It was my turn to roll my eyes. “It’s an Apollo’s special. Marinated Greek chicken, mushrooms, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and banana pepper rings.”
Joan nodded and stepped aside, sweeping her arm out in an invitation to enter.
“I want to see your movie collection. I’m picking,” I told her.
Grabbing the remote control for her television, I attempted to find the streaming services. But Joan abandoned the plates and napkins she’d been gathering and walked over to open a cabinet beneath her bookcase.
Of course, she had an actual DVD collection.
“Wow. I didn’t even know they still made these,” I murmured absently, crouching down to browse the titles.
Her annoyed sigh had me chuckling as she made her way back into the kitchen.
I thumbed through the plastic cases, absorbing the titles that had caught her fancy. It made sense that she’d want to keep physical reminders of the films she found worthy of her time. Movies and television shows disappeared from streaming services left and right. Joan would appreciate the permanence of something she could keep on a shelf. The knowledge made me feel warm with affection.
My finger hovered over a DVD at the end of the top row, hardly daring to believe what I was seeing.
“You ownThe Tycoon and the Aristocrat?” I asked.
“Um, yeah,” Joan replied after a long moment.
It had been the first movie I’d done in an effort to branch out and away from action-hero roles. It had won Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The period drama had challenged me in a way I’d never anticipated. I’d worked with a voice and accent coach for three months before filming began. There had been hours of dance lessons and choreography. The sex scenes had required an intimacy coordinator and detailed directions. The sweeping romance and grandeur of the timeperiod had been like stepping into another world. It was one of the roles I was most proud of.
Standing, I turned to face Joan and held up the DVD. “I remember Candace saying something about how much you loved this one.” At the time, the knowledge had only fed my ego. Now, it meant something different, something more.
Joan placed two beers and two waters on the coffee table before joining me. “Our book club watched it together,” she answered, noncommittally.
“The case looks pretty worn. Probably from too much use,” I teased. “Look, there’s even a little crack right here.”
Frowning, Joan snatched the DVD out of my hand to examine it. “Where?”
I was already grinning when she looked up after finding nothing.
She whacked me on the shoulder with the case.
“Careful. We’re watching that one.”
For a moment, Joan appeared dumbfounded. “You want to watch your own movie?”
“Yep.”
“Isn’t that weird?”
“Nah,” I insisted. “This ego you’re so fond of really likes the idea.”
Joan eyed me skeptically.
Truthfully, I was more nervous than I could ever remember being, but it seemed like an important opportunity to learn something else about Joan. She was the most poker-faced person I’d ever met. I never knew what she was thinking or feeling. She was locked up so tight, always protecting her emotions and guarding her heart. I didn’t know exactly where I stood with her. But, in this, it felt like being handed the gift of insight. I didn’t want to squander it.
Besides, if I got the chance to sit next to her for two hours, I was going todo it. She was someone I respected. Someone so good at everything that it should have been maddening, but it only made me ache to be better.
I wanted her to love the film. I wanted to catch a smile on her face, knowing I was the one who’d put it there. I wanted Joan to see me in a different light—not the careless, spoiled celebrity who didn’t take things seriously. I wanted her to think I was good at something.
Finally, we settled in with our pizza on the couch. I focused on eating while the film opened. But I managed only half of a slice before nerves had me setting my plate aside.
Shifting in my seat did nothing to alleviate the restless energy and awareness coursing through me. Every brush of our shoulders or bump of our knees reminded me that Joan was right there. Her warmth and her body and her opinions ...
Discreetly, I took in Joan’s reaction to the first scene featuring my character—the tycoon—and the love interest—the aristocrat. The meet-cute was filled with banter and tension, and Joan’s eyes were focused on the screen.
