The Secret (Single in Seattle 1)

“Exactly. Where should we go to eat?”

“You’re the local,” he reminds me. “But that Mexican place we went to last time was fantastic.”

“And it’s close by. Only a five-minute walk.”

“Let’s do it, then.” We’re quiet as we ride down in the elevator, but by the time we hit the sidewalk outside, there’s no lull in the conversation. “I saw the photo of you and Vaughn at Christian Wolfe’s dinner.”

I scrunch up my nose as he opens the restaurant’s door for me. The hostess immediately escorts us to a table.

“There weren’t supposed to be phones or cameras there,” I say after the waitress drops off a basket of chips and some salsa. “It was a private dinner.”

“Once in a while, something slips through,” Adam says with a nod. “And it sucks when you think you have some privacy. I’m sorry that happened.”

I shrug and set my menu aside. “At least, I looked good, I guess. It would suck if I were in sweats with my hair in a bun.”

“I think you’d probably look good then, too.”

I press my lips together and narrow my eyes at Adam. “Why are you flirting with me?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “Sorry. Friends, right?”

“Yeah, but if that’s weird for you—”

“It’s not. Vaughn’s clearly smitten with you, and I have no hard feelings. I like him. He’s not the jerk the paps make him out to be.”

“No, he isn’t,” I agree, and then the waitress is back to take our orders. “How long have you been an actor, Adam?”

“Oh, geez, I didn’t realize math would be involved today. Let’s see, I went to NYU for acting and performing arts, so I guess it’s been about ten years.”

“Do you have famous actors in your family?”

“No. None at all. My parents are from Wisconsin. Dad’s a dairy farmer. I don’t know where I get my love of acting from, but it’s definitely not from them.”

I nod and pop a chip into my mouth thoughtfully.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, I have a famous dad, but he worked really hard to give my siblings and me as normal a childhood as possible. And it pretty much was.”

“I didn’t even know he had kids until I met your dad about five years ago at an awards dinner, and he told me that he did. He’s very private. It’s well known in the community.”

“Yeah, and I’m beginning to realize that giving us a normal life was both difficult and a blessing.”

“Vaughn didn’t have that same kind of life.”

“No.” I eat another chip. “He didn’t. Being photographed everywhere he goes is just normal to him. I don’t think he even knows what privacy feels like. And that’s just…hard, you know?”

“I think it would be, yes. What’s bothering you?”

I shake my head and realize that I shouldn’t be voicing this to Adam. I should be talking it over with Vaughn. “Nothing, really. I guess it’s just interesting to me how people end up in the spotlight. Some are born into it, and others seek it out.”

“Are you having trouble with the paps?”

“No, just fans. It’s an adjustment, but everything’s fine. Now, let’s talk about you. How are you?”

“I’m great. I have three more projects lined up after the one we’re about to start with your father, so the next two years or so are spoken for. I’m just happy to have work.”

“And how are your parents in Wisconsin?”

“It’s just my dad now,” he says as the waitress delivers our food. “Mom passed away about three years ago from cancer.”

“I’m so sorry.” I reach over and rest my hand on Adam’s arm. “I don’t know what I would do without my mom.”

“It was a blessing, honestly. She’s no longer hurting,” he replies softly. “But my dad’s great. Still working with the cows, and I hear he has a girlfriend, so he’s not lonely.”

“No siblings?” The burrito is delicious.

“Three, actually,” he replies and spoons some sour cream onto his enchilada. “Two brothers and a sister, all living in my hometown. I have a bunch of nieces and nephews, and I go home during the holidays.”

“That’s where you should have your house,” I say, thinking out loud. “Not that real estate in LA isn’t good, but you should spend your off time in Wisconsin with your family.”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” he says with a nod. “Especially now that my dad is older. After we wrap on this movie, I thought I’d go spend a couple of weeks there and look around.”

“That’ll be good.”

Our mealtime goes by fast, and before I know it, we’re walking back into Williams Productions and my office.

“Keep me posted on how it shapes up in Wisconsin,” I say to Adam. “I’m invested now.”

“I will,” he says with a chuckle. “I’m sure I’ll see you around. I’ll be in and out for a couple more days.”