He took my hand and led me to his dining room, which had candles and flowers, making me swoon.
“For me?” I questioned, pointing at the flowers.
“Yes ma'am. Now, I have two kinds of wine, which would you like?”
I slowly shook my head, never really understanding how people liked wine.
“If you have it, I'd rather take a Jack and Coke.”
“Thank goodness. A woman after me own heart. I'm not a wine drinker but most women are.”
“Not me. I find them dry, and they give me a headache.”
“Well, we can't have that tonight.” He went to his bar, making us both a drink. He handed it to me, and I took a sip, savoring the rich flavor. “Enjoy that?”
“I do. And it always pairs well with chicken.”
He chuckled and dished up the food, serving me, and I had to give it to him, it looked amazing.
“Tell me how you got into being a personal assistant here,” he asked, cutting up his chicken.
“It started when I was younger, actually. I helped my cousin with his band, pushed them a little further, but they split. I loved working like that though. Keeping people straight, organized, and busy. It makes me happy to see others happy and prosper.”
“But isn't it long hours?”
“Of course. Tons of emails, phone calls, scheduling, staying on top of them, all tons of time. But I thrive on it. I also love being the person to land things that no one else gets. The special talk show, or interview. Or finding a role that would make them excel. Their happiness is my happiness.”
“Wow,” he mumbled, staring at me. I looked around, then wiped at my face, thinking something was wrong. Which seemed to break his trance because he chuckled. “You're fine. I just don't think I've heard anyone say anything like you have.”
“Oh, yeah, I seem to shock people by it. But I really do like it. I hate the spotlight, so I share it all from behind the scenes.”
“Well, I have to say you have kept me on my toes, and it’s been needed no doubt. I wasn’t sure what to think when my manager sent me your resume, but I’m glad it worked out for both of us.”
“Same here, Joshua.”
And that, ladies and gentleman, was the most I had ever dived into detail about my life. And it just had to be with this man. But it was nice. Joshua didn’t see me as his assistant right now, he saw me as a date, as someone to get to know, and that just made me giddy.
Sure, I knew a lot about the man thanks to Google and tons of interviews, but I also saw beyond the image. I saw the real man, the one he didn’t let many see. And even then, I only saw glimpses because I was still someone on the outside.
“Tell me the one place you could go if you had the chance?” he asked, and I twisted my lip as I thought that over. I mean, there were tons of places overseas to go, sure. But I felt like that was more common.
“Colorado. I want to go to Denver and see the mountains in winter. I know there’s one of the best ski resorts there and I’d love to go.”
“You’ve never been skiing?”
“Never been really anywhere that had snow. I’m a born and raised Cali girl and never had the time nor the means to really go places like that.”
“Tessy, how is that even possible?”
“I make good money, yes, but I help my family where I can. There’s a lot of us, and someone is always needing something. I’m not a fool, though. I pay back and they do too.” I took another bite of food and just shrugged. “It’s never been important to me to go. And besides, who would I go with? My best friend hates the cold, and it’s not like I have a boyfriend or anything.”
He took a sip of his drink, but his eyes never left me. I could feel them burning a hole in the side of my face. Finally, I turned to look at him again.
“What?” I asked, even more self-conscience now.
“I don’t see how someone wouldn’t have snatched you up by now, Tessy. You’re a great catch.”
“I’m married to my job and my family? I don’t know, I don’t seek someone. I have dates, but I guess no one I’ve clicked with. It also doesn’t help that I’m the PA to like the hottest actor in Hollywood. And I mean that he really is the best and he really is the hottest.”
