"Ugh," Xavier snarls, entering his dressing room to spy Meg and Olivia waiting patiently for him following the skit.

When Xavier says nothing more, but looks pointedly at Meg, Olivia takes the hint, exiting the space to leave the two alone. It's rather a nice breath of fresh air to see that she's not the one Xavier needs right now. Heading off to visit some friends at other CBS sound stages, Olivia crosses her fingers that Meg can help out their boy from whatever agony he's currently facing.

"What is it?" Meg asks as the door closes behind the publicist. "Are you okay?"

He closes his eyes, resting his forehead against the dressing room door, punching the wood with a loud growl.

Striding forward quickly, Meg wraps both of her hands around Xavier's, rubbing her fingers over his knuckles, hoping he didn't bruise them.

"Harry! Damn. It would be so easy to hate him if only he were an asshole. But no. He's the nicest guy on the planet. And everyone bends over backwards for him!" Xavier rants.

"Shhh..." Meg admonishes, "He'll hear you. His dressing room is just across the hall."

"If he were anyone else, I wouldn't care if he heard me, but he's a genuinely nice guy. Like a seriously NICE guy. And everyone knows it. So they see me in contrast as an asshole," he continues to whine.

"Stop it!" She pulls his hand away from the door, stroking his hand ever so gently. "You are not an asshole. And no one thinks that."

"Meg," he breathes, sinking his other hand in her hair, pulling her forehead to his, "Everyone thinks that."

"Xavier...." she sighs, her air mixing with his, "I don't think that."

Tightening his grip on her hair, he pulls her lips closer to his. "No. You don't. Why don't you see me as an a-hole? I've not been nice to you all the time. Sometimes I've said things that were very mean," he closes his eyes, "And at the time, I meant them to hurt you."

Meg brings the hand she's been caressing up to her lips, pressing kisses along his knuckles, "I know you did. Why?"

Pulling his forehead away from hers, Xavier stands up straight, attempting to extricate his hand from hers, but she is holding on tightly. Still he turns away from her, his face hidden in the shadows of the room.

"I, uh," He's clearly uncomfortable, releasing her hair as he twists his head away, unwilling to say what his reasons were, but Meg is patient. She's learned this from Titus who, when he's done something he shouldn't, always confesses at some point. As long as she waits long enough. "I was trying to push you away, okay?" Xavier finally blurts out, embarrassed at having spoken the words.

When Meg doesn't respond, he sneaks a look back at her, "You don't get it, Meg! You're amazing and perfect and wonderful, and I'm no good for you!"

"Hush," she steps around him until he's once more facing her as she raises his knuckles to her mouth, pressing a light kiss there as she maintains eye contact with him. "You're exactly what I want," she whispers.

Looking up at the ceiling, Xavier blows out the air he's been holding in his lungs, unwilling and unable to believe the words she's just revealed.

"X," she starts, "Look at me."

Ever so slowly, he tilts his head downwards until his head is in her sphere, but his eyes are still fixed elsewhere. She continues to wait tenaciously until his eyes make contact with hers. What he sees there brings tears to his eyes.

As though she's afraid to frighten him, Meg moves at an intentionally measured pace to stand on her tiptoes, shifting her hands so they rest on his shoulders. As she approaches her tallest, she still can't quite reach his lips with her own. He's going to have to cover the final inches.

Xavier hesitates, his eyes on her lips, then flitting to her eyes and back to her lips. With one final look at her lips, Xavier closes the distance, gently pressing his lips to hers. Meg sighs internally, her arms wrapping around his neck as she relaxes back into her normal stance, pulling the actor to her. Willingly, he wraps his arms around her middle, not wanting to use too much pressure on her lips, but so filled with gratitude at the opportunity to kiss this creature he's longed for these past several months. He debates running his tongue along the seam of her lips to encourage her to open to him, but she feels like such an innocent. What if he's her first? What if she's never been kissed before? Restraining himself, he sticks with just kissing her, their lips pressed together tightly, no space in between until a knock comes at the door.

Pulling apart, Xavier can't help but look at Meg with a protective and, yes, possessive glance. He's made out with lots of girls, but the way his heart is pounding now is all new to him.

Meg is having trouble standing on her own when Xavier steps back from her, and he has to grip her elbows to keep her standing. She blinks three times before a slow grin spreads across her face.

"Hey, guys? Let me in! I've got to prep Xavier for the interview," Olivia's voice comes through the door, and the two nineteen-year-olds shyly smile at each other.

=================

It's during the interview that I finally spot her in the front row perfectly within Xavier's sightline. Which means she's also in my field of vision. Her hair is straightened this time with the sides curling in to frame her face. I'm distracted by her, captivated by the beauty that she is. My gaze travels down her bare legs to her shoes. They look like they're invisible. Nude. That would be the color I would call them. But thinking about her being nude makes me have to shift positions on the couch and reshape my pants around my crotch. Thank goodness James is asking the third guest something just then. Hopefully the camera wasn't on me! There's enough fodder out there of me adjusting myself on film, forever saved in gifs.

Purposely, I drag my attention back to the interview. But at the next commercial break, I glance at her. She's leaned over, talking to the person next to her, and I swear I can see right down her shirt. The bra she's wearing looks like black lace, and I stand, turning around and shaking to reposition this time.

No more thinking of Olivia naked.

I live for you. I long for you.

The rest of the interview I purposely avoid looking her way, focusing instead on James or the band. Finally, after Reggie asks the final question for the couch ("Would you rather have a hand that needed to be inflated three times a day or an elbow that never bends?") I stand for a James hug and spy Olivia leaving through the side door.

=================

"Would it be okay if I took you out to dinner before taking you home?" Xavier asks, and Meg chews on her lip, nervously looking out of the window.

"Oh. Uh," Meg stalls, looking at her phone, wondering if she should text her mother about staying out later than expected.

Xavier shifts, closing himself off, "Never mind. It was a stupid idea. You work for me. We don't need to have dinner. We eat together most days."

Putting her hand on his arm, Meg uses her softest, most placating voice, "It's not like that, Xavier. It's just that I didn't make arrangements to be out late tonight, and my mom is expecting me...." She trails off because the rest of the sentence had been "to pick up my son Titus" and she isn't ready to trust Xavier with that information yet.

"Yeah, okay. Whatever," he shrugs off her arm, and Meg is hurt by the action, especially after the kiss they had shared earlier.

Quickly texting, she tells her mom that 'Mr. X' needs her later than planned. Could they watch Titus just a little longer? It's an agonizing wait before her mother responds with a terse, "Ok. Be here by 9:00. Your father has to work tomorrow."

With a sigh, knowing that she is going to pay for these extra hours, probably having to take her parents out for dinner or buy them some of their favorite expensive coffee, Meg turns back to Xavier.

"I can have dinner with you, Xavier. If you still want to," she speaks, just barely above a whisper, scared she's lost her chance.

Instantly, he perks up, turning to her, "Really? I know this great restaurant with amazing takeout. We could go to the beach and have a little picnic. Do you like fried chicken?"

Meg's tummy rumbles at the thought, and Xavier laughs. "Guess that's a yes."

She wraps her arms around her stomach, trying to hold in the sound.

He takes her to Jim Dandy Fried Chicken in Long Beach where they each order a thigh and a wing, and they choose to share an order of corn fritters. With their food and extra napkins, they find a picnic bench on the beach where the sun is just beginning to set. The beach is nearly deserted at this time, and the two sit side by side, watching the sun fade into the horizon. It's beautiful, with shades of pink and red and orange everywhere. Meg is breathless. She's also relieved that Xavier isn't watching her because the chicken is soooooo good, and the juices are dripping down her chin. Wiping her mouth with the napkin, she's worried that he will think less of her if he sees what a slob she is when she's eating.

As the sun sinks completely into the ocean, Xavier clears off the trash, tossing it in the nearby trash can before grasping Meg's hand to lead her to the car. He doesn't release her except when he guides her into the car and shuts the door.

=================

Minnie arrives at James' and Julia's house about an hour after they've finished filming for the evening. She saw Xavier and Meg off in his car, blissfully happy looks on both of their faces. Unsure what had shifted between the two, Minnie knows that something has changed. It appears to be for the better.

Then she'd rushed home to change into more comfortable clothes: skinny jeans with her feet stuffed in canvas sneakers. The oversized blue and white striped top she's wearing prevents her from needing a bra tonight for this casual evening with old friends.

When she knocks on the door, Carey, 9 years old and precocious as hell, flings it open, prepared to scream. Her disappointment when she sees who it is makes Minnie pout a bit. "Just me, Care," Minnie shrugs, unsure why the child should be upset at seeing her. "I did bring a tiny gift, though."

"You did?" Carey's eyes light up as Minnie passes over a copy of the latest pre-teen magazine. The girl squeals over the cover, and then thumbs through it quickly, leaving Minnie standing at the door. When she reaches the signed picture of Xavier, the child screams again, hugging Minnie, finally making her feel welcome.

"Come in!" Julia welcomes, reprimanding her child for leaving their guest outside.

"It's okay," Minnie assures her friend, wrapping her in a hug, "How's life with three of them growing up before your eyes like weeds?" Just then Max, the 13 year old, streaks past, chasing his 7 year old sister who is giggling like crazy, holding some object above her head.

"That's mine!" the teen hollers.

"Drink?" Julia asks, and Minnie nods with thanks.

Making their way into the kitchen, Julia prepares a margarita for Minnie, passing it across to her. Taking out a knife, Jules begins slicing some onions. Just then, a pot on the stove boils over. Cursing, Julia leaves the knife on the counter, rapidly moving to take the pan from the heat, removing the lid and stirring it. Minnie steps around the island, picking up the knife and continuing to slice the onions.

"You don't have to do that, Minnie!" Julia exclaims.

"It's no problem, Jules. Keeps my hands busy. Otherwise, I might down that entire margarita in two gulps!" Minnie laughs, but there's an undercurrent of truth in the statement.

Her friend gazes at her deeply, "Mr. Tarrango giving you a particularly hard time?"

Startled, Minnie looks over at Julia, "No! Not at all! He's actually turning out to be quite the teddy bear. Just needed his sharp edges trimmed a bit."

"Then what's bothering you?" the talk show host's wife asks as she pulls a bowl from under the cabinet, setting it next to the organic kale she'd bought especially for tonight.

"Two things. This dog I've been walking regularly is on the chopping block soon if I can't find someone to adopt her. And I'm getting texts from Amelia Grant again. I think she's fallen off the wagon. She's a sweetheart, but she struggles with social conventions and feeling insignificant. Sometimes she texts a dozen times in just a few minutes, and then she'll disappear for an hour or two, but she'll be back with a vengeance." Minnie returns to slicing the onions, then turns to Julia. "Are these supposed to be sliced or chopped?"

"Leave some as slices, but then chop the rest. We're having turkey burgers tonight. James is on another health kick, so I'll sauté some onions to serve with them. Why don't you adopt the dog?" Jules inquires, tearing the kale into the salad bowl, then placing two oranges on the counter for Minnie to peel when she's done with the onions.

==============

I love coming to James' house. Not only because James and Jules are great friends to have, but because their kids love me. Seriously. They adore me. So it's no surprise when Carey opens the door and starts screaming, "He's here!!! He's here!" while jumping up and down. She hugs me around the waist, then takes my hand to pull me into the house.

Her brother and sister come running up to me once we're inside, all clamoring for my attention.

"Harry! Did you see the latest Superwoman comic?" the youngest hollers.

"Dude! This chick at school really loves you, and if you were to sign an autograph for her, I might be able to get her to pay me some attention," Max pleads.

It's Carey who tries to play hostess for their guest. "Mum's in the kitchen with Minnie! You should go say hello."

I put off going into the kitchen, worried that my friends have taken a page from Sarah and Mitch's book and are trying to set me up on a blind date with someone.

"Let's have a look at that new comic book!" I tell the Corden's 7-year-old, and she runs off to grab it. "And find me something to sign," are my words to Max, "It's not like I carry 8x10 headshots around with me."

They both scramble off to get their items, as Carey stands patiently in front of him. "Are you going to the kitchen to meet Minnie?"

"Later, gater," I tousle her hair, plopping down on the sofa. The comic book is produced, and together we read through it. Then I scrawl a personalized message to Max's girl on a plain piece of paper with a really nice pen. "Does your dad know you borrowed his pen?"

"Shhhh, Harry. Don't tell on me. Thanks, though! I'm sure this will do the trick!" Max takes a picture of the paper, texting someone.

Harry looks at Carey, still standing patiently by the couch, waiting. Her hands are behind her back, and she looks very much like her mother, her blonde hair hanging over her girlish shoulders.

"Okay, Princess. Let's go to the kitchen to meet.....what was her name?"

"Minnie!!" The girl exclaims, once more bouncing with excitement.

"Yes. Minnie." Rising, I wait for her to take my hand and lead me there. On the way, we pass by the patio door where James is preparing the grill. He waves, following us in.

"Where are you taking Harry?" James inquires, watching the little parade.

"To meet Minnie of course," the precocious child says, pushing open the swinging door to the kitchen.

"Uh..." James starts, walking in behind them, "I'm pretty sure he already knows..."

"Olivia," I croak, astonished to see her here, wielding a knife in her hand, eyes filled with unshed tears that she quickly wipes away with a dishcloth as she sets down the sharp utensil from where she's been chopping onions. Drinking her in, I notice that her hair is down, completely casual now. The sweater she's wearing is vintage, as I haven't seen one like it in years, and way too big for her body. She looks fit, like someone who needs a bit of manky-panky. I'm speechless.

"No, silly!" Carey hollers, "That's Minnie!"