How much have we missed?

Let them talk

"So you guys made your red carpet debut together at the BAFTAs last weekend - how much of you two have we missed?" The interviewer asked after Pedro and I had arrived at the awards together.

"Well, honestly quite a lot. We've been dating for probably nearly a year? I think. So yeah. It's been good, nice and quiet" I was nervous talking about it. I'd skirted around talking about relationships for so long it felt weird being open now.

"Gosh you've been hiding for some time"

"I mean it wasn't really hiding for us - like all of our friends and family are in on it, you know - like a normal relationship. Just not been in the press yet"

"And now the social media movement that is all over Pedro will have their say - is that something you're worried about?" He asked.

"his fans are amazing - I mean, I'm one! I'm not worried, I've got a phone full of #pedropascalishot material I can send their way" I joked but actually I was a little worried, his fans were pretty militant.

"Well, it's lovely to see two people happy, how did you guys meet?" He asked.

"Well..."

———————————————-

"Thanks for popping in Soph, always lovely to see you" the director ushered me in. My company was financing a small comedy, the cast were friends of friends and was full of brilliant people all helping out their mate. My production company was setting out and we had been looking for something like this for a while.

"No worries, it's fun to come and see you all. How's it going? I'm hearing good things." I sat down at the catering table at lunch. I'd been pretty hands off but wanted to say hi.

"Yeah all good. Not long to go, you staying around long?" He asked.

"I'm in town a few days I guess, why, you want rid of me?" I teased.

"Not at all - there's a party tomorrow night and I was wondering if you'd be up for it?"

"Ooh a party, what's the occasion?" I asked as we were joined by some cast.

"My birthday" Pedro smiled beside me with his sandwich. "Has he invited you?"

"He has yes"

"Good, so you're in?" He smiled, and if I was stood I would have gone weak at the knees.

"Yeah, sounds fun. How old are you going to be?"

"The big 4- 0, baby!"

"Nice! I'm definitely in."

"Good. How've you been?" We got chatting and catching up a little. We'd met early on in the films process but hadn't really had time to talk. He was called back to set and I hung around and watched a few takes before heading off.

I found out from the director the time and place for the party the next morning and I made sure I had a gift. I'd heard he'd liked whisky so I raided my parent's collection and found something unopened. The joys of living at home, my place in London was being rented out and I was only back for a bit so it didn't make sense to faff about.

"Happy birthday Old man!" I was a bit late arriving and everyone was in the party mood; I handed over his present and he pulled me in for a hug!

"Less of that please." He smiled "this looks amazing, wow, thank you so much" he hugged me again. "Not for tonight though, come on, to the bar - can I get you a drink?" He asked and we headed over. "How long you around for?" 

"Just a few days, I'm flying back mid next week, I start filming Friday for a new thing. You hanging around after this?" I asked as he passed me a drink.

"Nope. I've got like a week in New York and then I'm off to LA for season 3 of Mando. Can I sort your coat?" He asked as I realised I'd not actually taken it off.

He stood behind me and took my coat from my shoulders, I could smell how amazing he smelt before he stood back. "You look fucking incredible" he raised an eye brow as he stepped back "sorry, shit that just blurted out" he chuckled and I blushed.

"Thank you, right I mustn't hog you, go mingle" I shooed him away and found a few other to talk to.

                  ____________________

"Is Pedro single?" I asked one of the actresses I knew once I'd had a few more to drink. We were sat watching him chat away with a group. We'd danced and drunk and partied and Pedro had been flirting and making my heart skip a beat all night.

"Oh my god, yes - you two would be so cute!"

"What, no, I mean I was just wondering, you know, just asking" I back tracked a little.

"No, this is great. Yes as far as I know he's totally single. Right, how do we set this up?" She was in full wingman mode and the others at the table joined in.

"Right we need to dance and then get him to join us and then we like, smush the two of you together and we'll request something sexy and then the rest is history" James (another actor) grinned "I love this so much!" They stood and pulled me up to the next song.

The plan worked perfectly, we danced, he joined in with the group. They, actually rather skilfully, moved their dancing so Pedro and I were together. He caught my eye and playfully reeled me in as the music was upbeat. He was a good dancer - definitely had rhythm- and we quickly found a rhythm together. His hand found my hips and swayed me to the beat with him. As the music changed I span around and he held me to his chest, his hand tentatively on my waist as I raised my arms and ran them through his hair behind me and he mumbled in my neck "you're seriously fucking hot". I turned back around and left my arms around his neck as we ground together slightly as only drunk people at the end of a party could do. His smiled was broad as he watched me in front of him, "you fancy some air?" He asked leaning into my ear, I nodded and he took my hand and led me out of the bar.

"This is where I would normally have a smoke" he placed his hands in his pockets and leant against the wall as the cold spring air hit us.

"Yeah? not today though?" I asked leaning next to him.

"My 'new me at 40' promise to my self. I stopped a few weeks ago actually. Haven't missed it until now"

"We need to take your mind off of things" I looked around for something to take his mind off of things and spotted a balloon that I picked up and flicked so it hit him in the head.

"Ha! Thanks for that" he chuckled. He took his phone out of his pocket "how about I get your number, that would take my mind off of things" he passed the phone to me.

"Smooth" I teased and placed my number in and handed it back. He quickly sent a text "dinner tomorrow?" It popped up on my watch and I smiled.

"Who's that from?" He asked with a smirk.

"Unknown number" I joked "but I guess, yeah, dinner sounds good"

"Good" he stood upright, taking my hand "before we go back in can I just..." he slid his hand into my hair at the base of my neck and pulled me to him. His lips gently meeting mine, as I melted into his kiss. His other arm slipped around my waist and pulled me close as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Happy birthday to me" he smiled as we broke away and he looked down.

"Ha! Indeed! Come on. We should go back in, people will get talking."

"Let them talk" he kissed me again and my heart raced.