Mr. Hollywood (3 page)

“What’s so interesting about me sorting through my mail?”

I giggled. “Nothing really. It’s just so normal. I can’t imagine a huge movie star like you doing something as everyday as going through your mail.”

“What did you expect me to say?”

“I don’t really know. I figured you would have some coming home party with all your famous friends and a bevy of beautiful girls swimming in your pool half naked.”

He shrugged. “I don’t party that much anymore. When I was younger I was into that scene but lately it just doesn’t do it for me.”

“You aren’t that old. You can’t be that much older than me.”

“Depends. How old are you?” Grayson asked me.

“I’m twenty-two, and you?”

“Just turned thirty.”

“Wow. I had no idea you were that old Grayson.”

“It’s not that old. Geez. Don’t you ever read the internet? My bio is readily available.”

“I don’t keep up with the whole Hollywood scene. I honestly don’t know much about you, other than what you did early on in your career. I’ve seen all of your Disney movies as a child and of course I was a huge fan of Malibu High.”

He groaned.

“But anything after that, I just don’t have a clue,” I said.  “It’s nothing personal. I don’t keep up with anyone famous. I don’t have the time. If I’m not working, I’m in class or studying.”

He looked taken aback by my lack of knowledge of his life.

“You’d be happy to know that my roommate probably knows your entire life history by heart. She’s really into all those gossip shows like TMZ and Access Hollywood. She watches them faithfully. I’m sure she’s seen every movie you’ve ever been in. She really is a huge fan of yours.”

“And what about you?” Grayson asked. “Are you a fan?”

“I will most definitely watch the movie that Jennifer and I were extras in. Does that count?”

He put his hand to his heart. “You are killing me here,” he said playfully.

After we finished eating I thanked him for the lovely breakfast and then started to get up to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to get back home. I have to be at work today at two.”

“Where do you work at?”

“I work at the book store just off campus, Cover to Cover.”

Grayson smiled.

“I know its cliché, the wannabe author working at a bookstore, but I had to have some job while I was in school and at the time they were the only place hiring that didn’t involve food.”

“Do you like to read?” I asked Grayson.

“I enjoy a good crime thriller every now and then, especially in between long takes.”

“I guess you have a lot of scripts you have to read as well. Do you pick out the movies you want to work on, on your own, or do you have people for that?”

“My agent reads most of the scripts and if they are decent enough he’ll send them my way. I’ll read about three or four a month and then pick one or two a year that I’ll actually work on.”

“How long does it take to film a movie?” I asked. I don’t even know why I asked such a lame question. I guess I was just trying to make small talk and it was the first question that came to mind.

“Varies really, depending on what kind of movie it is. This movie took about three months. Others take six or seven weeks and then others a lot longer. Hell, I’ve even worked on a movie for six months before.”

“Why do some movies take so long to film?”

“Action movies take the longest. Sometimes it takes days to set up a single sequence. And some movies have several different locations and that can suck up a lot of time as well.”

“Which kind of movies do you prefer to make action, drama or comedy?”

“I’m really not a big comedic actor.”

“Are you kidding Grayson? You were great in
Frostbite
. I loved that movie. I swear I watched it like a zillion times when I was a kid.”

He choked back a laugh. “I was also sixteen. I try to avoid making movies like that anymore.”

“Okay Mr. Serious, what kind of movies do you like to make then?”

“I have a rule when it comes to my movies. I make one for them, and then one for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“The studios like to cast me in big budget action movies. Those summer blockbusters make all the money. But for every one of those I do, I like to do a more serious movie, one that has meaning and real character development.”

“And the movie you are making right now, what kind of movie is that?”

“
Same as it Never
Was
is a studio movie. They’ll probably release it next summer.”

“Over a year from now, really?”

“Bigger budget movies take longer in post-production. They have all the special effects to work out.”

“That’s crazy. I had no idea it wouldn’t be out for that long.”

“The movie I’m in that is coming out in a few weeks, I filmed over two years ago. I barely remember it.”

“What do you do when you go on interviews and people ask you questions about it?”

“My handlers prepare me before all the interviews. They give me the list of questions up front and then suggest some things I should say if I don’t have a satisfactory answer myself. They have certain marketing key phrases they want to make sure I work in.”

“It’s all so fascinating. It’s like you live in this whole other world.”

He shrugged. “I really do. But that’s not always a good thing.”

“What do you mean Grayson?”

“I’m enjoying just being here with you. Having breakfast and this normal conversation. It’s not something I get to do very often, but something I hope we can most definitely do again in the near future.”

I found myself blushing. He really could be a charmer when he wanted to be.

“I enjoyed it too, but I do have to get back home and get ready for work. I still have some errands to run and some laundry to do as well,” I said.

“Can I see you again?”

“I don’t know Grayson. You can call me later tonight if you want. I get off at eight.”

By the time I got home from my date with Grayson, Jennifer was awake and chomping at the bit to know where I had been all morning.

I thought about not telling her because I knew she would overreact, but I really needed someone to talk to about it so I gave in and explained about my early morning phone call from Grayson, meeting him on the set, eating breakfast and our talk.

Much to my surprise she didn’t freak out as I told her everything. She remained calm and let me get it all out.

“It sounds like you two really hit it off,” Jennifer said with true delight. “So what’s the problem?”

“That is the problem.”

“I don’t understand what you mean Alison. I really don’t. When is having a great date with a sexy guy a bad thing? My last three dates were nightmares. One of them actually asked me if I spit or swallow on the first date. When some guy says that to you, then you get to complain about your date.”

“I told you this before Jennifer -- He lives in Los Angeles and I live in Texas. Everyone knows that long distance relationships never work out, so why put myself through all that stress when I know how it’s going to end?”

“Because sometimes Alison, it’s about the journey not the final destination. So it doesn’t work out, that doesn’t mean you won’t get something out of the experience.”

“Wow, Jennifer. I’m impressed. That’s really insightful.”

“Hey, I’m capable of being serious every once in a while.”

I had to choke back a laugh. I’ve known Jennifer for four years now, since our freshman year, and this might very well be the first time she had ever been so profound.

“So we are agreed that at least for now, you are going to give the guy a chance?”

I sighed. “I guess.”

I couldn’t really argue with her logic. I don’t know when she became so smart but she did have a good point. I can’t complain about not having any fabulous life experiences and then turn down the first one I get.

“Here,” Jennifer said as she picked up her cell phone and started to text me something. “Sometimes things in life are scary, but you know what is worse than fear? Regret.”

I read her message and smiled.

“Now when you get worried that dating Grayson isn’t the right thing to do or you start to freak out, just look at your phone and remember that, okay?”

“Okay, deal.”

With that, I got up to put my laundry in the machine and headed to the grocery store. It was my turn to do the shopping. When I got back I had just enough time to put my laundry in the dryer and change for work.

Work was like it always was, slow and boring at times, rushed and hectic at others. Being towards the end of the semester though, it was more slow and boring than it was rushed and hectic.

An hour before closing I started the normal ritual of closing up when the bell over the door rang letting us know that someone came into the store.

I was putting away some books so I let Tina handle whoever came in. That was until I heard a loud screech and then a thump. I ran up to the counter to find Grayson standing over Tina who apparently had passed out at the sight of him.

I stood there with my hand on my hips. “This happen to you often?”

He looked up at me and gave me a sheepish grin. “Yeah, I’m afraid to say that it does.”

I sighed as his bodyguard, who I met on that first day on the set, picked Tina up and carried her over to the couches in the corner of the store and laid her down.

Grayson wasn’t alone. He had a friend with him.

“And who’s this?” I asked.

Grayson glanced over his shoulder. “That’s Ethan Clarke. Ethan, this is Alison Crawford.”

He didn’t really need to introduce me to his friend, I recognized Ethan Clarke right away. Who wouldn’t? He was a movie star too. Maybe not as big as Grayson was, but still pretty famous in his own right.

Ethan stuck out his hand to shake mine. “Hello Alison, it’s nice to finally meet you. Gray has been telling me all about you.”

I blushed. I couldn’t help it. It was embarrassing to know that he had been talking about me to his friend, especially considering his friend was none other than Ethan Clarke.

“So I was thinking, maybe after you get off work you and your roommate would like to go out to dinner?”

“Jennifer? Hmmm. I could call and ask if she is free but I won’t be off work for another twenty minutes and then I need to go home and change. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all,” Grayson assured me.

I walked over to the register and picked up my phone which I had hidden behind the counter. I called Jennifer knowing that she would agree. Even if she had plans, heck even if she was on a date at that very minute, she would drop the other guy like a hot potato, to go to dinner with Grayson and Ethan.

“Hello?”

“Jennifer, if you scream, I swear I’m going to hang up on you.”

She laughed. “I promise I won’t scream. Now tell me your news.”

“It’s not really news. I just wanted to know if you would like to go to dinner with me tonight when I get off work?”

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“Grayson and his friend Ethan Clarke want to take us to dinner.”

It was at that moment I heard a thump and then a loud scream. She must have dropped her phone. It took her a second to pick it back up.

“I take it that’s a yes?” I asked while trying to stifle a laugh.

“Yes! Of course! Oh my God yes, yes, yes!”

“Okay well get ready because I get off work in twenty minutes.”

She didn’t even say goodbye. She just disconnected the call, presumably to run and get ready for our double date.

“So, we are all set then?” Grayson asked.

“It seems so. I’ll text you my address. You can pick us up there in an hour. Is that alright?”

“That’s great,” Grayson said as he, Ethan and his bodyguard walked out the door of the bookstore.

I ignored Tina’s wide eyed stares and I went back to restocking the shelves, getting ready to close the bookstore for the night.

When we closed the store, I hurried home to get ready, I knew I didn’t have much time before Grayson and Ethan would be there to pick us up. When I got there Jennifer was in a mad rush to find the perfect outfit. She had her hair and makeup already done.

I did my best to get ready without giving it too much thought. I knew if I obsessed about it too much I would be too nervous and make myself sick.

I didn’t know where we were going but when Grayson and Ethan were at the store they were in casual clothes so I didn’t dress up too much. Jennifer, however, went all out. She put on a little black dress and some really high heels.

“Oh my God! You are not wearing that Alison. What are you thinking?”

Jennifer ran to my closet and frantically started going through my clothes. It took her a minute but eventually she settled on a dress similar to hers.

“Here, put this on while I find you some suitable shoes,” she demanded.

I didn’t feel like dressing up but I knew Jennifer, she wasn’t going to let me out of the house without the perfect outfit so I did as I was told.

Jennifer returned a few minutes later with another pair of high heels, throwing them at me. “Here, wear these.”

I must confess, it’s nice to have a roommate that wears the same shoe size as me, especially when she has a massive collection of fabulous shoes.

After I got dressed, Jennifer dragged me into her bathroom and started playing with my hair and makeup. She was determined I look my best.

Grayson looked like a more muscular cross between Ian Somerhalder and Zac Efron with jet black hair and baby blue eyes. He worked out often so he had an incredibly well built body. So even when he was in casual clothes, he still looked dressed up. He was just that good looking.

Ethan Clarke wasn’t bad. I mean, not many women would kick the boy out of their bed, but he was no Grayson Chase. Together however, they were deadly and may very well cause a riot wherever we go. I started to wonder if this whole dinner date was a good idea.

Then the doorbell rang. My hands started to shake. I was really that nervous. More so than I had been that morning when I was alone with him. I had no idea why, it just felt different this time.

Jennifer answered the door and I heard Grayson introducing her to Ethan. I walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, dreading every step. When I got there Grayson stopped mid-sentence and just stood there staring at me.

“Hi,” I said shyly.

Ethan nudged Grayson and he finally spoke up. “Hey.”

Jennifer looked between Grayson and I, perhaps wondering which of us were going to move but when we didn’t she spoke up. “So are we ready to go?”

Grayson finally snapped out of whatever trance he was in. “Yeah, lets head out.” He walked up to me, grabbed my arm and led me out the door.

Ethan did the same to Jennifer.

“You look amazing,” Grayson said in my ear as we walked to the stretch limousine sitting in front of our house.

“I wasn’t sure where you had in mind that we go for dinner. I hope we aren’t too overdressed.”

“Not at all. You look incredible. Absolutely incredible.”

I giggled. “Thank you.”

“Where are we going?” Jennifer asked once we got inside the car.

“We have a private dining room reserved at Quattro at the Four Seasons,” Ethan said. “Do you like Italian food?” He asked Jennifer.

“Love it,” she said as she giggled.

“How about you?” Grayson asked me.

“That sounds wonderful.” I wasn’t really a big fan of Italian food but I was quite sure a place like that would have something on the menu I could eat.

When we pulled up to the Four Seasons, Grayson’s bodyguard ushered us inside and to the restaurant. From there we were taken to a private dining room while he stood and guarded the entrance.

Our private dining room had two small tables set up for us, so Jennifer and Ethan were at their own table, while Grayson and I were at the other. We were together, but still alone.

That worked out perfectly because Ethan and Jennifer were so caught up in their conversation, they didn’t even seem to notice that Grayson and I were there. I couldn’t believe how well they hit it off.

After dinner I glanced over to see Ethan leading Jennifer out the door.

“I’m going to watch a movie with Ethan in his room. Don’t wait up,” Jennifer said over her shoulder.

I looked back at Grayson, confused. “You’re staying at this hotel?”

“Yes, some of the cast are staying here.”

Before it could get any more awkward I decided I better let him know I wasn’t interested in going back to his room with him.

“Well, it’s getting late and you have an early call time. I guess we should get going.”

“I’ll call for the car,” Grayson said. “Sure you don’t want to order dessert before we go?”

I giggled. “No way. I’m so stuffed. I really don’t think I could eat another bite if I had to and that’s saying something considering I don’t normally eat Italian.”

“You don’t? Why didn’t you say something before, we could have gone somewhere else?”

“No. It’s fine. I’m not a picky eater. I figured they would have something on the menu I liked and if nothing else I could always just eat a salad. What kind of restaurant doesn’t have a good salad or two?”

“What kind of food is your favorite?” Grayson asked.

“I love Mexican food. How about you?”

“I guess I don’t really have a favorite kind of food, but I do love Mexican. Haven’t had it in forever though.”

“There is a great place by where my mother used to live before she passed. It’s so good, I can almost taste the queso dip now.”

“It’s settled then,” Grayson said as if he had come to some decision.

“What’s settled then?”

“We’ll go there tomorrow for lunch.”

“Didn’t you just tell me that you had an early call time tomorrow?”

“I do, but we break for lunch between one and three tomorrow while they setup some of the final sequences.”

“I don’t know Grayson. It’s not really a fancy place, like you are probably used to. It’s a small, family type place.”

“That sounds perfect to me. I’ll pick you up just after one tomorrow and you’ll show me just what I’ve been missing.”

I giggled. He seemed so normal sometimes, it’s hard to believe he was this huge movie star when he put on his regular Joe persona.

Grayson stood up and helped me out of my chair before leading me out of the restaurant, with his bodyguard nearby. By the time we got outside of the hotel, the car was just pulling up. The bodyguard opened the door for us and helped us get into the back of the limousine before he went and sat in the front, with the driver, giving Grayson and I our privacy.

As I sat next to him, I couldn’t help but glance over at him a few times and wonder what he was thinking. Was he going to kiss me? Did he want to kiss me? Was he disappointed that I didn’t go up to his room with him after dinner like Jennifer had with Ethan?