"maybe we'll get to work together one day?" i suggest to dan and luna smiles brightly at what i said, seemingly having hoped for this as well.

his eyes widen slightly before he closes them briefly as he is nodding his head.

"i would love that." he utters under his breath.

"who are some of the people inspiring you with what you do?" i ask, very interested in what he would answer, prepping up my elbows on the table to lean a bit closer.

the food arrives and we thank the waitress, i have to recoil a bit in order for the plate to be placed in front of me.

before i dig in i look at dan again, arching up one eyebrow in expectation of his reply.

his dimples pop out as he smiles yet again whilst answering my question.

at the last name he mentions luna and i exchange a quick, knowing look.

"wait- don't tell me you guys are familiar with him?" dan's eyes widen and he places his fork down again, even though he had only picked it up a few seconds ago and was just about to start eating.

i am about to tell dan that i will be working with his favourite filmmaker in about a week from now but i am stopped when my eyes meet luna's again and she mouths 'later'. i nod, complying.

while we eat, the five of us talk about our celebrity crushes, our all-time favourite movies and tv-shows and i am surprised to quickly discover that dan and i have quite a few things in common.

i excuse myself and stand up to go to the restroom and before i return to the table, i find our waitress and pay the bill.

"thank you and please, keep the change." i smile at her.

"are you sure, sir?"

"absolutely."

"have a nice day."

i bid her goodbye and return to the table.

"thank you for paying, phil," dan smiles at me and i wave him off.

"no need to mention that," i smile back at him, "it was a real pleasure."

the five of us step out of the venue together and are swarmed by paparazzi as soon as the first breeze of hot air hits us.

i manage to overhear some of the questions being shouted at us.

-

"who is that next to phil lester?"

"is that dan howell?"

"is he the one who directed 'cocoon'?" "-yes, that must be him!"

"can we get a picture?"

"luna! luna! are they going to work together?"

"where is harriette?" -"is she really expecting?"
-

"i'm terribly sorry," i turn towards dan and apologise sincerely.

"oh, don't worry, i don't mind all that much," dan mumbles, chuckling lightly, "though i do prefer to stand behind the lens rather than in front of it to be frank."

i laugh, nodding at what he said, stopping when i catch luna smiling at us.

we pose for a few group pictures and get into the car, dan sitting between luna and me.

"i had a lot of fun," dan says, "thanks again for paying- i'll take care of the costs the next time, yeah?"

at that luna leans forward in her seat to look at me and dan, which causes the latter to blush.

"sure," i laugh awkwardly, "do you want my number?"

now the colour of my cheeks compete with the younger man's in redness.

he hands me his phone and my fingers tap down on the digits, when i am finished with typing it in,  i hand the device back to him so that he can save me in his contacts under whatever name he wishes.

-

before dan gets out of the car with luna, he extends his arm for a handshake at the same time i extend my arms and lean in slightly for a hug which causes things to be a bit awkward for a few seconds.

dan decides to drop his still outstretched hand after what feels like hours and leans in for the suggested hug as well.

when he does i take in his smell and feel his hand on my lower back.

since we are still in the car the contact is a bit uncomfortable but i wouldn't mind staying like that for longer.

"goodbye, dan." i say when we part, looking down in hopes that he won't notice that my cheeks are flushed yet again.

"see you, phil!" he waves before closing the door.

as soon as the car gets moving again, i feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. i take it out to see that luna sent me a text,

you two really hit it off, haven't you?

my thumbs hover over the brightly lit screen as i ponder on what to answer before i see another text popping up,

i swear he can't stop smiling, this is so unusual

it shouldn't be
i send and lock my phone.

then i turn my head to look out of the window at all of the streets passing by, my brain swarmed with thoughts about his comforting voice and warm features and the ideas he shared and the excitement in his eyes and the colour on his cheeks