“No, thank you. A booth is fine.”
She nodded and took us to a booth. We sat down, and a waitress came by to take our drink orders. I made sure to sit facing the room so I could see when Skye walked in. The waitress returned with a beer for me and a lemon drop martini for Evie, along with complementary appetizers.
“The waitstaff are really big fans,” she gushed, setting down a plate of mini lobster rolls.
I fought back an eye roll in Evie’s direction and forced a smile at the woman. “Oh yeah? Which movie is your favorite?”
The waitress’s face went blank, and she stepped back, her face flushing. “Oh, I’m sorry. We were...” She looked over at Evie and smiled. “We loveThe Body Count Bimbo. We watch every week and talk about the episodes. We’ve been having to go back and rewatch old content while you film that movie. I have your merch… Would you...sign something for us?” The waitress looked over her shoulder. There was a gaggle of waitresses huddled together by the bussing station. When they saw us looking, they waved excitedly.
Evie laughed and waved back. “Sure. I don’t have any of my merch on me, but—”
“Oh, that’s fine. If it’s okay, we all live together and have Amy running back to our house to get everyone’s stuff. We are huge fans.”
Evie reached for a roll. “Sure. Just make sure she gets back before dessert!”
“Of course. Thank you, Evie!”
The waitress went back to her friends, squealing excitedly, and I stared across the table in awe. Evie was shoving the food into her mouth, looking beautifully... silly.
“You caused a staff trained not to react around celebrities to break. Congrats.” I raised my beer and toasted her. “Interesting.”
“What, you doubt my influence?” She arched an eyebrow.
“No, I just didn’t realize how large your fanbase was. When you’re wrapped up in Hollywood, you don’t always see what the rest of the world is up to. They keep you so busy with training, fitness, and public events, you don’t have a whole lot of opportunity for recreational things.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she pursed her lips as if in thought. “What do you watch or listen to when you’re working out? Or on your days off?”
I looked away, trying to think. That was a good question. “Honestly, I mostly enjoy the silence. I listen to music sometimes too, but I’m always having someone talk at me. I enjoy the solitude when I get it. I don’t feel a need to fill it.”
“Must be nice,” she murmured, reaching for her drink. “Silence makes me bonkers.”
Her dark eyes turned darker, and I could hear her unspoken words. Silence made her think about all she’d lost and why she was here in front of me tonight.
“Anyway, it’s nice to see that I still have fans, even though I haven’t made any new content other than stuff for the movie since coming out here. I’m still on the fence about selling it or not. It’s been nice not having to work so hard to get videos out every week, but I put so much work into growing it. That, and I genuinely love talking about movies. I can’t really imagine not doing that, you know?”
“I thought your plan was to die in a blaze of glory in front of the Hollywood sign?” I snickered. Her face fell, and I instantly regretted my smart remark. While she’d told me numerous times she’d finish out her mission—life or death, it wasn’t something to joke about. However, her considering not selling was a little slip into her subconscious. Was she thinking about… staying alive?
“You’re right,” she said, her voice cold and distant. “My future doesn’t really matter. Maybe I’ll sell and donate the money. Do something good.”
I started to apologize, but my attention shifted when I caught sight of Skye and Charles walking in. The hostess took them to a table right in the middle. I held back an eye roll. That table was for attention, and those who needed to be seen there were people not worth watching.
“Are they here?” Evie hissed.
I nodded slightly, then returned my eyes to her and reached across the table to take her hand. “Yes. Now let’s act like we enjoy each other’s company. My fans might not be watching, but yours definitely are. I’m sure a picture or two will be taken. You’re really thinking about selling your business?”
“Maybe. I don’t really need the money, and…” She scrunched her nose as she trailed off. “Is this our first real date?” she asked.
“I think so. Group dates and hanging out at your house hardly count.”
We ordered our food and, while still glancing at the couple in the center from time to time, enjoyed our first date.
“This is where we get to know each other, right?” I teased.
“Don’t you know enough?”
“I don’t think I know anything.”
She smirked. “What do you mean? You know more about me than anyone else.”
