Love and Other Drugs, Right?

-3-

Jake and I sit at a local sushi spot I know well, we chat about the show at first, but then move on to some less surface level topics.

"So if you weren't doing sound, what would you be doing?" Jake asks, before picking up a roll with his chopsticks and maneuvering it into his mouth,

"Good question. I don't really know, I might be on the streets." I say jokingly,

"But if you could do anything, anything in the whole world what would you be doing?" He asks, smiling. I scrunch up my mouth for a second, thinking. He pops another roll in his mouth as I think.

"You're gonna think I'm kissing your ass, or trying to look for an in or something stupid, but I've always wanted to be an actress." I say, I've never really admitted that to many people. My sister knows, Chris knows but not because I told him, just because he's Chris, and I'm sure my parents had a hunch.

"Really!" He seems surprised, I nod, "I guess I pictured you as a behind the scenes kinda person but now that I think of it, you do have a face for TV" he winks, I laugh, this guy has been making flirty jokes all dinner and I have absolutely no idea if he means them or not.

"Thanks, yeah it was always that one dream you know?" I pick up a piece of sushi with my chopsticks, trying to look as polite as possible as I try to fit it in my mouth. Jake nods,

"I know what you mean." He says, I think he can tell it's almost a sore spot for me, and he moves on from the topic.

"I've been meaning to ask you something." He says, I look up at him, waiting for his question,

"You and Chris, uh, are you guys like? I dunno, you just seem really close and i didn't want to assume, but are you guys a couple?" He asks. I laugh, covering my mouth to make sure no sushi flies out. Through my laughter I shake my head.

"No, no absolutely not. Chris is like my older brother, he was my tech teacher in high school, that would just be weird." I say, "plus he's been with his girl for almost 18 years." I say. Jake raises his eyebrows,

"Wow. So he's too old for you then?" He asks, I shrug,

"No it's not really about the age, it's all the other stuff." I laugh, Jake nods,

"You're, what, 28 right?" He asks, I nod,

"Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious, I know it's rude to ask but-" he shrugs,

"Don't worry about it, what are you 30?" I ask, as if I didn't look "Jake Gyllenhaal" up last night and found out that he is in fact 38, an even ten years older than me. Ten isn't too much right? Jake laughs,

"I'm flattered, but 38."  He says,

"Oh pshh, that's not bad at all! You've still got at least 10 years before you go out and buy a nice car or a foreign wife for a midlife crisis. Although you probably already have a nice car so... foreign wife it is!" I say, Jake laughs,

"Yeah I guess I haven't been looking at it like that." He smiles,

"You've got a great smile." I say, without even thinking about it. What the hell y/n? Who let you go out with friggin Jake Gyllenhaal!?

Jake's smile widens, and so does mine. It's impossible not too, he really does have a great smile.

Jake puts his hands over his chest, "me?" He acts shocked and we both laugh, "Thanks." He says, still smiling, it's the most genuine thanks I've ever gotten, but then again he is an actor.

"'Course." I say, the waitress comes over and takes our empty sushi slabs, returning with the check a moment later. Jake grabs it and i give him a look, shaking my head.