A Second Chance. Jen and Brad.

Chapter 2, "Gifts from Exes".

Jen : I'm so glad you could make it!
Brad : Of course. I'd never miss out on an important night like this.

He strokes her arm as he breaks out of her embrace.

Brad : I brought you something.
Jen : You did?
Brad : I know you've got a gift table... but I...

He pulls a gift bag out of his inside pocket and hands it to her.

Brad : I want you to open this now.
Jen : Oh, you didn't have to do that.

He smiles at her whilst he's impatiently waiting for her to open it.

His smile was always her favorite thing about him. And it hasn't changed. Not since 15 years ago, not even since she saw it for the first time in 1998.

A couple of feet away Andrea and Amanda are standing by the bar with two margaritas in their hands, staring at the two of them talking.

Andrea : It's weird isn't it.
Amanda : It's like we've gone straight back to 01'.
Andrea : Except that I don't look anything like I did in 01'.
Amanda : Well that makes two of us.

Inside the bag there's a bracelet. A 14kt gold snake bracelet with cabochon turquoise beads and ruby eyes.

Jen : Oh Brad...
Brad : Do you like it?
Jen : It's fabulous... I love it.
Brad : I saw it and I immediately thought of you, so I just had to get it.
Jen : This must have cost you a fortune though. I mean...
Brad : Oh, don't worry. Here. I wanna see it on you.

He grabs the bracelet and helps her get it on, meanwhile Jen finds herself staring into his eyes.

That somehow are even more beautiful than she remembered them.

2 hours later :

Jen : Have you seen Will? I need a mic.
Kristin : I think he's near the bar somewhere.
Jen : Okay. Thanks...
Kristin : Wait.

She grabs her arm as she's about to walk away.

Kristin : What's this?
Jen : Oh. A birthday present.
Kristin : Really? From who?
Jen : Uhm... Brad.
Kristin : Brad gave you this? Tonight? Now?
Jen : Yes. Why?
Kristin : Nothing. He's got taste...

20 minutes later :

Jen : And I also just want to say thank you for coming and celebrating... me. I love each and every one of you very much and tonight has been the most special.

Somehow her eyes find Brad's in the crowd full of people.

They stay locked.

Jen : Uhm... yeah. That's it. Thank you again... oh, and get home safe! We've already had someone, and by someone I mean Reese, fall down the stairs.

Everyone laughs before Will helps Jen get down from the table.

Someone taps her shoulder...

Brad : Okay, I guess I better take off

and she turns around to face Brad.

Jen : Wait. I need to ask you something before you leave. Can you just wait for me... I just need to say bye to...
Sheryl : Bye honey. What a night.
Jen : Bye. Thank you so much for coming. And for the beautiful present.

Brad walks back inside, where he finds Courteney standing in the kitchen. Putting away boxes.

Brad : Why am I not surprised to see you're still here, cleaning up after everyone else?

Court also jumps back as she didn't see him walk into the room.

Brad : You know there's people you can pay to do that.
Court : And why am I not surprised you're also still here?
Brad : Jen told me to wait to leave until she's said goodbye to everyone.
Court : Really?
Brad : Told me she needed to ask me something.
Court : Isn't that fu...

Court's interrupted as Jen walks into the kitchen carrying a bottle of vodka.

Jen : What are you guys talking about?
Brad : Noth...
Court : What's that?
Jen : Oh, it's Kate's new vodka.
Court : Oh.

Jen puts the bottle of vodka on the counter, before she bumps Brad's arm letting him know their talk is happening now.

In the hallway :

Jen : Again, thank you for coming. It really meant a lot to me.
Brad : It meant a lot to me too.

She takes his hand while she's talking to him. It's simply a reflex. It's what she always used to do.

Brad : What do you wanna ask me?
Jen : I was just wondering... we didn't really have the opportunity to talk much in there and I really wanna sit down and have a proper talk with you.
Brad : Yeah... no, it was pretty crowded in there.
Jen : Right. So do you wanna get dinner some time? This week... or the next if...
Brad : I'd love that.

They kiss goodbye before he leaves. It's was only a kiss on the cheek, but it was enough to make Brad stuck in her head for the rest of the night.

Back in the kitchen :

Court : You're gonna see him again aren't you.
Jen : Maybe.
Court : Jen, what the hell are you doing?
Jen : What?
Court : You've barely said a word to each other in 15 years and now you're all of a sudden going out?
Jen : We're not going out. We're just eating dinner... and talking.
Court : Okay.
Jen : We're just friends. And we've always been friends, it's just... easier now.

10:48 at Jen's house, the next morning :

Jen : Hi, what's...

Jen sees the name of the person calling her and without realizing what day it is, is about to ask him why he's calling her.

But she quickly remembers why.

Justin : Happy birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Jen... uhm, nabean. Happy birthday to you.

A smile appears on her face right away.

Justin calling her to sing Happy Birthday is a tradition. Something he has done every year ever since they became friends... and then a couple... and then friends again.

It started in 2011, right after they started shooting Wanderlust. It was her birthday and their week off from shooting. He was at his apartment in New York and she was home, in Los Angeles. Just like now...

They were friends and they hadn't started dating yet... but they both knew this "thing" they had would turn into something special.

Jen : Justin...
Justin : I'm sorry for not being there yesterday.
Jen : It's ok. Although we missed you.

A tear rolls down her cheek, but she tries to not make it obvious that she's crying.

Justin : I hope you had fun.
Jen : I did. I really did.
Justin : I'll stop by sometime this week, if that's alright?
Jen : Of course. Any time.

From where she's standing in her kitchen, Jen looks at what used to be their home. All the memories they share... their life together is something she'll never forget, nor take for granted.

Justin : Did you get my present by the way?
Jen : Oh, uhm...

She realizes that she hasn't really opened anyone's presents.

Anyone but Brad's...

Jen : I haven't gotten around to do it yet.
Justin : Oh. Well, when you do, tell me what you think of it. Okay?
Jen : I will.
Justin : Good. Bye Jen.
Jen : Bye Jus.

Jen hangs up with Justin, yet Brad's still on her mind.

Brad and their dinner together.