‘Life imitating art imitating life?’
That smile again. I can see why Liv screamed excitedly when I told her who I’d be with on this job. Is it wrong to say a man is pretty? Sam’s pretty. Thick lashes, good hair.
‘Do you want to grab a drink with me after this?’ he asks and I’m too stunned to reply.
Behind me someone calls, ‘Quiet on-set.’ So I close my mouth again and despite the fact that a hot, famous man has asked me on a date, I prepare myself to look pouty.
‘What are you doing?’ Liv asks when I’m on the phone to her during a short break. ‘Tell me everything.’
‘Just finishing up a scene.’
‘What’s it like?’
‘It’s surreal. I’ve realised I prefer modelling to acting. I don’t feel comfortable acting. I’m not hugely sure I’d do this again. Although … the money.’
‘No, I said: what ishelike?’
‘Oh. He’s nice. Nice smile,’ I say. ‘Friendly.’ I don’t tell her my insides turned to mush when Sam shook my hand.
‘How friendly?’
‘He asked me for a drink.’
‘Oh my God, you’re going on a date with Sam Charlton. What the actual!’
‘It’s not a date, it’s a drink.’
‘It’s the same thing. Take photos.’
‘Take photos of him while I’m sitting across the table from him? Do you think that might be a bit weird?’
‘Oh yeah,’ she replies thoughtfully. ‘That won’t work, will it? I’m very excited for you, though.’
‘I can tell. I’ll let you know how it goes instead. How’s that?’
‘Next best thing. I’ll take it.’
I look up to see the man in question walking towards me purposefully. ‘Gotta go,’ I say, ending the call rather abruptly.
‘You know how to keep a man waiting, don’t you?’ Sam says.
‘Am I supposed to be somewhere?’ I reply, way more coolly than I feel.
‘Not yet. I asked you for a drink and you were saved from having to answer. I wondered if it was a yes or a no or …’
‘Or?’ I query.
‘A maybe?’ he goes on with a laugh. ‘I’ll take a maybe.’
‘I’d love a drink with you,’ I reply, putting the man out of his misery.
His shoulders visibly relax. ‘Oh, great. That’s great. Um, after this scene you’re finished for the day, right?’
‘I am, yes.’
‘Great,’ he says again. ‘I checked your call sheet to see what time you were done. I wanted to check I wasn’t going to miss you.’
‘Oh, sweet. Also stalky.’
