"Girl you are FAMOUS!" Paula said as Billie walked into the diner.
"Famous?" Billie asked, confused.
Paula showed her the iPad she was holding in her hand. There she was, on Ezra's arm, walking into his building. God her ass looked huge in that dress, she thought, cringing.
"The world's most eligible billionaire bachelor was seen in Manhattan Thursday night with a woman on his arm for the first time publicly. Who is this mystery woman? Billie Westfield Conley. Our insiders tell us her father was a famous songwriter!" Oh god. She felt her pulse race. "This is horrible." Billie said.
"Regardless, it is what it is. You are still you and he is still Ezra. That gorgeous, rich, sexy hunk of a man that adores you." Paula said with a smile. Gabe and Abby sat at the cafe bar and Gabe rolled his eyes. He got up and grabbed his copy of Kerouac and began to leave.
"Where are you going? I haven't seen you in weeks." Billie said.
"Sorry. It's just I don't have enough crackers for all this cheese. I gotta get to rehearsal." He said and left.
"He's having a tough time." Paula said in an unnecessary whisper.
"Why?" Billie asked.
"He's in love with you, obviously." Abby said with an eye roll.
"What? No. Gabe is in love with himself. And every other female in town. I'm not special." Billie said with a laugh.
"Oh-Kay. Whatever your say." Abby said. "Paula let's have some pie to celebrate our famous friend!" Abby licked her lips.
"Agreed. Pie it is." Paula said with a smile.
After Billie's shift, she and Paula went to Johnny's for a drink.
"I haven't been here for what feels like forever." Billie said as they pulled into the driveway.
They walked in and everyone looked in their direction. The juke box played as a lull fell over the room.
"Well well, if it isn't Miss billionaire bagger." Pete said, giving Billie a shit eating grin.
"You're just jealous that you didn't bag him first." Billie said.
"Maybe." Pete said, shrugging his shoulders. "If you're feeling giving, I wear a size Gibson SG. In red."
"Ha ha. Very funny." Paula said.
"Hey." Gabe said as he leaned against the bar. "Didn't know you were coming out tonight."
"Yeah. It's been awhile and I missed you guys." Billie said.
"Surprised the boyfriend let you out alone." Gabe said, taking a drink of his beer.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Billie asked.
"He's just saying that Ezra was really worried about you after… all that happened." Paula said, putting her arm around Billie.
"Yeah, that." Gabe said smugly.
"Hey there, mia bella." A voice said from behind.
"Ezra." Billie said, surprised.
"Yep. Exactly that." Gabe said, walking away.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were working?" Billie asked. Paula smiled and looked him over.
"I was. Andrew told me that you were out and I wanted to enjoy some time with you. I don't like to be tied down to my work." Ezra said.
Billie smiled and hugged him. "Well let's have a drink then, shall we?"
"Yes, let's." Paula said, ordering a round. The band played and they all danced and sang. Ezra bought rounds of shots and later, Billie found her way to the bathroom line.
"Is that what you really want?" A familiar voice said from behind her.
"Gabe? What are you talking about?" Billie asked, waiting in line and rolling her eyes.
"That. To go from one controlling asshole to another. To be told what to wear. How to be. To be watched constantly."
"You have no idea what you're talking about. You're drunk." Billie said.
"Yeah. Maybe not. Or maybe that's why you couldn't give me, us a chance. I'm not like them. I wouldn't control you. I would just see you for what you are and love you anyway. Love you and yet keep you wild. Your own person." Gabe said.
"Yeah. Me and every other woman in town. In the state." Billie laughed.
Gabe was standing directly in front of her now. "Is that what you think? You think I want everyone so wanting you ain't special?" He asked. "No. I think it's that you can't navigate me. You can't be owned by me. You can't be made less because of me. I may hurt you. I may not be around all time. That scares you because it's genuine.It's human. Its what you've never had. It's real life." He said with a shitty smile.
"Oh yeah? Well, that isn't the life I want. And it ain't real much." She said, pushing him away and going into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Gabe stormed out and went to his car.
"He ok?" Ezra asked.
"Yeah. Band stuff. You know." Abby said. Ezra nodded and watched him drive off.