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“What?” Ben leaned in to his girlfriend. “You’ll scale boulders and rock walls, but a rollercoaster gives you the willies?”
“It’s not the height. It’s the lack of control I don’t like.”
“Ahh, now, that makes sense.” Ben kissed her on the forehead and turned back to Mark with a smile. “So, when does filming start? It’s Full Throttle 3, isn’t it? Lots of car chases…”
The inside scoop on a movie shoot! Riley couldn’t mute her huge grin if she tried.
“No, I dropped out weeks ago.” Mark met Alex’s gaze and they shared a soft smile. “The script was total bollocks—a ton of plot holes and CGI explosions, zero character development or heart…it just wasn’t for me.”
“Phew, that’s a relief, mate. Now I don’t have to tell porkies.” Ben scratched his stubble. “Those Throttle films are shite!”
“Yeah, I’m sticking with stuff I love: season four of Lairds shoots in October, and then I’ve got A Doll’s House at the Old Vic. Previews begin in February.”
“Old Vic? Blimey, Keegs, well played. That theater is life goals.” Ben nudged Riley. “It’s like two hundred years old and stunning inside—another for our London to-do list.”
“Can’t wait.” Riley beamed like she could burst.
“How’s it been for you, finding work out here?” Mark took a swig of beer.
“Oh, you know. I’m auditioning…no luck yet. I’m doing jobs on the side.”
“I’m guessin’ courier by the helmet—good, keeps you fit. Bartending, too?”
“Close! I’m a singing waiter in a diner for tourists!” With a smile, he sarcastically raised his glass to Mark.
“And a lifesaver.” Mark clinked his beer bottle with Ben’s glass and grinned warmly at Riley. “This fella here…he may be clumsy as fuck and a bit of a klepto, but he’s got a heart of gold. He’s a good ’un. I don’t mind tellin’ ya, if I was donating my liver in four days’ time, I’d be absolutely shitting it.”
“Well, what can I say? Some of us are made of stronger stuff, Keegs.” Ben pulled up his sleeves to show off his modest guns.
Riley rolled her eyes, slapping Ben’s arm playfully as the two old friends laughed.
Alex smiled sympathetically. “Ben told us about your mom, Riley. I hope surgery goes well and she feels better soon.”
“Yeah.” Mark nodded. “We’ll be sending positive thoughts and lots of love.”
“Thanks, guys. Mom’ll love to hear that…” Should I ask? For her? “Mark, would it be possible to get an autograph for her?” I hope that isn’t weird!
“Oh, absolutely!”
Riley pulled out a spiral notebook and a pen from her tote, handing them over.
“Maggie, yeah?”
Riley nodded, and Mark took his time, writing a message while she chatted with Alex and Ben. Alex asked about Riley’s time at NYU and her BBC internship, and they exchanged contact details. She added Riley on Instagram and Facebook and insisted they stay in touch so they could meet up when she returned to New York in April.
“Here you go, love.” Mark handed Riley her notebook. “Maybe next time we can meet Maggie, too.”
“That would be great!” Riley tucked Mark’s note in her bag. She didn’t read it, saving it as a surprise for both herself and her mom.
“I wish we could actually have a meal and stay a bit, but Lex has a final meeting in Midtown.”
“Oh!” Riley checked her phone. Noooo! “I gotta go to work, too.”
Ben fished a few dollars out of his pocket and left them on the table beside money left by Mark.
“Let’s not leave it so long next time, eh?” Mark stuffed his wallet back in his shorts. “Text me when you’re in London?”
“Definitely, mate.” Ben nodded, tossing his messenger bag over his shoulder. “But before you go, let’s get a pic like old times.”
