Chapter 18 #3
I look at Sally, who’s listening to a story Brook is sharing about some mutual friends back in their hometown.
“This was Sally’s goal. Her focus has always been Hollywood.
I never even considered it. Yet here we both are experiencing it together.
” I peek at Crispin, but can’t hold his gaze, too embarrassed about my revelation.
“It’s strange how life can throw people together. ”
“Though I wish you didn’t have to go through losing your father, I’m personally thankful to have you in my life.” He squeezes my hand, which rests on the table next to my empty plate. “I hope it’s the beginning of a long…friendship.”
I cock my head at the pause, but I’m too afraid to ask what other words he considered using to describe us. My lips quiver as I smile. “Me too.”
“Shouldn’t we get going?” River asks. “I thought the observatory closed at 10:00.”
Crispin checks the time on his phone. “It does. And we need to be there between 10:15 and 10:30.”
We all stare at him.
“I told you.” He shrugs. “I know a guy.”
“This is an after-hours personal tour?” I ask.
“Of course.” Crispin tosses his napkin on his plate and holds up a finger to our waiter a few tables down. “Nothing but the best for my new friends.”
Sally and I make eye contact. I waggle my brows. “Looks like we won the tour guide award.”
“No doubt.” She wipes her mouth and places her napkin beside her plate. “First the museum, now this. I’ll be spoiled for lines and crowds.”
“I guess you have to learn the ins and outs of going out in public without causing a scene when you’re as famous as you are, huh?” Brook asks.
Crispin slides a credit card out of his pocket and drops it onto the little tray the waiter is about to set onto the table without even looking.
The waiter turns and leaves before we even have a chance to argue over who pays what.
I can see everyone is just as shocked at the move as I am.
He shrugs. “You do sort of get to know the safe public places, like this one. But I don’t mind the ruckus of signing autographs and taking selfies in a public place if it doesn’t take me away from who I’m with. ”
His gaze flicks sideways toward me, and everyone else automatically looks at me too. I shift in my chair.
“Seriously, if I ever have that problem, I’m going to pick your brain for tips and tricks,” Sally says.
River squeezes her hand. “You’re most definitely going to have that problem.” Then he looks at Crispin. “How much do I owe you for dinner?”
Crispin shakes his head. “Nothing, man. My treat.”
Though we audibly balk first, we end up thanking him as he signs his receipt, and then we abandon the table together.
Outside the restaurant, there’s a chill in the air that I think is only because we’re on the ocean.
I pull my hoodie on and zip it up. River wraps an arm around Sally, and we all stroll leisurely down the pier toward the parking lot.
The bark of sea lions accompanies us, but fewer birds vie for our attention.
One funny little guy runs and hops down the pier alongside us, squawking all the while, keeping us entertained.
There are fewer cars in the parking lot.
River and Crispin exchange information about where we’re going, and we get into our separate cars.
I feel conspicuous climbing into the passenger seat of Crispin’s car.
Like doing so will make my friends think I’m on a date with him.
I shake my head, not even sure why this is a big deal to me at all.
This is no different from me driving Sally or River giving me a ride somewhere.
The flutters in my chest tell me it’s very different.
“Thanks again for dinner. The food was so good, and watching the sunset over the ocean is my new favorite pastime,” I say as we pull out of the parking lot.
“I really like that place. They don’t normally take reservations, so it means a lot to me that they make that consideration for me.”
“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize that was special treatment. That’s really nice.”
“They catered a wrap party for one of my movies, shoot, probably seven years ago. I got to know the owner, and he’s been so kind to me ever since.”
I squint at his profile. “Seven years ago?”
Crispin looks at me and nods before returning his attention to the road.
“So, you were like, what, fifteen?”
I see him look up at the roof of his car, like he’s considering it. “Yeah, that’s about right. It was the wrap party for Rebel State. I was fifteen when I did that one.”
“And you made friends with a restaurant owner?”
He frowns. “Is there something wrong with that?”
I shake my head. “It’s just not normal for a fifteen-year-old to make friends with an adult.”
He lets out a humorless chuckle. “There’s nothing normal about my life, Ari. I’ve worked in an adult-centric career since I was six. What wasn’t normal for me was making friends with someone my age.”
“Oh, well, that’s sort of sad.”
He shrugs but keeps his attention on the road. “It’s better now that I’m an adult.”
“What’s it like being an adult?”
He side-eyes me. “You’re an adult.”
“Not for another month.”
“Ari, you got yourself and your mother out here so you could start your job on time. I’d say that’s pretty adult.”
I remember having to pretend to be Mom so I could sign us up for utilities. Consider the fact that I currently pay the rent and the monthly bills to keep a roof over our heads and buy all the groceries. “I guess you’re right.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Crispin says. “I love what I do. I’m thankful that the industry and the fans like my work enough that I can continue doing it, but when a tabloid, or even the occasional fan, accuses me of being spoiled, I get frustrated.
I work hard and I work a lot. I study the craft.
I watch what I eat. I exercise. I’m a very disciplined person.
I may not have to read for most of my roles anymore, but that’s because I’ve been around for a long time, and directors often know my range or think they can pull something new out of me. I’m respectful and remain coachable.”
I fiddle with the hem of my sleeve.
“What?” Crispin asks. His gaze keeps flipping between me and traffic, which seems really heavy for so late in the evening, but I’m not usually out this late.
“Well, I mean…” I stammer.
When I bite my lip, he asks, “What?” again.
“It’s just that you weren’t respectful to me in the beginning. I’ve definitely seen another side of you since, but…” I grimace.
“I’ve been thinking about that. You said I was conceited when I thought you were an intern and dismissive when you asked for directions, right?”
I nod.
“It’s weird because the first time I saw you, you intrigued me.
You looked so serious for someone who I thought was so young.
I instantly wanted to know your story. I think the intern thought lodged in my brain, because when I saw you that second time in wardrobe, I figured you were just making an excuse to talk to me because we had been shooting for at least a week by that point, and as an intern, you should have known where to go by then. ”
“That’s still rude. You told me you don’t mind the autograph hounds and attention seekers.”
“I don’t mind them off set. People are expected to act more professionally on set.”
I purse my lips. I still think he could have been more pleasant in both circumstances.
He sighs. “Look, the truth is, I think you’re right, and I’ve gotten a bit full of myself. I should have been nicer to you, and I’m sorry I wasn’t.”
The last thing I expected from him was an admission. Suddenly, my cheeks are burning, and I can’t look at him. “Oh, well, thanks.”