Brandon
Don't sell yourself short. You're amazing.
Stella
Thank you.
I'm still staring at the phone when Natalie nudges me, pulling me out of my overanalyzing spiral.
“You okay?”
I can't deal with her teasing me about Brandon, so I lie.
“Yeah, just work stuff. Sorry about that.”
The next round is entertainment, and I actually do well, answering questions about Oscar winners and box office records. It's my wheelhouse, and for the first time all night, I feel confident.
“Damn, Stella,” Mason says after I correctly identify the highest-grossing film of 1997. “You really know your stuff. You must be incredible at your job.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling a flush of pride. “I do love what I do.”
“I bet you know tons of famous people, right? Like, actual celebrities?” There's an eagerness in his voice that makes me slightly uncomfortable.
“Some, yeah. It comes with the territory.”
“That's so cool.” He leans forward slightly. “Do you get invited to all those exclusive events? Like premieres and after-parties?”
“Sometimes,” I admit. “Industry events are part of the job.”
“That must be incredible. I've always wondered what those parties are really like.” His smile widens. “Maybe you could bring me sometime? I'd love to see that world.”
There's something in the way he says it that makes me pause, but I force a smile. “Yeah, that could be fun.”
“I didn't realize you were so competitive,” Mason says with a grin.
“Well, when you're raised by a mother who insists you join cotillion and participate in tennis competitions, you learn to bring your A-game to everything,” I say with a laugh, then immediately worry that sounds too privileged or Southern.
But Mason looks intrigued. “Tennis competitions? That's cool. I've been trying to get better at tennis, actually. I play at the club near here on Saturday mornings, but I'm pretty terrible.”
My heart does a little flip. This is it. This is my opening.
“I could give you some pointers sometime,” I offer, trying to sound casual. “I mean, if you want.”
“Really? That would be awesome.”
He's pulled away into an animated discussion about risk versus reward when the trivia host announces the final round. Somehow, our table has climbed into second place, just three points behind the leaders.
“Okay, team,” Mason says, suddenly focused. “This is sudden death. One question, winner takes all.”
The energy at our table shifts, and everyone leans in as the host clears his throat.
“Your final question is about geography. What is the only country that is also a continent?”
“Australia!” I say immediately, without thinking.
The entire table erupts in cheers, and Mason grins at me across the table. “Stella for the win!”
The group toasts, and Mason reaches across to clink his glass against mine first. “I'm having way more fun tonight than I expected,” he says, his eyes locked on mine. “Maybe next time, it can be just the two of us.”
