Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Rex
I could tell Lila was enamored with Musso and Frank’s.
Or was she enamored with me? Probably not. That was just wishful thinking, I was sure.
But maybe not. Because as we sat in the dim, wood-paneled time capsule of Hollywood’s Golden Era—with over a hundred years of history unfolding within those walls—she was looking at me, not her surroundings.
“You know, sometimes you see movie stars here,” I told her.
Even that exciting news didn’t seem to snap her out of her trance.
“Might even see Humphrey Bogart,” I continued. “He likes to sit at the bar with Lauren Bacall.”
This drew a smile out of her, and I had to fight the urge to reach over and caress her beautiful face.
“You did tell me this town has its share of ghost stories,” she said.
“Just wait until I take you to the Frolic Room. It and the Pantages next to it are full of ghosts.”
“I can’t wait.”
We looked into each other’s eyes for another moment before the waiter dropped our food off, breaking the spell.
“Will you take me today?” she asked.
“I do need to drop by my office and check the mail. It’s actually right over the Frolic Room.”
“What is that, by the way?”
“A bar just down the street here on Hollywood Boulevard. Next to it is the Pantages. It’s an old theater. Hosted some of the early Academy Awards ceremonies.”
She looked excited.
“But we can’t spend too much time there,” I told her. “We’re doing Universal tonight.”
After that, she seemed even more excited.
“Are you sure this won’t be too much in one day? You’re only here for a short while and I’m trying to give you the full experience.”
She nodded.
“You can sleep it off at Auntie’s, I guess. You Littles will crash hard.”
Across from me, Lila deflated a bit and I remembered there was something she wanted to talk to me about.
Had I fended off the chat? Perhaps spending the day with me had helped her see that it could work between us and I was the Daddy of her dreams.
If that was even what she’d been wanting to talk about, anyway.
The conversation stayed cheerful and we discussed how excited she was about the rest of her stay.
“Universal is going to be cool, but after meeting Stryker today and seeing some of the stuff he does for the movies, I bet his haunted house is going to be even better,” she said.
“He’ll do it up big. No doubt about that,” I agreed.
We’d finished dinner and were looking over the dessert menu when I got a text.
“Normally I wouldn’t check this during a meal,” I said.
She laughed. “I love how old school you are.”
I shrugged. “Wouldn’t even have a cell phone if I didn’t need it for my job. They’re kind of essential these days.”
“Hey, they aren’t all bad. We wouldn’t have talked if it wasn’t for them and Snap and stuff,” she pointed out.
“You have me there. This wouldn’t have happened without ‘em, so I guess I’m grateful.” I shot her a pointed stare. “Because I love where I’m at right now.”
I almost added, “And who I’m with,” but worried it would scare her off. Besides, I didn’t want her to misunderstand. It wasn’t like I meant I loved her as in I love her.
A person can’t fall that quickly. Right?
Honestly, as we sat there in Musso and Frank’s, I wasn’t so sure.
The smile that lit up her entire face told me she felt the same way, though—at least about the loving where we were at.
“Anyway,” I said, checking my phone’s screen, “I’m expecting Athena to message me about the Universal plans. And it looks like it’s her.”
I unlocked the device and read the message.
“Oh no.”
“Everything okay?”
“I hope you aren’t too disappointed. But we can’t go until tomorrow. The other girls we invited can’t make it today. Something came up with the Daddy Guard. Are you good if we postpone?”
“Of course!” she said. “Honestly, I’m excited about it, but… well, I’d love to just spend the entire day and night with you.”
Lila instantly looked embarrassed. “I don’t mean, spend the night with you like I want you to… not like what I said when I fell off the trampoline. You know, just…” She groaned.
Across the table, I couldn’t help myself. “Has anyone ever told you you’re absolutely adorable?”
The redness faded from her cheeks as she sat up a little straighter and beamed.
“Actually, no,” she replied.
Shaking my head, I said, “How you don’t have a Daddy is beyond me, little girl. But then again, I’m glad you don’t. I don’t want the competition.”
I winked and she giggled.
With any luck, Little Lila would be spending the night with me.
Right in my arms where she belonged.