2 Broke Girls x 1 Rich Man [TV series 2 Broke Girls ff]

Evangeline and Alex's conversation flowed smoothly. She found herself relaxing, the anxiety melting away as they slipped into familiar banter, making her forget why she had been nervous in the first place.

Then the waiter returned. "Have you decided what you'd like to order?"

Alex ordered blackened salmon and Evangeline ordered grilled salmon and a few appetizers to share. The waiter then took their menus and disappeared.

Evangeline rotated her wine glass in her hand, watching the red liquid swirl slowly. "You know," She let the word hang there, eyes flicking up to Alex. "I don't think we have talked about our lives before Hollywood."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "No, I guess we haven't."

"Care to enlighten me?"

Alex chuckled. "Where should I start?"

"Why not from the beginning? If you don't mind."

He sipped his wine. "Alright, but it's not exactly glamorous. I worked in construction. Hard labor, barely meeting my daily needs. On top of that, my parents ran off and left me drowning in their debts."

"Wait! Seriously?" She was shocked.

Alex shrugged. "Yep. It wasn't pretty. I was barely scraping by, doing double shifts just to keep the lights on. And then, to top it off, my girlfriend at the time left me for a rich guy. Said she was tired of struggling."

Evangeline felt a bit of sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't be," He waved off. "It worked out for the best. Saved my neck from a gold digger, and... well, one day I thought let's do something different and I started posting my novels and scripts everywhere possible... Got lucky with Forrest Gump, and here we are."

She took a slow sip of her wine, watching him carefully. "I had no idea."

"Not exactly something I bring up in casual conversation," Alex said, tapping his fingers against the table. "What about you?"

Evangeline raised her eyebrows. "What about me?"

"You never talk about your past. What was it like?"

Evangeline's fingers tightened imperceptibly around her glass. "Nothing special."

"You're not selling it." Alex leaned back in his seat. "I shared. It's only fair."

"I was a waitress, did oil changes and grease jobs on big rig trucks, and even worked as a flight attendant for Royal Airlines to save money for my tuition and classes," She shrugged nonchalantly.

Alex blinked. "Wait. Back up. You worked on big rigs?"

She gave a nod. "Yep. Got my hands dirty, too."

"I need photographic evidence," he teased.

She laughed. It was light and easy, the kind of sound that made him smile. "Too late now. I burned those clothes a long time ago."

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Damn."

She tilted her head slightly, studying him with warm eyes. "You're impressed."

Alex leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "I'm more than impressed," he said, voice dropping half an octave. "That's pretty badass."

Her mouth parted slightly, eyes flashing.

Their food arrived.

Evangeline exhaled slowly, trying to get her brain back on track. "Right. Food. I'm hungry."

Alex just watched, eyes dark. "So am I."

They both dug into their meals, falling into another easy conversation.

"So," Evangeline said, poking at her salmon with her fork. "I have an idea."

Alex smiled. "Should I be nervous or excited about this idea of yours?"

She smiled, her lips pressing together. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

Alex paused with his wine glass halfway to his mouth. "Ominous, but okay. Let's hear it."

"A game."

"A game." He raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "Alright, I'm listening."

"Ten questions. Honest answers. You lose 1 point for skipping a question," She explained.

Alex leaned forward, intrigued. "Sounds dangerous."

She shrugged. "Only if you have something to hide."

He chuckled. "Alright, but if this is a game, there should be some kind of reward."

Evangeline tilted her head. "Like what?"

Alex smirked, the mischievous glint in his eye unmistakable. "I'll think of something."

Evangeline narrowed her eyes, studying him carefully. And then she smirked, leaning back in her seat. "Okay, Wilson. You're on."

Alex grinned. "Good. So, who goes first?"

Evangeline gestured to him with her fork. "You."

Alex tapped his finger against his chin as he considered his first question. "Alright, I've got one... What is your greatest fear?"

Evangeline raised her eyebrows. "That's your first question?"

He raised his brow. "Hey, you started this."

She let out a soft huff, lips curving up. "Fine. My greatest fear? Being alone, I guess." She paused, then added, "I don't like the feeling that I might end up an old spinster surrounded by cats."

Alex chuckled. "Noted. No cats."

Evangeline tilted her head slightly. "Your turn. What's yours?"

"I think I'm more afraid of spiders than anything else."

Evangeline tried and failed to hold back a laugh. "Seriously?"

"Argg! Those eight-legged freaks terrify me."

She grinned. "Good to know."

"Why is it good to know? Wait! Don't tell me you are planning on pulling a prank on me."

"Maaaybe," she said with a teasing smirk.

"Nooo, Evie, don't do it to me. I thought we were friends," Alex pouted, causing her to laugh out loud.

"Oh, God. This is gonna be so much fun," she said while taking another sip of wine.

"It's my turn, isn't it?" She asked after a moment, and when Alex nodded, she continued.

Evangeline tapped her nails against her wine glass, thinking. Then a slow smile spread across her lips. "Alright, Alex. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?"

Alex leaned back, exhaling as he swirled the deep red liquid in his glass. "Oof. That's a big one."

"You wanted to play," she reminded him, arching an eyebrow.

"Fair enough." He set his glass down and considered for a moment. "I think I would've started writing sooner. Maybe put myself out there earlier instead of wasting years in a job that made me miserable."

Evangeline nodded, watching him. "No regrets about the struggle?"

Alex gave a small, wry smile. "Regrets? Sure. But I also know I wouldn't be here without it. Hard times shape us, right?"

She hummed in agreement. "That's true."

Alex nodded. "Your turn. What would you change?"

Evangeline's fingers tightened slightly around the stem of her wine glass, a flicker of something unreadable passing over her face. "I would've trusted fewer people."

Alex frowned slightly. "That sounds... heavy."

She let out a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. "It is what it is."

He watched her carefully. "Someone burned you pretty badly, huh?"

Evangeline hesitated, then took a slow sip of wine. "You could say that."

Alex didn't push, but the silence between them felt charged. He had a feeling there was a lot more to that answer than she was willing to admit.

"Alright," he finally said, breaking the tension with a teasing smirk. "I'll let you off the hook—for now. But just know, I'm very good at prying."

Evangeline rolled her eyes but smiled. "Noted. Now, what's your next question?"

Alex leaned forward, his grin turning downright devilish. "Alright, Evie. What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?"

Evangeline groaned, covering her face with one hand. "Oh, you are evil."

"I try."

She peeked at him through her fingers, then sighed dramatically. "Fine. But if I tell you, you are not allowed to laugh."

"I make no promises," he said, clearly entertained.

She huffed. "Okay, so... back when I was a flight attendant, I was rushing through the airport trying to get to my gate. And I wasn't looking where I was going, and I ran at full speed, straight into a glass wall. I bounced right off it and landed flat on my back in front of a whole crowd of people."

Alex burst out laughing. "No way!"

Evangeline groaned again. "Yes way. And the worst part? Some kid yelled, 'Mom, look! That lady just face-planted!' I wanted to disappear."

Alex wiped at his eyes, still laughing. "That is amazing. I wish I had been there."

"You would have been no help at all," she accused.

"Absolutely not," he agreed. "I would have been too busy laughing."

Evangeline shook her head, but she was smiling. "Okay, your turn. Most embarrassing moment?"

Alex took a deep breath, as if preparing himself. "Alright. So, back when I was working in construction, I was helping on a site near a school. One afternoon, I was standing on a scaffold, and my tool belt got caught on something. Next thing I know—bam! My pants dropped straight down in front of an entire class of kids on a field trip."

Evangeline gasped, then burst out laughing. "Oh my God!"

Alex groaned, running a hand down his face. "I wanted to die. And the worst part? The teacher just calmly said, 'And this, children, is why we always wear a belt.'"

Evangeline nearly choked on her wine, laughing. "That is the best thing I've ever heard!"

Alex grinned, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Enough humiliation. Next question is yours."

She grinned mischievously. "Okay, Alex. If you had to kiss someone in this room, who would it be?"

His smirk was slow, confident. "That's easy."

Evangeline raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He leaned in just slightly, his gaze locking with hers. "You, obviously."

Her breath hitched. The playful banter between them suddenly felt... different. He wasn't joking.

Evangeline swallowed, trying to ignore the way her heart had started hammering. "Well... that's a bold answer."

Alex held her gaze. "You started this game, Evie."

She took a steadying sip of wine, her lips curving into a smirk. "Alright, Wilson. Your move."

He grinned. "Oh, trust me. I plan on making it count."

Evangeline arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And how exactly do you plan on making it count?"

Alex leaned back in his seat, tapping his fingers against his wine glass. "Guess you'll have to wait and see."

She narrowed her eyes, studying him. "You're infuriating, you know that?"

He grinned. "So I've been told."

Evangeline huffed, shaking her head with a smile. "Alright, next question—"

"Actually, I have one for you," Alex interrupted.

She blinked. "I thought it was my turn."

"Pretty sure we lost track a while ago."

Evangeline tilted her head, realizing he was right. At some point, their game had turned into something else entirely—just an excuse to talk, to tease, to linger in the moment a little longer.

She sighed dramatically. "Fine. Hit me."

Alex's expression turned thoughtful, his usual teasing smirk softening into something more curious. "What's something you've always wanted to do but never have?"

Evangeline was caught off guard by the question. She expected something playful, but this… this felt personal.

She exhaled, drumming her fingers against the table. "I don't know. I guess… I've always wanted to just pack a bag and disappear for a while. No responsibilities, no schedule... just go somewhere and exist."

Alex watched her carefully. "What's stopping you?"

She let out a dry chuckle. "Reality, mostly. Life, commitments. Running away sounds nice in theory, but in practice? Not so easy."

Alex nodded slowly, his gaze unreadable. "Maybe it's not about running away. Maybe it's just about taking a break."

Evangeline considered that, then shrugged. "Maybe."

She cleared her throat, shaking off the weight of the moment. "Okay, my turn. Same question—what's something you've never done but always wanted to?"

Alex didn't even hesitate. "Skydive."

Evangeline's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously?"

"Yep." He grinned. "Jumping out of a plane, free-falling? Sounds like the ultimate thrill."

She let out a laugh. "And here I thought spiders were your biggest fear."

"They still are," he admitted. "But at least a plane won't chase me into my bedroom at night."

Evangeline giggled, shaking her head. "Fair point."

Their conversation carried on effortlessly, the questions blurring together. They talked about childhood dreams, favorite books, worst dates.

Evangeline confessed to once tripping on stage during a high school play. Alex admitted he once accidentally called his teacher "Mom" in front of the entire class.

They laughed. They teased. They lost all sense of time.

At some point, the waiter returned with the check, subtly hinting that they had been sitting there longer than most of the other diners.

Evangeline blinked, glancing around. "Wow. When did it get so late?"

Alex smiled, pulling out his wallet. "Time flies when you're having fun."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Corny, but accurate."

He handed the waiter his card before she could protest.

Evangeline frowned. "Hey! I was going to—"

Alex shook his head. "Too slow, Evie."

She sighed in defeat, but there was no real annoyance in her expression.

As they stood, Alex glanced at her, his smirk returning. "So… what's the verdict? Did I survive your little game?"

Evangeline pretended to consider. "Hmm… barely."

Alex chuckled, stepping closer. "Guess that means I'll have to try harder next time."

Evangeline tilted her head, her lips curving. "Next time, huh?"

He held her gaze, his voice dropping just enough to make her pulse quicken. "Oh, definitely."

She swallowed, suddenly very aware of how close he was.

The air between them felt different now charged and heavy with something unspoken.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Evangeline let out a breath and smirked. "Well, Wilson… I look forward to it."

Alex grinned. "Me too, Evie. Me too."

[Outside]

Evangeline and Alex stepped out of the restaurant, laughing at some joke she couldn't remember telling. She was more relaxed than she had been in weeks.

Their cars were already waiting near the entrance.

Alex stopped beside his car, watching her with a grin. "So, how would you rate tonight? On a scale from one to ten?"

Evangeline pretended to think, tapping her chin. "Hmmm... I don't know. Hard to tell... Maybe if there was an after-date with cozy couches and an old movie involved... then I could give you a definitive answer."

"Is that so?" Alex asked, amusement clear in his voice.

"Yep," Evangeline replied with a smile. 'Say yes, say yes, say yes... Arggg! Why the heck did I say that?'

He smiled. "Alright, why don't you join me at my penthouse? I got a mini theatre with cozy couches and the best snacks. We can watch that classic movie you were talking about."

"Humm... Sounds tempting. Well, let's see if the movie is worth it or not."

"Great..."

With that, they drove towards the penthouse.

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