Page 14 of Lucky 22

“That’s me. Who’s this?”

He clears his throat. “Um, hey, Ella. This is ChristianLucas. Your publicist gave me your number. Is this a good time to talk?”

Chapter Three

My heart is hammering so hard, I seriously think it’sgoing to beat right out of my chest. I reach out and frantically grab Jen’s armto get her to stop without saying the words. I know my eyes are wide, and shehas no idea why I’m acting this way. So, I quickly blurt out, “Oh, hi,Christian. Sure, yes, this is a good time to talk.”

Jen starts excitedly jumping up and down, even as she stepsaround me and unlocks the apartment door, silently ushering me back inside. Idon’t know whether I should stand or sit, so I end up pacing.

He doesn’t say anything for a moment, and I wonder if he’sstill there.

“Christian?”

He lets out a small laugh before speaking. “So, um…this is alittle strange. It’s definitely an interesting way…to meet someone.”

Sitting down, I smile. “I agree. I was afraid that doingthings this way would be a deterrent to you. Please know I’m not the kind ofperson who does the whole ‘have your people call my people’ thing.” Then I’mnot sure what to say because it’s obvious we’re both a little nervous.

“That’s a relief,” he murmurs with a hint of amusement.

And then he’s quiet again. I’m trying to come up withsomething witty to say, but he continues.

“I’ll be honest with you, Ella, my publicist mentioned usgoing to a movie premiere together, and…well…that’s not really my thing. I’msure you’re a very nice person, and I didn’t want to not call, but I’mnot really comfortable with a blind date on the red carpet.”

“Then let’s go out before it,” I blurt. “It doesn’t have tobe anything big. Just coffee or something. And, for what it’s worth, I wasn’tparticularly comfortable with our first date being at the premiere, either. Itdidn’t seem like a great way to get to know someone.”

“Exactly,” he replies, and I think he’s starting to relax. “Idon’t know many actresses, but I’m guessing your schedule is potentially asbusy as mine.”

“I’m shooting an episode for a sitcom this coming week andwill be on set for several days. What about you? What’s your schedule like?”

“This is the lastweek of the season. We didn’t make the playoffs, so our final game is onSunday.”

This isn’t as simple as I thought it would be, but I’mdetermined to find a time for us to at least meet. Even if he doesn’t want to,or can’t, go to the premiere with me, I feel like I need to meet him.

“How about dinner Monday night?” he suggests. “I’ve got agame, but you can come and watch me play, and then we can go out to dinnerafter the game.”

I’m so ready to say yes, but…Monday’s my birthday.

My golden birthday.

It’s the one I’ve been waiting for since the fourth grade.Is Christian Lucas the great thing that will happen to me? For me?

Do I even mention that it’s my birthday? Or would thattotally scare him off?

Talk about pressure, right? I’m not sure I’d want to go outon a first date with someone on their big day.

“Are you still there, Ella?” His uncertainty is back.

“I would love to go to dinner with you on Monday,” I tellhim. “Just let me know the details, and I’ll be there.”

“Oh, great. Yeah, that’s great,” he says, clearly relieved.“The game starts at six. Will that work?”

“Absolutely.”

“I’ll text you all the details, tell you where to park, howto get around the complex, and where to pick up your tickets. It’s not too hardto find your way around, but…”

“I’ve actually been to a game recently,” I tell him, feelinga little proud of myself.

“Really? That’s awesome. Did we win?” He chuckles.