Storytime #5: The Next Best Thing

Roomie updates

+ the thing about Miles Spoiler: it's definitely a surprise

It's Thursday at 5:30pm and my date with Miles is later this evening, so I'm with Maya at Melody Wine Bar to grab a drink beforehand. She orders another round of oysters from a server walking by before turning to face me:

"Yea girl - we've had sex every single night since the first time I told you."

"It's been what, three days?"

"Four if you count this morning" Maya winks back.

She was glowing, and like every other guy she'd ever slept with, I could tell it was only a matter of time before she'd start to catch feelings, but according to her this time was different:

"We decided that as long as we communicate through it all we should be fine, you know? Both of us are too focused on our craft to be distracted by a relationship anyway."

Maya moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to further her acting career after landing a small role in a now-cancelled TV series. Since then, she's gotten a few commercial bookings and had a 6-week stint at a community theatre, but nothing close to where she wants to be. Her roommate on the other hand is a filmmaker in the making. He claims things will take off once he finishes the "greatest manuscript ever" that he's reportedly rewrote 119 times.

Indeed they both had a lot to focus on, perhaps one more than the other...

"But less about me girl, I need to know more about Mr. Mysterious! I want to know what he looks like." She pulls out her phone ready to search - "What's his IG?"

He'd written his socials down on the piece of paper he left me, but I never checked. I prefer to keep things as offline as possible for as long as possible, but Maya was persistent.

"If anyone should know what he looks like it's me! Imagine something happens, who's your mom gonna call? Me! I can already hear her voice on the other end of the call -- "

"Oh Maya come on" she was born for the dramatics.

"Look It's all fun and games until you watch an episode of Criminal Minds. People are crazy, okay!"

She hides her excitement as I rummage through my vintage black Prada bag and pull out the handwritten note. I type in his username and come across his page when to my surprise I see he has a large following with a blue check next to his name.

Maya pulls my phone towards her, "Wait one fucking second -- " she scrolls through his page her eyes widening with each post. "You're going on a date with Miles fucking Jones?"

As the words leave her mouth, our waitress arrives with our oysters overhearing the conversation. She joins in:

"Now he is 90s fine."

She gives me an approving nod before walking away. I look to Maya who's still in shock.

"Why didn't you say something!"

I had to admit, I honestly had no idea who he was. His name was familiar but I just figured it was because I grew up in a jazz household.

"You had no clue who Miles Jones is? You're a writer for godsake!" she says.

I give her a look - feeling burdened by the sudden attention from the table sitting next to us.

"Sorry" her voice lowers. "But this is like, really exciting. He's literally on the New York Times List of Breakout Stars." I watch as her face lights up. "What if this is my big break!"

By this point the hype had kicked in along with my second glass of rose and suddenly I felt the oysters in my stomach. Maya clearly didn't pick up on it -

"I can't believe you're not nervous. I'd be shitting bricks."

I watch her slurp down a fresh one, as I suppress the unwelcome nerves I suddenly feel.

"Where's he taking you?"

"Kato" She almost spit out her drink.

"I've been wanting to go there for lord knows how long it's impossible to get a reservation the plates are like $200 and here you are going there on a date with Miles Jones! How are you not shitting bricks?"

Before I can think to respond, I see Stacey June - a former friend from college - waving from across the room and walking our way.

I wave back, prompting Maya to look.

"Oh God" she says under her breath just as Stacey approaches the table beaming at me.

"This is crazy I was just thinking of you! You look amazing!" she turns to Maya "And Maya wow, look at you." Her eyes fall to Maya's shirt - "Wait - is this from goodwill?"

"Excuse me?" Maya says. Stacey smiles innocently even though we all know she meant otherwise -

"Oh girl you know I didn't mean it like that! I just donated a bunch of old clothes including a shirt just like this one. How funny would that be?"

Maya cocks her head to respond but before she can, I ask - "Stacey, how are you?"

"Oh just fantastic! I'm sure you saw my promotion at Netflix? Senior Executive! It was all over LinkedIn. I don't know what's better - having less work to do or my salary practically doubling over night. I guess I can finally buy that house in the Hills."

Looking at the absence of a wedding ring, Maya can't resist:

"And how are things with Damien?"

Damien is Stacey's boyfriend of 9 and a half years. The two met in college and have been together ever since. Stacey's always had a vendetta against Maya for sleeping with him while they were on a break. In her defense, Maya had no clue the two were ever dating (Stacey was my friend, not hers) but she made things worse when she told Stacey not to worry about it ever happening again reporting that "his sex was basic as hell and it smelled like he had a cavity."

"Better than ever." Stacey forces a smile then looks to me.

"Anyways, I've been meaning to email you. I could use some reviews for a few upcoming films and would also love to catch up. It's been too long!"

"Sounds good." I say. Stacey walks away and returns to her party.

"Well I know what I'll be doing tonight" Maya says.

"What?" I ask. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

"Burning this shirt" she says.

It was him. I feel the nerves reemerge as I unlock my phone and read his text.

"My agent needs me in New York for a last minute presser -- can we please reschedule once I'm back?"

Relief and disappointment flush through my body; Maya notices.

"What's wrong?"

I show her my phone screen. Her mouth drops. "The Lord has heard my prayers! Girl YES."

I'm confused. I look back to my phone and see a new text from him.

"The reservation is still on and my card is on file. If you wanna go with a friend whatever y'all get is on me..."

I look back to Maya who wastes no time getting our server's attention. "Check, please!"

I debate whether I should take the man up on his offer but then again why not?

I heart his message. "Safe travels✈️"

Only time will tell to see what's to come of this.. but I'll enjoy the perks in the meantime. Until next time...