Stolen Kisses |Charlie Barber X Reader|

Chapter 2 - Encounter

You took a sip from your water bottle as the butterflies danced in your stomach. You weren't usually nervous about performing on stage but this time it just felt different and you couldn't figure out why.
"Hey how are you feeling" Kate asked, you two became friends when you first landed the role. Kate was possibly the sweetest person you knew, she always had a smile on her face and always looked out for others before herself. "I'm okay, just a bit nervous, I'll be fine" you assured her. "Don't worry, you'll be amazing" she grinned back at you. Curtain opened in 10 minutes the butterflies in your stomach were now mixing with excitement and nerves as you looked in the nearest mirror making sure that your hair, makeup and everything else was fine. "Okay guys get into positions and best of luck" Sean the director of the play announced with a stressed facial expression. You took your position and got ready as the red velvet curtain opened before you revealing a crowded audience. The bright spotlight shone on you as you took a deep breath and began your monologue.

The play was about an 18 year old girl living in 1950's England who met a man one night and became pregnant, her family kicked her out of the house and the man left her without saying anything. You spoke your last line as tears rolled down your face, you think your performance was good as you lined up with your fellow actors taking a bow. The audience clapped and cheered which gave you reassurance that the play was good. Your smile beamed gratefully as you scanned the audience locking eyes with a tall man with dark raven like hair that almost touched his shoulders, you gave him and thankful smile as you broke eye contact while he kept his gaze a little longer studying you.

"Amazing guys, absolutely amazing" Sean beamed as he embraced you "You were brilliant, thank you so much" he said "No thank you, I loved every second of it" you returned his smile. "Hey a couple of us are going to Simona's bar downtown for a few drinks if you're up for it?" he asked. You decided it would be fun to have a drink or two to celebrate a successful performance, "Sure that sounds great I'll just get changed then I'll be ready to go"

When you arrived at the bar you couldn't help but notice how nice it was. The lights were dimmed creating a warm and intimate ambiance, the walls were covered in music posters which you thought was pretty cool. There were about 15 of you spread between three seating booths as there wasn't room for all of you at one table. You, Sean, Kate and Sean's girlfriend Maria sat together in a booth. Maria was an artist, she was very sweet her and Sean made a great couple. The conversation at the table was interesting, Sean spoke about some new ideas he had for his next play. You enjoyed everyone's company at the table, you felt like you were finally starting to make friends. You took a drink from your glass of red wine listening to Sean speak you noticed he became distracted as someone walked in the door,
"Charlie man hey, glad you could make it come over and take a seat" Sean spoke happily. You looked to see who he was talking to and were met with the same eyes you locked with in the audience, it was the tall man with the dark hair.

"Hey Charlie!" Maria stood up and embraced the man, "Good to see you Maria" he smiled, he then embraced Sean "The play was fantastic man you did a brilliant job, I really enjoyed it" he praised Sean. "Thank you man I appreciate it" Sean said gratefully "Charlie this is Kate and Y/N, two of the actresses from tonight" Sean introduced you. "Girls this is Charlie Barber, a friend of mine" You shook hands with the man who was now introduced to you as Charlie, whilst shaking his hand you couldn't help but notice how big it was compared to yours "Nice to meet you" you gave Charlie a smile. "You were amazing tonight, well done" Charlie spoke. You smiled taking a drink trying to hide the fact that you were blushing.

Charlie sat directly across from you ordering a glass of white wine. He removed his long coat, wearing some navy dress trousers and a belt with a cream long sleeve shirt tucked into them. An hour or so had passed, you learned that Charlie was a director and he has his own theatre company here in New York called Exit Ghost. Charlie was now talking about how he had just received the MacArthur genius grant. You were truly astounded by how intelligent and amazing this man was. He was very kind and you couldn't help but find him attractive. He was very handsome, his eyes were quite beautiful you found yourself gazing into them as he spoke. He had a few tiny freckles dotted around his face, his cheekbones and jawline were very defined and his lips were plump and red. The thing you found most attractive however was the fact that he was older than you.
Every now and then you found that every time you looked at Charlie he was already looking at you which made your heart nearly jump out of your chest.

"How's Henry" Maria asked Charlie. You were trying to figure out who she was talking about. "Henry's good he's in LA with Nicole, he'll hopefully be in New York again soon" You started to feel disappointed, who was Nicole? Was Charlie married? You looked at his finger and there was no ring which made you even more confused but you eventually brushed it off.

You finished your last glass of wine, only having three as there was nothing you hated more than having a hangover in the morning. You let out a yawn and began to put on your coat indicating that you were going home. "I better take off, thank you all for a lovely evening" you explained to the group. Standing up you made your way towards the door but before that you spoke "It was a pleasure to talk with you Charlie" you smiled reaching out your hand expecting him to shake it again but instead he stood up towering over you "The pleasure is all mine" he took your hand and placed his lips on the skin of your hand. You became completely weak at the knees, you smiled trying to hide the fact that your cheeks were firing up from the rest of the group.

"See you all soon" you said as you walked out the door you looked over your shoulder only to find Charlie smiling right at you.