I snorted. “Why? Planning on going off-roading?”
He pressed his lips together, staring out at the road. “Maybe.”
Teasing him was too much fun. He always took the bait, but not to the point of offense. I felt like I could say anything to Doug, which made him ten times more interesting to talk to than anyone else I knew.
There was an open spot across the street from the restaurant, though it required some nice parallel parking skills. I watched his concentration and patience, even when a car honked at him for blocking the lane momentarily as he backed into the tight spot. Nothing ever seemed to phase this guy.
He went around to get my door, as second nature to him as anything else. I couldn’t help mentally adding little check marks in the box labeled: boyfriend material, though at the moment it only made me queasy. How could I tell him? I could say anything to him, except the little detail I’d been holding back. That, he might not forgive me for.
The first few minutes after we were seated were solely about food. Unlike other restaurants, which kept whittling down their menus to maybe a dozen choices, this place had endless options. And all delicious. I decided on the buckwheat pancakes, even though it was the middle of the afternoon, and Doug ordered pork chops.
We handed our menus back to the waitress, and Doug laced his fingers together, leaning his chin on them. “Now that Strength Warriors is all wrapped up, what do we have to do for the reality show between now and January?”
“Not much. There’s a photo shoot in three weeks with you three judges. They’ll provide wardrobe. And we’ll have a planning meeting right after. We start traveling around for auditions right after New Year’s. So, enjoy the Christmas season. Relax, spend time with family.” I couldn’t help the sarcasm that entered my voice, though maybe he actually enjoyed this time of year.
Doug raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like I need to take up a hobby.”
“I’ll second that. I dread Christmas with my family.”
“Why?” Doug took a sip of his water. He always ordered water. I knew he wasn’t a health nut.
“Why do you always drink water at restaurants?” I asked. I wasn’t avoiding his question. I wouldn’t have admitted to hating Christmas if I wasn’t willing to elaborate. But everything about him was interesting to me. Maybe when I knew everything, he’d bore me like everyone else.
He pointed to my water. “I’m a copycat. Also, I enjoy tepid tap water with a slice of germy lemon when I go out.”
I snorted. “Not buying it. Besides, you ordered water first when we had that business lunch with Alan.”
Doug shook his head. “I didn’t think I’d have to explain this to anyone. My brother is getting married soon. A few months ago, I stupidly agreed to cut out sodas with him until his wedding. He’s trying to lose fifteen pounds.”
“How much has he lost so far?”
He laughed. “Don’t know, don’t care. His fiancée doesn’t care either. She’s my new favorite family member.” His eyes narrowed. “Why are we talking about water?”
“Sorry, I’ll answer your question. I dread Christmas because my sisters think since I’m an actress, I must be loaded. They’re offended by whatever I get them. It’s never good enough. And my mother wants us all to stay in our old rooms, even though we all end up fighting when we spend that much time together.”
“You’re the only actress in your family?”
“My mother was a pageant queen. She put all her daughters into them, and I’m the one who got noticed by a talent scout. It’s one of those things—I resent my parents for being opportunists, but I’m not sure I’d go back and change it either, you know?”
Doug nodded solemnly. “I do know. Problem is, my mom still thinks she’s a stage mom. I’ll be seventy-five, starring in reverse mortgage commercials, and she’ll be a hundred, trying to negotiate on my behalf.”
“Doug, we’re doing reality TV. Is she going to show up and make a scene? Alan might actually use that. He’ll use anything that might increase audience interest.”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” He grimaced. “This job is sounding better and better.”
This was the wrong time to tell him, but I stilled my hands drumming against the table top and just blurted it out. “There’s another problem.”
“The thing you wanted to talk to me about?” The sudden gleam in his eyes told me he could read everything I tried to keep hidden.
“Alan wants a romance to develop between me and a cast member. Just for show, but it has to look real.”
“A cast member?”
“A judge. You.”
And just like that, the lights went on. Doug leaned back against the booth and stared at the ceiling.
