wouldn’t?” She shook her head no. “Good. I hope not.” He lifted her hand
to kiss it and then said, “I have something special planned. I want us both to
remember that day. I’ll just change things around a little. It’ll be fine.
We’ll make it a special day, and a special weekend, no matter where we are, ok
Cheri
?”

Sam nodded and smiled, so relieved
that he was ok with it all. “I will make all the arrangements. I know just the
place we will stay. It will be perfect.” Sam had worried for nothing. He was
being so wonderful. She was actually now looking forward to the trip and her
birthday.

Sam decided to try to make good on
her promise of getting together with Alex Marché more often. She knew that they
were both busy women and if one of them didn’t make the first move, they’d
never go out. Plus, Sam really did want to try to diversify in all areas of her
life. She knew what she had with Laurent was good, great really, but it still
scared her to have so much invested with him. Even though she wanted to spend
all her free time with him, she knew she shouldn’t. So she reached out to Alex
suggesting drinks.

Alex had mentioned that she had a
shoot in West Hollywood, so Sam suggested a small hotel bar nearby that was
comfortable and known to be good people watching. Celebrities often stayed
there, and it was a good place for those in the industry to grab drinks. It had
a nice lounge and felt more like a living room than a bar.

Sam got there first and, spying a
cluster of three overstuffed chairs around a small coffee table, she snagged
one of them. She surveyed the room and saw a few recognizable faces. The
atmosphere was understated elegance, and most of the people there were those
who had money but didn’t go for flashy. Just as she was about to pull out her
phone to text Alex, she looked up and saw James Willen, the director. He was
dressed more casually than when she first met him at the premiere, this time
wearing jeans, a long sleeve dark grey Tshirt and a black leather jacket, with
black motorcycle type boots. He was ruggedly handsome and Sam felt guilty for a
brief moment as she appreciated his good looks. She was about to introduce
herself, assuming he’d never remember her, but he came right over to her with a
smile,

 “It’s Sam, right?”

Sam was shocked he remembered, “Yes,
wow, good memory, James! Good to see you!”

 “You too, Sam. Are you meeting
someone or can I join you?”

 “Yes and yes. I’m having
drinks with a friend, but her shoot’s running late, so please, sit, I’d love
the company.” And as she said it, she realized, it was true. She had enjoyed
talking with him at the premiere.

 “Great, because my meeting
literally just cancelled on me as I walked in.” James shrugged as he sat
opposite her, rolling his eyes, “Actors” was all he needed to say and Alex
smiled and nodded. He continued, “I guess he didn’t want the part that badly.”

 “So are you working on a new
project, or is this for
The Greater Good
?”

 “Actually, there wasn’t really
a part, per se. Our agent represents both of us and wanted us to meet.” He
rolled his eyes, “You know, that way he’ll get twice the commission pushing just
one project if we end up doing something together down the road.” Sam nodded.
Just then, the waitress came up to take their order. Sam could see she wasn’t
the only woman who found him attractive. Then again, the waitress was probably
an out-of-work actor and saw potential beyond his looks.

Sam and James chatted surprisingly
easily about his series and the industry. Sam was careful not to ask too much
as she didn’t want it to seem like she was pressing him for information. She
was, after all, only tangentially in the entertainment world. She just did the
advertising for it. She wasn’t a true entertainment insider in her mind,
compared to someone like James, even though everything she worked on was
related to the industry.

After about a half hour, Alex came
in with a big smile in her typical uniform of a tank top and jeans, but as
usual, looked effortlessly gorgeous. Sam stood up and gave her a big hug as
Alex said sincerely, “I am so sorry I’m late, Sam! We were all set to wrap and
then the director stopped by, literally at the eleventh hour! Naturally, no one
from the studio had shared any of the concepts with him before the shoot, so
there we were tap dancing hoping he’d like what we just spent the last 12 hours
shooting… He had a couple things he wanted shot. Anyway, sorry.”

James couldn’t help but interject
“Yeah, those directors can be such perfectionists.”

Alex looked sheepishly at James,
then Sam, then back at James, “Ummm, let me guess, you’re a director?”

He flashed a grin and shrugged,
“Guilty as charged.”

Alex flushed bright red and brought
her hands to her face, “Oh, that probably came out all wrong…” now everyone was
smiling, even Alex as she so obviously was doing a little dance here, “What I
meant was, the studio really should have brought the director in from the
beginning to make sure he was on the same page… and, um, the director offered
some invaluable suggestions that really made the whole shoot better.” Alex
giggled, “You buying any of that?” she asked James.

He shook his head, “Not for a
second. My suggestion, as one of those pesky directors, stick to, what is it
you do?” James asked.

 “I’m a photographer.”

 “Right, stick to that. I
wouldn’t suggest acting.” They all laughed.

 “I think that sounds like good
advice,
from an expert
.” Alex emphasized, trying to get on James’ good
side. Though with Alex, it was hard not to love her. There was a warmth about
her that made her instantly welcoming. Even if she did start the conversation
off like this one did.

Sam cleared her throat, “Alex Marché,
this is James Willen. James, Alex.” They shook hands.

Then Alex asked, “Soooo, how much
stock do you put into first impressions?”

James laughed. If Sam didn’t know
any better, even with the awkward beginning there seemed to be some kind of
spark between the two of them. “Lucky for you, Alex, today is ‘Free Pass
Tuesday’. Now, you should know, I am not very liberal with who I give these
passes out to,” and before he could finish Alex jumped in.

 “Next round’s on me. Will that
earn me one of your coveted free passes?” Alex was so cute and James seemed to
be enjoying the banter.

 “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” They
all laughed again. Then James added, “But I’m guessing this was a girls night
out, I should leave you two ladies alone.” He started to shift like he was
getting out of his chair when both Sam and Alex said,

 “No!” Sam and Alex both
blanched and then Sam tried to do her best to smooth it over, “How will Alex
win you into her good graces if you leave?”

 “Well, I suppose one drink
with you both couldn’t hurt.” Sam could tell that James didn’t want to leave,
that he was enjoying their company, “Then I’ll leave you alone to gossip or
talk about shopping or whatever it is that women talk about.” Both Sam and Alex
rolled their eyes at that.

Sam said, “You keep talking like
that, and it’s
our
good graces that you’re going to have to work to get
back into!” They all laughed again.

 “And I’m fresh out of free
passes, James.” Alex said as she smirked at him.

 “Fair enough. Ok, what do you
say, clean slate?” James asked as he held out his hand again for Alex. Alex
tried to look tough, like she was mulling it over, but broke into a huge grin
quickly and shook his hand and said, “Deal.”

 “You know, James, Alex here
did the shoot for
The Greater Good.
” Sam remembered that James commented
at the premiere how much he liked the keyart, so she wanted to make sure he
knew Alex had a hand in it.

 “And obviously, the pesky
director was not invited to the shoot.” James said with a smirk.

Alex laughed, “I’m not going to live
that down any time soon, am I?”

 “I may just have to insist
that you’re the photographer on my next project just so that I can harass you
at the shoot.” James said flirtatiously.

 “Torture by director?” Alex
flirted back.

 “Oh, you have no idea.” James
replied. At this, Sam was starting to feel like a third wheel, so she excused
herself to the restroom where she texted Laurent.

SD: How do you feel about double
dating?

Typical Laurent, he replied
immediately. She sometimes wondered if he had that thing glued to his palm,
though of course she knew better.

LR: I prefer to have you all to
myself. Why?

SD: Ran into James Willen waiting
for Alex. They’re hitting it off.

LR: Good for them. I still prefer
you alone.

SD: You’re no fun.

LR: I’ll enjoy proving you wrong on
that.

SD: Me too.

LR: Drive safely. Text me when
you’re home.

SD: Yes, sir.

When Sam walked back to the table,
she could see Alex and James laughing.

 “So, it seems all has been
forgiven?” Sam asked feeling a little like she was intruding on their date

 “Oh, no, not at all.
Punishment will be taken.” James said and winked at Alex. Now Sam really felt
awkward. “But I should leave you two lovely ladies to your date.” James said
and got up. He leaned over and gave Alex a kiss on her cheek, “Alex, really
nice being insulted by you.”

Alex laughed, “It’s a talent I’ve
honed over the years.”

Then James leaned over and kissed
Sam on her cheek, “Sam, great to see you again. Please say hello to Laurent.
The four of us should all go out some time soon.”

Sam stifled her laugh and nodded,
“That sounds like a great idea. Great to see you too, James.” Sam could see
Alex watch him leave. Once he was safely out the door, Sam turned to Alex, “So
I wasn’t wrong?”

Alex asked, “Wrong about what?”

 “When I went to the bathroom I
texted Laurent and told him you two were hitting it off and the four of us
should double date!”

Alex couldn’t hide her giddiness,
“Well, after I put my foot in it! Yeah, we did kind of hit if off, didn’t we?
Oooh, a double date, that sounds like fun!” Sam inwardly rolled her eyes.
Laurent would probably kill her for this. But James was the one who suggested
it.

Alex’s face scrunched up, “I guess
this doesn’t violate my rule.”

Sam looked at her with furrowed
brows, wondering if, after all these years, there was some weird religion or
something she didn’t know about Alex that would prevent her from dating. “Rule?
What rule?”

 “Never date an actor.” Alex
was deadly serious.

 “Ummm, ok. But James is a
director.” Sam pointed out.

 “Yeah, but their whole job is
working with actors all day…”

 “Hate to break it to you,
Alex, but so is yours!” Sam laughed. And then Alex did too.

 “Yeah, but it’s not the same!
I’m not immersed in all that crazy bullshit like they are in production, they
don’t live in the real world, rules don’t apply to them.”

 “Alex, you live in LA and you
work in the industry. If you don’t date anyone in the entertainment then you
might as well take a vow of chastity!” Sam teased.

 “Wow, of all people, I never
thought Sam Davis would be singing the praises of dating in LA!” Alex teased
back.

 “Ok, you got me. I kind of
drank the kool-aid, huh?”

 “Sounds like it! But it’s nice
to see there’s hope for women like us.”

 “Look, I don’t know James, so
he may turn out to be everything we both hate about this town, but what I do
know is that if I hadn’t taken a chance on being with Laurent, I wouldn’t have
what I have right now.” Sam said, her tone changing from teasing to sincerity.

 “You do seem happy, Sam.” Alex
admitted.

Sam smiled, looked down reflectively
and then said, “I am. As hard as it is for me to admit that a man has made my
life fuller, that’s exactly what he’s done.”

 “You know, it’s funny, I’m so
used to having my guard up around every guy I meet, it’s reflexive. There are
so many jerks in this town.”

 “I know, I think it’s partly
this industry where everything is so damn superficial and actors and directors
they all live in this weird little society where things like loyalty and
morality don’t exist. I know why your guard is up. So many people in
entertainment, it’s all about status and moving up and moving on. I don’t want
to push you Alex. You know that’s not me.”

Alex smiled, “I know, but it was
nice to just flirt a little.”

 “Shit, are we becoming girls?”
Sam asked

They both laughed, “Oh my god, I
hope not!” Alex said with mock horror. “Ok, enough of this, a double date! You
guys set it up and I’ll be there. Plus, I get to meet Laurent! This is so
exciting!!!”

Sam rolled her eyes, “Definitely
girly!” Alex shrugged and nodded her head in agreement. Then Sam said, “We’re
going to New York next week, but when we get back we’ll set it up.”

They agreed and then moved on to
talking about their jobs, their animals and the rest of the things that make up
their lives. On the drive home, Sam couldn’t help but wonder what a double date
would be like. It would be interesting if nothing else. Laurent would
definitely not be pleased, but Sam was curious to see just how he handled an
evening like this. She’d seen him at industry events, and obviously with his
family, but they’d never been out as a couple in a purely social setting.