My chest aches. I know the reality and yet, here I am still giddy deep down inside because I want to enjoy this date as if it were real, as if it could lead to something romantic and powerful and everlasting. A knot rises in my chest. This date won’t lead to anything—but at least I can enjoy the night. One night of fantasy fun, then it’s back to reality for me.
CHAPTER16
Trevor
I think Roger’s Diner has done a better job of catering to a celebrity than any place in Hollywood ever has. And I don’t mean that in an arrogant way. Annie introduces me to a woman named Clare who slips us into the employee’s entrance and takes us to a table on the back patio that’s in the far corner of the restaurant’s large outdoor seating area. She doesn’t make a big deal about me, and no one else does, either. It’s really refreshing feeling like the old days before I started acting and people started to recognize me.
I don’t know the happy couple being honored tonight, but it’s still a joy to watch them enter into the private party area of the restaurant to a chorus of their friends all congratulating them. Over the past few years, I’ve been to several parties to celebrate people’s achievements and life events, but none of them were like this. Those Hollywood parties are filled with glitz and glamour and people pretending to be friends while snidely making rude comments about each other behind closed doors. Those parties are exhausting. This party is fun, relaxed, and easygoing.
We are treated to dinner that’s brought out by servers all wearing matching shirts that sayCongrats Max & Julie!Annie gasps when she sees them.
“The shirts look so great!”
“So you planned this whole thing?” I ask her after a server brings us the first course of a Caesar salad.
“I had help from Clare,” she says, taking the silverware from the cloth napkin and spreading the napkin on her lap. “I think it turned out pretty good for being such a short notice. Julie looks thrilled, and that’s all I could have hoped for.”
I glance over at the happy couple who are making their way around to each table, giving out hugs and showing off the engagement ring. When they make their way toward us, Annie’s friend is beaming from ear to ear. She looks like the picture-perfect example of someone in love.
“I can’t believe you did this,” Julie says to Annie.
Annie shrugs playfully, like it’s no big deal. “You’re my best friend, and I’m so excited that you’re engaged now.”
“I’m engaged!” Julie says. They both laugh and then hug each other.
Julie glances at me, still smiling, but in a curious way.
“Hello,” I say, standing up and holding out my hand. “I’m Trevor.”
“Julie,” she says. “And this is my fiancé, Max.”
“Oooh, fiancé,” Annie says, sing-songing the word.
“I know,” Julie says. “I get to call him my fiancé now!”
Max shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, man.”
“You too,” I say.
Annie puts a hand on her best friend’s arm. “Have you eaten yet? I ordered all your favorite things, and we’re getting milkshakes and a chocolate fondue for dessert, so you better make sure you don’t forget to eat.”
“Ooooooh,” Julie says, eyes wide with delight. She turns to her fiancé. “Babe, we’ve done enough talking. Let’s go eat.”
The second course is brought out soon after, and the food is so good that Annie and I get caught up eating and don’t talk for a few minutes. It’s a beautiful night outside. Perfect weather for outdoor eating. The lake beyond the restaurant patio is sparkly underneath the restaurant lights. Relaxing music plays from speakers overhead, and all around us people are having a good time enjoying a delicious meal. This is by far my favorite night in Texas.
I can’t stop staring at Annie while we sit together, tucked away in the corner. It almost feels like we’re all alone even though we’re technically surrounded by people. She’s gorgeous in a simple black dress, her long hair looking so silky smooth that I want to run my fingers through it.
I ask her about her best friend, and she tells me all about their years-long friendship. Then she talks about how she used to work in Dallas and how Julie took her in when she lost her job. I really admire that she doesn’t give up and doesn’t fall apart when things go wrong. Annie is a survivor. She’s strong and incredible and I’m so lucky to have met her.
And kissed her.
If I’m being honest, everything about this little surprise party is more romantic than any movie I’ve ever been in. Love is in the air, you could say. Happiness is everywhere. Or maybe that’s just how I feel when I’m around her. She looks so beautiful tonight. The overhead string lights cast an angelic glow on her skin, and her smile lights me up so much that I keep saying funny things just to see her smile again.
I really hope I get another kiss tonight.
“You don’t always feel like a celebrity,” Annie says, breaking the silence. Her lips form the softest but thoughtful smile.
“What do you mean?”
