Shana
The sun has risen higher in the blue sky. Once we’re past the growing waiting crowd, Trevor starts to head west, and I hope I know where he’s taking me. “Are we going to the park?”
“Unless you want to stop at Bloomingdale’s?”
“Only if we can both try to buy the same gloves.”
“You don’t need gloves.” He retakes my hand. “I’ll keep your hand warm.”
Even though that wasn’t what I meant and he totally missed the movie reference, I like his alternative.
The city is alive with people hurrying from here to there. On corners, the music of street performers fills the air, temporarily masking the sounds of traffic. It’s New York City and I’m finally glad to be here.
“You know,” I say as we near the park, “it’s nice not to worry about the fashion show any longer. It’s done. Now only time will tell.”
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw you up there.”
I shake my head. “What are the chances you’d be there?”
“Probably about the same as being in that bar the night before the wedding.”
“Serendipity.”
Trevor nods.
“You know,” I say, “if you would have called me recently, you’d have known I was going to be here in New York.” I’m not sure what made me say that, but the words are out and I can’t take them back.
Trevor leads us to a bench near the entrance of Central Park. Once we sit, he says, “Phones are funny things. Mine rings too.”
“Oh, I deserve that.”
“Can I be honest with you?”
“I’d prefer you never be dishonest with me.”
He squeezes my hand. “You scare the shit out of me.”
“Me?”
“You, Shana Price. I told you something about me the night we met. Do you remember?”
“I do, but I’m not sure that was truthful.”
“I promise it was.”
“You said you are awkward around women?”
“That’s it.”
“Do you remember what you did after you told me that?” I ask, hoping he does.
Trevor doesn’t answer; instead, he leans toward me until our lips touch.
On a warm afternoon with people milling about, the world disappears. It’s not the fervent explosion of last night.
It’s more.
It’s sunshine and freshly cut grass, bicyclists and horse-drawn carriages. It’s a walk in the park and sharing a giant frozen hot chocolate. It is the careful tending of a fire, the diligent care that is needed to keep the flames burning, their intensity growing with each moment we’re together.
When our kiss ends, we both stare into one another’s eyes. Finally, it’s Trevor who speaks.
“That was what I did. Now, do you remember what happened next?”
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “Can we please forget that part?”
“Nope. Never. When it comes to you, I don’t want to ever forget a second. And I want to keep learning. Tell me something about you that I don’t know.”
“I love New York pizza.”
He shakes his head. “No way. Cop-out answer. Everyone loves New York pizza. It’s the best in the whole world. Tell me something else.”
“Well, I have family in Illinois who would wholeheartedly disagree. Chicago has pretty good pizza, too.”
“That age-old debate was obviously settled from your first answer. Chicago’s pizza is deep-dish. Real pizza comes from New York.”
I grin as I take a second and decide to tell him something that even I’m unsure about, something I don’t want to admit. “I’m afraid that I messed up my chances to get the job in ladies’ lingerie. I don’t regret what I did, going onstage. The show had to go on. But now I am afraid.”
“What’s the worst thing that can happen if you don’t get it?”
I swallow, thinking about his question. It’s a good question. I like that his response isn’t false reassurance. Instead, he’s making me think about the possibilities. “I guess the worst thing is that I don’t get to move back here...and we will be apart again.” I don’t say the last part.
“Don’t you like London?”
“I do. I really do. I think I’m a little lonely.”
“How can you be lonely with Stephen? He seems like when he’s not upset, he could be a lot of fun.”
I scoff. “He’s even fun when he’s upset.”
“Is he helpful?”
“Yes. He’s the best at...well, most everything.”
“I was wondering if he could help me with something.”
“Stephen? My Stephen? What do you need help with?”
“I was wondering if he could help decipher a text message I received last night.”
“Oh my gosh!” I lean forward until my chest is flush with my knees and cover my head with my hands. My words are muffled against my skirt. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mention that.”
“Can I take the funny symbols to mean you like my ass?”
I peer up at him. “Seriously? You’re going to call me out on one drunken text?”
His smile grows. “If it means you like my ass, you’re forgiven. I have a secret that shouldn’t be too secret.”
I sit back up and look him in the eye. “I already know you’re not great with women. Which isn’t true, by the way. What other secret do you have?”
“I like your ass.”
I shake my head. “Is that all?”
“Oh no. I like your ass and...” He takes his finger and traces my cheek. “Your eyes. Your smile.” His finger continues moving downward. “The way you shivered as I kissed your neck.”
“I’m ticklish.”
He keeps going, his touch moving along the side of my breasts. “Your tits.”
“They’re not that impressive. Have you seen my best friend’s?”
Trevor laughs. “I didn’t think Stephen’s were that remarkable. Yours are definitely more impressive.”
His response makes me giggle.
“I love your laugh. And in this dress and even in the jeans last night, you have shapely, sexy legs.” He looks back to me, our gazes set on one another. “There’s a part of you that I haven’t experienced, somewhere between your tits and legs, and believe me, I want to.”
“Rather direct for a man not good around women.”
“That’s why you scare the shit out of me. When I’m around you, I say things I’d never say. I want things, things I’m willing to do anything to get. I also want to be everything you deserve. That means that even though my first idea for this date was taking you to my apartment and getting to know that part of you that I’m missing, we drank frozen hot chocolate and are about to walk around Central Park.”
I stand and hold out my hand to him. “Come on. Let’s walk. Remember, I’m free until work in the morning.”
Trevor’s eyes sizzle, golden flakes exploding like fireworks as he reaches for my hand.
Hand in hand, we walk along the main path, taking in the crowds of people, all most likely brought out by the nice weather. New Yorkers are a hardy bunch. Winter doesn’t stop them, but spring brings them out of the woodwork. Like rats in the subway, and yes, I mean that favorably, sunshine, flowers, and budding leaves awaken the masses.
“Can I ask you about one other thing that’s been bugging me?” Trevor asks.
“Sure.”
“Do you want to steal cars or is there something about credit?”
I twist and play punch his shoulder. “Stop. My autocorrect was having problems last night.”
“Oh, we’re blaming autocorrect?”
“Yes. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
After nearly two hours of walking and one pedicab ride, we’re back to the entrance.
“May we continue this date on to dinner?” Trevor asks.
“I want to.” And I really do.
“I sense something else.”
“It’s Kimbra. Since I arrived in the city, I’ve only seen her last night, and as you know, I kind of left abruptly. She’s sent me a few hundred text messages this afternoon and wants me to come over to her apartment.”
Trevor’s smile grows. “I think she’s setting you up.”
“What? Why?”
He pulls his phone from his pocket. When he shows me the screen, he too has multiple text messages from Kimbra and a few from Duncan.
“When you came into the restaurant, I was talking to my brother. I mentioned that my date arrived. Since then, the two of them have been blowing up my phone. I had to put it on silent. Kimbra thinks she sensed something between us last night.”
My eyes widen as I chew momentarily on my bottom lip. “You mean we aren’t as good of actors as we thought?”
“Apparently, neither of us should give up our day jobs for Broadway.”
“Well, there goes that backup plan.”
“Right?” he asks. “All those voice lessons down the drain.”
“You sing?”
“Only in the shower.”
My cheeks rise and heat as they undoubtedly fill with pink.
Trevor reaches for my hand and hails a taxi. “That’s it. I’m taking you to my apartment to hear me sing.”
“Trevor...”
When the taxi stops, he gives the driver an address that right away I recognize.
“Wait a minute. You don’t seriously think we should show up at Kimbra and Duncan’s together. Do you?”
Before he answers, I willingly get into the back seat.
“My lady, I’m tired of keeping our history a secret.” He turns my way as the taxi moves forward. “We can change our destination. We can go to my apartment or you back to your hotel. But no matter where we go, I’m not making the same mistake I made before. This will not be our only date. I want another one and another one. I think coming clean to Duncan and Kimbra is the first step.”
“What if they’re upset?”
“It won’t stop us. Nothing will stop us.” He leans close and kisses me.
I’ve never wanted anyone to be more right about anything.