“Good,” she responds.
I just don’t know what to say. I knew he was wealthy, but I had no idea.
Finally, Luke looks over at me. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I whisper.
“You look a little pale.” He looks worried.
“I’m okay.” I shake myself out of my stare and look to Jules for guidance.
“Nat,” she says, “You’re no stranger to money.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Your parents left you like twenty million.”
Luke blanches.
“I know.”
“So, what’s wrong?” she asks quietly.
I frown. “Well, I guess it’s just a lot to take in.” I look at Luke and finally, needing to touch him, grip his hand in mine. “I’m sorry, honey. The money isn’t that big of a deal to me, you know that. I guess it’s just surprising to hear that my man deals with actors and hundred million dollar movies and is friends with Steven Spielberg. It’s easy to forget because we’re so far removed from that life.”
“Nat, I’ve removed myself on purpose.”
“I know.”
“Don’t freak out on me,” he whispers.
“I am not freaking out on you.” I smile, finding my equilibrium.
“Um, can I ask one more question?”
Jules raises her hand like we’re in class and we laugh.
“Okay.”
“Can I have Channing Tatum’s number?”
We all bust out in a laughing fit, and I’m relieved to have the tension lifted.
“He’s married, Jules.”
“Damn it.” She frowns. “All the good ones are taken.”
“Luke,” I jump off my stool and stand between his thighs, rubbing my hands up and down his arms. “I want to see your movie this weekend.”
“You do?” He looks completely shocked.
“Yes. This is what you do. I want to support you. Let’s go opening night.”
“I told you, I don’t do premiers. I’m not going to L.A. for it.” He’s shaking his head adamantly.
“No, I mean here. Let’s go to opening night here, in Seattle.”
Jules jumps up and down in excitement. “I want to go too! I’m sure I can find a date.”
“Let’s make a night of it. We’ll double date, go to the movie, maybe dinner. Let’s celebrate!”
Luke smiles, a wide melt-my-panties smile and for the first time since I met him, he looks genuinely proud and excited about what he does. “You really want to?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I guess we’re going. But let’s try to go to an out of the way theater. I don’t want our night to be ruined because I get recognized and have to stand around signing shit for three hours.”
“We’ll go to a late show in a suburb after dinner. You can wear a trench coat with a hat and sunglasses.” I smirk at him and he narrows his eyes at me.
“You’re such a smart ass.”
“But you love me.” I smile sweetly.
“God, get a room.” Jules pulls the lasagna out of the oven.
***
“I’m nervous.” I look over at Jules and cringe. “What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you lie through your pretty straight teeth and tell him you love it.
That’s what girlfriends do, no matter what their boyfriends do for a living.”
She shuffles through my closet looking for something to wear to the movie tonight.
“Who are you bringing tonight?” I ask as I pull my black dress over my head and step into my black Manolo Blahniks.
“Don’t lecture me.”
“Uh, okay.”
“I’m bringing my boss.”
“Holy shit! I didn’t think you were seeing him anymore.” What the hell?
“We’re not really seeing each other.”
“Are you sleeping together?”
“No. Definitely not. He’s not as bad as I thought he was. Once the embarrassment faded… well, he’s a pretty nice guy. I figured why not bring him.” She bites her lip and slips on a pair of my silver earrings.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Jules.”
“I’m not sure that I do, but it’s just one night. Please, be cool, okay?”
“I am the epitome of cool. I’m offended you’d say otherwise. And here I was going to spring for dinner tonight, too.”
She smiles at me as the doorbell rings.
“One of our guys is here,” I head for the door, ready to go. “I’ll get it.”
I jog down the stairs and open the door to find a huge bouquet of red roses staring me in the face.
“Well, hello.”
Luke pokes his head out from behind them and smiles at me. “Hey, gorgeous, these are for you.”
“Thank you, my love.” I bury my nose in them and sniff as he comes inside and closes the door behind him. He looks fantastic in a blue button down shirt that matches his eyes and a pair of khaki pants.
“You look handsome,” I murmur and kiss his lips softly.
“You are breathtaking.” He runs his fingertips down my face and I blush.
“Come on, I’ll put these in water and then I get to go see my boyfriend’s movie tonight.”
Luke laughs. “You do? That’s cool.”
“I know. He’s very famous, but I can’t tell you who he is because we are private people.” I nod sagely at him, my eyes wide.