by Matt Cain
‘Fair enough. I give you my word.’
‘Hmpf! The word of a paparazzo – that sure counts for a lot.’
‘Well, you know,’ he smirked. ‘Honour amongst thieves.’
She found it hard to keep up the tough front when he smiled at her like that. And she had to admit, he was even more handsome than she remembered. She looked down to avoid catching his gaze.
‘Wait a second,’ she said, spotting something suspicious, ‘what’s that bulge?’
‘What bulge?’
‘The one in your trousers.’
He chuckled naughtily. ‘Woah! Slow down a bit, Mia. Shouldn’t we save that for later?’
Now she was really struggling not to smile and had to make a big effort to sound firm. ‘Don’t get fresh with me, Leo. Come on, hand over the camera. I know you’ve got one in there.’
‘There is no camera, Mia. I don’t know what you’re taking about.’
‘Then what’s that . . . that . . . thing in your pocket?’
Leo reached into the pocket of his jeans and drew out a small box with a memory card inside it. ‘All I’ve got here are the pictures you want. Happy now?’
‘Oh right. Erm, good. Yeah, thanks.’
‘Honestly, you can frisk me if you don’t believe me.’
‘No, no, that won’t be necessary. Just as long as you know that’s the only reason I’m here – to get the pictures.’
‘Of course.’
And while we’re on the subject, how long till I can have them? I mean, how long does this whole date thing have to last?’
‘Calm down, you’ll get your photos. I’ll hand them over just as soon as we’ve eaten.’
‘Good. Just as long as you do.’
He reached forward and pulled the door handle, holding it open so she could walk inside.
*
As Mia walked inside the restaurant, Leo reflected that he’d never been on a date with someone so feisty. Usually by this stage girls were fawning all over him. But it didn’t matter – he’d just have to up his game to win her round. He only hoped he didn’t overdo it and put her off by being too cocky. Because there was something about her toughness that he was starting to find seriously attractive.
Mia looked around the restaurant and couldn’t help raising a smile at the cheery atmosphere. Leo had brought her to a tiny Mexican place called El Burrito Alegre, which was on a hidden little back street in a quiet corner of East LA. He explained that he was friends with the owners, a middle-aged couple called Luis and Luisa with elderly parents and a gaggle of teenage children, all of whom helped out in the restaurant when it was busy. He’d already spoken to them about tonight and wasn’t remotely worried that they’d tip off the press. And they’d saved him a private room at the back of the restaurant so that Mia wouldn’t be spotted by any of the other customers.
‘Encantada,’ Mia beamed as she was introduced to the entire family. Leo noticed how easily she dropped her hard front. So I was right, he thought, she’s only putting it on for my benefit. He wondered at which stage of the evening the two of them would feel relaxed enough to actually be themselves.
Whether it was a front or not, as soon as they were left alone in their room, Mia’s tone changed back to snappy. ‘Right then, let’s get on with it. The sooner we get our food, the sooner this’ll be over.’
Unruffled, Leo cast his eye over the menu. ‘I guess you’ll be wanting a big fat burger,’ he teased. ‘I’m afraid they don’t do them here.’
She just about managed to keep a straight face. ‘Ha, ha, very funny. I’ll have you know that when you papped me the other day that was the first burger I’d tasted in years.’
‘Yeah, yeah – I’ve heard that line before.’
Before she had time to reply, Luis came in to take their drinks order. Leo asked for a Corona while Mia ordered a still water. As soon as he’d gone, Luisa appeared, asking what they’d like to eat. Leo ordered chicken quesadillas followed by the house speciality, seafood fajitas.
‘Erm, could you just do me some grilled fish with vegetables, please?’ asked Mia. ‘I’m really sorry to be awkward, it’s just that I’m on a special diet right now.’
‘Sin problema, señorita’ smiled Luisa.
‘Gracias.’
‘So what’s this diet?’ Leo asked when she’d gone.
‘Oh you know, just my usual shooting diet. No dairy, no alcohol, no sugar, no bread, no wheat, no fat, no carbs.’
‘That sounds pretty hardcore. Aren’t you permanently starving?’
Mia sensed that their conversation was drifting dangerously close to pleasant and realized she’d have to act quickly to avoid blowing her front. ‘Yeah but what can I do with you guys following me around all day, all of you desperate to get a shot of me looking like crap? Don’t you realize how much pressure that puts me under?’
Again, Leo was unruffled. ‘Well don’t worry about it so much – fans love pictures that show stars are only human. You know, shots of you guys putting the rubbish out, pushing a trolley around the supermarket, eating a greasy burger . . .’
‘Yeah well that’s easy for you to say. It’s not you they’re seeing looking gross.’
‘I’m serious, Mia. Pictures that make ordinary people think stars are just like them always sell really well. They work for you guys too because they help the public identify with you more. And they work for the public because they make them feel better about the boring reality of their everyday lives.’
Mia was just about to say that maybe he had a point when she reminded herself that the paparazzi were her enemy – her arch enemy. And she wasn’t going to let this one win her round that easily.
‘Oh spare me the public service broadcast,’ she piped. ‘Do you actually expect me to buy that? That you only snap us off duty to make the public feel better about themselves?’
‘Well that’s not the only reason I do my job but it is a big part of it. If you want to, see it as supplying a demand in the entertainment industry. And when you look at it like that, it’s not so different to what you do, is it?’
Mia wasn’t sure how to reply. She didn’t want to let him win the argument but she was finding the effort of being an ice queen totally exhausting. How much longer do I have to keep this up? she wondered.
Leo’s phone beeped and he lifted it out of his pocket to read a text from Ronnie. Their plan had worked and he’d successfully shaken off the paps.
‘Well you can relax for tonight at least,’ he told Mia. ‘From now on you won’t be bothered by any paps.’
‘Apart from the one sitting opposite,’ she sniffed.
She was starting to hate being so cold. Would it matter if she stopped snapping at him and relaxed just a little?
Luisa appeared with their drinks and Leo’s starter and he tucked right in. Mia was ravenous and the food looked and smelled really good. She took a sip of her water and tried not to stare. What she’d give for a mouthful of chicken with melted cheese. She hoped that Leo couldn’t spot the desperate, almost crazed look in her eyes – it really wasn’t attractive. She quickly reminded herself that it didn’t matter whether or not Leo found her attractive. It wasn’t as if she was taking the date seriously.
‘So while I’m eating,’ Leo managed, ‘how about you do the talking? Tell me about yourself, Mia.’
‘That’s like the worst interview question ever,’ she mocked. ‘“Tell me about yourself.” Totally annoying. Most interviewers have done their homework before they meet me.’
‘Well I’m sorry but I haven’t. I mean, I know what the magazines and papers say about you but I want to hear about the real you. Who are you when no one’s watching, Mia?’
‘Oh right.’ For a second she was stumped. This was the kind of thing she’d always wanted a man to say to her on a date.
‘I mean, obviously I know where you live,’ he broke in, ‘what car you drive and what you do for a living. Oh, and that you like burgers.’
‘Yeah yeah, I
wish you’d drop that one.’
‘But that’s about it.’
‘All right, fine. That’s not a problem. But surely you can do better than “Tell me about yourself”?’
‘OK, well how about this – what’s going on with you and Billy Spencer? Are you two seeing each other?’ The question came out before he had time to think about it. He hoped it didn’t make him sound jealous.
‘Well that’s none of your business but no, we’re not actually. We’re just very good friends.’
‘You looked more than just good friends the other day.’ Now he was sounding completely jealous – he decided to quit before she rumbled him. ‘Mmm, this food is really good. Want to try some?’
‘No thanks. And what do you mean “the other day”?’
Leo realized what he’d said and knew he’d have to backtrack. ‘Erm, in the erm, in the pictures of you two on set. I saw them on Perez Hilton today.’
‘Oh right, yeah. My publicist was thrilled – she reckons it’ll be great press for the movie.’
‘Oh really? So the paps aren’t always the bad guys then?’
‘Erm, I didn’t say that exactly.’
‘No but you did say the pictures would help plug your film.’ He popped a fork full of food into his mouth, pleased with the way he’d regained the advantage.
‘Erm, yeah, erm, I suppose so. But that’s not the point.’
She realized that she’d walked into a trap and screwed up her face in mock anger. In a way it was almost a relief to know that he’d got one over on her. At least now she had an excuse to be a little nicer to him and stop pretending to be such a bitch.
‘Don’t worry,’ Leo smiled, sensing that she was warming to him, ‘I’m glad you liked the pictures. I was pretty chuffed with them myself.’
‘Hang on a second – you took those photos?’
‘I might have done.’
‘But I didn’t spot you. Were you on set?’
‘Yep – got it in one. Dressed as a German tank commander.’
She slammed her glass onto the table. ‘But Leo, that’s outrageous! You must have told all kinds of lies to get past security.’
‘Oh come on,’ he shrugged. ‘It wasn’t that big a deal. I was just doing a bit of acting, that’s all – just like you.’
She gripped her glass with both hands and glared at him. ‘But how can you say that, Leo? What you were doing was completely different – and you know it. And anyway, what if I hadn’t wanted to be photographed that day?’
‘But Mia, you were there on set to be shot by the film cameras, fully styled and made-up. And, if you don’t mind me saying, you were looking particularly beautiful too.’
She did her best not to smile; it was difficult to stay angry with him when he insisted on being so charming. And hadn’t she just decided to be less of an ice maiden anyway? She pursed her lips as she thought things over. She wasn’t sure she really wanted to be outraged. ‘Well I’ve got to hand it to you,’ she managed, ‘what you did was very impressive.’
‘Thanks.’
‘They were nice pictures too. For what it’s worth, you’re obviously good at your job.’ Mia checked herself – she might have got out of being a bitch but now she was overdoing the niceness.
‘Cheers,’ said Leo. ‘So are you. I saw the scene you filmed with Billy – it was actually really moving.’
Mia caught herself blushing. ‘Yeah, well we’re all hoping this movie will be a big step forward for me. You know, I’m starting to get real sick of making the same old chick flicks.’
Leo put down his knife and fork. ‘I’m sorry, Mia, but I guess this is when I have to make a really bad confession.’
‘What? What is it?’
‘Oh it’s just that I haven’t seen any of your films.’
‘What? You haven’t seen any of them?’
He frowned in apology. ‘Sorry. But to be honest, chick flicks aren’t really my bag.’
Well this makes a change, thought Mia. Men had usually seen every film she’d made and fell over themselves to tell her how much they’d enjoyed them, even if she could tell they were lying through their teeth. If she was working through her usual checklist for first dates, she wasn’t sure whether that answer deserved a tick or a cross. She decided to look on the bright side: if he hadn’t seen any of her films then at least he hadn’t seen her naked.
‘I suppose it’s because I grew up with three older sisters,’ he explained. ‘They spent the whole time watching chick flicks so I kind of got sick of them.’
‘Three sisters? Hmm, I bet they spoiled you.’
‘Yeah, why do you say that?’
‘Oh just a hunch.’
He took his last mouthful of food and pushed his plate away. ‘Anyway, I think growing up in a female environment taught me to understand women better.’
Mia stifled a laugh. She’d never heard anyone so cocky. That wasn’t a tick on her checklist but a very heavy cross. And if she could have underlined it she would – and put a ring around it.
‘It’s true,’ he went on, as if reading her thoughts. ‘I mean, I’ve got you completely weighed up for a start.’
‘Oh yeah. And what am I thinking now then?’
He looked her in the eye, but this time struck a serious expression. ‘That you’re actually attracted to me. But you’re fighting it because you don’t want to be.’
There was a tense silence; his forwardness had caught Mia off guard. She hoped that he’d stop there.
‘That you’re frightened to death of losing control of your emotions,’ he went on, holding her gaze. ‘And you see me as a serious danger.’
This was starting to get really unnerving – she felt like she’d just had her cover blown and was left sitting there completely disarmed. She really wished he’d stop. But part of her wanted to hear more.
‘And I think you spend your whole time putting up this front to the world but the truth is that it’s starting to wear you down. And if I’m not mistaken, you’re getting ready to drop your guard. Really soon.’
What is it with this guy? How’s he able to read me so well?
‘Oh that’s bullshit and you know it,’ she managed to trill, as if undaunted.
There was another tense silence and Leo took a swig of his beer. His look told her that he didn’t believe her.
Luisa entered to clear Leo’s plate and Mia was glad of the brief respite. While Leo complimented Luisa on the food, she gave herself a little pep talk. She told herself that it didn’t matter what he thought about her. It’s not as if I’m seeing him again so who cares what he thinks? The realization was quite liberating and she could feel herself starting to relax.
‘I told you,’ he went on as Luisa left, ‘I was brought up watching romantic films. I can read you like an open book.’
‘Well for your information, the key to understanding women isn’t watching romantic movies. And just because I act in romantic movies doesn’t mean my life’s like one.’
‘OK so what is your life like?’ He adopted the voice of a cheesy TV interviewer. ‘Mia Sinclair, tell me about yourself.’
So she did.
*
By the time their main course had been cleared away, Mia had told Leo things she hadn’t spoken about on dates ever before. She’d told him about how she sometimes felt no different from the frightened, lonely eighteen-year-old who’d arrived in LA desperate to make her dream come true. She’d told him she’d completely lost touch with her father and was sometimes tormented by the thought that he might have died and she wouldn’t even know about it. And she told him about her fear that, after working so hard to make her dream come true, her career could end tomorrow, leaving her with nothing but a loveless, empty shell of a life. She surprised herself by how frank she was being but on some level she understood that if she didn’t tell the truth he’d see right through her anyway.
As Mia talked and talked, Leo relaxed into the situation and didn’t feel such a need to cover up
his nerves. The more she revealed about her true self, the more he started to like her. And he gradually came to realize that he’d been completely wrong about one thing; Mia was nothing like the other girls he’d dated. None of the other girls had made him feel like this. Ever.
He felt suddenly unnerved by his feelings and decided to crack a joke. ‘Don’t worry,’ he teased, ‘if your career hits the skids, I can think of a great silver lining.’
‘Oh yeah and what’s that?’
‘You could give up your ridiculous diet. And eat as many burgers as you wanted.’
She’d say one thing for Leo; he treated her differently to all the other men she’d dated. Sure, he was cocky and forthright but maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all. As the night went on she started to see that deep down he was sensitive and caring. And she surprised herself by how much she was enjoying his company.
She stirred her peppermint tea while he sipped his espresso.
If she focused back in on her usual checklist then she had to admit that Leo was scoring a lot of ticks. He was punctual, he had his own career, and he had a big edge over everyone else she’d dated as he was utterly unfazed by the paparazzi. He even knew how to lose them for the evening. The one stumbling block was that he was obviously some kind of ladies’ man. In the course of their conversation he’d already mentioned four or five ex-girlfriends. But maybe she could change that. Maybe he’d be different with the right girl. She wondered if her mom had thought the same thing when she’d fallen in love with her dad.
The thought of her mom made Mia wonder if she was letting her down. She realized that she’d got so carried away talking about herself that she’d forgotten to ask Leo some crucial questions. Going back to her trusty checklist, there was one area she hadn’t even touched on yet; she had to find out about his past relationships and in particular whether he was reliable and, most importantly of all, faithful.
‘So tell me about you, Leo,’ she said, blowing on her hot tea. ‘What’s your relationship history?’
‘Wow, that’s a heavy question. Talk about in at the deep end.’
‘Well I just told you my story. Now it’s your turn to tell me yours.’