Page 30 of Charming
“A couple times,” he shrugs. “Sometimes I get recognized and people get a little excited.” He says this so casually that he gives the impression it isn’t a big deal at all, but I can tell by the tightening of his jaw that he feels otherwise.
“Wow, I can’t even imagine what that must be like.”
“It can be scary if it gets really out of hand, but mostly it’s just strange. I would rather do what everyone else is doing, be where everyone else is. It can get lonely otherwise. I fly under the radar whenever possible – I don’t want to be treated differently, but at the same time, the status has come in handy a few times.”
With that, our food is delivered and Asher pushes his chair over until it’s touching mine. We eagerly remove the silver metal lids from the plates and dive in. We make sounds of contentment, laughing at one another in the process.
After chomping on a chip with guacamole so good I could eat a vat of it, I ask Asher another question. “How did you get into acting?”
His face immediately flushes and he grimaces. “You’re full of questions.”
“Uh oh, is this a bad one? You don’t look too happy that I asked it, but I’m sure it’s something you get asked a lot.”
“It’s not a bad question, it’s just that the answer is embarrassing.”
“I really can’t imagine you have anything to be embarrassed about. You are Jack freaking Danger, action actor extraordinaire.” I pop another bite into my mouth and chew happily.
“Oh, is that what I am?”
“Isn’t it?” I ask taking a sip of my margarita.
“No,” he shakes his head. “No it isn’t. I’m just me. I like to read when I’m not working. Love football season, and have my own fantasy football league I run with my friends. I’m a fan of the band One Republic, am a big fan of Robert Redford, and would like to train for a marathon some day. My family and friends mean a lot to me. They keep me grounded, which trust me princess is a good thing because Hollywood is fucking weird. And yeah, I’ve got a good looking face and I fill out a suit well, and hell, I love my job, but it’s just something I do. Not who I am.”
“I know that, Asher. I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise with my comment before.”
“I know and you didn’t.”
“Well, so far, I’m liking who you are. A lot,” I tell him emphasizing my words. He leans over and presses his lips to mine. This time, I part my lips for him and his tongue meets mine. He tastes like the salt from his margarita. The kiss isn’t long, but it definitely brings home my words to him before – I like him. When he pulls away, I can’t help but smile.
“Why are you smiling?” he asks, lips curved up in the corner.
“Because I’m excited to hear the story about how you got into acting.” He groans and the small smile drops from his face. “I can tell by the way you blush that it must be a good one.”
“I don’t blush.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Stop trying to distract me and answer the question.”
“Did you know you’re sexy when you’re bossy?”
“Asher! If you don’t tell me I’m just going to look it up later. I’m sure there’s all kinds of information readily available on the Internet. And then I’d only have someone else’s version.”
He groans again, louder this time. While he may be doing it because he doesn’t want to tell me something, it’s sexy as hell. Even a couple women next to us glance over toward him, their eyes not leaving him once they find the source. “Okay, I’ll tell you but you can’t laugh.”
“Okay, I won’t laugh,” I tell him automatically hoping I’m being honest.
“Um, well, see, there was this commercial I was in.”
“Wait, wait, how did you get the commercial?”
“I was in college and just needed some extra money. A buddy of mine told me that commercials or modeling gigs pay a lot of money, so on a whim I went to an audition. Believe it or not, I was cast in the commercial and when a casting director saw it air, he contacted the director and asked for my phone number.”
“I bet that was a crazy phone call.”
“Yes, I didn’t believe them at first and thought it was one of my buddies pranking me. Anyway, he asked me to come in and read for a part in a movie. It wasn’t a big role, but I guess I had the look they were searching for. Seems silly now, but I swear it’s the truth. When they offered me the part, I had to rush to find an agent because I needed help with the contract and all that. Next thing I know, I’m in a movie called Strain. Which is kind of ironic, really.”
