Page 43 of Take It Till You Make It
I snort. “Crispin, I think you forget that…” I hold a finger up. “I have a pretty minor role in this movie and…” I raise a second finger. “I’m playing a thirteen-year-old. No one is going to recognize me.”
He arches a brow as he glances over at me. “You’ve clearly never been on a press junket before. You won’t be doing that in character. People will recognize you. It’ll probably be a big deal that you’re playing a thirteen-year-old.”
“Wait until they find out I’m actually older than Sally.”
He barks out a laugh. “They’ll definitely eat that up.” His expression softens. “Ari, I’m telling you, there is something very special about you and the press, the fans, they’re going to recognize it immediately. Enjoy these last few quiet months before the press tour because after that, your star is going to rise.”
“What about Sally. Some of those intense scenes between her and her aunt. She’s such a great actress.”
Crispin nods. “Yes, she’s excellent. And with her classic beauty, she, too, will enjoy great public recognition from this. I’m really glad I ended up doing this movie. The quality acting and the excellent storyline is going to make this resonate with moviegoers. I suspect it’ll be a real sleeper.”
I consider him as he drives down the less congested freeway. Is he just telling me this to make me feel good? “Are you in the habit of successfully predicting a movie’s success?”
He tips his head from side to side as he thinks. “Uh…I’m not one hundred percent right, but I’m usually at least close. I have been doing this for a while now.”
“What do you like most about acting?”
I expect for him to say the fans, but he surprises me.
“I like the camaraderie on set. I love how close we become during filming. I have some longtime friends who I met a dozen years ago, who I still feel close to.”
I think about Crispin greeting Terrell the first day, and how he knows personal information about Grimilda. I thought it was because he’s been around this industry forever, but now I’m realizing that it’s because relationships are important to him. He’s the one who instigated our outing today. So, Crispin likes to form relationships. Something about that makes my heart flutter all over again. I’m beginning to think this guy is dangerous for me. And my heart.
At my apartment complex, he pulls into visitor parking and kills the engine. I look at the ignition button like it’s betraying me by letting him turn the car off. When he swings his door open, I ask, “What are you doing?”
The look on his face is so innocent, so purely confused by my question, that I feel bad for my suspicious tone. “Walking you to your door.”
“Why? I can find my way. I live here, you know.” What is wrong with me? Why am I being so antagonistic?
His mouth flaps a little, and he’s holding his hands in the air like he’s gentling a wild mustang. “It’s literally how I was raised. I’m not trying to say I think you’re incapable. I’m simply being polite.”
I feel so stupid for putting him on the defensive, but I can’t seem to release this attitude. I stare at the dash, working hard to relax. When I can’t, I just nod and get out of the car. I notice his movements are slow and unsure, but he climbs out and meets me at the back of his car. We walk in silence across the parking lot and weave down the sidewalk between buildings. His quiet presence next to me helps me to relax enough to at least pretend I’m not socially awkward.
“Today was really fun. I should really work harder at seeing more of the sights.”
“I’m glad you came. I could um…” Crispin rubs the back of his neck. “You know, I could show you a few of my favorite places.”
“Oh, um…it wasn’t a hint or anything. You don’t have to feel obligated.”
We’ve climbed the stairs to the landing outside my apartment and turn to face each other in front of the door. The landing is barely wider than the door, so we’re forced to stand close. Staring up at him, I find it difficult to swallow.
“I’d really like to.” Crispin’s gaze is intense.
“Besides the gossip museum, what is another favorite place of yours?” Will he suggest the Walk of Fame? The Hollywood sign?
“Griffith Observatory.” He gives me a sly smile. “I know a guy.”
I laugh, a little breathlessly. “Of course you do.”
“Will you go with me? Next weekend?”
I stare at him while thoughts swirl in my brain. Is this a date? It sounds suspiciously like one. But he’s so much older than me. Maybe this isn’t a date. I’m just letting my confused feelings get in the way. I should totally treat this like a friendship thing. Because that’s absolutely what this is. “Yeah, and I bet Sally and River would join us again.”
He blinks and sort of cocks his head, but his expression smooths too quickly for me to read. “Probably. We could go to dinner beforehand.”
I squint. “Before?”
“Well, if we want a private tour of the observatory, we have to wait until after it closes. So, yes, before. But I know a place.”
