A New York Love Story (6 page)

Predictably, Ms Brown didn't take this low blow well and the war between them went on, up to the point of forcing Cade Harrison to leave LA and hide somewhere. It certainly wasn't easy for him to defend himself from the journalists, yet to dismiss a love relationship so quickly was beneath him.

The light turned green, the bus moved ahead and Harrison's face disappeared.

Ah!
Men
… they could make you walk on air, and then – without any regrets – throw you aside like an old shoe, once they lost interest. It's better to keep away from them.

By the way, why was she wasting so much time thinking about Cade Harrison? It wasn't her business how he dealt with his relationships. She had to focus on her work. Today she should be more efficient and faster than usual. This evening was the best moment of the year: the giant Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center would be lit! Her big priority right now was to finish everything she was committed to that day and be back home in time to get ready. She
had
to make it! She would never miss this event at any cost.

*

Tired of watching television as he lay on the sofa, Cade turned down the volume and picked up his cell phone. After dialling the familiar number, he waited to hear a friendly voice.

When he left LA, he had only focused on getting away from his problems and finding a way to relax. But now – after a whole week alone in this house – he began to get seriously bored. New York, of course, offered plenty of things to do, even more than Los Angeles, but the incredible cold was damping his enthusiasm. Also – even though Staten Island was a quiet neighborhood – the idea of being recognized had discouraged him from stepping out of the house. He had only to think of what had happened a few days earlier…

He had learned quickly how to enchant women. It was an easy way to secure favors – of any kind. So, on that occasion too, he had used his charm to
buy
the silence of that woman. He wasn't especially proud of it and couldn't forget the disapproving, nauseated expression of his neighbor. The thought of that little, outspoken, red-haired girl made him go over to the window, where he had a perfect view of her house on the other side of the street.

After their last turbulent encounter, he hadn't seen her again. Once he happened to gaze at her across the street, but she never even glanced in his direction. He was puzzled: usually women seemed to crave his attention, or at least they were curious… but this woman appeared to be completely indifferent to him, even simply as a man.

However, for some bizarre reason, Cade felt attracted to her. It wasn't something physical. She was pretty, maybe not strikingly so, and definitely not a classic beauty. The two times he had met her, she was bundled up in baggy clothes, so he couldn't really tell much about her shape, but certainly she couldn't be more than five-foot four and she was slender. Her face was the most attractive part of her. Her beautiful big hazel eyes, with hints of green, could shoot daggers at anyone; but the adorable dimples that appeared when she smiled, could change her expression in an instant. Her mass of flamboyant red, softly curled hair made her look like a woods nymph or a mischievous fairy. If his agent could see her, he would surely find a part for her in one of those fantasy movies so popular these days. But what had impressed him the most was her scent, which was of cinnamon cookies… an aroma that was good, sweet and reassuring. If she weren't so aggressively outspoken, it would have been a pleasure to be around her for that alone. Not that he was eager for female company! After the most recent events, the desire to have a woman by his side had definitely waned.

“Oh, my adored,
exiled
son! I'm so happy to hear from you…” His mother's voice brought him back to the present.

“Mother! It took an eternity for you to answer! I was almost ready to give up. Have you stopped staying glued to your cell, waiting for your favorite son's call?”

“Don't be so sure of yourself. You're not my favorite son any more… now Jake is the chosen son!”

“Jake! That wanker always hunching over his notebook, writing little romantic novels?” Cade joked, leaning on the window sill.

“His
little romantic novels
– as you call them – are bestsellers in the United States, and will be translated into four foreign languages soon! You're not the only celebrity among the Harrisons… rest assured, Cade!” His mother scolded him with affection – perceptible even at a distance. “Actually, Jake has become my favorite son because he has a great idea to save our Christmas.”

“And what would that be?”

“His girlfriend Monique has a house in Brooklyn. Her parents are leaving for a vacation, so she invited Jake and all our family to spend Christmas there. So, since…”

“Since I'm in New York, it would be easier to join you all…”

“Exactly! It's not in the stars for a family to be separated at Christmas!”

“Mom, how much did it cost you to organize all this?”

“Love, you must be joking. I wouldn't spend a penny, even for something like Christmas!”

“Well, for sure you've manipulated Jake to push him in the right direction…”

“Your brother is so generous and sensitive! Otherwise how could he write such touching novels?”

“Ah! So now I begin to realize where I get my acting talent…”

“Surely not from that hermit, your father!” Grace Harrison mumbled.

“I guess he's not exactly enthusiastic about coming to New York…”

“He has started to complain about everything: about the cold that will destroy his poor bones, about jetlag… he suggested that – as rich as you are – you could have rented a private plane and come to see us.”

“Well, I guess I could…”

“No, honey, I am very happy to have a change of scene. It will be fun seeing snow, and your sisters can't wait to go shopping on Fifth Avenue!”

“If you wanted to come to New York, I could have paid for travel expenses and your hotel anytime, Mom. You have only to ask. There isn't any pleasure in having so much money to spend, if I don't share it with you!” Cade's voice was now full of warmth and affection.

“You're wonderful…”

“Now am I your favorite son again?”

“You can't buy me with so little! We can pay for our airfare and hotel – you know this. But it will be more fun to share a house, and your father hates to spend money anyway. He thinks he has to save every penny, because he had to when he was young. So, Monique's house is the perfect solution.”

“When will you arrive?”

“The morning of Christmas Eve and, knowing your father, he will want all day to recover from jetlag. So, we'll see you for dinner.”

“Ok, Mom. Great!” At that moment something caught his attention – it was his neighbor who was heading home. He quickly said goodbye. “I will be talking to you in the next few days. Give my love to everybody!”

Clover was walking briskly, carrying several shopping bags. Her woolly hat was askew and her long scarf dangled dangerously between her legs. It was already dark and the streets were covered with a thin layer of ice. He had a bad feeling, even before he saw her slip on her front steps.

Without thinking, he grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the door. He didn't know whether he should laugh or be worried. This girl really had a hard time standing up!

He reached her in a flash and stopped at the gate. “Will I have the pleasure one of these days to see you standing firmly on your own two feet?” He joked with a hint of tenderness in his voice.

She was on her knees, worrying about the contents of her shopping bags. She looked up with those hazel eyes, before focusing again on her bags. “Hope is the last thing to die, they used to say.”

He entered the gate, “May I help you?”

“Yes, maybe with a
survival course
for impossibly clumsy people! But first of all I need to check that nothing in my bags got broken.”

“Perhaps you should check your knee first, it's bleeding.”

She looked at her torn tights and at the scrape on her left knee, then she cursed in a whisper

Cade helped her up, saying, “Don't worry. I can pick up everything for you.”

“Thanks…” she mumbled, climbing the steps, without taking her eyes off of him.

Feeling scrutinized, Cade gathered everything very carefully, then he followed her sweet smelling trail.

She opened the door and let him in. “You can leave everything on the sofa, thanks.”

Cade obeyed and then he looked around. The house seen from the outside was in very bad shape, but the inside was better. She had old pieces of furniture, but it was neat and cozy. With some changes, it could be attractive. The first thing he would get rid of was her gnarled couch, it looked very uncomfortable. “Aren't you afraid you'll collapse in it and not be able to get up again?”

The girl followed his gaze, “I know, it looks pretty bad, but I'm fond of it. Everything here has the charm of the past – at least this what I tell myself, maybe just so as not to admit this place is a real dump! I'm waiting to be able to afford one of those modern, beautiful sectional sofas, maybe in a lavender color…”

“If you don't spend all your money on Christmas shopping, maybe…” Cade was pointing at the pile of bags.

“Oh – these aren't mine!” she said, taking off her coat. Underneath she wore a little black and red checked dress, heavy black tights and her usual tall boots. Cade finally could satisfy his curiosity. As he had imagined, she was delicate and slender. Yet she had seductive curves and full breasts. Her clothes didn't completely hide her figure. She had eccentric taste, especially in the colors she chose which were a challenge with that red hair… but the look suited her.

He watched her limping over to him, but felt a sense of disappointment when he realized that she was heading to the sofa, worried only about her precious purchases.

“You should take care of your knee, instead of messing around with those bags!” he said, almost irritated.

“I just need to check and be sure that everything is ok.”

Cade was observing her every movement, until she finally sat down on the sofa with a sigh of relief.

“Are these your Christmas gifts?” he asked.

“Actually, they are gifts for people that I don't even know. I need to keep them here for a few days.”

“Sorry, I don't follow you… Do you buy gifts for people you don't know?”

“It would be useless to explain this to someone who doesn't believe in Santa Claus!” she winked at him, smiling, and Cade felt confused by that sudden friendly expression. But he didn't have time to analyze his own reaction. Clover had turned to look at a clock hanging on the wall and said, “Damn it! It's very late! I have to go…”

She tried to stand up, but because of her knee and the antiquated couch this wasn't so simple. Cade took her hands and helped her.

“Your knee is still bleeding and your tights are torn. Where are you thinking of going looking like this?”

“To the Rockefeller Center. The Christmas tree will be lit tonight!”

“At least put a bandage on your knee and change your tights…”

“I can't! I might miss the ferry and be late.” Clover protested, limping out of the room.

“There is a good chance you will be late anyway, looking at the way you are walking.”

“You have no idea what people can overcome when they have a clear objective.”

“And would your objective be to get an infection and risk hurting yourself seriously? Just to go to see a Christmas tree that will be there until January?”

“It's not just any tree, but
the Tree
! The lighting ceremony is a New York ritual. I can't miss it at any cost!”

“You have probably seen it already a million times.”

“Ah! I see, you are
that kind
of person.” she turned, looking at him with an almost nauseated expression.

“What do you mean?”

“A snob, insensitive to Christmas spirit!”

Cade didn't know what to answer. Honestly, he wasn't especially interested in these sorts of traditions, at least not since he had become an adult.

She continued with determination, “I'm not interested in the Christmas tree. What I don't want to miss is the moment when it lights up. Hundreds of people will be there, all enchanted, all looking up. The turning on of that switch signals the beginning of the best period of the year, when the city transforms itself and becomes magical.”

“I assume you've never been to Las Vegas.” Cade's tone was ironic.

“It isn't the same thing! However, I think maybe I would be completely dazzled, if I should ever go to Las Vegas.” She checked the time again and her disappointment showed. “Shit, at this rate it's too late anyway.”

“But it will certainly be broadcast live on TV.” Cade said kindly.

She nodded in agreement. “Ok, I'll go disinfect myself and then turn on the TV. Thanks for your help…”

Seeing her so sad and downcast, Cade acted instinctively. He stepped in front of her and asked: “What time is the tree lighting?”

“At nine o clock, but to get to Rockefeller Plaza I need more than one hour, and the ferry leaves in less than twenty minutes. I had everything planned, minute by minute, but at this point I've already wasted too much time…”

“I bet we can make it by car. We have plenty of time.” Seeing her looking both confused and hopeful, he added, “I can drive you there.”

“You are very generous, but I can't accept…”

“I've never seen the lighting of the tree live and your passionate description makes me curious. Come with me.” At this point he really wanted to go.

“Really? You haven't been there before! That's not good enough!”

“Well, help me fix it!” He laughed.