"This car isn't cool at all!"
Natalie Portman, sitting in the passenger seat, started pouting the moment she got in.
This Cadillac was the wedding car General Motors sponsored when Dunn filmed *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*. After the movie wrapped, Dunn just kept it as his personal ride. Since it was a wedding car, it's painted all black—super solemn and kinda old-fashioned. Not exactly a young person's vibe.
Dunn chuckled, "It's just for getting around, no big deal."
Natalie turned her head with a huff, "Well, I don't like it one bit."
It was her first-ever "date" with a guy, and naturally, she'd been dreaming of something a little more romantic.
Dunn's face turned serious for a sec, "Alright then, tell me—what car do you like? I'll have someone buy it right now, and I promise we'll switch for our next date!"
"Who said this is a date?" Natalie shot back with a playful whine, rolling her eyes. She thought for a moment, "I like Porsches! Or a BMW—two-seater ones!"
Dunn let out a quiet sigh of relief. Those brands were on the affordable end of luxury—not over 200 grand. Even with tight funds, it wouldn't be a stretch.
But was she really into those brands… or just giving him an easy out? He couldn't tell. Grinning, he said, "Got it, Your Majesty's wish is my command!"
Natalie couldn't help but giggle, "What happened to 'goddess'?"
The second the words slipped out, she felt the vibe shift. Her cheeks turned pink. She wasn't used to this—her inexperience let a little girlish shyness peek through.
Dunn, though, loved the moment. It was a reserved, bashful vibe he never got from Hollywood actresses. "You're both a goddess *and* a queen!" he declared.
To keep her from feeling too awkward, he burst into wild laughter right after.
Natalie smacked his arm, pouting silently for a bit before letting out a soft sigh, "Dunn, I've never gone out with a guy before."
Dunn was caught off guard. He didn't expect her to open up like that so easily. Smart people don't beat around the bush, right?
Maybe she cared too much to play games. Dunn wasn't sure how to read her. With any other Hollywood starlet, that line would've had him turning the car straight to a hotel. But with her? He smiled calmly, "Not anymore. I'm here now, aren't I?"
"You?" she blinked.
"Yeah! Didn't I just win over Mrs. Hershlag's approval super easily? Heh, maybe I'm your… knight in shining armor—or king, even!"
"Pfft! Shameless!" Natalie's cheeks flushed, but she was soaking up this flirty banter. Still, her teenage modesty kicked in, and she switched gears, "How'd you actually convince my mom?"
Dunn grinned, "Told her the truth."
"That simple?"
"Yup, that simple!"
A flicker of doubt crossed her face, "Weird. Since when is she that chill?"
Dunn teased, "Easy—she's got a crush on me."
"What? Ew, no way!" Natalie covered her mouth, smirking mischievously, "I thought you were all serious when you were filming. Turns out you're just like every other guy!"
Dunn shrugged, unfazed, "Filming's work—I've gotta be steady. Off-set? I'm not some 60-year-old geezer. Why act all stiff? Plus, don't you like cool guys?"
Natalie pressed her lips together and looked out the window, "Don't act like you know me!"
Realizing that sounded harsh, she turned back with a grin, "Why Chinatown? I've never been there. Isn't it kinda sketchy?"
"Rumors!" Dunn said firmly, then softened, "I'm taking you for Chinese food. Bet you've never had it."
Natalie shook her head, "I'm vegetarian."
Dunn's eyes flicked to her—uh, modest—chest before he said, all wise-like, "Nat, you need some nutrition."
"I'm only 17! I'm still growing!" she snapped back, indignant.
Dunn's face went red, "Uh… I didn't mean it like that. Don't take it the wrong way!"
"Hmph!" Natalie shot him a massive eye-roll.
---
At the Chinatown restaurant, Dunn had tried almost every spot. Nothing super authentic—pretty average stuff. Still, it hit that nostalgic spot for him.
For Natalie, it was her first Chinese meal. She fumbled with the bamboo chopsticks, looking totally lost. "Dunn, I can't use these. Can I get a fork?"
Her pouty face was so cute, Dunn couldn't resist. He picked up some stir-fried bamboo shoots with his chopsticks and held them to her mouth.
Natalie's face turned scarlet, her eyes misty as she bit her lip and glanced at him. Dunn gave an awkward laugh, realizing he might've overstepped, but before he could apologize, she suddenly leaned in and ate the bamboo shoot.
Dunn grinned, "Want more?"
"I'll do it myself!" she huffed, stubbornly grabbing the chopsticks and poking at the food.
Feeling bad for teasing her, Dunn got her a spoon. She flashed a smile, then muttered under her breath, "Jerk!"
---
On the drive back, Natalie was buzzing, chattering away happily. Dunn soaked up her energy, then got an idea, "Nat, how about I sing you a song?"
"A song?" Her eyes lit up.
Dunn cleared his throat and belted out a youthful tune he loved:
*"Tonight, I'll take you home,
Tonight, we're so alive,
Let's set the world on fire with our vibe,
Shine brighter than the sun with all our drive,
Tonight, we're so alive,
Let's set the world on fire with our vibe…"*
It was *We Are Young*, a hit from 2012 that swept the charts and snagged a Grammy the next year. Dunn was sure she'd be blown away by his musical genius!
But when he glanced over, Natalie's face was beet red, her lips tight, her eyes a mix of shy and annoyed. Dunn froze. What went wrong?
After an awkward silence, she mumbled, "Dunn, I *have* to go home. My family's strict, and… this is California. I'm still a minor."
"Huh?" Dunn blanked, then saw her blushing like crazy and slapped his forehead, laughing, "Nat, no, it's just a song! No hidden meaning!"
"Really?" She wasn't convinced. She'd never dated, but her friends had warned her about guys' "tricks."
Dunn wanted to die. This was a disaster. Wiping sweat off his brow, he said, "Nat, look—we're heading back to the crew hotel. I swear I didn't mean anything by it. It's only 7 p.m.! If I had *ideas*, I'd take you to a movie first, maybe grab a sweet cocktail, *then* suggest something. Right? Plus, I promised your mom I'd bring you back safe and sound. I'm not dumb enough to break the law in California!"
Seeing him flail, Natalie giggled, winking playfully, "Guess I can't watch movies with you then!"
Dunn caught her teasing tone and laughed, "Oh, you're good, Nat—tricking me into spilling that!"
She smiled sweetly, "You said it yourself!"
Dunn shook his head, chuckling, then got serious, "Nat, I really like you."
"Um." Shy and inexperienced, that was all she could muster.
"If filming's not too crazy, can I take you out every day?"
"Um."
"Nat, a smart, cute girl like you could drive anyone wild."
"Um."
"You don't hate me, right?"
"Um."
"So… do you like me?"
"Um… wait, what?" She snapped out of it, glaring at him, "I almost fell for that again!"
Dunn cracked up, "Haha!"
Blushing and fuming, Natalie started playfully clawing at him, refusing to let it slide.
"Nat! Nat! I'm driving—careful!" Dunn yelped.
The bickering didn't stop.
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