Next to Me (Triplets book 3)

Chapter 14

Elyse learned that Sawyer was traveling back and forth between Georgia and southern Florida every week. During the week, he was filming a movie with his brother in Georgia, and on the weekends, he was visiting his mother. When he learned that Elyse had several days off in the middle of the week, he invited her down to Georgia to visit the movie set. 

Elyse's first reaction was to say no, but then she realized that if she wouldn't cut every tie with Sawyer, it was ridiculous only to cut a few.

Realistically she knew they were on borrowed time, that he would be on the other side of the country in a matter of weeks, and their brief affair would be over, but she didn't want to give him up. She wanted to make as many memories as possible if she only had him in her life for a short time. It wouldn't hurt any less when he left. She was in too deep.

She flew back with him on Sunday evening, and they drove the short distance from the airport to the Georgia barrier island where they were filming. Elyse had forgotten how beautiful coastal Georgia was with its hanging moss and majestic oaks. Oak Island, where they were filming, was stunning. The old oak trees lined an avenue of historic homes with large front porches that overlooked the water. When they arrived, it was sunset, and the way the golden light filtered through the trees was magical. Sawyer parked at the large hotel and transferred Elyse and her stuff to a golf cart before driving her toward an old home with a massive porch overlooking the water. It was a home that she got to stay in only in her dreams, and the fact that Sawyer seemed unimpressed with it only further enhanced the differences between their worlds.

Elyse knew she was blessed to have the beach house, but it wasn't hers and never would be. Sawyer could have a home like this if he really wanted.

"Sawyer?" Elyse asked, "Where do you normally live?" She looked up at the massive house as she climbed out of the golf cart.

"I split my time between New York and L.A., although I prefer New York." He grabbed their bags and led Elyse onto the porch, and she turned to look over the water. 

What it must be like to live in such a house in such a place. "It's beautiful here," Elyse sighed.

"It is lovely, but the people aren't all that great, which kind of tarnishes it." He pushed open the door and looked around at the quiet house. "Everyone else must still be on set."

Sawyer led the way up the stairs. "I put you in Phee's room in the attic. There's more privacy there. You'll have to share a bathroom with Paloma, but she's fairly neat."

"Paloma Clark?" Elyse asked. She knew of the beautiful and famous woman from the deep dive she had done on Sawyer after the cruise.

"Yes, you don't mind, do you?" Sawyer asked as he dropped her bags on the floor but continued to hold his.

"I lived in a barracks for years, I don't mind, but Paloma might," Elyse suggested.

"Nah, Paloma's pretty laid back. Not much gets under her skin." Sawyer grinned.

"I take it that we're not sharing a room?' Elyse asked, doing her best to make her voice sound natural and curious.

"I hadn't planned on you and Paloma sharing, I can ask her, she might not mind." Sawyer grinned, purposely misunderstanding her. "It could be a slumber party, you could even have a pillow fight."

"That's not what I meant, Sawyer, and you know it." Elyse crossed her arms.

"No, we won't be sharing, but it not because I don't want to share a bed with you." He shook his head. "I don't trust everyone associated with this production."

"And you don't want word to get out about us." Elyse nodded as she turned and walked toward the window with a stunning view of the water.

"It's for your sake, Elyse. Not mine."