The End of Beginning

Julia sat on the small couch inside Joe's trailer, still reeling from their heated kiss. Her body was humming, her heart racing from the intensity of it all. She had about ten to fifteen minutes to cool down while waiting for him, so she took a deep breath and looked around the space, taking everything in.

It was simple—just a couch, a small table, a mini-fridge, and a few personal touches here and there. She spotted a familiar hoodie draped over the back of a chair, one she'd seen him wear countless times on their video calls.

This world—his world—was so different from her own. The bookstore felt a million miles away. Here she was, fully immersed in the behind-the-scenes of a TV production. It felt surreal.

Her phone buzzed. A text from Joe.

JOE: Almost done. Don't get too cozy in there without me.

She smirked and replied.

JULIA: No promises.

A few moments after she hit send, the trailer door swung open, and Joe stepped inside.

This time, he was back in regular clothes—blue jeans and a winter coat. But he did throw on a backwards hat. She assumed he still wasn't used to his new hairstyle.

While she was slightly disappointed not to see him still in costume, her heart still did a little flip at how effortlessly handsome he looked.

Joe caught her expression and chuckled. "Aw, don't look so sad. I had to return my clothes to wardrobe before I left."

Julia crossed her arms with a teasing huff. "Shame. It was doing things for me."

Joe smirked, stepping closer to her, lowering his voice. "Yeah? I noticed." He brushed a kiss against her cheek, then whispered near her ear, "Don't worry, I'll make it up to you."

After leaving the trailer, Joe gave her a quick tour of the studio lot. Julia was in awe, trying to absorb everything—set pieces, lighting rigs, background actors walking around in costume.

As they passed one of the outdoor soundstages, Julia suddenly grabbed Joe's arm, her eyes widening. "Oh my god... is that Juno Temple?"

Joe followed her gaze and grinned. "Yeah, that's her. You a fan?"

Julia turned to him with an expression of pure shock. "Are you kidding? I love Ted Lasso. Is she in this show? I can't believe you get to work with her."

Joe chuckled. "Yeah, she's actually the main character. I'll introduce you later if we run into her."

Julia shook her head, half-joking, half-serious. "No, I'll just embarrass myself."

Joe laughed, but before she could dwell too much on her starstruck moment, he guided her toward another set and introduced her to one of his other co-stars, an actress named Richa.

The introduction was brief but friendly, and Julia could tell how much Joe respected the people he worked with. She loved seeing him in his element.

After the tour, Joe drove them back to his temporary apartment to drop off her things.

It was weirdly familiar.

Julia had seen the place countless times in the background of their video calls, but being inside it now, standing in the very space she'd only viewed through a screen, was a surreal experience.

Joe watched her amusedly as she looked around. "Feels different in person, huh?"

Julia nodded. "Yeah. Although, I feel like I've already been here before."