Virtuous(18)

“It’s very nice. Thank you.”

“Thank you for not making me eat alone.”

“Like you don’t have a million people you could call on a moment’s notice.”

“There you go believing everything you read again.” I refill our wineglasses before I settle on the stool next to hers. “Just because I know a lot of people doesn’t mean I want to eat dinner with them.”

“I don’t mean to make assumptions.” She takes a sip of her wine. “On the surface, your life seems so… glamorous and exciting.”

“It can be at times. And I’d never want anyone to think I’m complaining about what’s been an embarrassment of riches, but it’s also a lot of twenty-hour days in less than ideal circumstances. I once spent eight hours in freezing water while filming and ended up in the hospital with hypothermia. It took two days to feel warm again. Another time, our entire crew got hit with food poisoning in Mexico. That was fun. I’ve broken bones while filming. I’ve torn ligaments and blown out my knee—twice. Best of all was spending two days, all but naked, in bed filming a love scene with the woman who cheated on me and ruined our marriage. That was awesome.” Of course, that’s not the full story, but the rest isn’t something I wish to share with Natalie.

She stares at me, her eyes wide. “Wow.”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to go off on a rant. My life is extremely fun and often very exciting and sometimes even glamorous. But there are times when it’s bloody miserable, too. The press doesn’t report on that part of it, because who wants to hear about food poisoning?”

She takes a delicate bite of her chicken and winces. “Not me.”

“Exactly. It’s much more fun to show us in tuxedos and ball gowns, going to one award show after another where we pat ourselves on the back for jobs spectacularly well done.”

“You are awfully good at that, as an industry.”

I howl with laughter. “Yes, we are. We’re brilliant at it.”

“I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never once considered what you go through to make the movies.”

“Don’t be ashamed. If you’re not in the business, how would you be expected to know what it’s like? And again, I want to say emphatically I’m not complaining. I’ve been blessed beyond all imagination with the career I’ve been lucky enough to have. It’s just that sometimes I wish the public at large knew there’s a lot more to it than tuxedos and champagne.”

I put down my fork and take a sip of my wine, surprised to discover I’m nervous about what I want to say next. “Speaking of tuxedos and champagne, next weekend is the Golden Globes, and I seem to be a nominee. I’d love to take you with me if you’re not busy.” I wish I’d had the forethought to record her reaction to my invitation. It’s priceless and precious.

“You… You want…”

I cover her hand with mine and wait for her to look at me. “I’d like to take you to California as my date to the Golden Globes. If you’d like to come.”

“I… That’s very nice of you, but I have work. School. I… I have nothing to wear.”

“We can fix you up with something. The designers would go crazy over you. You’d have them standing in line to outfit you. And you might have to take one day away from school. Do you have any personal days?”

“Three, but…”

“Maybe you could take one? We could fly out on Friday night and get you a dress on Saturday. See some sights, visit my parents and the rest of the family. The show is on Sunday, so we’d fly home on Monday. Back to school on Tuesday.”

“You’re serious.”

If only she knew how serious I am about her. “Very much so.”

“You just met me today! You can’t give me the key to your apartment and invite me to the Golden Globes after knowing me for twelve hours!”

I glance at my watch. “Is that all? Seems like I’ve known you longer than that.” More like forever. She’s blown into my life and my soul like a tornado and left me permanently changed. Why and how that’s possible, I can’t say. It just is. “Think about the trip. You don’t have to decide anything tonight.” I nudge her and redirect her attention to the food. “Finish your dinner.”

“I don’t know if I can eat any more.”

“Did I upset you?”