Me
Can’t a guy get interviewed for a late night show without his mom and brother interrupting every second?
Ian
Don’t flatter yourself. Just wanted you to know Princess misses you. The only woman who could ever truly love you.
Mom
I love Decker! And you, Ian! Love you both!
My brother sends another text, this time only a picture. Princess, my pitbull mix, sits looking out a window, presumably for me. I can’t wait until I’m back with her
Me
Give her kisses and some beef jerky. I’ll update you guys soon.
My phone buzzes again. An incoming text from an unknown sender. I open it and remember that last night, after three old-fashioneds, I gave out my number to some girl at a bar who promised to show me some restaurant with “the best old-fashioneds in town.”
I took the bait, handed over my number, and promptly forgot. When she texts and asks me to meet her tonight, I don’t hesitate. I have nothing planned after filming wraps, and my flight back to California isn’t until tomorrow.
The makeup artist excuses herself again to grab a fresh can of hairspray, so I save Ian’s picture of Princess to my photos and scroll through the rest of the album looking for more of her. I’m happy Ian takes such great care of her while I’m gone, but I hate leaving her behind.
“Decker?”
I drop my phone in my lap and look up to find a pretty blonde with brown eyes smiling down at me.
She extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Ada.”
My eyes drop to her cherry red lips and the cute little space between her front teeth before meeting her gaze again. I take her hand and try not to squeeze it too hard as I shake it. Which, I have to admit, feels entirely too formal. “Hi, Ada, I’m Decker.”
“I know. I’ve been wanting to meet you.” She releases me and reaches into the pocket of her dress, brandishing a slip of paper. She waves it in the air before folding it into my palm. “I don’t know what your plans are later, but I have reservations for a new restaurant down the block and my friend just bailed on me.”
I unfold the paper to find her number written on the inside. When I look up, she stares down at me expectantly. “Are you asking me on a date?”
“Kind of. I guess. Is that weird?”
I shake my head.
“Too forward?” she asks.
I chuckle. “No. It’s fine.”
“Ada! You’re on in five!” Someone with a clipboard butts in.
Ada smiles sweetly at them and nods.
The makeup artist returns and asks me to close my eyes as she shakes up her can of hairspray.
“I’ll text you,” I tell Ada as she starts heading toward the set. “And it was great meeting you.”
“You too.” She smiles widely as she turns around and is ushered onstage by a crew member.
“Just one second,” I tell the makeup artist.
She continues to shake the can of hairspray as I send off a text to the girl from last night, telling her I need to reschedule. I hear the crowd screaming for Ada as her interview begins, and I squeeze my eyes shut as the makeup artist sets my hair. Come to think of it, I am pretty hungry. I don’t know what Little Miss Lux was so worked up about. Sour gummies don’t do much to fill you up.
CHAPTER THREE
