Page 50 of Take It Till You Make It
Pushing away from the rail, I stammer, “We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Crispin spins deftly so that my erratic movements don’t knock him over. He falls into step beside me, acting as if I didn’t just make a total fool of myself. I think about me, with my mouth hanging open as I watched him trip over his own feet and my wardrobe outside my dressing room the other day. He’s got way more class than me.
I spot Sally, leaning over another of the sea lion viewing holes. Her face is lit with a stunning smile as she points to something, making her laugh. Her hair blows attractively around her face like the ocean is her own wind machine. River stands next to her, with his arm around her, leaning over her shoulder in a similar way to how Crispin just did to me. Seeing River doing it to his girlfriend makes the memory of Crispin’s nearness feel even more intimate. On Sally’s other side is an attractive blond girl who is a couple of inches taller than her and looks like a female version of River. She’s holding her long hair in a ponytail with one hand while she points to animals with her other.
“Oh,” I say, suddenly feeling very silly.
“What’s wrong?” Crispin’s brows are pulled in as he studies my expression.
“For some reason, I thought River’s sister was like eight years old or something. Yeah, they wouldn’t have fit in your backseat together.”
A funny expression crosses Crispin’s face as he places a hand on my back and steers me toward them.
“Hey guys,” I say, as we approach.
Sally’s eyes are glowing with joy. “Did you see the sea lions, Ari?”
I nod.
“Aren’t they the best? I think they’re my new favorite.”
“Can you see the head guy from there?” I ask.
Sally shakes her head, so I grab her hand and pull her back to the opening we just vacated. There are only a couple people around it now, so we’re all able to crowd around while I point him out.
Her laugh is pure elation. “Whoa! He’s humungous.”
As we watch, another sea lion jumps onto the dock with him, and he snaps at the much smaller animal, who immediately leaps back into the water.
“Oh, and he’s not having any of it,” River says.
We watch for a bit longer before finally turning toward the restaurant.
“By the way, this is my sister, Brook. Brook, meet Ari and Crispin.”
Brook waves at us, like being introduced to celebrities like Crispin Moore is an everyday experience. Props to her.
Because Crispin made a reservation, they seat us immediately in a secluded back corner of the restaurant. I see a few people whisper to one another as they stare at Crispin as we pass, but nobody makes a scene. As I settle into my chair, I admire the sun, which hangs low over the ocean. It looks like it’s perched on a dark golden shelf. A burst of bright white above the orb slowly fades into a cornflower blue sky. Every sunset over the ocean I’ve witnessed since I arrived in California has made me wish I could paint just for the challenge of reproducing the amazing colors.
If our waiter recognizes Crispin, he doesn’t show it. He’s professional and personable and takes great care of us as we eat an amazing meal. Conversation flows easily from River and Brook sharing more stories about their time sailing around the world, Crispin talking about his favorite movie roles, and all of us regaling Crispin with tales of growing up in a small town.
As we talk, I watch the ever-changing colors of the sunset until finally the afterglow winks out and the ocean and sky are just an inky black. Looking around the table, I wonder at the fact that I’m sitting in a restaurant on the ocean, having a wonderful time with new friends. This time last year, if someone had told me this is where I’d be, I’d have thought they were not only crazy but very wrong.
As the familiar guilt starts to creep into my thoughts, I brush it away as fast as I can. I remind myself that Dad wouldn’t want me to wallow. He’d be the first to laugh his contagious laugh over the turn of events that have me eating crab cakes on a pier.
“Hey, are you okay?” Crispin whispers.
I startle and turn my gaze his way. He’s turned away from the others so they can’t hear him. Concern scrunches his brow. I let my own expression relax. “Yeah, I am. Just thinking how crazy it is that I’m here with you guys. I never would have predicted this, is all.”
His concern morphs into understanding. “Your life has changed a lot, hasn’t it?”
I look at Sally, who’s listening to a story Brook is sharing about some mutual friends back in their hometown. “This was Sally’s goal. Her focus has always been Hollywood. I never even considered it. Yet here we both are experiencing it together.” I peek at Crispin, but can’t hold his gaze, too embarrassed about my revelation. “It’s strange how life can throw people together.”
“Though I wish you didn’t have to go through losing your father, I’m personally thankful to have you in my life.” He squeezes my hand, which rests on the table next to my empty plate. “I hope it’s the beginning of a long…friendship.”
I cock my head at the pause, but I’m too afraid to ask what other words he considered using to describe us. My lips quiver as I smile. “Me too.”
“Shouldn’t we get going?” River asks. “I thought the observatory closed at 10:00.”
