“I believe so, but don’t expect him to be the belle of the ball. He’s likely going to sit in a corner scowling the entire evening, so you’ll have to work at getting him to say a word.”
“I do like a challenge.”
“You do, and you nearly always overcome them.”
With his jaw dropped, he stared, offended playfully that Monty had addednearlyto the declaration.
“Paul Trumbo.”
Remembering the hot centerfielder from the college baseball team, he closed his mouth and nodded before hanging his head. “Right.”
“Yeah, and damn, did you miss out.”
“You did not!”
“Three times in the locker rooms. I told you to join some sport to accidentally run into him!”
They had a good laugh at that, and then the guests began to arrive, each oohing and ahhing over the décor and the food.Monty poured wine, and Benson was introduced to each of the actors, all of whom fawned over him, thanking him for producing the play.
All except Luka. He came late and, as Monty had warned, stayed to himself at the end of one of the sofas, a Grecian blue pillow on his lap as a sort of shield.
Monty told him to wait, not to make a beeline for the guy, and he’d been right so far, so Benson took his time, but eventually, he sat on the sofa close to Luka, though not touching, and said, “I’ve yet to meet you formally, though I have seen your work. I’m Benson.”
“I know who you are, Mr. Carter. I’m Luka, but you said you knew who I was.”
“I do, and I must say, I’m happy to see you took the role Monty said you’d be perfect for.”
Luka was as tense as someone with a lodgepole pine trunk shoved up his ass, and his smile was tenser than that. It was obvious he could act on stage, but when it came to social situations, he was terrible at it.
And Benson liked that about him.
“Listen, parties are great, but not for getting to know someone. Would you care for a walk?”
Luka peered around the room. “I, uh, don’t know. I mean, wouldn’t it be rude?”
“I’ve spoken to most everyone. We’ll be back unless we decide to forget everything and run off together.”
As Luka’s eyes widened comically, Benson laughed and said, “I was kidding.”
“Oh. I’m not good at…humor.”
“That’s okay, Luka. We can’t be great at everything, but if we’re great at a couple things and so-so at others, well, I think that is even better. Tends to help us focus on what matters. What matters to you, besides acting?”
Luka’s eyes dropped and cut away from him, and with that, Benson knew something about him. He wouldn’t confront him with it, but Benson knew that Luka hated acting.
And, further, he thought he understood why he did it, anyway.
“Come on. Let’s go on a short walk, then come back and drink some wine, relax some, and enjoy the food. It’s the best Greek in the city, I’m told.”
“Walk. Then right back? I’m not…I mean…”
“I know you’re not for sale, Luka.”
Luka again glared hard at him. “How did you know that’s what I was going to say?”
“Your entire demeanor.”
“Oh. Okay.”
