Chapter Thirty-Three

NOELY

Noely,

Coffee, how do you take it?

Me

 

NY152,

With lots of chocolate. I can’t stand the bitter taste of coffee but I crave the caffeine. Dunkin’ Donuts makes a chocolate donut-flavored coffee that I dump half a packet of sugar-free hot cocoa into. I give it a good stir and voila, delicious coffee. You should try it.

Noely

 

Noely,

(Attached: picture of Dunkin’ Donuts Chocolate Glazed Donut coffee mix and sugar-free hot cocoa mix)

I’m going in this morning. This better be good. Have a good day, beautiful. I’ll be catching the show this morning.

Me

 

I smirk to myself just in time for Dylan to walk into my dressing room with a basket under her arm and an annoyed look on her face.

“Honestly, first it’s wasp spray—which I still don’t get—and now it’s coffee and hot cocoa. What’s it going to be next? If he’s taking requests, can you please request some of that delicious biscotti, or maybe some fudge? Oooooo, how about a pie? Mama wants some pie. Pumpkin, mmm, no.” She shakes her head, finger to chin. “Apple, ask for some apple pie.” The basket she carried into my dressing room is full to the brim of my favorite morning drink. This guy . . . he’s wooing, he’s wooing hard.

“I’m not going to ask for pie.”

“Oh come on, I should get something out of this. Chad burped in my face this morning, reminding me how much romance I really need.”

“Maybe you need to take that up with Chad.” I take one last glance in the mirror, fluff my hair, and go to my door. “Come on, we have a show to do.”

Walking through the hallway, Dylan following behind me, I accept a line-up from one of the production assistants and look it over. We have a cooking segment today, we’re making apple fritters—to say I’m excited about that is an understatement. I’ve been smelling those all morning—and we’ll also be talking about ways to decorate your house for fall on a budget. Looks like we’re going to have a good show.

“Hey, wait up.” Dylan hobbles behind me. I can hear her clunking about, her shoes echoing in the hallway. “If you don’t ask for pie, how about some gummy worms?”

“I’m not asking for gummy—”

I stop mid-sentence, my hands at my side, my body stiffening from the sight in front of me.

Beck is standing next to Kevin, and they’re shaking hands. When Beck turns in my direction, a huge, devastating smile crosses his face.

Dylan rams into my back and she muffles behind me. “What the hell are you doing?”

Speaking from the side of my mouth, watching Beck carefully say his goodbye, his body pointing toward me, I say, “Dylan, where did you get that basket? Did someone drop it off?”

“Uh, a production assistant gave it to me to give to you. I have no idea who dropped it off. Why?”

“The Rebel is here, and he’s walking in my direction.”

“What?” Dylan starts hopping up and down, head looking over my shoulder, trying to get a better look. “The humper is here? Oh my God, is he that gorgeous guy in the leather jacket?”

“That would be him.”

His smirk lights up the path toward me, and I can do nothing but stare when he stands before me, bright-eyed and happy to see me.

“Hey, Sassy. You look beautiful as always.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek. His hand lingers on my arm, even when he puts a little distance between us.

“Beck, hey.” I’m having a hard time disguising my surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“One of the charities I work on is Feast for Families and with Thanksgiving coming up, I wanted to make sure we secured some promotional spots to spread the word. Last year we served over one hundred fifty families, so I’m gunning for two hundred this year.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Maybe because you never opened up to me.

Dylan takes that moment to butt in. Sticking her hand out, she says, “Hi, I’m Dylan, Noely’s co-host and best friend. I think it was very brave of you to put yourself out there and hump my friend on the first date.” She gives him a small clap. “Well done, well done.”

Eyebrow raised and a cocky smile on his face, Beck nods at me. “Told her about our first date? Don’t blame you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it either.”

Assessing him, Dylan points her finger up and down Beck’s body. “This is dangerous right here. No wonder you called him The Rebel. He has trouble written all over him.”

“Only the best kind of trouble,” Beck responds

“Dylan, Noely, on set, please. We’re on in thirty.”

Smiling and slightly nervous, I scoot past Beck and say, “Nice seeing you.”

I attempt to walk past him, but his hand grips my elbow. Facing the other direction, he speaks softly. “I’m sticking around. I’ll see you after the show.”

“Oh wonderful. Maybe you can take your shirt off for us during commercial break.” Dylan does a little jig toward the couches while I roll my eyes.

“No need to take your shirt off during commercial break,” I reassure him.

“It’s not something I’m opposed to.” With a parting wink, he releases my elbow.

Oh Christ, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.

***

That was the longest show of my life. Not only did it feel like it droned on forever, but every time I looked at camera one, which was almost the entire show, I could see Beck, standing right behind, his eyes relentless with their pursuit. The perspiring that happened, the stumbles I made while reading the teleprompter, the fumbling I did when handling the Thanksgiving decorations we played around with, it was all because of one man who didn’t stop staring at me.

“Great show,” Dylan says, removing her mic. “I really liked it when you spilled that orange glitter everywhere, I’ll be picking that out of my nostrils for weeks. So, thank you.”

There was a lot of fumbling . . . unfortunately.

“Sorry. I was a little off today.”

“A little off? You said cornuco-cupine two times before you realized you were trying to say cornucopia.”

“It’s a hard word to say,” I answer, sheepishly.

“Do you think it’s him? Is that why you’re nervous?”

I let out a long breath. My eyes catch Beck’s quickly before he turns back to his phone, his fingers typing away. “I still don’t know. Is it a coincidence that I received a basket of coffee and cocoa this morning, the same day Beck shows up to talk about a spot with Kevin? I mean, it’s all too coincidental, you know?”

“It does seem awfully convenient. Why don’t you just ask him?”

“What?” I shake my head. “No way. What if he isn’t NY152? That would be humiliating.”

Dylan sighs and leans back on the couch. “Yeah, that would be pretty humiliating.”

“Hey, good show,” Beck says, stepping onto the set, looking around, taking in the low-hanging set lights and fake Malibu background behind us.

“You’re only saying that to be nice.” I brush the skirt of my dress over my legs, trying to busy myself. “I was a train wreck today.”

Beck shrugs. “My favorite was when you took a bite of the fritter and a huge piece came off, so you decided to shove the whole thing in your mouth and continued to ask interview questions. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone pull off talking with their mouth full and look so pretty at the same time. It was impressive.”

My ears heat up and I can feel my cheeks turn red. “Yeah, not one of my finest moments.”

“But hilarious.” Gesturing with his head, he says, “Want to grab a coffee?”

“Uh, sure, that would be nice,” I answer nervously. “Just let me wrap up a few things, and I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

“Sounds good.”

He takes off toward the lobby while I stand from the couch. When I turn to Dylan, she has one hand on her hip, the other behind her head, her teeth biting down on her bottom lip and she’s thrusting her pelvis in the air.

I don’t even bother to stick around. I make my way to my dressing room and grab my purse. I check my phone to find a notification. I have a message from NY152.

Curious, I open it up.

 

Noely,

Cornuco-cupine? I need two of those for Thanksgiving. Can I pick those up at any store, or is that something I need to order from you?

Also, that dress . . . Fuck, you looked hot in it.

Me

 

Smiling like a fool, I type back.

 

NY152,

Cornuco-cupines are available at every major retailer starting next week. Be sure to get yours as soon as possible. I heard they’re a hot commodity.

Also, I would say you’re looking hot as well, but then again, I have no idea who you are or what you’re wearing, so I’m afraid I can’t return the compliment.

Noely

 

I shut my dressing room door and head to the lobby just as I receive another message.

 

Noely,

All in good time.

Me

 

Shaking my head at his reluctance to give in, I put my phone in my purse and walk to Beck. Looking up from his phone, he pockets it and smiles brightly.

“I have just the place for us, Sassy.” He holds his arm out to me, which I link with mine and allow him to guide me out of the studio.

***

“Wow, I had no idea you were part of such a great program,” I say, sipping my coffee.

“I’m very proud of it,” Beck answers somberly, his demeanor changing from teasing to serious.

For the past half hour, I’ve listened to Beck speak passionately about his involvement with Feasts for Families. He not only helps, but he founded it. I knew from his dating profile he was passionate about philanthropy, but I had no idea the extent of it. And that’s a shame, because it shows we didn’t really take the time to talk about things.

“So your handle RebelWithACause rings true.”

He nods, leaning back in his chair. “It does.” Stroking his jaw, he studies me and says, “Eight years ago, I flipped my world upside down with one wrong decision and since then, I’ve spent every day trying to change the man I once was. Trying to be better, trying to wash away the thoughts of the lives I changed.”

Curious, I place my hand on his and ask, “What did you do?”

Pained and clearly uncomfortable, he lets out a long breath. “Let’s just say, I don’t drink for a reason.” He’s silent as he stares at his coffee and I realize that whatever happened, whatever he went through, has truly affected him to the core. It’s branded him, imprinted on his soul. Now his purpose is to serve for others. He’s a good man.

Not wanting to push him too far and also happy for how he opened up to me, I say, “Do you only work with families during Thanksgiving?”

He shakes his head. “No, I volunteer with a lot of different organizations. I also do some public speaking, but my favorite thing is teaching the kids at the museum. We have a discovery zone and every Tuesday we paint murals on paper for future exhibits. I give them an animal, we educate the kids on their natural habitat, and then they paint their own diorama mural. It’s fun to see what they come up with.”

“That’s kind of awesome. I mean . . . I want to come paint a habitat.”

Beck chuckles. “Kids only. Sorry there, Sassy.”

I snap my fingers in disappointment. “Darn.”

Looking more relaxed than ever, Beck asks, “So how’s it going? Go on any other blind dates after the jock?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve kind of taken a break on the whole dating scene.”

“Yeah?” Beck plays with an unused napkin that’s on the table, fidgeting with the corners. “Why’s that?”

I shrug my shoulders even though I know the answer. “Just thought I should focus on me a little bit.”

“Or are you worried that the next date won’t work out as well?”

Twisting my lips, I stare at him, hating that he hit the nail on the head. “Maybe,” I answer shyly.

“No need to be self-conscious, Noely. You’re a catch.” He fidgets with the napkin. “Any guy would be lucky to date you.” Slowly, he lifts his eyes. His eyelashes are full and black, making the hues of his irises pop.

“Yeah?” I ask, feeling uncomfortable from the way he’s looking at me, as if any moment he’s about to tip our table over and devour me. From the beginning, Beck has been easy to read, his body language is quite clear. Right now? He still wants me.

“Yeah.” He shifts in his seat and gives me a once-over, luring me into his lustful ways.

Physical. It’s been so physical with him. Maybe it’s his aura or the kind of vibe he gives off. Whatever it is, once again, it’s pulling me.

Clearing my throat, trying to tamp down my hormones, I say, “I should probably go, I have some things . . . I have some errands to run.”

“Yeah, I better get back to the museum. I have some wall touch-ups to make.” Beck stands and collects our trash. Tossing it in the garbage can behind him, he turns to face me, and watches intently as I stand, lending a hand that I take. It’s warm, and large, and rough, everything I expect him to be. Maybe everything I want him to be?

Guiding me out of the coffee house, hand still attached to mine, he spins me to face him when we reach the front. He places his hands on my hips and smiles at me, causing my breath to catch in my throat.

“Thank you for spending some time with me today. It was fun catching up.” He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand lingering against my cheek.

“It was,” I say, my voice feeling heavy with lust. “I loved hearing about your different charities. It will be good to get you on the morning show to talk about them, especially Feasts for Families.”

“I would love that.” Scanning my eyes, his bouncing back and forth, he smirks and leans forward, placing a light kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be in touch, Sassy.” With one parting glance, he releases me from his tight grasp and takes off toward his motorcycle. I watch him hop on and secure his helmet, his leg straddling the powerful piece of machinery between them. He gives me a chaste wave, roars the bike to life, and in one swift move, drives off, the rumble of his bike echoing in his wake.

Clutching my purse to my side, I stare into the distance.

I’ll be in touch, Sassy.

What did he mean by that? Could he possibly be alluding to NY152? I know he wants me physically, and in sharing that small morsel of information about himself, I can almost believe he’s wanting to open up emotionally.

Thinking about the program more intelligently, Hayden really couldn’t have been NY152 because how would he have been able to make a new profile? Beck has a friend behind the scenes and Jack owns the whole program, they both have access to creating a new profile. The question is, which man is it? Is Beck the one who wants me to desperately fall in love with him? Hmm . . . now I’ll be obsessing even more over this.

***

Noely,

Have you ever had a day where you find yourself in a daze? The kind of daze that is neither happy nor sad, but just contemplative? I had one of those today. I found myself walking along the country market, looking for nothing, but taking in everything. I stood in front of a toy store window. I stared for what seemed like forever, observing all the bright colors, the flimsy objects that are supposed to entertain kids, and I kept thinking, where has the time gone?

I can remember like it was yesterday, playing in my room with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figures, not a worry in the world besides the new shoes I was dying to have. It seems so close, yet so distant.

Life was simple back then, now everything has its challenges . . . like you.

I walked around aimlessly, trying to figure you out, trying to think of ways I could help you understand the pull I have toward you, but it almost seems impossible to put a gravitational pull into words.

How do you explain to someone that deep in your soul, you know you’re meant to be with someone? Like our meeting was kismet? Like the roller coaster of our lives came to a conversion point, at a time we weren’t ready for, but a time we needed the most.

Does that make any sense? Am I making any sense at all?

Me

 

NY152,

Maybe it’s hard to write out because it’s so much easier to show. If you feel so strongly about us, about what we share, why don’t you SHOW me. Go out on another date with me. I’m getting stir crazy. I want to know who you are.

Noely

 

Noely,

Let me ask you this. If you could choose between The Suit and The Rebel, is it a clear-cut choice? Would you be disappointed if the one you wanted to show up turned out to be the other? Do you have your heart set on one particular man?

Me

 

NY152,

At this point, I have my heart set on you.

Noely