A Captivating Conundrum (7 page)

"Uh, huh," the girl said, remaining frozen in place.

Trying to help, I looked up at her and smiled wide. "Could you bring us some coffee?"

She beamed. "Absolutely!"

I stared back at the stunner before me. "Anything else?"

Laughing, she shook her head. "Actually, I think you could ask for a horse-drawn carriage and the Hope Diamond right now and this poor girl would go rob a bank to get them for you."

The sweet sarcasm that melded with her soft tone was endearing. I looked back up at the waitress. "Could we have these items
soon
?"

She nodded quickly. "Oh, yes! Anything for you, Bryce."

Nicole wrinkled up her forehead. "Who's Bryce?"

I shook my head. "Bryce is just the character I play."

"Sounds like something from a romance novel."

I couldn't stop glancing at the woman who wouldn't turn away. I didn't want her to, of course, but there's a point—maybe you men out there know it—when you look at a stunning piece of art for so long that you need to take a moment to get your balance back so you can sound intelligent again. But she barely blinked. In fact, she took in her surroundings like a spy on a mission, as if registering each movement, each color, into her brain to be able to call upon it at a later date. Her eyes were like a camera, not missing a single second of the life happening around her.

And the hair…I know it's a childish thing to think about, but hers was a dark auburn. There was no ginger or red, just a deep auburn that in the shadows looked like rich chocolate brown that perfectly matched her eyes. But when the sun gleamed through the window the fire hiding within the soft curls was brought to life. Man…I was completely hooked.

~ Hers ~

Waiting for Nicole and Bobby to arrive had been a lot like waiting for the executioner to release the blade and send my head flying.

It sounds a little overly-dramatic, but I knew almost nothing about him. Which was not his fault, of course; unless he'd been a star center on the court or a magician with a hockey stick, I probably wouldn't have known him. I had never even seen 'America's Sweetheart' before now, which shows how much I attention I pay to Twitter and Facebook.

I wrung my hands on the table, looking out the giant window framing Bryant Park. Saying, 'screw it,' and running out the doors to my library for a little peace and serenity was really the only thought on my mind, but I had to stay. I had to make this work. Amber was counting on me.

When I watched the door swing open and Nicole stride through like Napoleon ignoring his troupes, I began to laugh. I always wondered why she never pursued a career on Broadway, considering she could make an entrance like no tomorrow. Not only that, but her voice could enunciate not only to the back row, but straight to the back row of a theatre three blocks away.

Mr. McKenna was walking behind her with Bobby by his side. I have to say, if this Matthew guy had been gay, which I kind of had a feeling he wasn't, those two would've graced hundreds of magazine covers. Their six-foot height was the same, but McKenna's slightly lighter skin tone and amazing eyes that were now green, matching the fresh green shirt he wore, made him truly stunning. The strong square jaw, that thick head of hair—it was if the 'time demon' that hits most men had simply let these two pass by unscathed.

Matt's lovely brown curls framed his strong face, and Bobby's wind-blown black hair made him look like a surfer who'd chosen not to go blond like all the rest.  

As they stood there having a conversation, they both smiled—that was the moment that really shook me. Bobby's lips stretched out over those brilliant pearly-whites, while Matt's full lips moved slower. One corner rose up, as if offering a small view of the straight white teeth, before raising the curtain to make the audience gasp at the full effect.

And their figures… My body felt the tingle once again as I remembered the feel of our first meeting. You could almost see the muscles moving under the shirts of these two men, knowing that every bicep, every ab—the whole picture—would be absolutely astounding.

I shook my head and screamed at myself. This was about Amber. I needed this guy to get her a home, and there was absolutely
no
way I was going to flirt to get him on board. I was never any good at that crap, anyway. So I would just have to rely on my passion and Nicole's sheer presence to get him to agree.

Nicole rushed forward like giant crocodiles were snapping at her heels. "I did my part, honey. I got him here."

I nodded, swallowing the small nugget of fear that formed in my throat. I stood up quickly, thrusting my hand out to him as he came closer. I watched him falter a bit and stop, knowing that he probably wanted nothing more than to get out from behind the waitress that seemed to be making him trip the whole way.

After staring into the lovelorn face of the young girl, I understood her reasons for being clumsy. I laughed a little, enthralled by how gallant Matt was being to her as he tried to settle her nerves and place our order.

I smiled as she walked away. "Bryce does sound a bit like a romance novel," I agreed with Nicole.

He smiled back; the corner of his lips rose quickly this time as he moved forward in his chair and placed his elbows on the table. "There's a little romance, I suppose."

"I'm sorry," I immediately apologized, forgetting that his success should be praised. "I rarely watch T.V."

His laugh was loud and fun. "Not a problem at all.  It's refreshing."

"Refreshing?"

He shrugged. "You have no predeterminations about me. You're meeting just me and not my character, it's kind of nice. Now when you decide you dislike me, I can only blame it on my own personality."

"Why would I dislike you?" I was suddenly confused.

He grinned. "I don't go to church."

"Huh?" I glanced at Nicole who was also looking more than a bit befuddled.

"Well, if God lets a stunner like you find me attractive, that would be a real gift…that I've done nothing to deserve." He kept eye contact, but I saw the pronounced Adam's apple move as he swallowed hard and closed his eyes, as if suddenly dying of embarrassment.

I looked away from the gaze that was now hazel in the gleaming rays of sunshine, and searched for that sarcastic woman I knew, loved and felt comfortable with who lived in my soul.

Reaching over, I slugged him on the shoulder. "You should see me when you're all liquored up. From a distance, with one eye shut—I'm telling you that whiskey can make me look just like Monroe."

His laugh came from the bottom of his soul. "She's got nothing on you. Besides, I don't like blondes."

Nicole cleared her throat. Good, she needed to step in because my brain was already spinning, trying to find the intelligence I knew I'd built up over the years.

"Mr. McKenna," she began

He moved his gaze slowly from mine and raised an eyebrow at her. "Matt."

"Okay, Matt." Nicole sat up straighter in her chair, commanding him to keep his eyes on her. It was good, I needed an intermission.

"We have a proposition for you that will be beneficial to your career."

Matt sat back in his chair, keeping a soft smile on his face. "And what's that?"

Clearing her throat, Nicole pasted the mask of a solid businesswoman on her face. "The writers were in the theatre today because they actually had a deal with the charity organizers that they could choose the celebrities for their pieces themselves. They have final say when it comes to that."

He nodded.

"Of course, Jason Marnelli absolutely loves you. In fact, he was the one who asked for you and your friend, Chris because of the work you've done together in the past and how truly outstanding you are when it comes to dancing and singing."

"Thank you," he said. "We try."

I took a deep breath, knowing what was coming next and praying that he would see things my way.

"Anyway," Nicole said. "The finale…
Father
? Did you watch that one performed?"

He glanced at me, the flecks of green and brown danced in his eyes. "Yes."

"The writer didn't like 'America's Sweetheart' for the role."

"He's quite famous," Matt said, his eyes growing a bit confused.

"So are you," I interjected.

A corner of his lips rose once more. "Thank you."

When my need took over his looks simply disappeared and the sex appeal was gone. What I needed more than anything was his agreement. "Mr. McKenna—"

"Matt."

I cleared my throat. "
Father
needs a very specific talent which the writer believes you have in spades."

He thought for a moment. "That's really humbling, considering how intense the work is. And I know that Ms. Stone is a name that's most likely pulling in a lot of money for the charity. I wouldn't want her to get less than she deserved."

"It's not about her, it's about those children," I responded quickly. "And you are the one who can deliver the message to the audience that she wants delivered."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Is Ms. Stone here?"

The question was simple enough, but as I looked into those eyes that held not a hint of humor or doubt whatsoever, I knew Matt already knew the answer.

I nodded.

Immediately he reached across the table. "It really is amazing to meet you, Ms. Stone." 

I shook the hand and smiled. "You, too. And…it's Lily." I laughed.

The waitress reappeared and I gasped when I looked up. The poor girl looked like a flummoxed UPS driver who'd been inundated with monster packages. The coffee pot was resting at a precarious tilt, and the Fish and Chips, as well as the salad, looked as if they were about to hit the floor.

Quickly, Matt jumped up from his chair, snatching the tray and the scalding pot from her hands. With fluid movements, like the dancer he was, Matt placed everything on the table and took the girl's trembling hand. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. The glazed gaze returned as if her Prince Charming had saved her from a death defying tumble off a massive horse.

Nicole's patience quickly evaporated as she sent the server a glare. "We're fine now, dear. GO see to your other customers."

Matt sat down and I immediately noticed the coffee leaking down his shirt. "Did she burn you?"

He laughed. "No, I'm fine." Taking a napkin he simply patted his chest dry and picked up his silverware.

"Huh," I was dumbfounded.

"What?"
"A celebrity who doesn't bitch, whine, or sigh at the commoners? Very respectful. You certainly are impressive…in many ways."

That was the first time he looked away. "Thanks," he mumbled, looking very much like a young boy who'd just pleased his parents. "I love the fans. Without them I'd have nothing at all."

"Huh," I repeated, as I turned to Nicole who was already halfway through her salad using meticulous and quick bites. "Different breed."

She nodded. "You only have twenty minutes left." she said, as I realized that the challenge was on and I was definitely losing.

Matt's mouth was full of fish and chips as I plunged ahead, not wanting to waste a second of the time I had allotted.

"Look, I'm gonna just give you a quick rundown. Yes, I am Lily and, no, fans don't know who I am. The reason is something really silly, actually."