Year of the Chick (33 page)

“Do you see that waiter over there?” I whispered, pointing to the back of the room.

“The one with the really large forehead?” he whispered back, his face only inches from mine.

I nodded. “He looks like Jack Nicholson. But a less angry version.”

“Jack Nicholson wasn’t always angry,” he said. “He has that huge smile, remember?”

I shook my head. “No, you’re thinking of the Jack Nicholson who played ‘The Joker.’ I’m thinking of the angry Jack Nicholson from ‘The Shining’. Have you ever seen that movie?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“That movie freaked me the hell out.”

“You mean the scene when the blood rushed down the corridor?” He shuddered.

I smirked. “Forget the blood, it was those little twin girls, the dead ones that kept showing up as ghosts. I’ll never trust twin girls after that.” I helped myself to more of the cake while he stared at me dumbfounded.
Should I be limiting my cake intake or go with the flow?

“Well it’s not the girls’ fault,” he said. “They were murdered in the hotel!”

“That doesn’t mean they should go around haunting people! And seriously, how ‘bout pay more attention next time, so you don’t get murdered in a hotel? And they were twins for God’s sake, not even one could survive?”

He laughed. “Right. How about I never write a horror film, and if I do you have my word there will be no twins in it?”

I suddenly realized I’d been ranting.

 
“Thank you!” I said, stretching and dropping my hand onto his in one quick motion. How was that for a smooth move? Did he notice?
Well it’s just sitting there lonely on the table…

He glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly eleven. We will have to wrap things up now.”

He pulled his hand away from underneath mine. I thought about hanging onto it and dragging him across the table.
We haven’t even begun!
But that’s all it was – a thought.

James paid and once again we found ourselves outside at the foot of the curb, the car’s humming engine inviting us in for some warmth.

“James,” I said, suddenly grabbing his hand and bringing us to a stop before we reached the car door. He turned and looked at me.

“Yes?”

I looked at him for a second then decided against it. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter.” I stepped past him and into the waiting car.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The ride to my hotel was quiet. I had no idea what was going through his head, and he kept it to himself so I did the same. Couldn’t we just stay here forever? Perfect days like this came around maybe once in a blue moon, and well…hadn’t I earned the right to turn it into a lifetime? Couldn’t I just get on the plane with him and go to England, meet Mum and Dad, eat crumpets and sip tea? I could even learn to understand soccer, it was just two teams right? How hard could it be? What was his favorite team again - Chelsea? And music – yes music, I could listen to Robbie Williams all day…but did he even like Robbie Williams? Or we could share dusty old books by DH Lawrence, before heading back to the sun and blue seas of Barcelona.
But if he ever comes near me with those green olive things we are going to have a problem.

“We’re here sir.” The driver looked back for instruction.

NOOO!

“Thank you Martin. Do you mind waiting here for a bit?”

“No problem.”

We climbed out of the car and into the hotel lobby.

Why had the day slipped by so incredibly fast?

“Come up and meet Laura?” I asked, as we stood on the shiny marble.

James pointed at a big leather couch near the elevators.

“Do you mind if we sit here for a moment?”

I shrugged my shoulders and we sat. The lobby was empty, except for the night concierge and a cleaner at the other end.

“I wanted to give you a little something,” he said. “It’s a Christmas present.”

He pulled a small rectangular-shaped object wrapped in green paper from the inside of his coat.

I was in shock. “You actually got me a present?”

He smiled. “It’s nothing lavish or anything. But open it.”

I studied the package. “How did you even fit this inside your coat?”

“Well Roms, men’s coats aren’t made with tiny pockets.”

I burst into laughter. My laughs echoed all through the lobby, and it felt so good that I almost forgot he was leaving. And then a second later I remembered.
Dammit.

“By the way my name is Romes, not Roms.” I rolled my eyes at him, before ripping open the package then stopping in my tracks. I froze. It was a book entitled “Writing a Novel,” written by Nigel Watts.

“It’s nothing big or flashy,” he quickly said.” “But it remains one of the simplest and easiest-to-understand guides to writing a novel. The fundamentals should you ever get stuck.”

I shook my head in amazement. “You really think I’m going to do this don’t you…”

“And you don’t think you are?” He rested his hand on my shoulder. “Roms, it’s not my expectation that you write a novel. That can only come from you. Just don’t forget there’s a story inside you kicking and screaming to get out.”

It was too late to be a tough girl now. The pathetic little tears started dripping, but now they were falling for a totally different reason.

James put his face close to mine and I could feel his concern. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” I managed to say. “I’m just happy.”

“Happy? This is you when you’re feeling happy?” He couldn’t help but laugh.

I smiled through the tears. “You know what I mean! But anyway thank you.” I stared at the book for a little while longer, then turned to place it safely in my bag. And that’s when I remembered.

“Oh damn,” I said, wiping away the tears.

He looked at me with surprise. “What’s the matter?”

I was staring into my bag and feeling like a total idiot. “It’s just I got you a present too, and now it’s going to seem ridiculous.”

He smiled. “You didn’t have to get me anything. And whatever it is I’ll love it.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” I said, as I pulled a small rectangular package from my bag. It looked a lot like his, except mine was wrapped in red.

I handed it to him and winced. “Here you go.”

He ripped it open with a look of excitement in his eyes. And then he froze. “‘Export to Ecstasy’? Is there a punch line here that I’m missing?” He was smiling, though clearly bemused.

I looked up at the ceiling and wanted to burst right through it. Maybe fly away to a land with bigger losers than me. I dropped my eyes and sighed. “I can’t explain it, and I swear I haven’t read it. But all I can say is, I saw it on the shelf when you told me about New York, and the next thing I knew I was asking you if I should visit.”

He stared at the cover again, and suddenly appeared less confused. “Ah, I see it now. Girl with large bosom hops on a plane and embarks on a journey of ecstasy. So you’re like this girl then, yes?”

“Minus the inflatable boobs. And the ecstasy.” I blushed. “I was going to put a little message inside, but I don’t want my name to be associated with that title.”

He laughed. “Yet I’m supposed to put this in my bag, and embarrass myself at airport security?”

I made my most serious face. “If you toss it in the trash, I will never speak to you again.”

He raised his eyebrow. “But you’ll never know.”

“But my soul will know…”
What the hell am I going on about? Change of subject quick!

“You didn’t meet Laura yet – come on!” I stood up and grabbed his hand, pulling him up from the couch.

***

On the fifteenth floor I paused outside my room and pressed my ear against the door. “I think the TV’s on,” I whispered. “She’s probably still awake.”

I opened the door and there she was, wearing her pajamas and surrounded by untouched room service. Cake, cookies, pie and two full glasses of milk.

WOW…best friend ever.

James followed cautiously behind me.

“Laura, I’d like you to meet James.” She rose from her bed and shook his hand, as I ripped off my coat and scarf. Why was it so hot in here? I was getting all sticky but why? It’s not like any action was in the cards for this evening…no matter how much I may have tried.

“What a surprise to meet you James! And here I am in my PJ’s.” Laura turned to me and scowled.
Point taken girl, but this is all about scoring points.

“Pleasure to meet you Laura. And I’d just like to thank you for accompanying Romi to New York. You must be a great friend.” He smiled.

“Are you kidding? I came for the Christmas shopping!” She pointed to the back of the room, which was now lined with shopping bags.

“Well Laura,” he began, “I’m sorry to just say ‘hello’ and run, but I do have a flight to catch.”

“No worries at all, it was great to meet you!” She smiled and waved as he moved ever closer to the door.

“I’ll walk you out.” I closed the door behind us, the pit in my stomach now punching me over and over.

He turned right instead of left as I stood there puzzled.

“Uh, James, the elevator’s THAT way.” I pointed to the elevators far down the hall.

“I know that. Come here for a second.”

I followed him to the other end of the corridor, where a little windowed alcove offered up a lovely view.

We both looked down at New York City laid out before us, the lights in true dazzling form.

“I just wanted to look at the city as it falls asleep,” he said softly, standing behind me with his hands resting on my shoulders.

It was happening again, the hurried wave of tears building up. Why was it impossible to stop it? Were all girls like this or only me? Maybe it was me, as growing up I’d weep just from losing at a game of checkers.

I wiped my eyes and tried to act normal.

We continued to stare out the window for a while, then I suddenly broke the silence. “But it doesn’t sleep.”

“What’s that?” he said, grabbing my hand, and turning me towards him.

“You said you wanted to watch the city fall asleep, but New York is the city that never sleeps…so you’ll be standing here for a while.” I managed to smile.

“In that case I’ll probably miss my flight.” We were both smiling now, and I only wished this moment wouldn’t end.

“I had a great time today Roms. Maybe next time we will do it in Barcelona or London or wherever.”

I nodded with my eyes to the ground, not wanting to say something stupid.
 

“Hey, look at me.”

Shit! Can’t you just let me look at the ground?

I didn’t comply, so he lifted my chin instead. “Don’t be upset.”

“I’m not. This is how I act when I’m happy, remember?”

We both laughed. It made things a little easier. “No you’re right though,” I said, as his hands rested comfortably on my lower back, while mine began to play with the buttons on his shirt. “There’s nothing to be upset about.”

“There isn’t.” He smiled.

“I know. I just said that. Stop repeating me.” We laughed again. “No but really, if my brain actually starts to function again, I can see there is nothing sad about this moment.” I was actually starting to believe it now. “Getting to meet you was a pretty damn amazing Christmas present.”

“For me as well. Much better than a copy of ‘Export to Ecstasy.’“ He tried not to laugh, but was failing pretty terribly.

“Shut up! I put a lot of thought into that you know.”

“I’m only teasing. It was actually very nice. Though odd.” He dropped his forehead ‘till it landed on mine. I never thought his eyes staring straight into mine would make me lose all sense of his hands on my back, but they did. His stare was more powerful.

Even though our eyes were as close as they could possibly get, I felt like they were somehow getting closer. I felt like I might stumble into those bright blue pools and I must’ve, because a second later everything went dark as his lips brushed mine. Somewhere in the distance fireworks went off in my head and I melted like a tub of Ben & Jerry’s in his arms.
Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop!

I LOVE NEW YORK!

When he finally pulled away, I was left hanging somewhere in the air between New York City and London.

If that’s how long a simple kiss lasts with him, what could it possibly be like to---

I didn’t let myself even finish the thought. I would’ve melted in a puddle if I had.
And nobody needs to find that in a hotel corridor.

He smiled as I tried to catch my breath, his face still inches from mine.

“See?” I said, my voice a little breathless. “We caught up on all the senses. Even taste.”

“I guess we did,” he said softly, his smile now warming my face.

“Why does this moment have to end though? Can’t it just stay like this forever?”