You would think after being on a two week vacation in paradise Claire would have come home and back to work more relaxed, tanned and all out just a much happier person then she’d gone. Instead she’d come home hungover, annoyed and in the need of her first Botox appointment. It was complicated. “Okay, so it’s looking like we’re going to have Shalaine Woodley on the show the week after next, we’re not sure how she’s feeling about guest hosting or not, but they want to promote the next season of Big Little Lies and they think she’ll be a better fit with all you” Claire rambled on during a weekly meeting between producers, execs and the cast. Just her usual work routine. “We tried to get Reese, but since Shay is younger she’ll probably fit with viewership better. You’ve got the fault in our stars fan-base so tune in is definite” Not bothering to pick her head up from her laptop screen, her finger went up the minute she heard Madison mumble something under her breath. “We’re getting who we’re getting Madison, if you don’t like it I suggest you try hosting another show.” Nothing had changed, only gotten worse between all of them. Not to mention she’d been sleeping on the couch since they’d gotten home.
Standing back up, she shut her laptop. “Contracts will be coming up in the next couple of weeks, with the option to renew. We went into this one year standard, if you’re feeling unsure about pay and all that nonsense, I’m going to send you straight to human resources since I know limited to nothing about it, the ratings are good, the renewals are in and it looks promising for the next five years, not something I’d walk away from, but to each her own. Filming resumes tomorrow so I’d be here early…” Not bothering to make eye contact with any of the girls, including her girlfriend, she picked up the stack of paperwork she’d brought with her a long with her laptop and headed for the door “And as always my door is open to questions, comments and concerns.”
Claire had never been the girl who let other people bring her down or put her relationships at risk, but Madison wasn’t just anyone. She was the plague. “Nice angry lesbian vibe, Claire” One of her co-producers called to her as she walked down the hall way towards her office “If I don’t have it and use it, who else will?” She called back with a fake laugh as she entered her office and dropped everything on the couch. “Jane do me a favor and call Dr. Glassmans office and reschedule my appointment for Friday afternoon, there’s no way I’ll be able to fit it in tomorrow” That had been the only good thing to result from the vacation, Claire had agreed to getting an assistant. Botox could wait another four days. “And Cass if you’re lurking outside the door, just come in, you’ve never been afraid to come in my office before, don’t start now.”
It was good to see her girlfriend back in her element. Working and running everything so smoothly. Although their vacation was beyond failed, she still had some small hope that they could get things back on track and soon. Now Claire definitely had every reason to be pissed off. With their Hawaii vacation being crashed by Madison, Cassidy could tell that Claire hadn’t been happy since. They’d worked so hard together and apart to create this life for themselves and every chance they had, something was slowly chipping away at their relationship. That definitely wasn’t something Cass wanted for them in a million years. If she had her way, all her friends would get along with the the woman she planned on spending her life on But that was too much like right? So there had to be some bullshit involved.
Pushing the door open Cass peaked her head in before stepping inside completely. Back at home they were just barely speaking. Claire was sleeping on the couch and the bed was very empty at night. Cass understood why there was tension but she really wished that there wasn’t. She missed how they used to be before shit hit the fan. She missed Claire’s touch and she definitely missed the sex, quite frankly. Three whole weeks, that may have been a record for them. It was all work and no play.  “Hey, I wanted to come talk to you, I feel like we can’t even do that at home...please say you won’t be mad forever?”
