Page 24 of The Grumpy Actor

He makes it so hard to understand him, and I’m tired of trying to.

I head back home to dress up for my dinner with John. I put extra effort into my outfit because I refuse to appear at a high-end restaurant looking casual.

I style my hair in a half-up ponytail and put on a fancier dress than what I usually wear. It’s a blue, strapless silk gown that flatters my body perfectly.

I apply light makeup and minimal jewelry before stepping out of my room. Just as I reach the living room, the doorbell rings.

I pull open the door. When I see John dressed in a fancy tuxedo, I give myself a mental high-five for dressing up, too.

“You look beautiful,” John says softly.

I smile. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

He holds out his hand, and I accept it. He leads me down to his car and pretty soon, we’re driving down the street to the Royal Crest Restaurant.

The restaurant is on the other side of town, unlike the resorts that are strategically placed close to the beach.

When we arrive, a server takes us to our reserved spot, which makes me wonder what kind of coupon he got to get treatment like this.

I decide to put aside the thought and just enjoy the free meal and chance to dress up.

“What would you like?” John asks, passing the menu to me.

“Is there a limit to what we can get? I don’t want to go overboard.”

“No, you can get as many things as you want.” John beams.

I pause, unable to hold back my curiosity.

“Did you really get a coupon?”

John smacks his lips and averts his gaze from mine. “Alright, you caught me. I just needed an excuse to eat here, and I didn’t want to do it alone.”

“That’s fine, too. You could have just told me.”

“I’m glad you’re not pissed. So what would you like—”

A loud ringing interrupts him. I frown, wondering who let their phone ring so loudly in a place like this.

“Sophie. Your phone,” John murmurs.

My eyes widen as I send an apologetic smile to the people around us. I whip out my phone to see that it’s a text from Liam:

I need you in my suite now!

That’s all the text says. I frown, ignoring the text. I put the phone on vibrate and place it on the table.

“What is it?” John asks.

“It’s nothing,” I say, but the vibration on the table gives away my lie.

I angrily pick up the phone.

Your job entails you being available whenever I call. Come here this instant!

I groan, knowing I can’t ignore it this time around.

“Is it urgent?” John asks.

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