“It is,” Jason said. “You help a lot of kids who need it.”
“Jason stuttered as a kid,” Roan said.
“Really?” Mauve said. “And here you are a famous actor.”
Jason nodded. “It was bad when I was younger, especially when I was stressed or nervous. My therapist was amazing, though. I’ll never forget her. Linda. Long brown hair and green eyes. I had such a crush on her. I used to fantasize about marrying her.”
“How old were you when you started therapy?” Mauve asked.
“Like eight. Before then, Roan basically talked for me because I was so shy and nervous about my stutter,” Jason said.
“I don’t remember you having a stutter,” Reese said.
“It was before you moved here,” Roan said. “Spoiler alert, Linda and I did not get married. However, she gave me a great gift. One that changed my whole life.”
“Regardless of you and Linda not working out, it was nice she was able to help you,” Mauve said, eyes sparkling. “Speech therapists live for progress like that.”
“She was the best,” Jason said. “Good old Linda.”
“She ended up marrying a doctor and moved to Burlington,” Roan said. “Killing Jason’s dream.”
Jason lifted his water glass. “To Linda, wherever she is.”
The others lifted their glasses to join the toast.
“Is it weird to be famous?” Mauve asked Jason.
“I’m not that famous, so not really. It’s not like I’m Brad Pitt or something.”
“He’s being modest. People come up to him wherever we go and want selfies,” Roan said.
“My brother gets annoyed, but I don’t mind,” Jason said. “People feel like they know you if they see you every week on television.”
“Totally. I’ve seen every episode of your show.” Mauve took a sip of her water, her voice carefully neutral. “My coworkers are obsessed. We have a whole group chat about it.”
“No way,” Jason said. “I would have thought you too smart to watch a show like mine.”
“What are you talking about?” Mauve’s eyes widened. “It’s so clever. Heartwarming. Funny. But so touching. And there’s nothing wrong with a show that helps people escape real life.”
“It’s kind of you to say,” Jason said. “I sometimes feel embarrassed by how often they film me without my shirt on.”
“Don’t be. You entertain a lot of people with that chest,” Mauve said.
Jason laughed. “Well, I do what I can for humanity.”
The pizza arrived. The Lumberjack, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, and ham smelled spicy and delicious. The Veggie Delight looked much too healthy.
“I haven’t eaten since this morning,” Mauve said, reaching for a slice of the Lumberjack. “So please don’t judge me. I bet women don’t eat in Hollywood, right?” She took a big bite, murmuring her approval.
“Depends on the woman,” Jason said. “But yeah, it’s a never-too-rich or too-thin type of town.”
“Thank God I have no acting talent,” Mauve said. “Because I’d really hate to give up pizza.”
“Jason’s agreed to our donation idea,” Roan said to Reese.
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Reese said. “People will go bananas for the chance to meet you and hang out on the set.”
“And he’s offering to pay for the flight and hotel out there,” Roan said.
