Crazy Stupid Love (Blame it on New York)

by Cassie Rocca

  “They usually put their name on. Men are always eager to show their intentions towards a woman and to try to beat off the competition.”

  “Not all men are that vain. Maybe this one is just more of an original than the others,” said Clover as she joined them. “I heard the message… how romantic!” From behind Zoe’s back, Eric gestured for her to stop, but Clover ignored him. “Have you met someone new and interesting and not told us about him yet?”

  “Absolutely not! The last guy I went out with was Evan…”

  “Well he certainly doesn’t have enough intelligence to write an entire, meaningful sentence,” mumbled Eric, looking bored.

  Zoe giggled. “He certainly doesn’t…” Suddenly, she stared at the cake in the box with a pensive air, and her eyes darkened. “I just hope it’s not who I think it is,” she muttered.

  Eric felt a chill. Who could she be talking about?

  He wanted to ask, but lacked the courage to do so. Clover had the same question on her face too, but the arrival of a few customers in the store distracted them, and Zoe hastened to put her gift under the counter before walking over to the new arrivals.

  “What if she’s talking about me?” Eric whispered in Clover’s ear.

  “Don’t be paranoid,” she hissed, gritting her teeth, adding, “Maybe she thinks they’re from Harris,” before walking away.

  Eric stiffened.

  It would make sense. Harris could easily know that her favorite cake was a Red Velvet – they had been together for two years and Zoe had been shaken up by the return of her ex, so it was natural that she would think of him.

  He clenched his fists and decided that in the remaining three days he would send her more specific gifts. Gifts that could only bring back memories related to their friendship – and not to that idiot of a doctor…

  Chapter 10

  “Well here we are. It’s Valentine’s Day,” sighed Zoe, sitting herself down on the edge of Clover’s desk. She held a basket containing several gift-wrapped packages and small bouquets of flowers, which she observed almost indifferently. “Don’t you think there look to be less of them than there were other years?”

  “You’ve always been the only one around here to get any Valentine’s Day gifts, so how do you think Lib, Eric and me feel?”

  “I’m also losing my charms as well as my admirers. Since Evan, no one has been in to ask me out on a date,” said Zoe, opening a box of chocolates and popping a praline into her mouth. “I mean, unless you count Stuart, obviously.”

  “Stuart?” Clover arched an eyebrow and cast an anxious glance in the direction of Eric, who was staring grimly at his computer screen.

  “He’s been going all out to try and win me back,” said Zoe, thoughtfully. “He seems to be really determined.”

  “Once they hit forty, some men are very eager to try and cleanse their karma of all the shitty stuff they’ve done in the past,” muttered Eric, cuttingly.

  Zoe bit into a chocolate covered strawberry which she had extracted from another be-ribboned package. “I honestly don’t know what to think. He calls me practically every day now, and he really does seem to be remorseful. If he’s lying, he deserves an Oscar for his performance.”

  “What, you mean you’re starting to believe him?” asked Eric, suddenly attentive.

  She shrugged. “I’m just hearing him out, for the moment.”

  “Well that’s a good way to waste your time.”

  “Don’t be so hard on him, you should always give people a chance to explain themselves,” said Zoe, giving him a wistful smile. “If what he tells me is true, it was wrong of me to just walk out and dump all the blame on him back then.”

  Eric jumped to his feet, took off his glasses and ran his hand over his face. “I can’t believe it, you’re letting yourself fall for it again…”

  “I’m just looking at the facts from a different perspective.”

  Clover shook her head. “I don’t know what he’s been telling you, but I don’t think you should trust him. Hey, remember, unless he was drugged or under threat of death, he went to bed with Miranda of his own accord!”

  “He says that they just kissed. And that he’d tried to tell me at the time that things weren’t going the way they should have been between us, and that he was depressed about it and that Miranda consoled him. He was a bit tipsy, and she put the moves on him… I’d suspected for a long time that she was hot for him, but I couldn’t be certain.”

  Eric pulled a disgusted face.

  “This is bullshit. You were his devoted slave, it was ridiculous how desperate you were to do whatever he wanted, and he took advantage of the fact every way he could! So don’t start telling me that you two were having problems and that he decided to turn to your best friend for consolation, because it’s an insult to your and my intelligence!”

  With an angry gesture, Zoe closed the box of chocolates. “There’s no need for you to get your knickers in a twist.”

  “He’s angry because he is worried that Stuart is going to make you suffer again,” interjected Clover, giving a warning glance to Eric, who seemed on the verge of losing control. “And to be honest, I’m worried too.”

  “I’m an adult, I know what I’m doing. I was just filling you in on what happened, I’m not saying that I believe him.”

  “And did you tell him you’re never going to forgive him and that he shouldn’t try and get in touch with you again?”

  The way Eric stared into her eyes was so threatening it made her feel uncomfortable. Swinging her leg, Zoe looked away.

  “He keeps asking me to go out on a date with him. I told him that I didn’t think it was a good idea, but he says he’s going to try and convince me by any means possible.”

  Eric cursed and stomped out of the office, and Zoe looked over at Clover. “God, he’s got such a quick temper.”

  “If you go out with Stuart again, Zoe, I think I’ll cross you off my list of friends,” the redhead muttered, standing up and following Eric.

  “Thank you so much!” Zoe shouted after them, then turning to look in annoyance at the gifts that her ‘admirers’ – those few diehards who were still trying to get a date with her – had had delivered to the store.

  No one understood how she felt at that moment. It was easy for Clover to be so sure of herself: she had a wonderful man by her side, who that afternoon would be putting her on a private plane to Paris! And Liberty would go out with Justin, as always. Even Eric had someone to be with, she imagined, even though it had been a few days since she had seen Stephanie in the store.

  But she had no one. Just a dozen guys who were practically strangers and who were determined to get a date with her by showering her with gifts, and an ex-boyfriend who had suddenly decided he wanted them to get back together. She wasn’t crazy about either of the options, but at least Stuart’s back-pedalling was good for her self-esteem.

  Reluctantly, she began to observe the gifts she’d received: romantic cards, soft toys, hearts, pendants…

  And then a bouquet of flowers that was bigger than the others. Nine beautiful red roses tied together with a silk ribbon, to which was attached an anonymous envelope that caught her eye.

  Another message from her secret admirer!

  She opened it and pulled out the sober, heart-shaped note inside, upon which was written a few words:

  I don’t want to be just another name on a list any more, and my heart can no longer stay in a drawer.

  At the top of the Empire State Building you will find my last gift to you.

  Intrigued, Zoe put the rest of the gifts down on the desk and walked out of the office, her nose pressed into the soft rose petals.

  “I got another one!” she exclaimed, attracting the attention of her colleagues. At that moment Liberty too was at the counter, and all present turned in her direction.

  “You know, I think this time I want him to reveal his identity!”

  She handed the envelope to Clover, who opened it.
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  “And you want him to do it right on Valentine’s Day?” asked Liberty. “Romantic!”

  “I’m dying to know who the hell it is,” sighed Zoe, caressing the flowers.

  Over the last three days she had received three anonymous gifts. After the Red Velvet and the first message, a fluffy hamster toy had arrived, holding between its paws the message: ‘Love can have many faces… For me it has only one.’ On the third day, she had received a beautiful bracelet with a star shaped pendant – a transparent, sparkling crystal upon which was engraved her name. The note that accompanied it said only: ‘Will you ever shine only for me?’

  And now these beautiful roses…

  After reading the brief message, Clover looked at her.

  “Whoever it is, he is disarmingly sweet. And it was really nice of him to organize all this.”

  Zoe nodded. “You’re right… Unless he’s a dangerous psychopath.” Her face suddenly grew slightly dark as a thought flashed into her mind. “And what if it’s Stuart?”

  “Why,” snapped Eric, “does he know how to write now?”

  “Just because doctors have bad handwriting, that doesn’t mean that they are illiterate,” joked Liberty.

  “Don’t you think it’s a really weird coincidence? He turns up again after four years, vowing that he’s going to change my mind, and since then, every day I’ve received an anonymous gift. And now this…” Zoe reread the message, then closed the envelope. “It does seem pretty likely.”

  “I very much doubt it’s the same person. What sense would it make to organize something romantic like anonymous messages, and then hassle you by phoning you every day to beg you for a date?” Clover looked at Eric. “What do you think? You’ve met him, you know what he’s like. Do you think that’s his style?”

  “No.”

  “He may have honed his technique over the years,” murmured Zoe.

  Clover smiled. “The only way to find out is to go up there and see what this mystery man has left for you. Maybe there’s a more precise clue!”

  “Or why don’t you just forget about it?” said Eric, finally raising his eyes to her. “The whole thing’s stupid. Whoever sent those messages knows how to get in touch with you, he could show up here and say all this directly to your face instead of hiding behind anonymous notes. Perhaps he’s just worried that you won’t be pleased when you eventually find out his identity, and that’s why he’s playing the mystery card.”

  “Well at least he’s been original,” said Clover, between her teeth. “I think that you should go.”

  “It’s still really sweet, even if he doesn’t turn out to be Prince Charming, and he’s made me curious.” Zoe looked over at Liberty to get her permission, and her friend nodded.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Thanks! I hope it won’t take long,” Zoe smiled as she grabbed her coat.

  Clover gave a quick glance at the clock, then hugged her. “I won’t be here when you get back. Cade is supposed to be arriving at any moment and then we’re going straight to the airport. So call me tomorrow, okay? I want to know everything!”

  “Have fun in Paris! And say ‘hi’ to Cade for me,” said Zoe with a smile as she left Giftland.

  As soon as Zoe and Liberty were out of sight, Clover nudged Eric.

  “What’s the matter with you, are you nuts? You tried to talk her out of going!”

  “It was a bad, bad idea,” snapped Eric, running a hand through his hair. “And I’m really starting to regret ever having listened to you.”

  “It’s going to work, though, I can feel it,” smiled Clover. “Zoe loves being surprised and wooed, and that touch of mystery was exactly what was needed to stop her from thinking about that idiot.”

  “What do you mean, stop her thinking about him?! He was the first guy she thought of!” Furiously, Eric squeezed his hand into a fist. “He just had come back before Valentine’s Day, didn’t he? Damn it, she’d agree to go out with the devil himself tonight if it meant she didn’t have to feel alone!”

  “But that’s not going to happen because even if she does go to the restaurant expecting to find Stuart, she’ll find you there instead.”

  “And what if he’s made a date with her for this evening too? Maybe in the same place?”

  “Eric, don’t be so silly!” Clover squeezed his hand. “Harris has no chance with her – much less against you.”

  “But what if she’s already worked it all out and decides not to show up? I can already see the scene, me sitting there in the restaurant all dressed up like a penguin, waiting in vain for someone who’s never going to show.”

  Clover raised her eyes to the ceiling in frustration. “And they say that women are insecure in love!”

  Eric glared at her and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  “You’re so cute! Zoe won’t be able to resist you.”

  “Oh, sure! That’s why I’ve been drooling over her for years and she’s never even noticed!”

  “You’ve always been close to her as a friend and hidden your real feelings in every way you could. How was she supposed to realize that you felt something for her? And even if she had realized, the fear of confusing you or of ruining your relationship would have stopped her from doing anything.”

  “Zoe’s not as conscientious as you make out,” protested Eric. “When she wants something, she takes it.”

  “Zoe takes things that are uncomplicated,” Clover corrected him. “After Stuart, she was so scared of being betrayed again that she devoted her time to useless people. And you would be a serious commitment.”

  “A commitment that she doesn’t want to make.”

  “God, you’re such a pessimist!” snorted his friend. She admonished him with a wagging finger. “Now listen carefully: Zoe is ready to fall in love again, she said so herself. Seeing me so happy has infected her: she’s tired of meaningless relationships and she’s looking for a serious one. And even if she hasn’t opened up much about, I am one hundred per cent sure that she has revised her ideas about you as a man, especially after your nude performance on the day of the photo shoot.”

  “I didn’t do it on purpose!”

  “That doesn’t matter. She was shocked and almost offended about not having realized before that, under your boring clothes, you’re super sexy! Combine that tantalizing discovery with the deep affection that there has always been between the two of you, stir in the romance of the River Café and the irresistible feeling of having been loved for ten years, and the result is pretty much guaranteed!”

  Eric shook his head. “I’m not convinced. If nothing has ever happened between us, perhaps it’s destiny.”

  “Or because until now you’ve always been a shy coward, and she’s been blind and diffident. Maybe neither of you were ready: sometimes it takes the right moment to unlock a situation.” Clover took him by the arm and looked into his eyes. “Don’t give up now, Eric. What have you got to lose? You won’t be able to save your friendship forever, you’re already at the limit. If you give up the chance to win her over, sooner or later someone else will manage to do it in your place, and at that point you’ll lose her. You won’t be able to stand the fact of knowing that she’s with someone else, and that will end up ruining your relationship anyway.”

  “Getting turned down will ruin our relationship anyway.”

  “Well it’d be better to get turned down after at least trying than just imaging it. It is always better to regret what you have done than what you haven’t.”

  Eric did not answer. Until a few hours earlier, he had been sure that Clover was right and that it was high time to take the bull by the horns once and for all. If he had to suffer it was better at least to have a definite answer to his questions.

  Yet now he was terrified of seeing a disappointed expression on Zoe’s face as soon as she realized who was behind the anonymous notes she’d been receiving for the last four days.

  “If she turns me down, I’m going back to Boston,” he said quietly,
putting his hands in his pockets.

  Clover sighed. “Although I don’t agree with you, I can understand. But I really hope it won’t come to that.”

  *

  The feeling at the top of the Empire State Building was always the same: power, unreality, confusion. With its dizzying height, the building gave you the feeling that you could challenge the sky, and at its summit you felt as though you’d entered a different world – it was like you’d taken a lift to another dimension.

  Inside the mysterious envelope, Zoe had also found a pass which allowed her to skip the long lines of tourists who thronged the most famous skyscraper in the city, and go directly to the two hundredth floor.

  It was the perfect time of day for the trip. The view of Manhattan from the top was always spectacular, but at sunset the view drew gasps of pure ecstasy.

  It had been quite a while since the last time she had been up there, and she wanted to thank whoever it was who had arranged this surprise for her.

  The first time she had climbed to top of the skyscraper, she had wept with joy. Eric had been with her that day, and could confirm it. Her dream had always been to live in Manhattan, and finally she had succeeded. And so, to celebrate, she and the freshly graduated Eric had eaten a pizza together and then decided to go up to the observatory. The queue for the tickets, security checks and elevators had provoked several irritable mutterings from Eric, but Zoe was as excited as a child. To repay the patience that her friend had shown in taking her up there, and to congratulate him again on graduating, Zoe had stopped at one of the many souvenir shops and bought the skyscraper-shaped key ring which he still treasured. It wasn’t a great gift, she knew, but at the time she had been saving every penny to pay for the rent on her apartment, and anyway, Eric seemed to like it.

  Her mouth hidden behind her scarf, she chuckled softly when the elevator began to shoot upwards. Eric had almost had a heart attack the first time at the feeling of being sent hurtling upwards at the speed of a rocket. She had teased him for days, reminding him of the greenish color his face had been for twenty minutes after they had got out.