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“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble. “Nothing happened.”
The Oak has finally closed for the day’s business. It’s just my manager and me left in the building as we slowly shut up the shop. I’m cleaning, and Amanda is counting the day’s takings - the cash bundled together in her hands loosely. She refuses to continue counting after I respond to her crazy inquiry - instead, she proceeds to drill two holes in me with her eyes. She ain’t satisfied with my answer.
“You know exactly who I am talking about, Josie,” she scoffs. “And what I’m talking about. How many famous movie stars do you think walked through that front door today? What happened between you two?”
I spray another table and start wiping it down with the cloth, trying my best to feign indifference to my manager’s grilling.
“You’re talking about the quick moment I took Victor Penmayne out the back to avoid him getting crushed, right?” I ask her, still completing my task.
“Yes.”
“It was literally nothing,” I say. “Absolutely one hundred percent nothing. We barely even talked. It was over as soon as I pulled him to the back. His driver arrived, and he left.”
Keep wiping the table...
“He’s very cute, Josie.”
“Is he? I wouldn’t suspect that has a part to play in him being super famous.”
“Surely the thought didn’t cross your mind...”
“That he’s cute? That’s he’s good looking? Sure, he’s a movie star with movie star looks. That’s why he’s paid the big bucks.”
“Come on,” Amanda pokes. “Tell me, Josie. What did you two do together?”
I continue to remain resolutely resolved on wiping the table and not looking back at my curious manager.
“Amanda, we did nothing. Just a brief conversation.”
“A conversation about what?” she asks.
“What is this, Amanda? A police interrogation?”
“What did you talk about, Josie? Please give me something. I am thirsting for it.”
I stand up straight and put my hands on my hips, finally facing my boss with an icy stare. I really don’t want to spend the rest of the closing shift talking about this.
“We talked about life, Amanda. That’s it.”
My manager leans back in her chair and glances up wistfully at the ceiling.
“He must have a great life,” she murmurs dreamily. “A movie star’s life. What a thing. All that money and all of that fame. He certainly gets around with the ladies, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah,” I reply with another roll of my eyes, “a movie star like him probably doesn’t even have much in the way of sentimentality or love.”
“He probably sleeps around with everyone,” my manager remarks.
“Yeah. But that sounds pretty soulless to me.”
“Totally,” Amanda says. “But, damn, it would be a story to tell the grandkids, wouldn’t it? To spend a night alone with Victor Penmayne...”
I think it’s probably the best idea right now not to reveal the fact he asked for my number.
God, he actually asked for my number...
Nope. I won’t get involved with the man. I am resolved. Even if it would be a story to tell the grandkids. Even if the man’s a movie star. Even if he asked to see me again. Even if he’s blessed with those movie star looks and that charming smile.
I’ve been very resolved not to commit my heart again after such a messy separation from my ex. Not even for a quick one-night stand.
