“It’s two o’clock,” she responded in an accusatory tone.
“Really? Wow, no wonder I feel so hungry. I’m going to order something from the restaurant. Want to join me for lunch or have you already eaten?”
“No, I haven’t eaten, but I’m surprised you would want to dine with me after ignoring me for almost two days.”
He had his head stuck in the refrigerator as he surveyed his drink selection so she didn’t see his smirk. It was so good to learn that she had actually missed him.
He selected a Vimto and a bottle of water and nudged the fridge door shut with his elbow. He handed her the bottle of water and a glass. After taking a sip of his soft drink he asked, “So is that a ‘yes’?”
Barbara took the water but placed it on the counter in front of her without opening it.
“William, don’t ignore me.”
“Barbara, I’m not ignoring you, but I need to know if you want something from the restaurant. I’m dying of hunger.”
Barbara sighed exasperatedly. “Fine. I’ll have a Caesar salad.”
“Is that all?”
“A large Caesar salad, okay?”
As William made the call he watched Barbara glance around the room. This penthouse apartment was similar in layout to the condo in New York, with the same open plan set up, but it was larger and the décor, while still modern and luxurious, was more masculine and reflected more of his personal tastes. It was also more lived in. It was home after all.
“Would you like a tour?” William asked after he hung up the phone.
“We need to talk first,” she said, her eyes and expression serious.
He groaned inwardly. At least he’d had some rest first and could reasonably withstand a temper tantrum.
“Let’s get comfortable then. This sounds heavy.” He led the way into the living room. They sat opposite each other, he in a plush dark brown velvet couch, she in a deep off white leather couch with large dark brown and gold throw cushions.
“What’s going on? Why have you been avoiding me? And don’t bother to deny it or be evasive you can’t fool me.”
William finished the bottle of soda and placed it on the coffee table then he sat back. “Okay. You want straight talk. That’s fair. Did you enjoy the kiss we shared on your birthday? Because I sure did.”
He was gratified to see her blush to the roots of her hair and gulp. That was one for the home team. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his legs. As he would in sports, he decided to get in a few more shots while his opponent was still reeling.
“You know what? I realized that the kiss was not enough. That it will never be enough. I want all of you. The more time we spend in close proximity, Barbara, things are only going to intensify – they are not going to stay static. And since you insist on this platonic relationship, then to protect both you and me from the intensity of my feelings for you I’ve decided to keep my distance.”
He sat back. That hadn’t been so hard. In fact it felt quite good to be so honest. Honesty really was the best policy.
Barbara didn’t speak for several minutes and he decided to give her time. As he watched her, though, his satisfaction at flooring her diminished. He still felt like a loser because how did saying all of that bring him any nearer to the goal of making her his wife. He felt a real hollowness in the pit of his stomach and he knew that it had nothing to do with his hunger for food.
Finally, she cleared her throat. “William, I understand how you feel, and you’re right, things have moved to another dimension with us, but I’m not ready for a romantic relationship with you. It probably is best that we keep our distance from each other. I still value your friendship, though, and I’m sorry if you feel that you can no longer be my friend.”
“I didn’t say that. I made a commitment to be your friend and I don’t take that lightly. I haven’t taken off this ring since the day you put it on. All I’m saying is that I overestimated my ability to keep things platonic between us. In light of your continued wish that we simply be friends what happened Saturday night shouldn’t have happened. I’ll be there for you always but I can’t maintain this constant contact. It’s too hard.”
“I understand. Well it should soon get easier. I’m going to be really busy with the promotion of The Reaping and with the production of Israel so contact really will be at a minimum anyway.”
“Okay. But I still want to hear from you. The occasional email, text message, phone call can all work.”
“I guess so.” She mustered up a small, sad smile. “Hey, can I have that tour now?”
He nodded, came over and held out a hand to her. “Let’s take you around my home.”
Chapter 28
Back home in New York, Barbara tried to place thoughts of William in the background as she began making rounds to promote The Reaping. She did television, radio, print and online media interviews. One of those was with David Letterman on his show.
DAVID LETTERMAN: You know that I’m going to ask, Barbara, I’d be doing our viewers a disservice if I don’t – William Lamport. Are the two of you an item? You’ve stated that you are just friends but we see you everywhere together. Look, there are some pictures of the two of you. Don’t they make a gorgeous couple? See they agree with me. There you are saying the prayers at the launch of Lamport Holdings Beijing; the two of you again at the Franklin Institute where he received the Bower Award for Business Leadership; again at a Metropolitan Museum Benefit dinner. What’s the story?
BARBARA: Dave, the story is that William and I are the best of friends.
DAVID: I don’t mean to be irreverent Barbara but I’m curious, has his sexual orientation changed? Because this is a guy who has been linked to many beautiful women over the years and now you’re the only woman he’s been seen with in what, over a year? And we are hearing that you are just pals. Sounds strange for a straight man to be just friends with a woman as gorgeous as you.
BARBARA: You know, Dave, I’m disappointed in you. Daily experience suggests that non-romantic friendships between men and women are not only possible – but common. Men and women play, work and live side by side every day and generally seem to avoid sleeping together or embarking upon a romance.
DAVID: Okay, Barbara, that may be true but there’s a school of thought that says that even then the opportunity for romance is just lurking around the corner. What do you say to that? Surely you can’t rule out that possibility for the two of you. After all many famous romances started out as ‘just friends’.
BARBARA: Dave, you don’t give up do you? I can’t see into the future, all I can tell you is where we are at now. I promise you that if anything changes I will be right back here telling you all about it.
DAVID: Okay I’ll hold you to that Barbara. Let’s move on. Tell me some more about this new movie…
~*~*~*~
William smiled wryly as he reclined in his office chair and watched a replay of the David Letterman Show. Over the last couple weeks he had been catching the interviews whenever he could. He was generally impressed with how Barbara was navigating the sometimes provocative questions put to her as she promoted The Reaping but he cringed when some hosts referred to their relationship. He was growing weary of hearing her say that they were ‘just friends’, even though that was clearly the absolute truth.
When he had been interviewed recently by one of the lifestyle magazine on his personal style and the Lamport Holdings Empire, the reporter had asked about his relationship with Barbara and for an insane second he’d felt like saying, “She’s the love of my life and I would marry her this instant if the stubborn woman would have me.”
He hadn’t done that though. Barbara would’ve probably called and given him an earful if he had. Instead he had feigned a smile and repeated the usual mantra about them being great friends.
They were great friends. They touched base on the phone every week and he enjoyed their conversations as much as he always had. But at the end he was always left with an ache in his heart waiting,
counting the days, until the next call, missing her like crazy.
William’s office was on the top floor of the ten-story Lamport Holdings building. The floor to ceiling glass windows provided William with scenic views as he worked in the vast space. The office featured a large teakwood desk, shaped in an L to allow William to swivel from the front of his desk to the side to utilize the computer. There was a separate sitting area with leather couches and a coffee table and beyond this area was a conference table. There was a video wall in the ceiling that dropped down at the press of a button to reveal a floating wall of three TVs.
William’s office phone buzzed. He looked over and saw that it was his secretary calling. He depressed the button on the speaker phone. “Yes, Anna,” he said distractedly, still watching Barbara interact with Letterman on the TV screen.
“Lord Lamport, Mr. Boyd is here. He is asking to see you.”
William sighed. Sean. The last time they had spoken had been at The District. That had been a few months before. He hadn’t seen him on the occasions that he had been sailing with the Brighton Club and he hadn’t called him to enquire why. He felt a niggling sense of guilt but shook it off. Sean knew how to contact him, there had been nothing preventing him from doing so. Besides, Sean owed him an apology, not the other way around.
William contemplated instructing Anna to inform Sean that he was busy and to make an appointment. The fact remained, though, that Sean Boyd was still the website developer for Lamport Holdings group of companies, so unless William was going to fire him, he’d have to interact with him sooner or later.
“Let him come, Anna.”
“Very well, sir,” she responded.
In a few minutes there was a soft knock at his door then his secretary, Anna Scott, entered. Anna was a slim, reasonably attractive, dyed blonde in her early fifties. She had been the senior Lamport’s secretary when he had been CEO of Lamport Holdings and had easily made the transition to serving the younger Lamport. She was supremely professional and protected William as though she was the mama bear and he was her cub.
Sean Boyd entered and it struck William that if he had a cap it would probably be in his hand – he looked that sheepish.
“William,” he said. “How have you been?”
William rocked back in his seat. “I’ve been good, Sean. Have a seat,” he gestured to a chair in front of his desk.
“Mr. Boyd can I get you anything to drink?” asked Anna.
Sean shook his head.
“Very good then,” she said and left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
“What can I do for you, Sean?” William asked, his tone expressionless.
“Um…I was in the building. Had a meeting with your Paul Brown,” he said. Paul Brown was the senior director, Information and Communication Technology. “Just thought I’d come over and say hi.”
“I see.”
“Um…listen, William, about the other night. Um…I’m sorry I said what I did. I was a little drunk. I think I may have crossed the line.”
“Crossed the line?” William asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You know, with the way I behaved at The District. You’re my biggest client, William. I don’t want to jeopardize our working relationship.”
“Relax, Sean. Your service is quite above par. You have no reason to fear that I’ll change that because of what happened at The District. I’m professional. I try not to let my personal feelings about people affect my business decisions.”
Sean Boyd sighed. “I didn’t think so, but I wasn’t sure. It’s more than that, though. I may not have jeopardized our working relationship, but I sense that I’ve threatened our friendship, and I’m sorry about that. I consider you one of the few friends I have.”
That caught William’s attention. He felt strangely moved. Up until then he had regarded Sean with something like disdain. He had still been sore over his conduct at The District. Now, though, he felt sorry for Sean. He was clearly repentant.
William felt the Holy Spirit urging him so he leaned forward in his chair.
“Listen, Sean, I know that I used to engage in certain behaviors not too long ago and that it must have been quite a shock to see the change in me. The fact is, though, that I’m a Christian now, and truly I have no interest in pursuing the empty life I had before. It’s about as appealing to me as a cup of tepid water on a hot day. We’ve been friends for years and I love you like a brother but I can’t participate in that life with you any longer.”
Sean Boyd didn’t seem to know how to respond. He looked down at his hands. Then he cleared his throat. “That’s fair. I can’t fault you for that. You believe what you believe.”
William lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile. “What I believe in is the Lord Jesus Christ. He saved me, Sean, and He has the power to save you too.”
Sean looked bewildered for a moment then he laughed nervously. “Okay, Wills. I get it, alright, I was a choir boy and I know all about Jesus, you don’t have to lay it on. I respect your views.”
But William didn’t relent. “Yes you know of Jesus but do you know Jesus? Sean, are you happy? Does your life bring you joy and contentment?”
“Sure,” Sean Boyd said quickly. He didn’t really want to think too deeply about that question. It was a little scary.
“Really, Sean?” William asked quietly. “Are you really happy?”
Sean looked into his friend’s sincere blue eyes and he found that he couldn’t keep up the charade any longer. “No. No I’m not. I’m a miserable blighter.”
“Sean, you don’t have to be. I’ve got some good news for you…”
~*~*~*~
Barbara sighed. It had been a long day. She had spent the last six hours speaking to reporters and journalist about The Reaping in a room in the London Sofitel. To assist with the international distribution of the film, the studio, Silverline Pictures, had planned a promotional tour to a few major market cities.
The promotional tour was grueling but Barbara knew that it would assist with the overseas distribution. This was one part of her job that wasn’t fun but was necessary. She was repeating herself, answering essentially the same questions over and over again to different reporters, and each time enthusiastically discussing the film in a way that appeared open, fun and fresh.
The last reporter had just been escorted out by her assistant. In no time Lisa returned.
“Barbara, the limo is ready to take you back to the hotel. Do you need anything?”
Barbara nodded and then rotated her neck slowly. “Organize a massage for me will you? My muscles feel tense.”
“Right on it.” Lisa said. She made the call while Barbara gathered up her things.
As they left the room, three other members of the cast were leaving the other rooms that had been reserved for the interviews. Barbara met up with them in the corridor. The other two actors were still being interviewed by the last reporter.
“Hey, Barbie, are you coming with us tonight?” asked Jason Heigl, the actor who played her love interest in the movie.
Barbara linked arms with Jason. He was the only other actor in the movie who was an easily recognizable face. He had been a big television star a few years back before he became a Christian and started acting in Christian movies. He also had the lead role as Jacob in Israel. He was classically handsome with curly dark brown hair and bright brown eyes.
“Coming with you where?” she asked looking over at Richard Teems, the film’s director, and Hilda Gaines, one of her co-stars. There were all headed to the elevators.
“The Mayflower. It claims to be the oldest pub on the River Thames.”
“Why would I go to a pub? I hardly drink.”
“I don’t drink either but it’s Mac’s birthday and we thought we’d surprise him,” said Richard.
“You do know that Mackenzie is a recovering alcoholic right?” Barbara asked as she stopped short and watched the others. MacKenzie Knowles was another supporting actor in the movie.<
br />
“Oh,” Jason and Hilda said in unison looking from one to the other.
“Okay then…” said Jason, “Good thing we spoke with you.”
“It’s public knowledge. He has given interviews speaking about how he’s was cured of his addiction after he got saved. You guys really didn’t know?”
The others shook their heads.
“He’s never mentioned it. During The Reaping when we had the celebratory wrap up party there was some alcohol and he didn’t indulge. I just thought it wasn’t his thing,” explained Jason.
Barbara shrugged. “It’s okay, I think he can handle having alcohol around, but going to a pub might be a bit too much. He probably wouldn’t have gone with you guys. He’s very good at avoiding areas of temptation. Still, that would have defeated the whole point of a birthday celebration.”
Hilda groaned. “What’s plan B then, guys,” the brunette asked, looking from Jason to Richard.
“Wait one minute,” interjected Barbara. “Let me message a friend and find out a good place to have a nice birthday dinner celebration in London.”
They were now in the elevator on their way to the lobby. They waited while Barbara sent a message on her phone. By the time the elevator reached the lobby Barbara’s phone gave a message alert. She read the message and then said, “I have it on good authority that The Goran, the Waldorf’s rooftop restaurant, is the place to be.”
“The Goran! Barbie, I know you’re a star, right, but not even you could wheedle a reservation at The Goran on the same day,” returned Hilda.
“You’re right, but I know someone who could. So would you guys like to go or not?”
They looked at each other and grinned. “Sure, why not,” Jason said.
Barbara reached for her phone again and sent another message. In less than a minute she got a response. “Done. Reservations tonight for 7:00 p.m., The Goran. Now I’ve got to go.”
“See you later tonight,” said Richard.
Barbara looked back at him and winked. “I may have plans tonight. If I don’t I’ll be happy to join you.”
The Royal Couple: A Christian Romance (Royals Book 1) Page 28
