“Wait, I have more to show you.” I started to get another out of my bag, but Peter leaned over and took my hands. I noticed several of the patrons looking at us and giggling. I smiled at them and they lit up.

“I need to say something, and it can’t wait any longer,” He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, like when he was about to start a scene, “I love you, Jackie.”

“I love you too.” My heartbeat sped to half measures. Was he going to propose? Here? Now?

“Sweetheart?” He took my face in his hands and pressed his forehead to mine.

“What?”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

I took his hands off my face. “What are you talking about?”

“This. Us. I just don’t think I can be in a committed relationship.”

“Ohhh. This is in the script.”

He shook his head. “No, Jackie, I mean it. It’s over.”

The room spun out from under me. “Petey, you’re joking right?”

“No. I’m sorry. No.”

I fought for breath. “Oh, Christ. Have you met someone?”

“Not really.”

“Not really? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I got up, nearly knocking over the table.

“Rehearsing,” Peter called out to the concerned patrons.

He threw a couple of bills on the table, grabbed our scripts, and herded me out the door and away from the eyes still watching through the window.

“You just said you loved me,” I hissed, stumbling past several groups waiting outside to be seated.

“Shhh!” Peter checked to make sure there were no cameras in sight, then guided me down an alleyway and around the back of the building.

“I do love you Jackie, but—”

I opened my mouth to protest, but a sob caught in my throat. I collapsed against the wall.

“Please, Jackie. Don’t cry. I do love you, honey, but I’m not ready to settle down.”

“But I thought…” I waved my hands around helplessly.

Peter put both his arms around me and pulled me to him. “Sweetheart, look.” His voice shook with emotion. “If someone were to hold a gun to my head and tell me I had to be in a serious relationship, I swear, Jackie, it would be with you.”

“A gun?”

“You don’t have to move out right away. I’ve taken a place at the beach for a month. That should give you some time.”