by David Horne
His come on startled me. I’d legitimately not been out on the dating or night scene for a long time. Was he being serious? I huffed, “Are you an actor?”
The bartender furrowed his brows. “No.”
I crunched on another chip. “I get it! You want to be though, right?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I’m a law student at UCLA”
I made a sucking sound with my teeth. “Do you know who I am?”
He searched my face. “No. Should I?”
Another bartender called him over to the other side of the bar. I felt stupid. Not every guy was going to be Greg. There were Gregs out there ready to climb up the Hollywood ladder no matter who they crushed, but not every guy that came on to me had that same intention.
Feeling mortified, I went back to my phone. On Instagram, Tabitha had posted a photo of her and Harrison. My heart wrenched and twisted. They were both smiling into the camera. Harrison looked so dashing in his tux.
The bartender brought me the octopus. “So, who are you again?”
I looked up from my phone. “No one. I’m sorry.”
Pulling out a couple hundred bills from my wallet, I placed them on the bar. “I’m sorry. I’ve got somewhere I need to be. You’re gorgeous, but I’m hopelessly in love with someone else.
The bartender watched as I ran out of the restaurant. I hoped I wasn’t too late.
Chapter Nineteen
Harrison
All night, I had successfully avoided being in any of Tabitha’s photos. After Arnie had thrown himself at me in the bathroom, I wasn’t in a selfie taking mood, but Tabitha begged and pleaded. “How can you deny a pregnant woman’s wish?”
When she put it like that, how could I refuse?
We took several selfies for me to choose from. As I inspected each photo, Tabitha groaned, “Harri! You’re a total babe. You look great in all of these.”
When I decided on one where my eyes looked the least squinty, I declared in thick Southern belle voice, “I dare say, this is the one! Send it off to our fans, darling!”
Tabitha giggled hitting me on my shoulder. “You’re going to be a fun uncle.”
I hugged her warmly. “You’re going to be a great mother.”
The talk about children dampened my mood. Although I was ecstatically happy for Tabitha and Ryan, I’d wanted children so badly too. I couldn’t wait to be a dad. For now, I’d have to be satisfied being an uncle.
As the night neared midnight, I decided to dip out of the party early. The very last thing I wanted to do was stand around at countdown as everyone kissed their significant others. Nothing beats last year’s countdown fiasco though when Sal and I were pulled apart by his ex. Right up until Greg showed up, it had been a perfect night.
Stealthily, I slipped out the front door. No one would miss me. Tabitha and Ryan were too busy being congratulated by all their guests. My bed was calling me. If I was quick about it, I’d be in bed before the clock struck midnight.
Out on the street, it was quiet with only the faint sounds of the party in the background. Taking a moment to admire the clear sky and the crescent moon, I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. Smiling to myself, I made a wish to the universe. Slowly, I exhaled stretching my arms out to the side.
“Harrison.” My eyes popped open. It was Sal.
He looked gorgeous in his green neon Cubicles t-shirt, a cardigan, and blue jeans. I blurted, “I like your shirt. You still wear it?”
Sal looked down at his shirt and then up at me. “Of course!” After a few beats of looking at each other in silence, in an apologetic tone, he declared, “I love you.”
"Okay, but are you just going to run away now?" I asked, my eyes watering.
He took my hands in his. "No."
"Are you just here because you're lonely and it's New Year's Eve?" I countered.
"No." He squeezed my hands.
Sal's eyes were full of emotion. He muttered, "I was wrong for disappearing without explanation. I was wrong for sleeping with you when we both weren't ready. I was wrong for a million things ever since the day we met, but I love you, Harrison.
I sniffled looking away. "How do I know you love me? How can I trust you?"
Sal raised his hand to my chin and made me look at him. "I love the way you make every mundane task fun: like taking a walk, picking up take out, or being stuck in miserable LA traffic. I love how you know what my moods are even before I do in the mornings. I love how you make me coffee or Bloody Mary's accordingly. I love your style, even though you say you don't have any—"
I interjected, "This is Rupert's style."
Sal laughed gently stroking my chin. "See what I mean? You give yourself no credit. You've come a long way from the sweatpants and t-shirt guy. Although, I loved how you looked when you picked me up that day."
Looking at him in astonishment, "You remember that?" I chuckled, "I remember what you had on too. You looked like a DC intern on the weekend, all buttoned up with slacks." I pointed at his outfit. "Look at you now. All Hollywood hipster cool."
I sighed, tears streaming down my face. "I was wrong too. All these years. The back and forth with Arnie." I flung a hand up toward the house. "He's in there by the way."
Sal's eyebrows lifted quizzically. "He is?"
Nodding, I confessed, "And when I saw him. I felt nothing."
"I should have waited until you were completely done mourning that relationship before we did anything past our friendship," Sal explained.
"It's not all your fault," I admitted.
Sal continued, "And Greg! That relationship made me feel so used and uncertain. I took it out on you."
Putting a finger to Sal's lips, I shushed him. "It doesn't matter anymore."
Sal's face fell. "You mean: I'm too late?"
I shook my head. "No. You're just in time."
Just then, the crowd inside began to count down: "Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five!" We just stared at each other as the numbers descended.
"Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"
Our lips met in a magical storybook kiss. Not Hollywood storybook, but our kind of storybook.
Epilogue
Sal was in the kitchen in their home in Sausalito. He was hard at work on making the Hickory Smoked Cornish Game Hen and Strawberry Kale Salad with Nutty Granola Croutons for dinner. It was Imogen and Ian’s favorite dinner meal.
Sal laughed to himself. They’d raised their kids to have sophisticated palates. Sal meticulously prepared their lunches with delicious food like sliced prosciutto with cheese, cantaloupes, and peanut butter with sun-ripened apricot sandwiches. Harrison’s contributions were hand drawn messages with a cartoon character wishing each child a good day at school.
They’d been married for ten years now. They’d finally produced and directed Cross Country, the film that brought them back together. It was released to wide acclaim. After Cubicles and The Bored Room ended their successful runs, Harrison and Sal relocated back to Northern California, both never feeling they ever fit into the LA crowd and lifestyle.
Shortly thereafter, they adopted Imogen and Ian, adorable Korean twins who were a handful, but absolutely worth it. Imogen the oldest of the two by a minute and forty-five seconds was the de facto leader while easy-going Ian was more than happy to please his big sister’s wishes.
Just then, Sal heard the Range Rover’s doors slam in the driveway. He knew that in minutes the kids, who were now four, would come trundling in hungry for an after-school snack. He had timed their arrival perfectly and had their Gouda grilled cheese sandwiches ready and hot for them on the table.
“Papa!” Imogen and Ian screamed as they ran into the kitchen.
Sal stooped down to his children and was promptly covered with kisses and hugs. “I missed you guys!”
“Papa! Daddy has some very important news!” Imogen cried.
Ian whined, “Daddy said it was a secret!”
Harrison walked in smiling. Sal stood. Harrison laughed
as he kissed Sal on the cheek, “It’s okay. It’s not a secret.”
“Spill the beans!” Sal shrieked.
“Spill the beans! Spill the beans!” Ian and Imogen cried as they jumped up and down.
Harrison cleared his throat before dramatically exclaiming, “Netflix said yes!”
Sal hugged Harrison. “They said yes!”
Harrison explained, “They loved it! They think the series is going to be a hit!”
Sal cried, “That’s incredible news!” He looked at his family with tears in his eyes. “I have some news too.”
Ian shrieked, “More secrets!”
Sal laughed, “Not a secret.”
He gave Harrison a look causing Harrison to clasp a hand over his mouth. Harrison uttered, “Really?”
Sal nodded, “Yes!”
The kids jumped up and down. “What is it? What is it?”
Harrison and Sal stooped down to their children. Harrison began, “Remember we talked about the two of you having a little brother or sister?”
Imogene screamed, “Yes!” Ian slowly nodded his head unsure.
Sal explained, “You’re going to have a little sister.”
Ian clapped his hands, “Yay! A little sister!”
Imogene’s eyes brightened. “A sister?”
Harrison looked at Sal before saying to their children, “Yes. We are going to be able to meet her very soon.”
The kids looked at each other with widened eyes. Ian then chirped, “Papa. Daddy. I’m hungry!”
Sal stood up. “I made gouda grilled cheese.”
The kids happily scrambled to their seats at the table. Harrison wrapped his arms around Sal as they both watched their children enjoying their afternoon snack.
*THE END*
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