Jeff suddenly smiled again and fished up his phone to show me a picture of a kid with messy brown hair and the bluest of blue eyes.
“He’s got your eyes,” I said with a smile.
“Yep. And my love of adventure. He’s a right handful. But he has some of his mother’s sensitive and creative side.”
Suddenly I shivered.
Jeff frowned.
“It’s getting cold.”
I nodded. I didn’t want to move — I wanted to stay and enjoy the scenery, but nights in L.A. get cold due to the desert climate.
“How would you feel about a late night dinner at Mel’s like in the olden days?”
I smiled.
“It’s been a while. Think their milkshakes are still good?”
“Oh, I know they are!” Jeff said and grinned at me.
***
Three hours and as many milkshakes later (we’d shared so as to try different flavors — banana Oreo, raspberry white chocolate and good old peanut butter), I felt a lot more alive than I had in a long time. Jeff’s cheeky nature and deep laughter were as contagious as they’d been sixteen years ago.
“Thank you for this,” I said, as Jeff paid the bill. “And I don’t mean just the food — it was great seeing you again.”
Jeff smiled.
“And you’re the same fiery redhead I remember. Six months to get a big acting gig, huh?” Jeff said teasingly, but I noted a hint of respect in his voice too.
I nodded.
“Crazy as they come. But you know, for years I resisted that part of myself. I’ve been a good wife for way too long.”
Jeff smiled, his eyes twinkling.
“I have a hard time believing that.”
“Oh, believe it,” I said. I couldn’t quite keep the bitterness out of my voice.
Jeff looked compassionate all of a sudden.
“Listen, we’re having an audition this week. For a new series. I’m not in charge of the casting, but I can get you an audition. The role is a forty-something kick-ass detective in Maui who solves crimes riding a motorbike. You’d be perfect. Apart from the fact that you’re apparently still an appalling driver.”
I looked at him, my eyes wide with shock. Those kinds of roles didn’t come by often. The chance of getting an audition for them even less often.
“I’d be thrilled to audition. You know that. Thanks.”
I wished that was the only thing that thrilled me in that moment, but as we stood up to walk to our respective cars, I felt the thrill of being next to a very attractive man. A very, very attractive man.
As we made our way to the cars, Jeff put his arm around my shoulders in a friendly gesture. I felt goosebumps forming on my arms in response to the touch and was suddenly very happy I was wearing layers. The scent of his expensive perfume — leathery and smoky — mixed with what was the scent of him, made me weak in my knees. The tailor-made suit and white shirt, two buttons unbuttoned, made him look masculine and carefree at the same time. In exactly the right way.
As we reached the cars Jeff gave me another bear hug. A long one.
“It was good catching up, Pat,” he said as he let go. “I’ll arrange for the audition tomorrow. Then I’ll give you a call next week to hear how it all goes.”
I nodded.
“Thanks.”
He smiled, winked and jumped into his Porsche. And suddenly, I felt very alone.
