Chapter 16 #3
We’re led to a small table in the back corner, and Crispin takes the chair with his back facing the restaurant.
A couple people did the proverbial double-take as we walked past, but the diners are mostly older, so not his demographic.
Regardless, he seems at ease, so I’m guessing he’s not too concerned about being mobbed.
“What did you think?” he asks Sally after we’re settled.
“That was amazing!”
“Did you learn anything new, or was it all the same old gossip?”
She shakes her head. “There was some of the standard gossip that you always see or read, but there was a lot of new stuff. Even things that answered some questions I’ve had about certain relationships. It was really great! I’ll have to come back just so I can read it all over again.”
River laughs. “I can see where I’m spending the rest of my summer.”
Crispin asks River about his time living on a sailboat.
We discuss that until our food is served, and then we shut up and shovel the fantastic food into our mouths.
River confirms it is indeed authentic and says he wishes he could send some to his sister back home.
We hardly talk about the movie, which I find nice.
It feels more like we are friends without the mention of it.
I look from Sally to River and know it would be easy to become friends with them.
When I look at Crispin, though, something extra flutters in my chest that doesn’t feel like friendship.
When my stomach pouches out from all the amazing food, we head home.
We drop Sally and River at their house first, promising to find another adventure to go on soon.
As we pull down the long driveway, I’m suddenly nervous to be alone with Crispin.
It’s like an entirely different vibe than the drive to Sally’s earlier.
Now, I’m aware how close his hand is to my leg when he rests it on the gearshift between the seats.
And of how much space he occupies inside the car, yet again making me feel small in comparison.
My mind whirls trying to find a harmless conversation to start.
“I’m surprised nobody recognized you today,” I say. “Except that guy at the museum.”
Crispin glances at me and shrugs. “I like hole-in-the-wall places like that because I usually go unnoticed.”
“Don’t you like your fans?”
“I love my fans! I wouldn’t have my career without them. But a quiet time out with friends is nice sometimes too. Enjoy it while you can.”
I snort. “Crispin, I think you forget that…” I hold a finger up. “I have a pretty minor role in this movie and…” I raise a second finger. “I’m playing a thirteen-year-old. No one is going to recognize me.”
He arches a brow as he glances over at me. “You’ve clearly never been on a press junket before. You won’t be doing that in character. People will recognize you. It’ll probably be a big deal that you’re playing a thirteen-year-old.”
“Wait until they find out I’m actually older than Sally.”
He barks out a laugh. “They’ll definitely eat that up.
” His expression softens. “Ari, I’m telling you, there is something very special about you and the press, the fans, they’re going to recognize it immediately.
Enjoy these last few quiet months before the press tour because after that, your star is going to rise. ”
“What about Sally. Some of those intense scenes between her and her aunt. She’s such a great actress.”
Crispin nods. “Yes, she’s excellent. And with her classic beauty, she, too, will enjoy great public recognition from this. I’m really glad I ended up doing this movie. The quality acting and the excellent storyline is going to make this resonate with moviegoers. I suspect it’ll be a real sleeper.”
I consider him as he drives down the less congested freeway. Is he just telling me this to make me feel good? “Are you in the habit of successfully predicting a movie’s success?”
He tips his head from side to side as he thinks. “Uh…I’m not one hundred percent right, but I’m usually at least close. I have been doing this for a while now.”
“What do you like most about acting?”
I expect for him to say the fans, but he surprises me.
“I like the camaraderie on set. I love how close we become during filming. I have some longtime friends who I met a dozen years ago, who I still feel close to.”
I think about Crispin greeting Terrell the first day, and how he knows personal information about Grimilda.
I thought it was because he’s been around this industry forever, but now I’m realizing that it’s because relationships are important to him.
He’s the one who instigated our outing today.
So, Crispin likes to form relationships.
Something about that makes my heart flutter all over again.
I’m beginning to think this guy is dangerous for me. And my heart.
At my apartment complex, he pulls into visitor parking and kills the engine. I look at the ignition button like it’s betraying me by letting him turn the car off. When he swings his door open, I ask, “What are you doing?”
The look on his face is so innocent, so purely confused by my question, that I feel bad for my suspicious tone. “Walking you to your door.”
“Why? I can find my way. I live here, you know.” What is wrong with me? Why am I being so antagonistic?
His mouth flaps a little, and he’s holding his hands in the air like he’s gentling a wild mustang. “It’s literally how I was raised. I’m not trying to say I think you’re incapable. I’m simply being polite.”
I feel so stupid for putting him on the defensive, but I can’t seem to release this attitude.
I stare at the dash, working hard to relax.
When I can’t, I just nod and get out of the car.
I notice his movements are slow and unsure, but he climbs out and meets me at the back of his car.
We walk in silence across the parking lot and weave down the sidewalk between buildings.
His quiet presence next to me helps me to relax enough to at least pretend I’m not socially awkward.
“Today was really fun. I should really work harder at seeing more of the sights.”
“I’m glad you came. I could um…” Crispin rubs the back of his neck. “You know, I could show you a few of my favorite places.”
“Oh, um…it wasn’t a hint or anything. You don’t have to feel obligated.”
We’ve climbed the stairs to the landing outside my apartment and turn to face each other in front of the door. The landing is barely wider than the door, so we’re forced to stand close. Staring up at him, I find it difficult to swallow.
“I’d really like to.” Crispin’s gaze is intense.
“Besides the gossip museum, what is another favorite place of yours?” Will he suggest the Walk of Fame? The Hollywood sign?
“Griffith Observatory.” He gives me a sly smile. “I know a guy.”
I laugh, a little breathlessly. “Of course you do.”
“Will you go with me? Next weekend?”
I stare at him while thoughts swirl in my brain.
Is this a date? It sounds suspiciously like one.
But he’s so much older than me. Maybe this isn’t a date.
I’m just letting my confused feelings get in the way.
I should totally treat this like a friendship thing.
Because that’s absolutely what this is. “Yeah, and I bet Sally and River would join us again.”
He blinks and sort of cocks his head, but his expression smooths too quickly for me to read. “Probably. We could go to dinner beforehand.”
I squint. “Before?”
“Well, if we want a private tour of the observatory, we have to wait until after it closes. So, yes, before. But I know a place.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure you do. I’m beginning to think we’ve found a personal tour guide.”
Something heated moves behind his eyes. “I’m up for the job.”
“Okay, next weekend. I’ll ask Sally if they’d like to join us, and we can figure out the details before then.” I wrap both hands around the hoodie I never needed. “Thanks again for today.”
Crispin shoves his hands into his front pockets and kicks at an imaginary rock. “I enjoyed myself, too.” He steps toward the stairs but stops on the first step down and turns back. “I guess I’ll see you Monday?”
I nod. “Maybe. We don’t shoot together, though.”
“Oh, right. Lunch then?”
I grin. “Sure. I’ll see you at lunch.”
He jogs down the stairs while my pulse pounds loudly in my ears.
When he disappears through the maze of sidewalks, I look up at the ocean.
The sun hangs low over the horizon, but it isn’t quite late enough for the sunset.
Otherwise, I might have done something crazy, like ask him to join me across the street to watch.