You're My Exception

Chapter 11

Lily sat on the bench in the park. Green was all around her, but the months let her know summer was coming to an end, as well as the filming of the movie. She closed her eyes, feeling the sun on her face and her hair fall back. The heat on her skin calmed her in a way that could help her relax.

"You look beautiful, you know." A voice brought her back to reality. Lily opened her eyes. "Thanks for coming," she told him. "I have to talk to you about something. Sit?"

He sat next to her, leaning back. "So what's up?"

"Joe, I think it would be better if we broke up," she told him, watching his reaction.

His face fell a little, and his smile turned into a slight frown. "I thought things were going great."

Lily couldn't help but smile a little at his cluelessness. "They were, Joe, but let's face it. You're in love with Demi."

"I'm what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Joe, you know deep down that you love Demi. I can see the way you look at her, and how the chemistry between you two is so obvious." She paused. "I'm not upset, Joe. You're an amazing friend, and a pretty good boyfriend, but, you're not the one for me."

"I just," he said slowly collecting his thoughts. "thought you were really sweet and cute, so I wanted to go for it. I know I need to move on from Demi. She's so happy with Sterling, but I can't. Every time I see her, I..." Joe looked at Lily, at a loss for words.

"Fall in love with her all over again?" she suggested.

He nodded. "Sterling hates me, which doesn't help, but he's a good guy so he makes it hard to hate him. I want Demi to be happy, I really do. I honestly think I'd rather suffer seeing her in love with another guy then to see her hear broken into a million pieces."

"Joe," she said putting a hand on his shoulder. "Fight for her. I don't see chemistry like what you have with Demi every day. Sure, she's happy now. Will she have chemistry with Sterling in a few years? You and Demi have had chemistry since day one, and if I were you, I wouldn't let that go."

"I know. I can't put stress on her now, though," he said softly.

"I know you, Joe. I've worked with you for a while now. I know if you want something, you go for it. It doesn't matter how long it takes, but you get it. You want Demi, no -- you have Demi. You just want her in a way more then what you have. You'll end up together soon enough."

"I hope so," he murmured.