Page 71 of Hello Darling

“I’d be delighted to do it myself…’To Stella, my number one fan. Thanks for the shag, luv. Keep watching, darling.’”

“Well, to be honest, most of these women are approximately ninety years old. Including my friend Mona’s grandma.”

“Ahh! My hardcore granny fanbase. Love ‘em to bits.”

“Evan…”

“Yes?”

“I’m a Hunterhoe too, you know?”

“What’s that, darling? Is this an admission of admiration?”

She lowers her eyes, bites her lower lip and nods. “I do. I admire you.” When this darling bud opens, she is the most delicate flower.

“I admire you too.” I kiss her on the forehead. “Give me the list. I always keep headshots with me when I travel, to be honest.”

She reaches for the notebook on her bedside table, tears out a piece of paper and hands it to me. She’s already written the list of eight names. It’s the last name that gives me pause.

“You know someone named Ethel Beavers?”

She laughs. “I wish! I just wanted you to write the words ‘Dear Ethel Beavers,’ and then I was going to save that one for myself.”

“You’re a lunatic. I like waking up with you.”

She tilts her head, but says nothing as she lifts herself up out of bed. “I’ll make breakfast. Or wait—you probably can’t eat yet?”

“Alas, I cannot. I do have to get going, though. Supposed to meet the director for coffee later to discuss a few scenes.”

“Okay.” She pulls a cardigan on over her camisole and panties. The way she moves, even when she’s getting dressed, just makes me want to take her clothes off. “You want coffee now?”

“Nah. I’m awake.” Muffin Top hops to the floor with a thud, and I’m alone in this pillowy heaven and wishing I could stay here as long as I’d like.

She hugs me for a long time as I stand in front of the door. “So you’ll be working at night and sleeping during the day?”

“Pretty much.” I stroke her hair.

“Okay. I need to hang out with my dad this week, anyway.”

“Okay. But if you ever want to swing by my trailer to hang out with me, just let me know.”

She looks up at me, resting her chin on my chest, smirking.

“Even for completely non-sexual hangout sessions. It would just be nice to see you.”

“Okay. Well, maybe I can stop by for a bit after work.”

I know I should be happy that we’ve come this far in the past week—dinner with her whole family, dinner out in public, me sleeping at her house—but I just can’t wait to bring this up. “Also, if you’d like to come back to London with me when I’m done here, you’re welcome to.”

“What?” She seems genuinely surprised by this invitation.

“Well you know, I’ll have one week of shooting the film in London before the movie’s completely wrapped. Then it’s Christmas. I’m sure you’ll want to spend it with your family, but I just wanted you to know you’re welcome to come with me.”

She’s quiet for a terrifying few seconds. “In a month?”

“In less than a month.”

“To London?”