Page 31 of Falling Like Stars

“You work in Hollywood,” Dana says as if I’m stupid. “Up close and personal with the stars?”

“I’m a professional. I keep my distance.”

I realize how dumb that sounds, given the circumstances, and Dana doesn’t miss it.

“Sure, you do.” She takes another pull from her glass. Her second cocktail. I make a mental note to cut her off, so she doesn’t end up crashing on my couch.

“So, what have you been up to?” I ask, cutting lemon twists. “It’s been a while.”

“Don’t change the subject.” Dana leans in conspiratorially. “The Academy Awards are coming up.”

“So?”

I spot J.J. from across the room, standing with some people and her boyfriend of three years, Edison. I shoot her an I’m-in-hell look. She replies with a mildly chastising I-told-you-so glance and holds up her finger to let me know my rescue will not be immediate.

“So…” Dana is saying. “Zach and Eva are kaput. He’ll need a date, right?”

I set down my knife and lemon. “Let’s cool it with the gossipy bullshit, shall we?”

“I just think your timing is interesting.”

“My timing…? If you have something to say, Dana, then say it.”

“I’m saying it.” She laughs. “You invite him to your party; he returns the favor and voila! One ticket to the Oscars red carpet.”

“Hardly. I didn’t invite him here to weasel my way into any awards show.” I go back to slicing lemon. “I invited him because he’s a good guy and I like talking to him. I don’t even consider him famous. Or at least, that’s not the first thing I consider.”

“Uh huh.”

I ignore Dana's condescension. “It’s not. I see…”

Him. I see him.

“I see a regular guy who happens to have an incredible job.”

Dana rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. And I suppose it’s skipped your attention how unbelievably hot he is?”

I keep my eyes on my work. “I’m human. I have eyes. And anyway, if he doesn’t have a date to the Oscars, he should take his mother. She gave him life. Seems a fair trade.”

“You’re not the least bit interested?”

“Nope.”

“Whatever you say, Ro.” Dana rolls her eyes again and peels herself off the counter. She finishes her cocktail and sets the glass down expectantly.

“Sorry,” I say, smiling brightly. “Two drink maximum.”

Dana sniffs and moves away just as J.J. arrives. Finally.

“I’m questioning my life choices,” I say.

“I’ll bet.” She watches Dana insert herself into a group of people and laugh loudly. “What happened to her? I vaguely remember her being cool.”

“That ship has sailed.” I shrug. “But maybe she can’t help it. What’s that saying? ‘Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.’”

“I’ve heard that one.” I feel J.J.’s pointed stare, but she lets it go. “Where is our resident movie star?”

“Haven’t seen him lately.”

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