The final whistle blew and Dominic’s team won. To celebrate, Declan took the three of them to dinner. This time they choose a Chinese restaurant.

“Thank you so much for coming to my game, Declan.”

“You’re welcome, Dom. You played really well.”

“Thanks. I think I got a real chance at the main school team.”

“I thought you were on it already?”

“No, not yet. I have to—”

“So what are you guys having? Declan, can you recommend anything? I haven’t eaten a lot of Chinese food,” Zoe interrupted.

Declan caught the look Dominic sent Zoe. She had deliberately changed the subject and he wasn’t sure why. All Dominic had been doing was talking about making a team. Why was that something secret?

“I like the satay chicken and fried rice. Not very adventurous really,” Declan said.

“I think I’ll have the squid.” Dominic said, causing Zoe to look a bit green.

“Don’t you like seafood?” Declan asked.

“Some types. I don’t mind shrimp. But not things that are chewy and taste like rubber.” Her mouth screwed up as she spoke. She was adorable. He wasn’t about to mention that squid cooked properly was delicious. The last thing he needed was her thinking he was a know it all.

“Why don’t we order a selection and we can all share? You could even try the squid,” he said with a wink.

“No thanks to the squid,” she laughed. “But a selection would be nice.”

He ordered several entrees, two beers for him and Zoe, and coke for Dominic.

“So why were you late. Again?”

“Sorry, Dom. I got a flat tire on my way there,” she said, looking regretful.

“Showed up with a big oil smear on her face, just here,” Declan pointed to his own cheek. “I can vouch for her.”

Dominic just shrugged his shoulders, but Zoe sent him a look of thanks. He noted that she looked tired, but he knew enough not to say so. He wished there was a way to make things easier for her. But how?

“When are you making your next movie?” Dominic asked.

“We start filming in about a month or so,” Declan answered, happy to change the subject and give Zoe a break.

“Can I visit you on set?”

“Dominic, mind your manners,” Zoe interjected, looking embarrassed.

“Maybe,” Declan said. “It depends on the day and what we’re filming. If there are stunts involved, then there’s a no kid on set rule. But otherwise, I think I might be able to arrange that. You would both have to come out to LA.”

“Oh.” Dominic’s face would have been comical but for the fact he genuinely looked like he was about to cry.

“What’s wrong? You wouldn’t need a passport or anything. It’s not that far by plane although driving would take about five hours.”

He knew immediately he had said the wrong thing, but he had no idea what it was. Zoe excused herself to go to the bathroom and Dominic looked even more miserable.

“What’s up Dom?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, it’s something. Tell me, please.”

“We can’t go to LA. Zoe will say it’s too expensive. She never has money for anything.”

Darn it anyway. How insensitive could he be? Here he was just announcing they could come to LA without even checking first. He should have kept his mouth shut and spoken to Zoe in private.

She came back a while later, her eyes suspiciously shiny.

“Dom, could you go ask the server if he has some fortune cookies please,” Declan asked Dominic

“Sure.”

Dominic ran off.

“Zoe, I am so sorry. I let my mouth run away again. I didn’t think.” He could have cut out his own tongue.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said softly.

“But I hurt you and I didn’t mean to. It would be my treat to take you both to the film set. We could drive but it is a five hour trip. I have a jet on standby if I need it. It will take about an hour by air. Please say you will come.”

She sat up straighter and he had to resist the urge to duck.

“I don’t need your charity.” Zoe’s eyes flashed.

“No, it’s not like that. I would love to show you around. Let you see where I work. After all, I’ve seen your garage. It’s only fair you see my place of employment.”

“That’s hardly the same.”

“It is, sort of. If we’re going to see each other, then I want you to know me. I want you to come see how I live. You may not like me when you see me at home with smelly socks and half empty cups all over the place.”

She eyed him, still looking a bit uncomfortable, but he saw the hint of a smile on her face.

“Uh, here,” Dominic said, setting down a handful of fortune cookies on the table in front of Declan.

Declan opened the first one. “Your luck has changed. The dark-haired lady will smile,” he read out, catching Zoe’s eye. It worked. She smiled.