The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the set as the crew wrapped up the final scene of A Lovely Summer . There was an air of quiet satisfaction among everyone, a mix of relief and nostalgia that always accompanied the end of a project. For Anna and Rogan, it was a bittersweet moment, marking the close of a chapter that had been both professionally rewarding and personally intriguing.
Anna stood near the craft services table, sipping on a bottle of water and watching as the set slowly started to clear out. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that this was the last time she'd be in this environment, surrounded by these people. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the excitement bubbling inside her—new projects, new opportunities, and maybe a bit of well-deserved rest.
"Hey," Rogan's voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see him approaching, his usual reserved smile in place. "Can you believe it's over?"
"Not really," Anna replied with a grin. "It feels like just yesterday we were stumbling through those first table reads."
Rogan chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, and now we're here. Time flies."
There was a comfortable pause between them as they both looked around, taking in the scene one last time. The crew was bustling about, packing up equipment and exchanging farewells. There was a sense of finality in the air, but also a lightness—like the last day of school before summer break.
"So," Anna began, turning back to Rogan, "what's next for you? Taking a break, or jumping straight into another project?"
"A little of both, I think," Rogan replied. "I've got a couple of scripts to look over, but I'm definitely planning on taking it easy for a bit. Maybe catch up on some reading."
"Sounds like a good plan," Anna said with a smile. "I'm thinking of doing the same. Maybe even travel a little."
"Nice. Any place in mind?" Rogan asked, genuinely curious.
"Not yet," Anna admitted. "I'm thinking of just picking a spot on the map and going for it. Something spontaneous for once."
Rogan raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That actually sounds pretty cool. Let me know if you find any hidden gems out there."
"Will do," Anna laughed, feeling a bit lighter. "And you, let me know if any of those scripts turn into the next big blockbuster."
Rogan smirked. "You'll be the first to know."
They both knew it was time to say goodbye, but neither wanted to make a big deal out of it. The entire experience of working together had been great, but as they stood there, it was clear that whatever connection they had formed was more friendly than romantic. And that was okay.
"Thanks for being a great co-star, Anna," Rogan said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Anna looked at his hand, then shook her head with a grin. "A handshake? Come on, we can do better than that."
She stepped forward and gave him a quick, friendly hug, which he returned with a chuckle. It wasn't awkward or forced—just a simple gesture between two people who had shared a unique experience.
"Take care of yourself, Rogan," Anna said as they pulled apart.
"You too, Anna. I'm sure we'll run into each other again," Rogan replied, his tone light and easygoing.
With that, they exchanged a final smile before heading off in opposite directions. As Anna walked away, she felt good about where things stood. Rogan was a great guy, and she genuinely enjoyed working with him, but their relationship was exactly where it needed to be—friendly, uncomplicated, and without any pressure to be anything more.
Rogan, for his part, felt the same. Anna was a wonderful person, and he respected her a lot. But as they both left the set for the last time, he was content with where they stood. Sometimes, things didn't need to be complicated.
As they each made their way off the set and into their respective futures, there was a sense of closure, but also an openness to whatever lay ahead. They didn't have everything figured out, but that was okay. For now, it was enough to know that they had made a great film together and had forged a friendship that would last beyond the final cut.
And who knew? Maybe their paths would cross again in the future. But for now, they were content to leave things as they were—light, easy, and without any lingering "what ifs."