Page 17 of Cinematic Destinies
“Two eggs over easy, with toast, please. Jam if you have it,” Roo said.
“Certainly. Don’t worry, if Mr. Hennesey joins you, we’ll fix him something straight away,” Ástríður replied before scurrying off.
“So, you were saying you traveled a lot growing up. For your parents’ work?” Roo asked.
“Yes. They always wanted to keep us together, so we’d jet off to wherever either of them was working, for my mom’s university fellowships or my dad’s movies. I loved it. Especially the location shoots for my dad’s films. It was exciting creating a new home in places that felt exotic, and knowing we were there because my dad was a star makinga movie. That seemed so special.” She stopped, crinkled her nose, and shook her head. “To me, it was like a dream. In some ways it set the tone for how I aspire to live.”
Roo smiled, captivated by her every word.
“And you?” she asked. “Did you travel much for your parents’ work?”
“Not really. My father is English to the core. Has more than a bit of a bias toward London theater. Thinks it’s the best in the world, you know, more serious or some such thing. He always staged his plays around town. My mum traveled a bit for films, but most of her career was on London’s stages or in indie films shot around England, at least after I was born. She did shoot a picture in Ireland one summer and we all went, lived in a cottage. It was quite lovely. The Irish countryside is gorgeous if you don’t mind the rain, which as a Londoner I was used to.”
“Do you still live in London?”
“I do. I rent a flat in an old brownstone. Beautiful original wood floors and crown moldings, on a tree-lined street. I’m happy there, although I love to travel. I’m not wedded to London like my parents. I could see myself making a home just about anywhere.”
Georgia smiled.
“And you? Do you live in California?”
“I sort of hop around from place to place, for work. Do short-term apartment rentals where I’m never there long enough to fully unpack my things. When an exciting project comes my way, I love having the freedom to pick up, immerse myself, live somewhere new. When I’m in between projects, I usually go back to LA, or I take a long vacation and veg on the beach until the next job.”
“I understand that adventurous, backpacking spirit. Sometimes I think we actors chose this line of work because we’re road dogs by nature.”
“Yeah, I’ve always thought of it like running away to join the circus,” Georgia joked.
“I’ve spent a fair amount of time in LA myself. These days it’s a must in our industry. I’m not terribly enamored by the Hollywood thing, but the landscape in Southern California is spectacular. For one job the studio rented me a little flat in the canyons. There are the most incredible hiking trails.”
“It’s one of the great things about LA,” she said. “Lots of places to run and hike. I love getting a good workout without having to be stuck inside. It’s how I clear my mind. I think it’s a dopamine rush or something. The endorphins combined with the vitamin D.”
“Perhaps one morning we can take a hike around the volcano,” Roo suggested. “It’s not exactly the temperate climate you’re used to, but it certainly looks too unique to pass up.”
“That would be great. I’m always up for an adventure.”
He smiled. “Me too.”
Just then, Ástríður came into the room and served their breakfast.
“Thank you,” Georgia said.
“Yes, thank you. Looks great,” Roo added.
“My pleasure. Please let me know if I can get you anything else,” she said before leaving them to their meal.
“Well, bon appétit,” Georgia said.
“Bon appétit.”
Georgia picked up her spoon, but Roo just sat, staring at her. She noticed and gazed at him. A long moment passed before he said, “At the risk of needing to apologize again, I must tell you that you have the most extraordinary green eyes.”
She smiled and softly said, “Thank you.”
Their eyes were glued to one another as if neither could look away.
“Georgia,” Roo muttered.
Just then, Michael came vaulting into the room. “Hey, guys. What did I miss?”
