Like a Good Neighbor Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

That night at dinner I came clean to Alexis about my relationship with Jennifer and what she had just told me. I even opened up to her about Jennifer wanting to sleep with me and how I had continued to put her off. I even wondered if maybe I had driven her to find love in another man’s arms.

“Jace, you did the right thing. You’re the best man I have ever met. I only respect two men in my life. My father and now you. Don’t ever sell yourself short. It would not take much for me to fall head over heels in love with you.”, she admitted looking away from me.

Alexis had just caught me by surprise with that statement after all we had not been seeing each other for very long. Secondly, she ran with the Hollywood crowd which was not for me at all. Although Alexis was very easy to be around and seemed to not make everything a life-or-death situation.

“Head over heels……… I heard that’s a good thing.”, I replied.

“It can be if you find the right person.”, she answered.

“So anyway, Jennifer and her new boyfriend are coming in two weeks from now. They are going to stay with me. I would like for you to meet Jen, but I understand if you can’t.”, I offered.

“Of course, I would love to meet her.”, Alexis responded.

The following week Alexis was busy on the set but invited me to join her for lunch on Thursday. Apparently, a catering company provided food for the actors and crew every day and according to Alexis it was quite good. I worked out early that Thursday then dressed and drove over to the movie set. Alexis gave me a pass which let me through security at the gate.

I parked my SUV on lot 4 where Alexis was shooting and got out and walked around trying to find her. I was in front of a large metal building when a woman carrying a load of files came walking by me.

“You have to be Jace, Alexis’ friend.”, she stated.

“Yes, I am.”, I replied.

“Hi, I’m Janae. I’m Alexis’ administrative assistant. Please follow me.”, she instructed.

I followed Janae into the metal building and across the floor to a set that had been set up like a small home. I quickly saw Alexis reading a *********** with another woman and man. Everyone was staring at me as I walked up to the set and stood there looking. Alexis looked up and saw me and excused herself and walked over.

“Hey, I’m glad you made it. We only have a few more minutes left then we can go eat.”, she promised.

“Sure, not a problem.”, I replied, hugging her.

She showed me over to a group of chairs and told me I could sit down until she was finished. I did just that and several minutes later an older man approached me.

“Are you the one that has been training Alexis for the last few months?”, he asked.

“Yes sir, I have but honestly, she is very determined. It is not hard to train someone with a great work ethic.”, I responded.

“I would like to offer you a job as a trainer on the staff. Everyone is amazed at Alexis’ transformation. It would be a great paying job for you. “, he offered.

“I own a gym here and would not be able to travel. But anytime you shoot here I can work out anyone you send over.”, I offered.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”, he smiled, shaking my hand.

Alexis and I ate lunch together and she introduced me to a few people she was working with. I left around two o’clock and drove back home. Alexis was busy for close to a week before she had any time off.

I went to the airport on Friday around noon to pick up Jennifer and her new boyfriend. The flight was about fifteen minutes late, but it arrived safely. I saw Jennifer come out of the arrival tunnel followed by a well-dressed young man. Jennifer ran the last few yards and jumped into my arms.

“Oh my god, I have missed you so much.”, she screamed.

“I missed you too.”, I replied, squeezing her tight.

I set her down as a clean-cut good looking young man walked up in our direction nervously. She turned around and took him by the hand then looked back at me.

“Jace, this is Bobby Clair. Bobby this is Jace Johnson.”, Jennifer stated, introducing us.

“Nice to meet you sir. I have heard a lot about you.”, Bobby said, shaking my hand.

“Same here Bobby, although Jennifer has not told me much about you.”, I laughed.

We walked together and took the down escalator to pick up their luggage.