Page 17 of Once Upon a Star

“I haven’t had the pleasure, but one day.”

“You would love it. It’s vibrant, but understated. Rich in history and culture but not pretentious. You can feel how old it is but in a good way. You know that every wall, every road, every grape has a story to tell.”

“And did you want to be the one to tell those stories?” Ara turned in her seat to look at me, her green eyes intense as she did.

“I hadn’t thought about it that way. I could. I guess. If the right chance came along.”

“If the right chance? You never struck me as a man who would wait for the opportunity to come along. You could write the stories; you could make the opportunity,” Ara suggested.

I could feel myself blushing and was strangely embarrassed and almost self-conscious about her comment. “It’s been a long time since I have even thought about writing much less done any.” I took a sip of my beer as my throat had become very dry.

“I’m sorry to hear that. You always were so good at it.” Ara held my gaze and I knew she meant it. She was the only one who ever knew that I wanted to be a writer. I had always done well in my English classes and thought if it didn’t work out for me being an actor, I could try that route. But then my career had taken off and the idea had been pushed aside. I had been so caught up in my success, then finding a way to get to Ara, I had practically forgotten about it.

“Thank you, but not right now. What about you? How are Ella and Layla? They doing well?”

“Very,” Ara said slowly.

It took her a second but she figured out that I didn’t want to talk about my career. She didn’t ask any more questions but I could tell she wanted to. I knew she would be distracted by talking about Ella and Layla. I had known them briefly and had always admired how close the three women were. I was genuinely interested in how they were doing.

We spent the next two hours talking about friends and family. We had gotten to know the others, or at least about them years ago. My interest in knowing about Ara and her life had not changed and it was nice to catch up. I gave her only broad strokes when it came to my parents; that was a longer conversation and not one for our first meeting.

The sound of my alarm going off on my phone interrupted our conversation. When I turned it off, I saw how late it was. I was surprised at how much time had passed. Though maybe I shouldn’t have. I had never had an issue talking to Ara. It made me think that if we had fallen back into that old habit, it might not be too hard to fall into others.

“Got a hot date?” Ara asked.

She finished her drink and gave me an accusatory look. I took a sip of my beer before I answered. “No. Actually, that’s my reminder that I should go to bed.”

“You go to bed this early?” she teased.

“It’s eleven o’clock at night,” I said.

“No, it isn’t,” Ara said and then looked at her watch. “Shit.”

“Time flies when you’re having fun.”

She looked up at me and took a deep breath. I could tell she hadn’t expected to enjoy herself so much or to be sad it was ending. “Yeah.”

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out some money. “We should do this again sometime. I have rehearsals the next couple of days, but I could meet you again sometime when you’re free,” I suggested.

I wanted to see her the next night. I wanted to see her every night. I wanted to take her back to my place and my bed. But I had pushed once before and I had pissed her off. I knew I couldn’t do that again. I needed to take things slow. She had agreed to see me, I now needed to work on a second meeting. And they would be meetings, hanging out with a friend, not dates. At least not yet.

“Maybe. I have to check my work schedule. Can I text ya?” she asked.

“Sure. But that would mean you would have to give me your number,” I said.

“I’m aware that’s how it would work. Give me your phone.” She put her hand out. I had to suppress a smile. I had hoped to see her again. I hadn’t counted on being lucky enough to get her number.

“Hopefully, this will prevent you from stalking me. Or randomly showing up at my work.” She handed my phone back to me.

I put my phone in my back pocket and said, “I learned my lesson. I won’t do anything about us unless you expressly tell me you want it. And I mean anything.”

Ara didn’t respond but her eyes told me she understood what I was saying. I wasn’t going to push her. If anything happened between us, if we moved back to what we had been, it would be entirely up to her.

Chapter 10

Aracely

“It was then that we kicked her out,” Jack said to Bash and me and we laughed.