by Krys Janae
She also hated that she constantly compared her current husband with her ex-husband. They were incomparable, on exact opposite sides of the spectrum, in all aspects. It couldn’t be helped. It was the natural thing to do: compare what’s learned through experience. Alisa hated that she was experiencing this at all.
After a few minutes, she slid on her sandals and made her way over to the room across the hall. It took a few seconds to gain the courage to raise her hand, but she finally did. Then she knocked against the wooden door lightly, three quick raps.
No response.
Contemplating knocking again, Alisa gave up the wait and started back towards her room, almost tiptoeing, when she heard the door open.
“Oh, we’re ding-dong-ditching now, are we?” Evan stood there against the doorframe with his arms folded.
Her face flushed, and she turned to face him, wearing what was sure to be a cheesy smile. “Sorry. I just figured you were asleep.”
“Nah, haven’t slept a wink. Flight kinda threw me off. Come on in.”
Alisa hesitated as she walked in. He offered her a bottle of water, and she graciously accepted. Evan’s room was a direct mirror of hers, with a view just as exquisite that overlooked the pool in the courtyard. He seemed to keep everything nice and organized too, where as she draped most of her clothing over the lounge furniture.
“Everything okay?” He asked, sitting beside her on the couch.
Breathing in, she nodded, “As okay as it can be, I suppose.”
“Understandable.”
Alisa took a sip of her water and when she was done, screwed the lid on tight and set it on the coffee table.
“I’m really sorry ” “About last night ”
“Oh, I’m sorry, go ahead ” “Okay, go ahead ”
The two spoke in unison once again, erupting in laughter. Evan waved his hand over at her to allow her to take the floor.
“I’m…” Alisa thought over her words very carefully. “I’m not mad at you, Evan. I don’t hate you.”
His piercing eyes looked up at her, anxious and relieved all at once. Evan sat back on the couch, almost consumed by the cushion as he did. It was definitely comfortable where they sat, and for a few moments they let the quiet wash over them.
Alisa didn’t mind it; she enjoyed time to just let go of her stressors and relax. “I don’t hate you,” she repeated.
“I’m glad.”
When she looked down, she didn’t expect to see his hand on her knee. It was completely meaningless to her but surprised her, nonetheless.
“Why are you…?” Her voice faltered, as she realized her question would come off either rude or make no sense.
Evan’s eyebrow arched as he shifted in his seat, scooting himself closer to her. “Why am I what?”
She was at a loss for words. If only she could figure out a way to put a proper sentence together that would neither offend nor upset him. After a beat, she responded, “I just don’t get how you can be so straightforward, so boastful and nonchalant, yet underneath it all, when it’s just you and me…be someone completely different?”
In all honesty, she’d been waiting to ask him that since they first met. Evan was a typical film industry type; at least he was based on what she saw on television. Strip away the crowd, the awards, the hard exterior of him being cocky to please others and she was left with the man who sat next to her just now: A simple man who was sweeter than her favorite chocolate, with eyes that made her melt.
A faint laugh was heard, and Evan rested his head back on the couch. “It’s sad to say that I get asked that a lot.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t know what it is. The rush of the film industry? That need to be ahead of someone, which essentially means you have to talk yourself up endlessly to get any sort of attention? I’m sorry for coming off that way; it’s a habit when you meet new people, producers, writers, actors. You just have to hit the ground running or you’ll get trampled, you know?” Evan explained.
His words were spot on. Though Alisa didn’t have the same gusto or arrogance that Evan had acquired, appearing on late night television required some confidence, and for those five to ten minutes of screen time, she too had to wear that hat. Even if she didn’t fully agree with this reasoning, she understood it.
“I hate to give you the sob backstory about a bullied kid from Queens who was never in the spotlight, but that’s true too. Short version is ... this life isn’t for the nice guys. I’m working on it though.”
“I see. Well, if I may confess… I prefer this Evan over the one I knew before. Not that there was anything bad about that guy. I guess I should say I would have wanted to meet this Evan first.”
He gave a sheepish grin and extended his hand to her. “Then let’s start over.”
Confused for a moment, Alisa slowly extended her hand to take his.
Evan gave her a firm handshake and looked into her eyes. He was just so intense. “Evan Gable, director. No relation to Clark but just as dashing. I’ve made a few movies in my day. A pleasure to meet you…”
“Alisa Rider.” It was still weird to say that name. “I’m a published author, television writer, and producer extraordinaire. I’ve even been an extra in a film by Christian Neel; you may have heard of him? Also, I’ve been nominated for a couple of awards, and I’m on the National Best Sellers ”
“All right, all right, I get it … My God, is that really what I sound like?” Evan put his hand to his heart in surprise.
Alisa just grinned and shrugged, pleading the fifth on that one.
They both laughed, a genuine and necessary laugh shared between them.
Just like that, the ice was re-broken. The two were discussing embarrassing moments he had on set with his last film, Letting Go. It was a very sad yet uplifting romantic comedy. Alisa hadn’t seen it yet, and Evan spared the spoilers; he was just explaining how the leads didn’t get along, and an instance where he slipped and fell on set trying to get between them before they started to fight. Alisa was grateful her leads from Gateway were friends and the cast of Family Insurance were a family of their own.
“Do you think I’m going to do well on the show?” He came out and asked, point blank.
It caught her off guard. “Oh, as Aaron?”
“Yeah.”
She thought back to the read she had with him a few days ago and nodded. “Your character was spot on. You delivered the lines so well with me that Ray talked to Kassidy to make sure you had a shot.”
“Wow. Well, what did you think?” Evan asked.
Alisa nodded, “I think you did pretty well.”
There was brief break in their conversation, and Alisa didn’t realize how close he was sitting next to her until she turned to face him. They immediately zoned in on one another, silently observing each other, letting the moment settle between them.
Her phone went off.
After clearing her throat, she answered. “Alex!”
“Hey, sweetie! I knocked on your door, and you didn’t answer. Is this a bad time?”
“Um,” She offered a quick glance at Evan and mouthed sorry before standing up. Her fingers ran through her freshly straightened hair. “No, I’m just across the hall; one sec.”
Throwing the door open, she revealed herself to her friend, and he squealed with joy. She was pulled into his extremely tight embrace which she returned with as much exuberance. Alex couldn’t help but notice the room she was in was not vacant. He pulled away awkwardly and shot an inquisitive glance at Alisa before looking at Evan.
“Ahem. Am I … interrupting something?”
“No no no! Evan, this is my friend Alex Santos … you know? From the text earlier. Alex, this is my new director. We’re here together.”
“On business.” Evan stated clearly, as he stood up to greet Alex. He reached out and offered him a hand to shake which Alex took eagerly. “Evan Gable.”
“A pleasure.”
“Likewise.”
B
efore the awkward dust settled, Alisa started towards the open door and gestured at the room across the hall.
“I guess I should let you get some rest, Evan.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll text you later.”
“I’ll be waiting.” He winked and shut the door behind them.
Once the door latched shut, Alex grabbed Alisa’s hand and tore through her door like a whirlwind. His face lit up. She hadn’t seen him so animated since he got together with John and couldn’t wait to spill the beans to her about all of the juicy details.
“Whoa there, killer, where’s the fire?!” Alisa shut the door behind her and plopped down on her own comfortable couch beside him.
Alex’s face was still illuminated with excitement, “He has to be a heart attack and a half.”
“Have you been talking to Ray?” Alisa laughed.
“No, why?”
Alisa just shook her head.
“Whew!” He pretended to fan himself, “So Ron hired that one? You had nothing to do with this?”
Alisa nodded, staring innocently at her friend.
Alex exhaled loudly, “Logan was okay with this? How are things, by the way? I haven’t talked to you in so long. We have so much to catch up on that I don’t even know if we are going to have enough time.”
“Things are…things are kinda rough right now.” Alisa admitted. “I left LA on such bad terms. I haven’t heard from him since I took off.”
“Oh,” the tone suggested Alex was sad and surprised all at the same time. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect that coming from Logan. That man loves you more than anything, and you guys never fought after the whole Michelle dilemma. Honestly, I figured you guys for a perfect couple.”
“Far from perfect,” she corrected him.
“Ugh,” Alex groaned, pouring himself a glass of wine from the bottle he smuggled in. He offered Alisa some. “It sounds like it’s about time John and I make our way back to Los Angeles. He just bought us a house.”
Alisa sipped her wine, “That’s wonderful! But aren’t you both enjoying your ‘lil vacay’ here in the city?”
He grinned, “Of course I am. But I think it’s time we get back to our home and just settle down.”
When Alisa raised a brow curiously, Alex offered his left hand to her. There was a titanium band lined with small diamonds shimmering in the lights from above. It only took Alisa a couple of seconds to process what he was not-so-shyly exposing to her, and in that instant, she screamed. He screamed too, screams of excitement. The pair giddily clutched each other’s hands and bounced on the plush seats.
Alex was beaming from ear to ear.
“Wow, sweetie; that is amazing!” Back when they first met, Alisa had no idea the two were into each other, let alone hitting it off. Now here they were engaged to be married. “How, wh-when did it all happen? How did he ask?”
Her friend went on to explain how John popped the question; John was a production assistant for another film they were doing on location in New York City. John’s supervisor at the time was a good friend with the coordinator at the Empire State Building, so after pulling some strings, making arrangements, and nearly blowing the surprise a couple of times, John managed to get Alex to travel to the balcony. That, in itself, was a very difficult task considering Alex was majorly afraid of heights. When Alex reached the top, he went outside, and John was waiting for him with roses and “Marry Me” written on a banner.
Alisa had tears in her eyes. When Alex was telling the story, she had pictured it all happening and wished so badly to have been there for such a beautiful moment. “Aw, sweetie, I am so happy for you guys.”
“It was the perfect time for you to call, because I have something very important to ask you.”
Oh God, she thought. Is he going to ask for advice? Sex advice? A place to stay until they found a new place in Los Angeles? She didn’t mind that, mostly because her house was big enough to fit the entire gang pretty comfortably. Her brain wrapped around itself as she tried to figure out what he could possibly want, and she gestured with her hands to try to get the answer out of him.
He breathed, “Okay. So, we’ve already talked about having the wedding in a couple of months, just before Thanksgiving, out in Long Beach. John’s family referred a nice little location for us, a gorgeous hotel--something simple, nothing over the top, just friends and family.”
“That sounds great! By then the show will be rounding out to the mid-season, and I should be able to spare a weekend during the movie planning.” She smiled. She loved weddings.
“I’d also be honored to have you there as my maid of honor.”
A bit of wine got caught in her throat, and she coughed to clear it. “I’m sorry, what?”
Alex patted her knee, “Babe, you know that you and Lo mean so much to me and John for bringing us together; we figured it would only be right if we have you both be there for us. Ray and David are going to be there too. Brendan as our ring bearer, Abigail as one of our flower girls, and Dawn also agreed to be a bridesmaid with her little one as our flower girl.”
If he had asked her two days ago, Alisa would have been overjoyed. Present day Alisa had knots tying in her stomach that were too tight to undo. She gulped down a little more wine before sitting back.
“Wow, Alex. Yes! I would be honored.” If she said any less she would sound petty and selfish. If she said any more, Alex would see right through her. She wasn’t lying to her friend; she was just less than stable when it came to being around her husband, so she was a little hesitant.
He tilted his head, “Are you sure?”
It took a bit to force a smile, but she mustered enough of one to be convincing. There was no way Alisa wanted to disappoint her friend. “Of course.”
As soon as she responded, Alex swept her into his arms and swayed with her from side to side in excitement. “Thank you! I know you’re busy, and I really appreciate you doing this for me. You have no idea.”
“Of course, sweetie! I wouldn’t let you down.”
Her phone buzzed.
It was Logan. How’s New York?
Alisa didn’t know how to answer. She’d text him earlier to let him know that she was terrified of flying alone, how she was sorry, that she had landed safely, and all he said was ‘How’s New York’? She nearly threw her phone across the room. She envisioned it hitting the wall and shattering to pieces, so as a preventative measure, she kept her composure and held it tightly in her hand.
Alisa didn’t realize how long she’d been standing in her bathroom doorway until she looked at the clock. Five minutes had flown by. Alex had gone about a half an hour ago. Was she going to answer? Should she just leave it alone? Alisa didn’t want it to be this way but all the same, she didn’t want to feel like they could disregard the last 24 hours. That would never end well.
“Damnit.” Alisa cursed.
Haven’t left the hotel yet She erased it, knowing he’d probably take that the wrong way.
I wish you were here She erased that too.
It’s all right. Nothing like home. I’ll get to see more of it tonight. After reading it over several times, she hit send.
Scripts for episode 1 are going out tonight. I’ll make sure you get one. He responded.
Alisa hated this! She couldn’t handle feeling like he was sweeping everything that had happened under the rug. It was unnerving.
Thanks, she typed.
It took everything she had in her to put her phone down. She used to have a basic phone; calls and texts were the only things necessary. After meeting Logan, he gave her a brand new phone. Then she became a part of the studio staff, and hadn’t been able to let go of the device ever since. There was always a text, email, chat, Hangout, Facebook post or voicemail to check. As was habit, she found herself on Facebook, and somehow on the profile of Evan Gable. Alisa partly blamed Joann and Evie for getting her into the habit of Facebook stalking, but the Devil and Angel weren’t on her shoulders no
w, so she only had herself to blame. Evan had checked himself into the hotel.
She clicked on one of his photo albums. Flipping through the photos, there were pictures of him from his production of Letting Go, showing some of the antics that took place. She clicked on another album and found a photo of Evan and Ray Day. The picture was hilarious and had so many likes. She was laughing so hard, she hit the like button without even thinking.
Her phone rang.
“Dinner time. Be ready in an hour?”
“Sure thing.”
Evan treated her to dinner at the Italian place the cab driver had mentioned. It was on the edge of rivaling Salvi’s, where they frequented back home, but there was something about Italian food in New York that made it more authentic and delicious.
The pair had a discussion about the incoming script, and Evan wanted to know more about his character from the writer herself. She exposed him to details that she deemed safe to explain, and he accepted the information. They were deep in conversation for a couple of hours at dinner. Alisa was amazed they had been maintaining any means of conversation for so long. One of her fears she had when she accepted the trip over here was that she wasn’t going to get along with him at all. He proved her wrong.
Her phone went off, and his went off seconds later. The two had received an email that the scripts were in their studio inboxes for review. The first cast read for Episode 1 of the new season was as soon as they got back, and they would have their physical copies in hand.
Alisa reached for the check holder. Instead, she found herself grasping a warm hand. She looked up. Evan had the same idea. He was reaching for the check as well and grabbed it before she had a chance. “What do you think you’re doing?”
The two of them had a stare down. They slowly arched a brow at one another, until Evan’s reached the highest point it could possibly go, and they erupted in laughter again. “Don’t worry. I won’t take this the wrong way. I’ll pay for this one, and you get the next. Sound like a deal?”
“The wrong way,” she snickered. “Yeah, yeah, let’s just get out of here.”
The conversation poured into the streets as they made their way back towards the hotel. There was a noticeable dynamic when she spoke to him. He had stars in his eyes when he explained his vision of certain scenes from the movie that he could already see playing out in his head. He gushed about how much he loved some of the things that were done in Gateway and was so incredibly passionate about his craft when he talked about the new movie. He was so inspired, and she loved it. Alisa had the same burning passion for her own writing and started to tell him about a couple other books she had that she hoped would see the silver screen, to which he replied: “One of these days, we’ll make it happen.”