Page 4 of Full House

CHAPTER TWO

Nate stepped out of the sound studio in time to see Victoria exiting her trailer and start across the lot to her car. He hesitated, but only a second, before his feet were moving her direction.

They’d had another good day with a minimum number of retakes, putting them even further ahead of schedule, and thus, putting Simon in a good mood. And a happy Simon made for a happy crew when he called the day a wrap before the sun had even set. Nate just hoped this unexpected reprieve didn’t turn around and bite them in the ass in the days to come.

He caught up with Victoria as she reached her car, and she gave him an impish smile while pressing her car remote, beeping open the locks. “It’s still light out, Dad.”

She was, of course, referring to the conversation he’d had with her earlier in the day about not driving home in the dead of night.

Smartass.

His lips quirked up, and he said, “Actually, I was going to ask if you’d like to grab a bite to eat, since, as you pointed out, it’s so early.”

He could tell he surprised her. Hell, he’d surprised himself with the offer. He watched her eyes widen and nostrils flare as she took a moment to respond.

He waited patiently. Not usually one of his strong suits, but he was finding, where Victoria was concerned, his actions weren’t anything like his norm.

“Um… Yeah, sure.” She closed her eyes and shook her head as if waging a silent battle with herself before opening her eyes again and giving him a small smile. “What I mean to say is, yes, that sounds nice. Thank you for asking.”

He raised a brow. “So polite.”

“It’s called manners,” she deadpanned.

He barked out an unexpected laugh. Not many would understand Victoria’s sense of humor, but he found it refreshing. Continuing the joke, he wiped the expression from his face, thoughtfully nodding. “Not many people with those, here in Hollywood.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” she mumbled before her expression transformed. It started with a twinkle that brightened her eyes then a small mischievous smirk pulled at her lips before a bubble of laughter escaped as if she couldn’t contain it any longer.

He found himself grinning along with her, and all because, at that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Something squeezed in his chest. An unfamiliar ache he refused to give a name to. He had to force his feet to stay planted and not cross the space that separated them. He gave her a smile instead.

She opened her car door, and he felt his smile slip. “I’ll follow you over.”

He mentally shook himself for being an idiot. Of course, it was silly to drive her there then take her back, so she could drive herself home. This wasn’t a date. They were colleagues having a meal together. Nothing more. Even if, deep down, he secretly wanted it to mean more.

He shook off his crazy thoughts and forced a smile. “Great. I just need to grab my keys from my trailer.”

He emerged a minute later, keys in hand and started for his car.

“Don’t lose me,” Victoria shouted from across the lot.

Never.

≈≈≈

Nate took her to a hole-in-the-wall deli about a mile from the studio. She was hit with the smell of corned beef, mustard, and pickles as soon as they entered, making her stomach growl. How many hours ago did they have their lunch break? So many she couldn’t remember.

She looked around. The place was old. Peeling wallpaper yellowed with age and photos of celebrities—dating from the black-and-white era to present, glamour shots—covered the walls. Victoria scanned the pictures, trying to see if Nate’s was among them, but there were too many to take in as they were ushered to a corner booth.

She tossed her purse onto the seat before sitting, the stiff vinyl crackling as she slid onto the seat. Nate copied her actions from across the booth—minus the purse slinging. She was handed a menu with grease stains and questionable food smears by an older woman who wore her hair in a beehive, had blue eyeshadow on her lids, and wore bright pink lipstick. If it weren’t for the muzak belting out the current pop top forty, Victoria would’ve questioned whether she’d stepped back in time.

“Can I get you kids anything to drink?” Rose, per her nametag, asked as she pulled a pencil from behind her ear, licking the tip before scribbling something on her pad.

Victoria turned Nate’s direction with raised eyebrows and mouthed out a silent, kids?

Nate held a hand to the side of his mouth, shielding it from the waitress’s view before replying with a silent, humor her.

Biting the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning, she turned back to Rose. “A cup of coffee would be great.”

---