Page 64 of The Producer: Aaron

“From what I’ve heard you are a workaholic, too.” I raise my eyebrow daring him to contradict me.

His smile is genuine. “I like you, girl. Now I understand why my brother is so crazy about you.”

I blush and feel Aaron’s arms squeeze me in a reassuring hug. I like the light atmosphere at this table, and I loved to discover that Aaron talked about me to Evan. It’s further confirmation that he is invested in this relationship more than I thought, and the mere thought makes my stomach squirm with butterflies.

We sit at the table for almost two hours, eating sweets, drinking good coffee, and talking about the most trivial things, such as our favorite color and our most hidden dreams–such as winning the Oscar. Two hours where the world around us disappears and only the three of us remain, with our fears and hopes.

***

I was wrong if I thought breakfast was the only way to celebrate my birthday. Aaron made it almost a mission to take me out and pamper me all day. After breakfast, he took me to a spa for a couple’s massage, then to eat at one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles. In the evening, he took me to the cinema after buying me a dress, shoes, and a bag from one of my favorite designers, spending a disproportionate amount despitemy protests. When we finally get home, I’m tired but shining inside my new clothing.

We park in front of the house, and I am amazed to see that every light inside is turned off. Usually, there is always some light that turns on automatically when it starts to get dark. Aaron puts his hand on my back and invites me in after opening the door. I don’t have time to reach for the light switch when a chorus of voices shout “Surprise,” and the lights turn on in the living room, leaving me stunned in front of about twenty smiling people, most of who are my colleagues and people who work with me on the set and with whom I am in contact with during the day. There are several technicians, some extras, and even Sarah, the girl who has been doing my makeup for three years.

Emma, who is in the front row, runs toward me with a smile from ear to ear and holds me in an embrace. “Happy Birthday.”

“Thank you… but…” I don’t even have the words to describe the surprise that overwhelms me right now.

“When Aaron asked us if we wanted to attend your birthday party, we were blown away because we didn’t even know it was your birthday!” Emma scolds me good-naturedly, putting her hands on my shoulders and forcing me to look at her again.

I turn to Aaron, who stands one step behind me smirking. He arranged all this for me, and I almost can’t contain the heart pumping crazily in my chest.

“Is that why you kept me out of the house all day? To organize such a thing?”

“No, I did that because I wanted to have you just to myself before tonight. I wanted this birthday to be special.” He kisses the tip of my nose.

“Enough the two of you! You are so sweet that you make mewant to find a guy!” Emma scolds us, laughing before leaving and chatting with the people who crowd the living room and move to the pool where catering has been set up.

I turn to Aaron and smile at him, raising an eyebrow. “Did you force the people in the production to have a surprise party for my birthday?”

He watches me frowning, resting his hand on my cheek and gently stroking my skin. He is so handsome even when he worries about me. Especially when he does, when his eyes suck me into his world and never let me go.

“I didn’t force anyone. When I asked Emma, she was thrilled, and when the word spread, the others joined in. Do you think I can force people to do something like this?”

“Really?”

He smiles at me with tenderness. “Dakota, the people around you are genuinely interested in you. You always focused on Serena, thinking she was your best friend, theonlyfriend you had, but the truth is that many people take pleasure in being in your company.”

I blush because I have always felt like a fish out of water in this industry, and when we walk out by the pool, I realize that people greet me and wish me well, despite being off set. They are genuinely happy to be here and come up to talk to me.

Andrew, one of the camera operators who has been working on the show since the beginning, brings me a plate with the salmon canapés that are on some tables set up on one side of the pool. “Here, for you. I saw that you always take a double portion when there is salmon at lunch. I thought I’d bring some to you before they are gone.” He smiles at me, and I realize it’s the first time we’ve spoken without being part of a conversation in which Emma is also present.

“I love salmon. I didn’t think anyone had noticed this passion of mine,” I answer, embarrassed.

I feel Aaron’s hand resting on my back, a comforting gesture that calms me from the anxiety slowly rising to my stomach. It is a presence that helps me not to fall into the spiral of catastrophic thoughts during this conversation.

“Rita, the girl who runs the catering for the production, is a friend of mine. She knows the tastes of more or less everyone who eats regularly on set because she has to manage the grocery shopping. She told me when I asked her for the recipe, and since that day, I have noticed that you always take two portions,” he admits.

“I love how she cooks it! Did she really give you the recipe?”

“Seriously. It’s super simple but has a secret ingredient that makes it special.”

“Really? You have to tell me, you can’t keep me on my toes like this,” I laugh at his smug smile.

I realize for the first time I’m having a normal conversation with another person at a party without Serena making me feel inadequate or laughing at my attempts. The weight that lifts from my stomach almost makes me breathe better.

“Okay, on Monday I’ll bring the recipe and explain it to you, so you can prepare it whenever you want.”

“No, you can’t leave me like that without telling me the secret ingredient,” I exclaim, making him laugh.

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