Page 55 of Arranging Ayra
Okay, so a little late, but at least he asked.
Hmm.
“No,” I said, knowing that their relationship was important to maintaining that chemistry for the movie. “It’s absolutely fine.”
With Barn between us, we walked down the sidewalk in search of a burger place.
“So,” Barn said to Rhonda, “what sort of diet are you on?”
“Oh, nothing special. Just counting calories and keeping them to a minimum.”
He looked her up and down. Wearing a navy blue and white striped mini dress that hugged her slim frame, she looked good... too good.
“Well,” Barn said. “Whatever you’re doing, it’s working. You look fabulous.”
She smiled and gazed lovingly into his eyes. “Thanks. That’s sweet. Although, with those empire style dresses that we have to wear for the shoot, I think I might have been dieting for nothing all this time.”
He leaned into her and laughed. “But wearing that dress there... va va voom.”
They laughed and leaned into each other.
“And I love what you’ve done to your hair.”
She flipped her long dark hair back. “It’s so freeing to be able to wear it loose. My God, what horrid style they had back then. I mean, those tight little curls around my face are not flattering... not one bit.”
“Anything looks flattering on you, Rhonda.”
“Oh.” Rhonda leaned forward to look at me. “Isn’t he just the sweetest?”
“Yes,” I said with a lack of conviction.
But Barn only had eyes for her. He didn’t even glance my way. We walked on and the further we went, the more they ignored me.
“There seems to be a burger shop down this street,” I said as we crossed an intersection.
But they continued as if I’d said nothing.
Seconds later, just as we reached the opposite sidewalk, Rhonda said, “Hey, there’s a burger shop over there.”
“Eagle eye, girl,” Barn said. “Eagle eye. Let’s go.”
I rushed to keep up with them and quickly reached the restaurant. Being that it was well past lunchtime, the place was relatively empty and quiet.
Barn and Rhonda walked in and thankfully passed by the table for two and sat at a table for four, saving me the embarrassment of having to drag a third chair to their table.
We ordered burgers and fries, and I sat there listening to them whine about the movie shoot throughout the meal.
“I can’t wait for this movie to be over,” Rhonda said.
“I know what you mean,” Barn said. “Staying at Moon Manor is starting to wear thin.”
“It’ll all be over soon enough.”
Will this be over soon enough?
Satisfied with my meal, but with my senses numb, we left the burger place. For hours we strolled the streets of London. I wanted to comment on the architecture of certain buildings, question the utility of others or simply chat idly with the man I’d come into town with, but Rhonda monopolized the conversation.
“Oh, look!” Rhonda suddenly let out as she stopped in front of a beauty shop. “I came here last week to get my hair done.”
