Chapter 34

They made their way to the corner bistro about two blocks from her office. When they walked to the hostess to ask for a table, she nearly fell backward when she saw Rhys. "What can I do for you?" She looked like a deer in headlights. "We'd like a table for two, preferably not in the middle of the room." Rhys replied and handed her a 100 dollar bill. "Of course." She looked at her chart "right this way."

She led them to a table in an unoccupied part of the restaurant that looked like it was used for large party reservations. She stood for an awkward amount of time after they sat down. "Thank you" Rhys said and basically shooed her away.

"So how has your day been going, Pearl? I feel like it's been a year since I've last saw you."

No kidding Pearl thought. "It's been good. Busy. How about you? You know, I really know nothing about you. I have no clue. Are you an only child? Where did you grow up? How long have you been acting? How did you get into it? Are you seeing anyone? Do you have any children? I don't even know where you live?" Once Pearl started the questions they kept flowing out of her. She really didn't know anything this man.

"Whoa, hold on! That's a lot. Let's see. Ok. I have two brothers and sister. I grew up not far from here actually, one state away. Indiana. Started acting when I was in high school. Commercials. My mom got me into it. There were auditions advertised going on in Chicago to be extras in a Tom Cruise movie. A casting director discovered me and I started doing commercials and it grew from there. And I am seeing someone, I'm looking right now at you. I see you. I don't have any children."

"Oh. Thank you for all of that. Sorry for the interrogation." Pearl felt the embarrassment showing outwardly in the redness of her cheeks. "No worries. We don't usually...talk...much when we are together. I'd like to know more about you, too" he said. They ordered and ate their lunch. Chatting about his first few acting gigs and Pearl telling him about her job, her band and her terrible little apartment. She laughed more than she had in a long time. It was easy to talk to him. He was always so positive and happy and open. As they were waking back to her office, Pearl asked again where he lives. "I'm assuming your main residence is in the LA area?" She asked again, only more leading. "No actually. I have a main floor condo there and a studio apartment in New York because I used to work there a lot. A permanent home is somewhat of a current question for me. It's why I'm in town, actually. And an excuse to visit you, of course." He winked. Pearl wasn't following. He could see the obvious confusion by her expression. "The show is shooting in Canada, not far outside of Ontario for the next two years, at least. I like it here. When I come to town for my charity work, I'm always relaxed here. I'm meeting with a realtor tomorrow. I'm buying a house here. Not an apartment. A home. A real home. I'm ready to settle into that." He said, looking forward like he was looking into the future. Pearl didn't respond. She didn't know what to say. "And I was hoping maybe you could be a part of that, too" he said, stopping and facing her.