Accidental Romance

by Melanie Brown

  “Why? What’s wrong?” Nathan asked with concern.

  “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this! Look at all those people!” I cried.

  Stretching away from the limo’s door was a long red carpet leading into the ballroom. Billions of people… well, maybe hundreds lined the rope along the carpet. Photographers, fans, cops and their grandmothers were all yelling and screaming, hoping to get a look at their favorite celebrity.

  A doorman opened the limo door and Nathan leaned close to my ear, “Too late to bail now, Amber. I’ll get out first and give you my hand to help you out. Remember to keep your knees together since you had to get such a short dress.”

  Nathan stepped out of the car and the cacophony of yells and screams was deafening. Lights from hundreds of cameras as well as phones flashed up and down the carpet. Crazy girl fans and reporters both shouted Nathan’s name in hope of getting his attention. His attention was focused at that moment to helping me out of the limousine. I smiled nervously and took his hand and he pulled slightly to help me out.

  I had practiced several hours that day to learn how to manage high heels and when I got both feet on the red carpet, I felt steady and like a seasoned pro. More cheers and more cameras flashing in my eyes. Nathan offered his arm and I took it gratefully. We began to walk down the carpet towards the ballroom. The faces, cameras and screaming fans started to blend into just noise. I tried to smile and Nathan grinned and waved at his adoring fans.

  There was a spot just before the entrance where we had to stop and talk to someone from E! or something. I was too shell-shocked to care who it was. She asked Nathan something, but there was just too much going on around me. Nathan grinned at the interviewer, “This is my third year to host the Breast Cancer Awareness gala. I hope we can raise both a lot of money for research and awareness of this… wuzzat? Oh yes, this is Amber Johnson.”

  “She’s a lovely girl,” said the red carpet interviewer with a broad smile. “When do we find out more about her?”

  Nathan laughed, “Soon. We need to get inside. Thank you. You’re lovely as always.”

  It was with great relief that we stepped inside the ballroom. There was an orchestra, a dancing area and many tables scattered around the room. Celebrities and dignitaries were everywhere. How did a small town boy from Texas find himself here, in a short dress, holding the hand of the hottest guy in Hollywood?

  A young man in a white jacket and black bow tie approached us, “This way to your table, sir.” We followed him through the maze of tables to a large one near a small, raised stage.

  Nathan said to me, “Go ahead and sit down here, honey. Unless you want to join me on the stage?” I shook my head and he just grinned. He turned from me and nodded to a guy near the stage.

  A man I didn’t recognize ran up the stage’s steps and over to a microphone in the center of the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen! I present to you our Master of Ceremonies tonight, a man who needs no introduction, this year’s chairman of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Council, none other than Nathan Adams! Let’s give him a warm welcome!” He then began clapping and waved Nate up to the stage.

  Nathan ran up the steps and over to the microphone. As the other man started to walk away, Nathan made a broad gesture with is arm to point to him and said, “Let’s have a big hand for Malcolm McDonald, ladies and gentleman. Nobody works harder for this charity than Malcolm. I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight. Words alone can’t express how grateful I am. Ninety-five cents for each dollar you paid for your plate tonight goes to research in finding a cure.”

  Nathan gave about a fifteen minute speech before introducing the next speaker. Nobody asked what I wanted to eat. A waiter just arrived with a Cornish hen, a salad and baked potato. My glass was filled with wine. I looked up for the first time as Nathan started to leave the stage. I couldn’t believe who the other guests were to sit at our table. A few famous directors, a few other high dollar actors and actresses and some people I couldn’t recognize. Back home at a dinner this size, someone would say grace. I didn’t think that would happen here. I looked up and down the table and there wasn’t one bottle of ketchup to be seen.

  It took a while for Nathan to get to his seat next to me as he had to run a gauntlet of other guests, shaking their hands, greeting each other and telling each other they’ll do lunch. I just sat there, my hair covering my bare shoulders and praying the tape I used to fake cleavage doesn’t come loose.

  Before seating himself, Nathan brushed some of my hair away and kissed the back of my neck. A bolt shot down my spine and I was dismayed to feel a stirring. I hoped something else I had taped didn’t come loose either. I tried thinking of baseball players. Too bad I didn’t know any names.

  Nathan bent over and whispered into my ear, “So, what do you think?”

  I shrugged, “It’s different. There’re a lot of people here. I was expecting something more like a party.”

  “It will be,” said Nathan. “There’re just a few speakers and then the orchestra starts playing and people start dancing and mingling.”

  I started to pick up my mini chicken and start gnawing on it when I saw other people using a knife and fork to remove pieces. I put the hen down and wiped my fingers on the table cloth. Nathan pointed at the still folded napkin next to my plate.

  Neither of us spoke while we ate. It didn’t take me long to debone the hen, and I really wanted to ask the waiter if he could bring out a chicken fried steak, but I resisted.

  Finally, Nathan broke the silence, “I want to thank you for doing this. You didn’t have to and it must embarrass you to not only pretend to be a girl, but to be my girlfriend as well. It was just a stupid accident that one of those paparazzi pictures looked like I was kissing you.”

  “I know,” I said quietly. “I’m not entirely sure why I did it myself. Except…” My voice trailed away.

  Nate furrowed his brow and asked, “Except what?”

  I shrugged and said, “Nothing.”

  Nathan said as he took a bite, “I have to admit though. I am impressed by how quickly you took this on. You seem so natural. It’s almost creepy, actually.”

  I grunted a laugh under my breath, “Well, that’s it, isn’t it? I mean I did pick this up. Last night while shopping it all felt somehow normal. I had fun and I felt that I belonged with those girls. It’s like your dad still thinking I’m a girl. Because I was in the band, I didn’t have to face going to PE. But one time in middle school, because of a schedule screw up, I was put in a PE class. When I entered the gym, the coach told me the girls’ gym was down the hall. Everyone laughed and I ran out of the school and cried. Mom got my schedule changed. Even in band, I kept getting asked to try out for the majorettes.”

  Nathan studied the plate in front of him for a long time. He sighed heavily, “I’m sorry. I guess I never really thought about it. Back in middle school, when I was fat, you were the only person who didn’t make fun of me and accepted me as just another gamer.”

  I looked over at Nathan through false eyelashes and said, “I never thought about it before, Nate. I never connected the dots before, but now I have to say I’m where I should be. I don’t mean being your girlfriend. But maybe I should be a girl…” I let my voice trail away again.

  Nathan gave me a sideways glance, “That’s pretty serious Am… Bobby. I think you’re just getting carried away with the moment. I don’t know much about such things, but I doubt gender identity is something you can flip like a switch. Maybe this has been a bad idea. I’ll talk to Tony when he shows up. He should have been here by now. But I’ll suggest we forget this plan and send you back home.”

  I shook my head, “No, Nate. I want to finish this. Maybe I am just caught up in all the romance of being in Hollywood as a girl. Maybe after you get back from Europe, I’ll be tired of this girl stuff and ready to go back to being just plain old me.”

  Nathan smiled at me and lifted my chin up with his finger, “Even for a
real girl, you’d be extraordinarily beautiful. He bent his head downward and to my surprise, kissed me, long and soft and I just melted.

  Why did he do that? Now I had no desire to return home. I only wanted to be with Nathan. He sent my emotions sliding off a cliff. I should run away. Slap him first to make a good image, and then run. Yes, I need to slap him, and be furious and catch the first plane back home. I raised my hand and…

  I grabbed his coat collar and pulled him close, put my arm around his neck and kissed him with so much pent up passion I thought I might explode. There was no need to go back home. I was home. Right here in Nathan Adam’s arms, his kiss lingering on my lips.

  * * *

  Chapter Two - The Accidental Affair

  “Hello?” I mumbled groggily into the phone and pulling the hair out of my eyes.

  “Oh? Did I wake you up?” said a familiar female voice through the receiver. “Sorry.”

  “Hey, Steph,” I said as my head began to clear. “What’s up?”

  “You two must have been up late, huh?” Steph said with an odd tone to her voice.

  “Yeah,” I sat up and swung my legs off the bed, “there was an after party and we didn’t get home until almost three a.m.”

  “Anything else?” prompted Steph.

  I knitted my brow and frowned, “No. That’s about it. Nate and I were exhausted. I went straight to bed, and I think Nate took a shower first.” I stopped for a second or two as my mind cleared. “What? Are you suggesting we… Are you serious? Don’t be crazy. I’m not into guys and Nathan most definitely isn’t!”

  Steph laughed and said, “I’m not so sure, Amber. There’s a video of the event up on YouTube and all that kissing, cuddling and dancing sure looks like you two were enjoying each other’s company!”

  I groaned and uselessly rolled my eyes, “Don’t put too much into that, okay? I was really caught up in the whole girl thing. It’s hard to not feel feminine when you’re wearing a mini dress, heels and make-up and every guy is staring at you.”

  “Yeah, right!” Steph admonished me over the phone. “You expect me to believe there was no feelings behind that huge kiss you gave Nathan?”

  “Steph!” I almost shouted into the phone. “I told you. I was just caught up in the moment. I’m sane again. Nate and I aren’t in a relationship! Except for his publicity.”

  “Okay, okay,” Steph giggled. “I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it go. Hey, any plans for today?”

  I rubbed my eyes and said, “No. Not really. Today’s Sunday, right? Nate is out golfing with George Clooney and some of his other buddies.”

  “Well, me, Megan and the other guys are going to go see your boyfriend’s latest movie. None of us have seen it yet.”

  “I haven’t seen it yet, either,” I admitted. “Sure, I’d love to go with you guys. And he’s not my boyfriend.”

  “According to my dad he is. Anyway, is eleven-thirty too quick to get your make-up on and find something to wear? This is only your second official full day of girl-hood.”

  I glanced at the clock and frowned, “Yeah, I think I can do it. You coming to get me? I don’t have a car.”

  “Yeah, I’ll pick you up first,” said Steph. “See you in a bit.” And she hung up.

  * * *

  Being in a pack of other girls helped me feel more comfortable about walking into a mall wearing a denim mini-skirt and a pink t-shirt with the word “PINK!” less than ironically emblazoned across the front. The pink and white ankle socks, white tennis shoes and my purse hung on my shoulder completed my uniform.

  The movie theater was located right at the mall entrance, well at least at this entrance, and the ticket-booth line extended almost to the door.

  Megan sighed, “Crap. Look at this line. I hope we’ll have time to get some nachos before the movie starts.”

  Jenny said, “Tex, shouldn’t you get in for free? After all, you’re his boyfriend.”

  I frowned, “Shhh. Keep a lid on that, okay? I don’t want a scene. I just want to see a movie with my friends, okay?”

  Amber grinned, “That’s cool, Tex. Our lips are sealed.”

  I looked around at all their earnest faces. “Thanks. As far as all of us are concerned, I’m not dating anyone.” I got nods all around.

  “Well, there’s a beach scene in this movie, and I can’t wait to see the guy Tex isn’t dating in a swim suit,” giggled Megan.

  Steph poked Megan in the shoulder, “Come on, guys.”

  We’d been waiting in line for a little over five minutes before a group of six Hispanic teens, wearing bandanas on their heads, blindingly white exposed undershirts, some without, some with button down shirts unbuttoned and baggy pants made a B-line straight towards us.

  The tall one with a goat-tee and a silver “peace sign” dangling around his neck from a silvery chain walked up to Steph. “Hola, Stephanie. What are you bitches up to? Oh, and who is this new bitch?”

  “Get lost, Oscar,” Steph said frowning, “and stop being rude to my friends.”

  Oscar stepped between Steph and me, “Don’t be hatin’ on me girl. It’s a free country.” He looked me up and down and said, “You’re mighty fine. Mirando a ti me hace cachonda! What do you say? Vamos a tener una fiesta en mi casa! He reached up to touch my face and I slapped his hand away.

  Oscar laughed as he caught my hand, “Whoa concha! You don’t know what you’re missing. I’ll be the best you’ve ever had!”

  I jerked my hand away, “Will you just leave? I just want to see a movie with my friends here.” I could feel my cheeks blushing. Oddly, I was more embarrassed than frightened by his aggressive behavior.

  Oscar grinned widely, “I’m better than any movie, baby. Come on. Me and my homies here want to party.” His friends started making rude comments. People in line were looking at us.

  Steph started to say something when a hand slapped down on Oscar’s shoulder. In a clear, stern voice, a broad-shouldered boy, possibly in his early twenties said, “She gave you her answer, cabrone. Now beat it before I call mall security.” In his free hand, he held up a cell phone.

  Oscar pulled himself free from the other boy’s grip. “Hey hommes, it’s cool. I was just having some fun with the chicas. No big deal, right?”

  Scowling, Steph said, “Just leave my friends alone, okay?”

  Oscar spread his arms wide and said, “Just playing around. Besides, I thought you liked ‘bad boys’.”

  The broad-shouldered guy started punching buttons on his phone. Oscar said, “Okay, okay. We’re leaving.” He gestured to the other guys with him and said, “Vamos a salir de aquá, chicos.”

  Someone from behind us said in a frustrated voice, “Are you guys in line or what?”

  Closing the gap in the line, Steph said, “Thanks Chad. But Oscar would have left anyway. He’s been pestering me ever since I kicked him in the nuts back in the eleventh grade when he kept trying to ask me out.”

  Chad laughed a bit loudly, “Your friend here looked like she wanted to crawl under a rock.”

  I said, “Thank you, Chad. I really didn’t know what to do.”

  “You’re very welcome,” Chad grinned a toothy grin.

  Steph pointed at me, “Sorry. Chad, this is Tex. Well, it’s really Amber, but to cut confusion with the other Amber, we call her Tex. Tex, this is Chad. He was football captain. He was a senior in high school when I was a junior. I went out with his younger brother a couple of times.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I extended my hand.

  I was surprised when he gingerly took my hand, “Very nice to meet you, Tex. Why ‘Tex’?”

  Amber said, “She’s from Texas. Duh!”

  Chad laughed and said, “That explains why I haven’t seen you around here before. Did you just move here? Do you know what school you’re going to go to?”

  We moved up closer to the ticket-booth. I looked shyly away, “I’m not in school any more. I graduated a couple of years ago.”

  Chad looked at
me funny, “Shut up! No way. Unless you’re a genius and graduated when you were twelve or something.”

  I laughed and said, “Seriously. I’m twenty.” Plus five.

  Chad chuckled, “Well, I just turned twenty last month and if you’re a day over seventeen, I’ll eat my football trophy.”

  “I’m twenty too… I mean, I’m twenty also, not twenty-two.” I hate it when I get embarrassed.

  Chad looked at me like he didn’t really believe me, “You promise? Honestly, you look around fifteen or so.”

  Tired of my complete and total lack of twenty-something manliness, I said with a huff, “I guarantee you I’m not fifteen.”

  Steph was buying her ticket. Chad said to me, “What movie are you going to see?”

  I pointed at the marquee inside the ticket booth, “Danger Beach. The new Nathan Adams movie.”

  “Man,” grunted Chad. “You girls all have it bad for that guy. Mind if I go with you?”

  Shrugging I said, “That’s okay with me.” I looked back at Megan, Samantha, Jenny and Amber and they just shrugged as well.

  Chad turned to the ticket-booth. The girl behind the glass asked, “What movie?”

  As Chad pulled his wallet out of his hip pocket, he said, “Two for Danger Beach.”

  “Chad!” I said in a surprised voice. “You don’t pay for my ticket!”

  He stepped away from the booth, tickets in hand and Megan stepped past me to buy her ticket. Chad said, “I just did. After that business a minute ago, I just wanted to help you.”

  “You don’t have to!” I said as I followed him into the theater lobby. “I’m perfectly capable of buying my own ticket, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” said Chad with a smirk as he walked to the concession stand. “What do you want from the snack bar? My treat.”

  “Thank you for the ticket, Chad,” I said, since he’d already spent the money. “But I can get my own popcorn.”

  “Popcorn?” asked Chad. “And what kind of soda? I insist.”

  Samantha came up from behind me and whispered in my ear, “Don’t fight it.” She smiled at me as she got into a different line.