The lights flashed monotonously, like driving down the freeway at night, passing under each streetlamp. Muffled, unfamiliar voices spoke frantically on either side of him...
Chris broke the news of his part in Bottle Shock the next afternoon as they sat snuggled on the couch together, watching a movie they had both seen a million times and neither were really paying attention to. That had been the easy part. The hard part was convincing her to come with him for filming.
He knew she would put up a fight, but she didn't argue with him quite as much as he expected. Chris had to give her credit for how much stubbornness she was able to muster. It was obvious she was still mentally, emotionally, and physically drained from the previous day's events.
"Chris, I need to be looking for work. I can't just run off with you to wine country."
"Why not?"
"For starters, I can't afford it!" Chris rolled his eyes.
"Will you please stop worrying about money so much?"
"No. I can't help it. I don't like feeling like a charity case. I like being able to take care of myself." Chris grumbled and rubbed his face with both hands.
"Please, I'm begging you," he put his palms together. "I want you to come with me. It's the perfect time and you know it. Get away from...just, everything, for awhile. Consider it a much needed vacation. And, may I remind you yet again, we are getting married.I'm supposed to take care of you. Physically, monetarily, and otherwise. We're supposed to help each other out. And I really,really think you should come with me," Chris looked Larissa in the eye, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
"Oh, brother," it was Larissa's turn to roll her eyes, but she finally chuckled.
"You don't even have to stay the whole time, if you don't want. You can, of course, but I'm not going to hold you captive or anything, as tempting as that sounds," he smiled. "Come visit me on days off and I'll come visit you, but at least come stay with me for a few weeks. Please, please, please?"
"What are you? 5?" she shook her head and laughed. "You're way too used to getting your way, aren't you? You know why you get your way so much, right?"
"Because I'm very charismatic?" Chris teased.
"Because people get sick of arguing with you!" Larissa raised her voice and poked him in the chest.
"Ow! Be nice!" he grabbed her hands and leaned in to kiss her.
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