Just for a moment

The famous friend

*Amelia*

"This is my best friend Joel, Joel say hi to Ami, I kind of got in her way, so I asked her to join us". Cory introduces us.

Joel looks like someone I have seen before; he has that kind of face you don’t easily forget. I grab his hand. “Hi, Joel, I hope it’s okay for me to join you.”

“Hi, Ami, great to meet you, and of course, I’m only happy to have something prettier than that one to look at.” He grins at Cory.

I sit down on the bench across from Joel, and Cory slides in beside me, angling himself toward me to make room for his long legs.

Cory looks at Joel with a smirk. “Oh, Joel, you were going to get us drinks, weren’t you?”

“Well, I guess I was.” Joel shakes his head slightly as he gets up, looking at me. “And what does the lady want?”

“An apple pie, thanks.” I smile, preferring sweet drinks that aren’t too strong.

Cory tilts his head slightly to one side, looking at me. “I have never heard of that one, in drink form I mean. Let me get one too, Joel.”

Joel heads to the bar, and Cory checks his phone. He just got a text. I glance at him, and I have to admit, I find him very attractive. I wonder what they are doing here; he definitely doesn’t look like the men I normally run into.

“Where are you from, by the way? And what are you doing in Denmark?” I ask when he finally puts his phone away.

He looks like he is thinking hard about what to say. “We’re from LA. Joel is here for work, and I’m just kind of tacking along. I had some holiday, and I had never seen Denmark.”

“I was guessing America from your accent. LA? Well, then you’re used to better weather, I guess.” I say.

I notice his hands are constantly moving; when he talks, they move animatedly or else he fiddles with something. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“I hope it’s okay to ask, but Joel looks kind of familiar. What kind of work is he here for?” I can’t help but ask.

Cory glances at Joel, who has finally gotten a hold of the bartender. “It’s fine. Actually, I’m surprised no one has recognized him yet. He’s an actor; that’s probably why you think he looks familiar.”

“Oh my God, now that you say it, he was in that tv show, about the forensic team, right? And the ‘Aliens in space’ movie?” It just dawns on me who he is… he is one of those actors whose face most people know but where you can’t remember the name.

Cory nods. “Yes, exactly. Just please don’t make a big deal out of it; he gets a little shy if people fuss about it, and we don’t want everyone else catching on.”

“Of course, no problem. It can’t be fun always having people recognizing you. It must be kind of a downer for you too. I mean, at home, he must get recognized all the time; doesn’t he feel kind of overlooked sometimes?” I say.

Cory smiles, looking amused. “Well, you get used to it; we have been friends for a long time.”

“Here you go, ladies.” Joel says with a s**t-eating grin, putting our drinks in front of us. He’s gotten a beer for himself.

Cory glares at him, feigning offense, then chuckles. “Mature, so very mature, Joel. A man Can have a fruity cocktail if he wants to.”

“What do you do, Ami? When you’re not here having fun?” Joel looks at me with friendly interest.

I suddenly feel a bit starstruck. He’s a movie star and everything; how can I just talk to him like he is a normal person? But I push that feeling away; he’s just a guy, after all.

I smile. “I work as a waitress… not very exciting. The tips are good, though, but that’s not what I really want to do.”

“What do you want to do, then? If I may ask.” Cory looks at me curiously, and I feel locked in his gaze… eyes that change color depending on the light hitting them.

I blush and bite my lip. “Oh, this is a bit embarrassing and probably wildly unrealistic, but my dream is to be a singer.”

“It’s not embarrassing, and whether it’s realistic depends on how good you are. Can you sing?” Cory asks.

I shrug. “I’ve been told so, but I know the chances are slim even with talent.”

“Never say never, but you know you have to get up on that stage and sing for us now, don’t you?” Joel grins at me.

I glare at him. “Yeah, that was exactly what I feared. I hate karaoke, which might sound kind of stupid, but it’s just different from just singing.”

“If I get up there with you, will you do it then? We can both look like fools.” Cory says, getting up and offering me his hand.

I accept his hand and let him pull me up, looking at him with a sly smile. “What about you, then? Can you sing?”

“If he can sing? He…” Joel sounds like he’s going to say something, but a glare from Cory makes him go quiet.

Cory pulls me with him toward the stage. “I guess I can sing somewhat okay. I’m not out of tune at least.”

As I look through the songs, he stands close behind me, leaning over to see, his arm on the table next to me and his face close to my ear.

I suddenly become very aware of how close he is. I can literally feel the warmth from his body, and I breathe in deeply to calm myself, which doesn’t work as I realize how good he smells… very masculine and a bit spicy.

“Is there anyone you prefer?” he asks, his face so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my neck, sending hot flashes through me.

I turn slightly toward him and answer, “Not really. I think I can do all of them pretty well. Do you have any favorites?”

“What about this one? That one I know I can do.” He says with a small grin, pointing to ‘(I’ve had) The Time of My Life’ from ‘Dirty Dancing’ on the list.

I nod and choose it. “Good choice, and it’s a classic and a little more upbeat than the other duets on here.”

He grabs my hand and pulls me up on stage, then hands me one of the microphones as the music starts.