Gilbert seemed lost in thought.
Even if it wasn’t a joke, it must have been a moment of overwhelming sadness, a spur of the moment thing, blurted out in a rush of emotion…
Caroline and her brother’s decade-long relationship coming to an end was a heavy blow for her.
All he could hope was that she would recover soon.
***
The next day, nearing noon.
Sherilyn was reviewing a script.
“Sherilyn!” Karol came running over to her, squeezing a playful wink, “Mr. Johnson’s here.”
In the midst of their conversation, Gilbert had already made his way over, pulling out a chair to sit in front of her.
Glancing at the script in her hand, “Got a scene this afternoon?”
“Yeah.” Sherilyn responded nonchalantly, wondering why he’d come by in the middle of the day.
“Let’s not worry about that now.”
Gilbert closed the script in her hand, “It’s almost lunchtime, let’s grab a bite.”
“I’ll pass.” Sherilyn immediately refused without a second thought, “I’m in costume, it’s not convenient.”
“It’s no big deal.”
Gilbert insisted, “We’ll take my car, it’s nearby. So what if people give us a few extra glances? You’re an actress, aren’t you used to being in the spotlight?” Sherilyn frowned, still wanting to refuse.
Gilbert seemed to read her mind, “If you say no again, I’ll invite the whole crew to join us for lunch-on your behalf.”
Sherilyn frowned, did he really want to add more fuel to the rumors circulating in the crew?
Gilbert was clearly determined, and she was convinced that he and Caroline would eventually reconcile…
She was curious to see how he would face her then.
“Lunch it is, then.”
Sherilyn stood up, Karol had already grabbed her coat, and Gilbert took it from her, “Let me.”
He draped it over her shoulders. Holding her hand, he said warmly, “Let’s go.”
The two of them left side by side, hand in hand.
Karol watched silently, murmuring, “That’s so nice… I’m so envious, it makes me jealous…” At the restaurant.
Sherilyn looked through the menu, sipping on the water Gilbert had just poured for her. Asking, “Weren’t you supposed to come by tonight? Why the lunch visit?”
“I have to head out to Twilight Bay tonight.”
Gilbert sighed a hint of reluctance in his voice, “It’s for work. I was planning to take it easy today, spend some time with you and Jenna, But there’sno helping it, I was the one who started this project, so need to see it through.”
“Oh.”
Sherilyn nodded, understandingly, “Then you should go. Was there a need to come by at noon?”
“Of course, there was.”
The waiter brought their dishes to the table.
While serving Sherilyn some food, Gilbert continued, “I’m trying
wirel
you over, how could I not show my face before I leave? I’ve got the time, and I’m not busy.”
“Cough! Cough cough…”
Sherilyn suddenly choked, startled by his words.
“What’s the matter, did you choke?” Gilbert quickly handed her the water, “Take a sip.”
He also handed her a napkin, “Take it easy.”
“Thanks.”
Sherilyn caught her breath, looking at him helplessly, “Since you’re so fond of me, why don’t you, I don’t know, go get a ‘cryotherapy’ treatment?”
“?” Gilbert paused for moment, then laughed, asking her back, “If I undergo ‘cryotherapy’, will you agree to remarry me? To live happily ever after?” “No.” Sherilyn answered without a hint of hesitation.
Gilbert’s expression dimmed slightly, but he didn’t seem angry, “Why not? Don’t have faith in me?”
“Yeah, I don’t have faith in you.”
Sherilyn watched as he meticulously picked out the parsley from the dish, feeling a slight discomfort in her chest.
Still, she said, “I figure it won’t be long before Caroline sweeps you off your feet, and you two are back to being lovey-dovey.” “You’re overthinking it.”
Gilbert cracked open a lobster,
meticulously placing the succulent meat onto her plate, advising, “Lobster can be cold in nature, you
shouldn’t have too much. Just a couple of bites will do.”