This is the story of a week-long visit by my very sexy friend and lover, Carmella. They are numbered for convenience, but can be enjoyed in almost any order. -Emmerson
I had made reservations at the last remaining, old-school, Hollywood steakhouse near a major studio. As Carm and I walked to the door, elbows linked, I leaned close. "Keep your eyes open. I hear that movie star who used to be a doctor on TV comes here a lot."
I gave the hostess my name. She was polite, but stern, obviously used to dealing with people far above her, much less my, pay grade. "I have you here, but we can't seat you until your entire party is present. Would you like a drink in the bar while you wait?"
I took Carm's elbow and guided her into the bar as she looked up at me. "The entire party? Who else is coming? More rent-a-cops?"
I smiled, not answering. "What would you like to drink?"
We ordered and sat quietly, enjoying the soft music and 1940's ambience. I had purposely put Carm with her back to the door. It wasn't long before I noticed my friend Katie walking in. At about five-foot, five-inches and slim, she wore a white blouse with small black flowers tucked into black and gold gaucho pants. Her long, wavey blonde hair framed a narrow face with striking blue eyes.
I stood up and waved before taking Carm's hand to help her off the bar stool. "Remember when you asked if I knew any actors?" Katie's face was lit by a smile as she waved, and walked our way. She gave me a big hug, then reached to shake Carm's hand. I barely finished the introductions before recognition dawned on Carm.
"Oh. My. God. You're in that movie with the space ship and the (fingers dangling from her mouth) and that handsome guy with that incredibly sexy..."
"Carm. Carm, honey." I stopped her, looking quickly around the room.
Katie laughed. "Yeah, we try to keep the 'incredibly sexy' talk to a minimum in places like this."
"Oh. Of course. So sorry."
"But thank you. It's kinda fun to get recognized these days."
Katie turned to me, her eyes solemn. "Greg told me about your wife. I am so sorry. We only met that one time during the party at his house. She was enchanting. I think we talked for a solid three hours!" She gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
The hostess stepped up and we were escorted to our table. Katie took Carm's arm, smiling again. "You know that's where we met? The space movie. It was my first big role after a bunch of soap operas and he..."
I held the chair for Carm. The hostess held Katie's chair. "I was just a lowly set assistant. The director was a friend who knew I need a job."
"But we didn't see much of you on set, did we?"
I shrugged. We all took a moment to give our orders to the server before I started explaining to Carm, "I got to talking to the writer. He was always complaining about this script change or that rewrite or notes from the studio or budget cuts. Nothing but whining about how terrible it was in the film business. I was hooked." I took a drink of wine "Enough ancient history. What are you doing these days, Katie?"
"Well, my kids keep me busy, of course. And I'm producing a play, off-off-off Broadway. Mainly because I miss dancing for an audience. You're lucky you emailed when you did. I'm only in town for a few days." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Trying to talk that 'incredibly sexy' guy into playing the lead."
The salads arrived. Katie laid her hand on top of Carm's. "What do you do, Carmella?"
"Please, call me Carm. And at the moment, I'm doing him." I coughed on a lettuce leaf. Katie raised her eyebrows.
"I'm impressed. Is that a full-time gig?"
Carm ran her other hand up my thigh under the table. "Not yet, but we've talked about it."
Katie looked at me, now genuinely surprised. "Really? Well, look at you, stud."
"Lay off the 'stud' stuff, please, Katie?"
"Yeah." Carm laughed. "It's bad enough we got dirty looks from his daughter."
"Oh, no." Katie smiled behind her fingers. "That can't be fun."
I tried to down-play it. "She'll come around."
"I'm sure she will," Katie beamed at Carm. "As soon as she gets to know this charming young woman."
Carm actually blushed. "Thank you."
The rest of the dinner went smoothly, with comfortable small talk about Carm's work as a chef/caterer. The conversation slowed when a famous body-builder-now-actor walked in. With an easy smile, he nodded to a few people as he and his wife were escorted to a corner table.
Carm looked at me, mouth hanging open. I shrugged. "Hollywood is a company town, like any other."
Katie gave me a light slap. "Don't sound so patronizing. We're all impressed at one time or another. Let the lady have her moment."
"I'm sorry, Carm. Katie is right. Sometimes I forget what world I live in."
"You're forgiven." She leaned close to Katie, almost whispering, "For a minute there, I thought I'd have to deny his nightly blow job."
Katie played it completely straight. "Oh, you wouldn't want to do that." Then turning to me. "Glad I could help."
They both started to laugh as our desserts arrived. Katie stood, folding her napkin next to her plate. "Excuse me, for a moment." She stepped out of sight toward the ladies' room.
I turned to Carm as she took a forkful of pie. "Nightly blow job?"
"You don't like the idea?" She winked.
We both ate slowly, waiting for Katie to return. At one point, Carm said my name quietly, then nudged her head toward the server's stand. Katie was talking to the gray-haired head waiter who had probably been with the restaurant since the day it opened. She pointed to our table. The head waiter shook his head, then shrugged and nodded. Katie gave him a hug and returned to our table.
"Please tell me you did not just arrange to pick up our tab."
"Oh, no. I'll leave that to you. I've got a play to finance."
We enjoyed our dessert and I paid the bill. As we walked out, Katie stopped in the foyer to give Carm a big hug. "It was such a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again. And you..." she pulled me close, her lips to my ear. "Be careful. Don't break her heart."
"Excuse me," a deep voice caught all our attention. The body builder/actor was towering over Carm, both hands extended. He had eyes only for her. "Carmella, is it? I hear you're visiting our busy town. I wanted to wish you welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay."
Carm's eyes flashed to Katie, who smiled and nodded. She put her tiny hand between his huge ones. "Thank you," she managed to say.
I glanced back into the restaurant to see all the shakers and movers watching this superstar give a special moment to a young woman. Most seemed to be smiling. I guess Katie is right. We are all impressed now and then.