Anytime

“So let me get this right, you are here to see a member of our staff as a surprise, yet you don’t know her full name and don’t want me to contact her to check she knows you?” The young girl at the reception desk relayed back everything I just told her as I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Something like that. Look help a guy out please?” I pleaded with her as she just chuckled.
“Sorry no. Now I suggest you leave before I call security and they make you leave.” The young girl had got bored of tormenting me it seemed.
“Oh my god” I started to say before I spotted a familiar hair colour. “Maddie!” I shouted over at the ginger haired girl who turned round with a confused look before my face registering and her rushing over to me.
“Hey Frank what are you doing here?” She smiled as she leaned over the desk to grab a visitors pass, signing away on it.
“Trying to surprise Ruby.” I laughed nervously as she looked up at me with surprise on her face. “Think I should leave?” I asked quietly as she shook her head.
“No of course not, come on we’re in the same office.” She smiled swiping the card so the barrier opened for me. I looked over at the receptionist, who was just looking back and forth between Maddie and I, with a smug smile I followed the clicking sound of Maddie’s heels.

We walk down a short corridor that was buzzing with all sorts of people; producers, actors, make-up team, you name it they were there. “Frank I should probably warn you, she’s been seeing this guy for a few weeks. I know you guys aren’t exclusive or anything but I thought I should give you the heads up.” Maddie told me as she slowed her pace once we had got passed everyone. We’d been away for two months and this was my first day back. Ruby and I were still ‘friends with benefits’ as the guys called it, but, hearing this stung me.
“Cool. He nice?” I asked in my best I’m not bothered voice.
“He seems it.” She smiled as we stopped in front of a door, where an infectious giggle could be heard from inside. Maddie swiped her card and we were quickly granted access and the office/ dressing room came in view. She was stood with her back to the door, the phone resting between her shoulder and ear as she pinned one of the costumes up, I’m assuming for Maddie.
“Stop it you are so naughty.” She spoke into the phone as she giggled some more as Maddie shot me an amused look. “I’m not telling you the colour. You’ll have to wait.” She was completely oblivious to the fact that Maddie was back, or that she had someone with her. I could see her through a mirror that was in the bathroom and she had the best smile I had ever seen. I noticed her pull the front of her blouse forward as she peeked down before answering. “Black. Now I have to go. I’ve pricked myself about a million times because of you. See you at 7.” She told whoever was on the other end with a laugh before letting her phone slide from her ear and catching it in her hand hanging up.

“If you have messed my costume up because you were too busy flirting then I swear to god you’ll be pricked a million more times.” Maddie broke the silence as Ruby span around on her heels, the blush creeping up onto her face.
“You heard that huh?” She started, her face shocked when she saw me stood there; the slightest bit of panic creeping up. “You’re back.” She smiled as I nodded. Before I left Ruby and I were still hooking up but we were slowly growing more and more into a close friendship. Slowly we started hanging out more, watching shitty TV re-runs, drinking beer and eating pizza became a staple of our weeks. We texted each other every day and even though she had mentioned a few times she was going out to meet someone, I never put two-and-two together. She was meeting a guy.
“I’m back.” I smiled as she ran over to me, I opened my arms instinctively hugging her tight to me as she smiled contently.
“We need to hang out.” She whispered pulling away to look up at me.
“Sounds like your busy tonight, how about now?” I suggested as she looked over at Maddie who just laughed.
“Go.” She laughed sitting down at her desk as Ruby smiled at her.
“Thanks bestie.” She laughed grabbing her coat and my hand dragging me out of the office.

“So tell me about Mr Naughty.” I laughed as she threw a pillow at me before grabbing the dress off the hanger and stepped into it.
“I met him at work. He’s working on the film they are filming next door. He’s called Alex and he’s nice.” She shouted slightly from the closet as I heard shoes being moved about. I was sat on her bed waiting for her to come out so I could give her my opinion on the outfit. Turns out her was meeting Dylan, and some other family members that had come over to America for a visit.
“So he’s meeting the family you guys must be serious then?” I asked cautiously, not really wanting to hear yes.
“I erm… guess, he calls me his girlfriend so I’m guessing so.” She laughed a little nervously before walking out to show me the black dress that came up to her knee, with black heels. She looked stunning and it was at that moment I realised I was jealous. Jealous of the fact that he gets to meet her family, he gets to take her out.
“Fuck.” I breathed out as she blushed bright red.
“This one then?” She whispered as I just nodded, not taking my eyes off her.

Notes