Research: Romance

meeting

We were set to meet in a coffee shop a few blocks from my apartment. I had arrived early and sat fidgeting with my cup for the last 15 minutes. There was a notebook in front of me, an open pen, and my phone which I kept checking every five seconds.

Just calm down. He's a person too. Just a human being like you. Nothing to stress about.

How Desi even got him to agree to meet me was an incredible feat. Nevertheless, I felt just like Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy In 10 Days: geared up and ready to write the story of a lifetime.

Robin Lewis Moore was one of the rising stars of film. He had grown from being a C lister to a B list celebrity overnight and was quickly rising to the top in the Horror scene. His reputation in the acting community grew with every project and he had a strong background in book adaptations. Albeit most of them were of the Stephen King variety... but who was I to judge? We were both branching out.

According to Desi, Robin's career had taken a nosedive after some tabloid scandal involving a few bottles of champagne and his co-star. All false, we were assured, but it left a mark on his record and movie deals were far and few between since the incident. He needed to rebrand himself, and my book could be the perfect opportunity.

I hesitated to accept his offer because of it... I admit it. But, when his manager reached out to me personally, vouching for his client and assuring me this was a promising enterprise for both Robin and I, I thought my whole apartment building would quake from the excitement I was containing. Besides, I was already so deep in this mess, a small PR risk was one I was willing to take.

Of course, being a minor celebrity myself, I had some experience in meeting famous people. Mostly book people, artists, and interviewers, but I knew my way around the red carpet well too. All of whom I maintained most of my composure. Working personally with an actor though, that was new. So new, that when faced with reality, I started sweating through my shirt, picking my fingernails off, and checking the time compulsively.

I needed this. I needed him. And I have never needed anyone before... but he was the key. If I could collaborate with Robin, make a book, turn that book into a bestseller and have him star in my movie, well, I would feel like I might repay the loyalty of my readers and show gratitude to people who have believed in me from the start. Plus, it would prove to me that I can write more than the same fiction I'd always leaned on.

That consideration calmed me down a bit, and I sipped my coffee. Take a breath. You can do this.

When I opened my eyes, Robin was walking through the coffee shop door. His entrance turned a few heads but not as many as I expected. Then again it was late on a Tuesday morning and there were only about seven people in the coffee shop including myself. He had sunglasses on, but he spotted me right away and walked over waving his hand.

I stood up, flashing my best smile, "Hello, Mr. Moore. It's nice to meet-"

We both stopped as he lowered his glasses. "Wait a second-"

I felt my smile crumble then grow back twice as big from disbelief. "You're...Robin Moore?"

"You're Emelia Aplin?" He looked as shocked as I felt.

"Leah." I say as he approaches tentatively. We both laughed awkwardly. "I can't believe you're...this is crazy."

He folds his sunglasses into his jacket pocket, "I don't know what to say. How are you doing?"

"Well, I'm not hyperventilating, so that's something." I laugh, then shake my head. "I can't believe you even remember me. That was months ago."

"You didn't hyperventilate. I probably would have ruled out the Heimlich sooner if you had." He smiles, and I instantly recall how charming that upside down smile was, even back then. "You leave an impression..."