A New York Love Story (11 page)

“You're avoiding my question, young lady.”

“I used to collect them years ago. Every time I visited a place I came home with a new snow globe…”

Cade came over to her, but she moved away, towards the souvenir stand.

“Now that I think about it, I don't have one from California.”

“Ok then! I will send you one.”

“In that case, I should return the favor…”

“Yes, you could do it by answering my question.”

Clover looked at the snow globes, ignoring him. Suddenly she felt buoyant, like a young girl playing with the boy she liked. It was fun to leave him hanging.

She bought the snow globe that would best remind him of his days in New York. The metal base was engraved with the Manhattan skyline, and inside the globe the snow whirled around the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. She handed it to him ceremonially with a great smile, “Here, for you. So when you're back in LA you will remember me.”

“I couldn't forget you, even if I wanted to.”

With her heart in her throat Clover turned and headed towards the park's exit. “You will be back in your city full of sun, palm trees and beautiful women… so, forgive my scepticism, but I don't think you'll remember these days for too long. I could pretend to believe it, just to please you…”

She couldn't finish her monologue. Cade had grabbed the two ends of her scarf to stop her and was pulling her towards him. She stepped back until she felt his chest against her. It was a good thing he couldn't see her face. She wasn't sure she could hide the powerful attraction she felt at this moment. She hoped that the noise of the traffic around them was enough to cover the loud beating of her heart.

Cade put an arm around her waist, pulling her even closer and they touched cheeks. “You should believe me, because I don't have any problem expressing what I feel… as opposed to someone who avoids difficult questions.”

Clover wanted so badly to let her face feel the texture of his, but she didn't do it. She simply abandoned herself to the warmth of that closeness. The thought of being in the arms of a movie star, who was throwing caution to the wind to flirt with her in the middle of a public park, was overwhelmingly exciting.

“If I don't have an answer right away I will sell you out to the journalists as the cruel New Yorker who has rejected the Prince of Hollywood. They will persecute you and you won't have peace any more for a while!” He faked a menacing laugh and squeezed her tighter.

“This is a low blow!” She giggled, freeing herself from his hug. Finally, she looked at him with a solemn expression and affirmed, “Ok, if you need to reassure your ego… I like you enough, Harrison. After all, there are worse people than you around.”

“That is a very cool way to give in, O'Brian!” He gave her a passing touch that suddenly became a warm caress. They looked each other in the eye for a very long minute. Clover felt the city disappear around them, but the magic spell broke too soon.

All of a sudden, the loud voices of passers by woke Cade from his reverie. He grabbed her arm and made to leave immediately. “Shit!” he whispered, accelerating.

“Why such a hurry? I think they've already recognized you, if that is what worries you.” Clover sighed, trying to catch up with him.

“But they haven't had time to take photographs yet. You know, if the word spreads, we'll find ourselves chased by paparazzi in a minute. Frankly, I would like to avoid that.” Cade waved to a taxi, quickly helped her in and gave his home address. With a sigh of relief, he leaned back on the seat. “You're too different from the women I usually see. I have never acted so recklessly before, like a school boy… and in the middle of the street! For a moment I had really forgotten who I am… and this behavior could become dangerous.”

It was like a cold shower. Clover felt her enthusiasm die and her body go stiff. God! She felt so stupid. It was obvious that Cade didn't want to get photographed with a woman like her. She was
too different
from the women that he usually was seen with: she wasn't up to his high standards. He had a reputation to uphold.

For a moment she had forgotten that Cade Harrison was a Hollywood star… how could she forget something like that? He had played the latin lover with her, just to prove to himself that he could eventually conquer her, since she hadn't immediately fallen at his feet, like every other woman he met. But once he felt he had won her in spite of her reservations, fame overtook the man and he realized that he had to be more cautious.

A woman like Clover was definitely not enough for a man like him. That was the sad reality and she had to remember it.

Cade could tell something was wrong. Clover looked at him coldly. He couldn't figure out why. Suddenly she seemed like another person. What he had just said was more than he had intended, but he had spoken instinctively. He certainly didn't think his words would cause this kind of reaction.

“You're right,” she said tersely. “I wouldn't want to appear in some trashy tabloid either, with some sort of caption. I prefer to remain
anonymous
.”

“You've lost me, Clover,” he looked at her. “Why are you so angry now?”

“Angry? Not at all. You're wrong – to get angry one has to be in an argument, and I'm not.” Clover crossed her arms and stared out the window.

“What did I say to upset you?”

“Nothing.”

“So, where did our friendly conversation go? I thought we understood each other…”

“It all went to hell when you started to curse and panic at the thought of being photographed with a woman
like me
!” She burst out, looking at him. Her icy eyes were furious now.

Cade was trying to follow her crazy reasoning, while she continued. “Let me refresh your memory. I was minding my own business, when you came up with the brilliant idea of asking for my help to find special gifts for your family. I accepted the job happily. I spent three hours of my day guiding you through New York's streets, even accepting the fact that you rejected most of my ideas! Then, all of a sudden you started flirting with me, fishing for compliments and reassurance, otherwise your ego – the size of Texas! – would go into withdrawal. And how does this fairy tale end? With us running like thieves, and of course it's my fault because I'm just
too normal
for you – this made you act like a school boy in the middle of the street, while the real Prince of Hollywood would obviously need someone who continually reminds him he's a famous movie star!”

Cade gave a worried glance at the driver, who was following the argument whilst looking in the rear view mirror.

Clover noticed it and almost shouted, “And now what? Are you wondering if the driver will sell you out to the journalists?” Then looking at the taxi driver, she asked, “You know who he is, right? Don't say you don't, because you may hurt his self-esteem!”

“Sure, I recognize him.” The driver smiled, slightly embarrassed.

“Listen, please do me a favor. Don't spread around that you've seen
me
with him! I don't want to risk attracting the press. I'm a
normal
person, thank god! And just for the record, I am not his mistress, nor do I have any intention of becoming his mistress. I wouldn't ever want to ruin Mr Harrison's reputation.”

“… ruin my reputation?! What the hell are you talking about?”

“Seriously, I get it. You need someone who reminds you all the time that you're Cade Harrison, right? I can try. Maybe I should ask you about all the Hollywood parties you go to… about Julia Roberts or Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie… whatever!”

“Clover, are you crazy?” He grabbed her arm to stop her. “You didn't understand anything at all!” Cade didn't know if he should laugh or bang his head on the taxi window.

“Actually, I don't even have stupid questions about Hollywood's big stars. You're right, I'm
too different
from the people you hang out with…” She addressed the driver, who at that point seemed really amused. “Help me, please. What questions should I ask a famous, arrogant actor?”

“If they really kiss each other in the movie love scenes…” the driver said.

“Good question.” She looked at Cade, inviting him to answer.

Cade restrained himself from laughing. “No, they are just what we call
cinematic
kisses.”

What do you mean
cinematic
? Those are real lips, brushing, tasting, biting… you, movie stars kiss for real. I know you do!”

“Do you want me to show you the difference?” Actually, he felt an irresistible impulse to kiss her.

She gave him a withering stare. “Don't even dare to…”

“Don't dare me…”

Clover tried to move away from him, squeezing herself against the taxi door. Then she addressed the driver again, “Do you have any more questions, sir?”

“Yeah – let's see. I could ask how many women he's had and how much money he makes… but I don't think it would be appropriate.”

“I don't think you need the precise number of zeros to figure out how much money he makes just for
one
film. I assume the number of his lady friends isn't that much lower,” she turned towards Cade, “did I guess right?”

“Ok. Do you really want to know?” All this furious drama had begun to amuse him.

“Ha, ha! Yes, of course! I already made myself ask idiotic questions about Hollywood, so for sure I don't also want to hear details about your sex life!”

The taxi driver seemed to like this idea of asking Cade questions, so he continued the conversation with him, while moving slowly through the traffic of New York's rush hour. Clover remained silent for the rest of the ride.

At times Cade looked at her profile, she was still stiff and unyielding. He really hadn't wanted to offend her. Actually, on the contrary, he thought it would make her happy by telling her that she made him forget who he was. But she had completely misunderstood and didn't seem to want any clarification. His heart felt heavy. He couldn't stand the idea that he might have hurt her feelings, even though it was unintentional.

Just a few minutes before they arrived at their destination, they passed a house overwhelmed by Christmas lights. The driver huffed and said, “I don't understand these people. They saved money all year to spend it on electricity at Christmas, just to have their home lit up like a landing strip!”

“You don't know how much I envy them.” Clover looked at the illuminated house, enchanted. “I would do the same, if I had the chance. Right now I can only afford to put lights in my windows. I love to see them on when I come back in the evening; it's like being welcomed by a smile.”

Her expression became wistful as they turned onto their street and she saw that all her windows were dark. “Well… it seems that my house is not in a smiling mood tonight.”

Cade moved his hand to caress her cheek, but she moved abruptly away. He realized that he had spoiled an unforgettable, special day with one stupid sentence. He was afraid that it would be a while before he could regain her trust.

As soon as the car stopped at the sidewalk, Clover mumbled goodnight and got out.

“I'm sorry you had to witness all this drama,” Cade said to the driver, giving him a generous tip. “I would be grateful if you could forget all this.”

“No worries, my friend! It was one of the funniest things that's happened to me since I don't know when! I won't say a word about your private business, but let me give you some advice: hold on to that red-head. She's a keeper. She's the kind of woman who will never be boring. In your shoes, I would marry her right away!”

“Thanks! I will keep that in mind.”

Cade saw Clover closing her gate, so feeling discouraged, he headed to his house. He felt there was no way of clearing up this mess – at least not that night. He had just gone in, when he heard loud thuds and cursing. He looked through the window at her house. What he saw gave him a feeling of tenderness and excitement.

After all, the evening was not over yet.

*

She heard him coming, even before she saw him at her gate.
That arrogant look on his face! Is he laughing at me?

Sitting on the icy steps, chin resting in her hands, Clover gave him a nasty look, then returned to check out the scratch on her boot – she had made it by kicking the front door.

“What do you want? Haven't you seen enough of me today?”

“No – I haven't… what about you?”

“Frankly, yes. I want to remind you that your
perfect
face has been seen over and over again by millions of people, including me, and personally I find this quite boring!”

Her sarcastic tone didn't obtain the desired result. Cade lingered very calmly at the gate. “What's going on?”

“Nothing. Everything is fine.”

“And when
everything is fine,
you kick your front door and sit outside on the steps in the cold?”

“Exactly. This is my way to recharge my batteries. After a shitty day like today, it's the best stress-reducer I know!” She looked up. “So that means you can go now. Thanks.”

“Come on Clover, open this fucking gate!”

“Why should I?”

“If you let me in, I can explain it to you.”

“You can talk. I can hear you very well from right here.”

Clover knew she was acting like an obstinate child, yet she didn't want to be anywhere near him. The words he had spoken in that damn taxi still resonated in her head. She knew she had over reacted, and she was mostly upset with herself. She had let herself enjoy the ridiculous fantasy of being courted by a gorgeous actor. That had really made her feel attractive. How absurd! For Cade Harrison, flirting must be as natural as breathing. He did this all the time, both in his private life and on the screen. He was a professional at flirting! How could she have fallen into his net?