“Sort of; I’m going to help my cousin at his diner while I look for acting work. Time for a change of scenery, I think.” Charlie pressed his plump lips together and nodded.
Anna looked into the dark puppy-dog eyes of her best friend and sighed. “I’ll miss you, Charlie.”
“I’ll miss you too.” He smiled and nodded, an expression of resignation washing over his face. “But life moves on. We’ll all be leading New Lives soon, I guess.”
Anna smiled at the pun. “Come here.” She skidded her chair closer to his and wrapped her arms around him. She let his warmth soothe her sadness about the show ending, let his supportive frame steady her nerves about Karl and the uncertain direction of her future career.
Something inside didn’t want her to pull away from him, but when she did, they smiled at each other and took their plates to the clean-up cart. Charlie headed toward the bathrooms and Anna glanced around the set again. This time her eyes locked with Karl’s. He winked, and those beautiful lips she’d had the pleasure of kissing during their scene mouthed, “See you tonight.” Anna hoped she’d have the same pleasure tonight. For real this time.
6
Later that night, Anna’s gaze caught on Karl’s again as he pulled up alongside her apartment block and turned off the engine.
The date had gone extremely well, and Karl had boldly recommended they share a plate of the chef’s signature spicy oysters (not that she needed an aphrodisiac around him). But as she knew, the real test was always the ‘dropping home’ part of the date – the clincher that determined what the other person felt and where they wanted the relationship to go. If he left the engine running, he wanted a simple ‘drop off and see you later’ to end the evening, but the engine’s growl abated as soon as Karl had stopped the car. This could only mean one thing.
Anna swallowed a lump of anticipation. “Do you want to come inside?”
The most unnecessary question of the century.
“Love to.” Karl eyed the thick drizzle outside. “Wait there, I’ll come around with the umbrella.”
He dashed around to her side of the car and they huddled together under the umbrella until they entered the building. She welcomed Karl inside her apartment and closed the door behind them.
“Can I get you something? Coffee? Wine?” Anna asked with eyebrows raised.
Karl shook his head and slipped his arms around her waist. “How about this instead?” He leaned his head down toward hers and took her lips in his, softer than the first time on set, and slower. Oh man! It was really happening. The Karl Drake was ravishing her, and not a camera crew in sight. This beat shopping, chocolate, and a foot massage all rolled into one!
Anna softened into his embrace and with his mouth still on hers he began stepping backwards down the hallway, blindly moving together as one body. Anna automatically moved a little to the side so as to miss the hall table, but Karl moved too quickly and their bodies bumped against each other as the table collided with them.
Smash!
The sharp sound of shattering glass abruptly broke their kiss.
“Oh man, sorry, Anna.” Karl eyed the scattered shards littering the floor.
Anna flicked a hand toward him. “It was only a ten dollar vase from Target, no biggie.”
Crap. Right when everything was going perfectly.
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“Oh well, payback for me spilling a perfectly good daiquiri all over you on Monday!”
“Guess we’re even then.” He smiled. “I’ll clean it up. Where’s your broom?”
Wow. Gorgeous, successful, and not afraid of housework. He’s a Keeper – with a big fat capital K, in more ways than one.
Anna grabbed it from the kitchen cupboard and handed it to Karl. He swept the fragments into the dustpan, pausing to pluck a stubborn piece of glass from between the floorboards.
“Damn!” Karl dropped the glass shard as it pierced the skin on his fingertip. Blood pooled into a blob and Anna dashed into her bedroom to grab a tissue.
“Come into the kitchen, I’ll get you a Band-Aid,” she said, taking over dustpan duty and sweeping up the remaining fragments.
“All that nursing practice on set must be rubbing off on you.” Karl pressed the tissue to his wound.
Anna chuckled. “I don’t know about that. I’m used to dealing with emergencies involving red-colored corn syrup, not real blood.” She smiled. “Oh, and the patients are always female.”
“Tonight might be the night for a few firsts, then, huh?”
Something told Anna he meant more than just real blood and patients of the opposite sex. She trembled inside at the thought. Whether from nerves or desire, she wasn’t sure.
Anna rummaged through her unorganized first-aid kit and withdrew a box. “Oh,” she sighed. “I only have fluorescent pink Band-Aids, sorry.” She held up the bright strip and Karl shrugged.
“It’ll do. Probably be all healed by the time I get home anyway.” He held up his finger and Anna wrapped the plaster around it.
“There, all better.” She tossed the box back in the first-aid kit then led Karl from the small kitchen into the almost-as-small living area.
“I take it you like candles,” he said, glancing around at the excessive collection adorning every available surface in the room.
Wait till he sees how many I’ve got in the bedroom.
Wait – will he see my bedroom? Should he see my bedroom?
Maybe this was happening too fast. . .
“I love candles, but hardly ever light them. I just like the way they look.”
And I’ve been waiting forever for a night like tonight to use them.
Karl approached the television that had various sized candles all around it and picked up the lighter. “Turbo lighter, awesome!” He pressed the switch and a flame emerged. He held it toward the wick of a candle and it glowed to life. Then another, and another, until all the candles sported flickering blobs of gold. He lit the pillar candles on the dining table, then the tea lights on the wall sconces. Trust a man to find a toy to play with.
He flicked off the lights. Fragrant aromatherapy oils and the scent of wax floated through the room, glowing with an atmosphere of anticipation. The candles weren’t the only things that glowed. Anna restrained a giggle as a pink Band-Aid approached her face and Karl’s hand cupped her cheek.
“Now, where were we?” Without waiting for a response, Karl commandeered her lips again. Anna surrendered, the nerves in her body heightened with pleasure. She could hear a choir singing in an angelic falsetto. . .hang on, that wasn’t her imagination.
Anna broke away, covering her ears as a high-pitched sound overtook the room. Her eyes homed in on the source – the fire alarm on the ceiling, a thin smoky haze wafting around it.
“Quick, blow out the candles!” Anna yelled. Karl turned on the lights and did as he was told, though it only created more smoke as the wicks released their heat. Anna opened windows, dashed into the kitchen and returned with a broom, and jabbed it at the fire alarm.
Beep. . .beep. . .beep. . .beep!
“C’mon!” she urged, jabbing furiously.
“Here, let me try.” Karl took the broom and aimed toward the button in the middle of the alarm, but unlike Anna it wouldn’t surrender to his magic touch.
“I don’t understand why it’s not turning off, it’s never done this before,” Anna said loudly.
“What? I didn’t hear what you said!” Karl’s eyes squinted and he angled his ear toward Anna.
“I SAID, I DON’T UNDERST–” Oh forget it. Anna dragged a dining chair over and positioned it underneath the fire alarm.
“Here, let me.” Karl climbed onto the chair and tilted his face to get a better view. He pulled at the alarm, opening the lid, then tugged the ribbon on the battery pack but it was jammed. He yanked harder and the sound abated as the battery pack burst from its socket and hit his forehead. Karl rubbed the spot with his hand, bent down and collided with Anna’s head a
s she straightened up, having picked up the battery pack from the floor.
“Ow!” they said in unison. The chair wobbled, and Karl toppled over backwards and landed with a thud on the floor.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Anna didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This date had turned into a scene from a B-grade slapstick comedy movie.
Karl eased himself up, one hand on his forehead, the other on his lower back. “I’m fine.”
“Do you want another pink Band-Aid?” Anna offered a weak smile.
“Just how many am I going to need by the time I leave here tonight?” A corner of Karl’s mouth curved upwards.
So he wasn’t planning on playing sleepovers.
“I won’t be offended if you want to head home now, I seem to be an accident-magnet lately,” Anna said.
Karl glanced toward the front door as if pondering her suggestion, then looked into her eyes. “I’ll take my chances,” he said. “Let’s get it right this time.”
Relief flooded Anna’s body, soon replaced by a deep need to feel his skin against hers.
“Take three,” Karl said, moving closer. “And. . .action,” he whispered, his breath warming her face as their lips became one.
* * *
“Oh, wing rot!” Lulu snapped her fingers in disappointment as she huddled in the alley alongside Anna’s apartment block. Through the window, Karl and Anna were entwined in an embrace that would only lead to one thing if she didn’t concoct another intervention quick smart. She’d thought the bleeding finger would get the ball rolling and the fire alarm would be the final straw to send Karl home, but no – apparently her powers were no match for rampant testosterone.
She crossed her arms and chewed her bottom lip, glancing at the drizzle around her, but not on her. A perk of the job was the ability to modify aspects of the weather. She couldn’t make it rain, that was reserved for experienced Cloud Nine angels, but could manipulate it once it had started, and she’d sectioned off an area to keep dry while she performed her stalking surveillance duties.
Wait! Lulu’s breath halted high in her chest as an idea struck her. Of course!
She raised her arms and swirled them in a clockwise direction, then with a big thrust, pushed her palms downward like a plummeting elevator and the drizzle became pouring rain.
“That should do it.” Lulu smiled and waited, glancing periodically at the intensifying embrace through the window. Anna’s hair was loose from its chignon and Karl’s shirt was unbuttoned. “C’mon, c’mon,” she muttered.
Karl stopped and took his phone from his pocket. Lulu rubbed her earlobe and Karl’s voice travelled through the air toward her.
“What? What do you mean it’s leaking?” Karl scrunched his face in annoyance and Anna placed her hands on her hips. “All over the sofa? Oh man!” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Cover anything electrical, I’ll be right there.”
Karl returned his phone to his pocket and turned to Anna. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” He buttoned his shirt. “That was my brother. The roof on our penthouse is leaking and the furniture’s getting soaked.”
“Oh no,” Anna replied. “It’s okay, go sort it out.” She crossed her arms and leaned back to perch on the edge of the dining table.
Karl disappeared from view for a moment and reappeared in the front window near the entry. “I’ll call you.” He grabbed the umbrella and dashed to his car.
“Yes!” Lulu pumped the air with her fist as if she’d just scored a goal in a game of basketball. But this game involved people’s lives, and despite this small success, she knew it would still be a challenge to get a slam-dunk.
* * *
The fan by the bed cooled Anna’s skin as she floated in and out of dreams. In one, she’d pulled a pink Band-Aid covered Karl out of a blazing fire. In another, she’d had to walk through broken glass to get to him. In this dream though, she was simply reliving the magical kiss they’d shared after their date. It felt real, probably because it had actually happened. But this kiss was even better, as though the dream enhanced all aspects of the sensory experience. And she just knew she was kissing her soulmate. She eased back for a breath, preparing to look into Karl’s eyes and see his love for her staring back.
Anna woke abruptly and shot upright, sweat beading on her forehead.
What the. . .?
Despite the heat and humidity of the night, she pulled the sheets over her shoulders as if embarrassed. Because it hadn’t been Karl’s face she’d seen after the kiss – but Charlie’s.
7
Anna kept busy on Saturday with household chores and grocery shopping, and by the afternoon had managed to forget about her dream. Until Sunday morning, when she awoke from a similarly confusing dream in which she was farewelling Charlie on his flight to Los Angeles and Karl pulled her away from him. When she turned back to Charlie, he was gone. She’d woken with a sense of sadness at having missed a proper goodbye.
That dream too, had dissolved from her consciousness once Karl had picked her up for a day out together. He’d spent Saturday fixing the water damage to his apartment and buying a new sofa, and when Sunday brought blue skies and summer sun he’d asked Anna out boating. It’d been nice to spend time together outdoors and get to know each other better. Even if she did end up a little sunburnt from forgetting to bring extra sunscreen. He’d treated her like a star – held her hand as she got in and out of the boat, told her how gorgeous she looked with the sun reflecting off her silky blonde hair, and wrapped his arms around her saying he didn’t want the day to end. They’d gone to a waterfront seafood restaurant for lunch, which was beautiful, apart from the seven intrusions on their privacy from fans requesting Karl’s autograph.
Just once, Anna had thought, I’d like to be recognized too.
Monday on set had been hectic, and they’d brought in a choreographer to coordinate the dance scenes for the hospital fundraising ball that was to form part of the show’s finale. Bodies jived and music blared, but unfortunately Anna didn’t get anywhere near Karl, though she was paired with Charlie for the dancing which made for a fun experience. Especially when he took on the chicken dance while the director and choreographer weren’t looking.
Anna smiled at the memory as she turned into 4th Avenue, stopping briefly to glance back at Macy’s.
I wonder if I have time for some quick retail therapy. . .
Not that she needed therapy, but could definitely do with some new lingerie now things were heating up with Karl. She turned her wrist to check the time and twisted her lips to one side.
Nah. . .If I start shopping now I might not stop.
She continued through the park and downtown streets to Milton Tower, humming the classic song Moondance on the way. It had been stuck in her head all morning and was on permanent replay in her mind.
Those familiar butterflies flapped inside as Anna stepped in the elevator, inserted her access key, and pressed the button for the third floor. She planned on asking Karl if he wanted to have dinner with her tonight, and couldn’t wait for the workday to be over. When the door opened she hitched her bag strap on her shoulder and headed toward the coffee stand.
“Good morning! Here you go,” the curly-haired woman said, handing Anna a soy hot chocolate.
“Thanks. You have perfect timing, you know that?” Anna smiled.
“You’re welcome. Timing is everything, isn’t it?” She winked and proceeded to make another drink.
Karl was nowhere to be seen, so Anna snuck up behind Charlie who was practicing his dance moves. She raised her finger in readiness to tap him on the shoulder but stopped.
Charlie was singing to himself.
That in itself wasn’t unusual; he often hummed, sang, or whistled around the set. But the song he was singing sent shivers up Anna’s spine.
“Oh hey, trying to scare me, huh?” Charlie spun around and captured her raised finger in his hand.
“Were you just singing. . .Moondance?” Anna asked.
Anna shrugged. “Um, no reason.”
What are the chances of two people waking up with the same song in their head? And an old one at that.
“Well, now you’re here, why don’t we practice our steps together?”
Anna held up her cardboard cup. “Not until I’ve had my fix.”
“Soy hot chocolate?”
Anna nodded.
“You call that a fix? Chocolate only has minute amounts of caffeine. Try a coffee – that’ll have you dancing on the tables.” Charlie grinned.
“I don’t think I want to dance on tables.” She grinned back.
“Why not? It’d be fun. You never know what something’s like till you try it.”
“I’ll stick to my hot chocolate, and dancing on the floor, thank you very much.” Anna smiled, poking Charlie on the chest and taking a long sip of her drink. He raised his arms in defeat and resumed his Moondance rendition.
* * *
“You coming?” Charlie asked several hours later.
“Not yet, I’ll hang around for a bit.” Anna hadn’t spoken to Karl all day and was waiting for him to finish with the make-up artist in hope of catching him before he did his final scene for the day.
“Okay, see you tomorrow.” Charlie headed toward the elevator with Vera, who lived in the same apartment building as him.
She waved and shifted from one foot to the other, periodically glancing toward Karl until finally his make-up was complete. Fake blood spatters adorned his tanned face and doctor’s coat. Anna didn’t know why they didn’t just fling a cup-full of the red corn syrup at his face, would have saved half an hour and looked completely natural.
“Looking good, Doctor,” she teased as she approached Karl.
“Pretty freaky, huh?” He moved a hand mirror about his face to survey the result.
Karl would have to do his scene soon, so there was no time to waste. “So, are you free for dinner tonight?” She hitched her strap higher on her shoulder.
Starstruck In Seattle Page 3
