by Kimi Flores
“Sound’s good, and how about you sir?” The hostess now faced him.
“Since we are going with the 80’s, how about some Def Leppard?”
That apparently surprised her. “Hair bands huh? I didn’t pin you as an 80’s hair band fan.”
“You’ve got to go with Def Leopard if you are talking about the 80’s.”
“Your waiter will be with you in a moment.” The hostess announced after taking their drink orders.
“So veggie burger huh? You promise it’s the best right?”
“Absolutely the best.” Caleb said as an extremely colorful and flamboyant waiter with pink hair approached.
“Hello, my name is Jonathan, and I’ll be serving you tonight. I see that Jennifer has already taken your drink order. Do you need more time with the menu?”
“No.” He turned to Abby. “May I place both of our orders?” She nodded. “We will both have your veggie burger with regular fries.” Caleb spoke to the waiter who was now ogling him. Caleb didn’t know what it was, but for some reason, he and his cousin Stefen always attracted gay men. They both loved women, and didn’t know if it was a vibe they put off or what.
“Jennifer will be right back with those drinks.” Jonathan winked.
Abby snickered a little. Great. She noticed too. Needing to switch subjects, and feeling as if he had to explain what had happened earlier, he started, “About Paisley.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation Caleb. That wasn’t your fault.” The hostess brought their drinks, and Abby took a sip of her soda.
“Yeah, actually it was. You see, we went to college together, and I wasn’t very nice to her or her friends. I’ve done some things that I’m not proud of, but you are right, they are in my past. I’m at peace about it now. It’s just difficult when things like this happen that remind me of what a bastard I used to be.”
“I don’t believe you were ever a bastard Caleb. That’s impossible.” This didn’t feel like the right time to talk about it, so he dropped the subject. There would be plenty of opportunities for him to tell her all about his ugly younger years.
“You were right; that was the best veggie burger I’ve ever had. We’ll have to come back here.” Was it wrong for her to assume he may want to come back here with her?
He settled the bill, and they headed outside to see the stars imbedded with famous names on the sidewalk along Hollywood Blvd.
“I think Lucille Ball’s star is right around here somewhere.” Her eyes scanned from plaque to plaque as they walked along the street. Lucy was her favorite actress and comedian of all time. Abby and her mom had seen every episode of I Love Lucy several times, and they could recite each one, line by line. Trying to keep the conversation going, Abby said, “I wish her hands and footprints were still in front of Mann’s Chinese Theater, but apparently they moved the slab of concrete out several years ago, and nobody really knows where it ended up.” How sucky was that?
As soon as she spotted the star she’d been anticipating, she got downright giddy. “Can you take my picture?”
With a crooked smile, Caleb said, “Gladly.” Man, he was handsome when he did that.
Squatting down by the shiny black and red star, she looked up with her cheesiest grin. Caleb hesitated a moment and didn’t take the picture. His eyes darted everywhere but on her. Still smiling, she asked between her closed teeth, “Are you going to take the picture?”
“Yeah, but um, why don’t you fix your um, blouse on the top area first?” He motioned to his own chest.
Abby looked down at her own chest, and sure enough, her girls were in full view of anyone standing above her. Thank goodness, she was wearing one of her new pretty bras Leah insisted she get. Her face suddenly felt extremely hot as she shot up and adjusted her shirt. “Give me a minute.”
“Don’t be self-conscious Abby. I’ve seen boobs before.” He chuckled.
“Well you hadn’t seen mine yet.” She was never going to get her face to cool down now. “I mean you hadn’t seen mine.”
“You are so cute when you get embarrassed.” He pulled her in for a hug, and then kissed her forehead. His lips were so soft and tender. She wanted them to touch her mouth, not the top of her face. Before she knew what was happening, he ran the palm of his hand along her cheek, pulling her face up toward his. Covering her lips in the sweetest, most gentle kiss she’d ever experienced, Caleb ran his fingertips along the back of her neck. He’d gone in for a full-lipped kiss without warning as she stood on her idol’s star. Abby wasn’t sure what would happen first, her fainting from the blood leaving her brain or her knees giving out; either way, she was going down.
Before that humiliating moment could occur, he slowly withdrew from their embrace and smiled at her dazed face. “Now, how about that picture?”
Not a word was spoken about it after he’d kissed her, and Caleb was kind of nervous all over again. He didn’t expect it himself. It just happened. Once he looked into her mortified face after getting a full view of her cleavage, he just went for it. She received him as though she’d longed for it as much as he had, but he was so out of practice, he didn’t know what to do next. They had already driven around after walking hand in hand down Hollywood Blvd, then to the hills in Malibu, and were now heading back to the hotel. It was late, so there truly wasn’t anything left to do for the evening. He just didn’t want his time with her to end yet.
They pulled up to the valet, and as they walked through the lobby to the elevator, she spoke again. “Thank you for bringing me along with you on this trip. I’ve had a fantastic time.” The elevator door opened, and he pushed their floor number after they entered.
“My pleasure.” And boy did he mean that. He hadn’t felt this alive in so long. He was already looking forward to the next day with her. He just hoped he would be able to concentrate enough during his meeting and not make any rash decisions. The door had better open soon, or he would grab her again. Thankfully, it did open.
“After you.” He motioned with his hand for her to step out first. He followed closely, wondering if he should just let her go to her room at this point, or if he should make another move. He just had to go with it because they arrived at her door quicker than he would have liked to. “So, my meeting is fairly early, and I’ll be back to pick you up for lunch.” He spun his room key nervously around between his fingers. “So um, I will see you tomorrow.” He bounced back and forth between his heels and the balls of his feet. What the heck was he doing? Only girls did that, right? He had to do this or walk away, decision time right now. She was looking up at him with fire in her eyes, and her lips opened just slightly. Oh, what the hell. He slowly approached her to see if she would meet him halfway, and to his relief, she did. He smiled and went in the rest of the way. He placed his palm on the back of her neck, his other hand around her waist, and pulled her closer until their lips met. This was different from the surprise kiss for all to see on Hollywood Blvd. This kiss was private with nobody around to see except for the cameras that were probably zoomed in on them at that moment. Caleb took another chance, and slowly opened her mouth with his tongue, and nipped gently at her bottom lip. She let out a moan, and that did him in. He needed to stop this kiss before he dragged her into the room, and did something he would regret.
He pulled away and looked at her face as her closed eyes popped open. Her chest rapidly moved in and out. “Wow. I didn’t know kisses could be like that,” she said, making him as happy as a little boy on Christmas morning. He went in for another quick peck.
“They can be even better than that.” He felt his deep voice rumble as he spoke close to her ear. He seriously needed to get away from her. Like right this very moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He pecked her lips once more with his entire mouth and then quickly stepped away toward his door. She had a dreamy look on her face as she gave him a little wave, and then entered her room. He chuckled and shook his head before entering his own room.
Abby woke up to the sound of an in
coming text from Caleb.
Caleb: R U awake?
Abby: yep
He didn’t need to know that she was only awake because of his text.
Caleb: want some coffee
Abby: yes, please & thank you :)
Caleb: anything with vanilla creamer, right?
He remembered.
Abby: yes please
Caleb: delivery in about 15 minutes
Abby: k
She jumped up, took a five-minute shower, and then threw on her new undergarments. “Well I’ll be damned. Leah was right. I do feel better about myself now that I’m wearing pretty panties.” Abby checked herself out in the hotel bathroom mirror. “Not bad.”
Although there wasn’t anyone else in the room, she was uncomfortable being dressed like that. She trotted to her suitcase and pulled out her loose royal blue frilly blouse that was just long enough to cover her behind. The low-rise jeans she’d packed were the only ones she could find in her size when she’d gone shopping, without Leah, after the lingerie fiasco. Higher waisted jeans were all but impossible to find anywhere now-a-days. Looking down at her toes after putting her clothes on, she was thankful that she’d remembered to repaint her toenails before they’d left on the trip. She slipped on her sandals just as she heard a knock at her door.
She quickly put a few strokes of her favorite Lashfood mascara on before sprinting to the door. Abby opened it to find Caleb with two cups of coffee, one in each hand. He passed one to her while staring intently into her eyes. She tried really hard not to look like a pouting child once she noticed the cup was from her least favorite coffeehouse. Then he did something that spanked that bratty five year old in her. He handed over a couple of little containers of vanilla creamer.
“Yay! My favorite!” She practically jumped up and bounced back into the room as he followed.
“If that’s all I have to do to impress you, then we are going to get along just fine.” He moved in, closing any space between them. They’d had those magical kisses the night before, but she didn’t know what was in store for them today. She must have somehow given him the wrong signal because he backed away a second later. She noticed his eyes wander to her unmade bed.
“I have to get going. I’ll be back in time to pick you up for lunch, and then, maybe some more sight-seeing. Go ahead and order breakfast from room service. We can decide later if we want to leave tonight or tomorrow morning.” He backed completely away from her until he reached the door.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours, Abby.” He smiled before closing the door again. Well that was disappointing. Why did he kiss her last night but not this morning? Sometimes she really hated having a girl brain. She could sit and contemplate this all morning, or she could go grab some breakfast and come back to read. She decided to go with plan ‘B’.
After heading downstairs, and picking up some peanut butter slathered toast and side of fruit, she went back to her room and pulled out her electronic reading tablet. She’d downloaded Caleb’s books the day before, and had planned on digging in during this trip. A few years ago she’d read the paperbacks.
She started eating her breakfast and re-read the suspenseful first book. She remembered that he was a talented writer, but had forgotten just how mind-blowing this book was. She was on the edge of her seat when he texted her, saying his meeting was over, and he would be there in fifteen minutes to pick her up for lunch. She was already completely ready for the day, and as any reader would do, she continued the story until he knocked on her door again.
Turning off her e-reader then grabbing her things, she walked over to the door and opened it to find Caleb’s gorgeous smiling face again. He greeted her once more without any form of physical touch. Her mind started to race as they headed away from her door and to the car. She wondered if he had been disappointed with their kiss, and that’s why he didn’t touch her. They waited outside of the hotel for the valet to get his Range Rover. She walked toward the passenger side while Caleb grabbed his keys, nodded to the valet, and handed him a tip. Once she was by her door, she felt herself being spun around to face him, and then his lips were on hers. His arms caged her in as his palms were on the top of the doorframe. He pulled back a minute later. “Sorry, I couldn’t wait for another kiss from you, and it wasn’t really appropriate to do that in your room.”
Unable to speak in her dazed state, she just gulped and nodded as he opened the door. He held her hand as she climbed in and sat down. Lingering, he planted a kiss on the top of her hand. He looked hesitant to leave her side and gazed at her a moment longer before letting go and closing the door. She watched him walk around the front of the vehicle and enter the driver’s side.
“So what sounds good for the day?” He started the car and drove out to the main street.
Snapping out of her daze, Abby finally spoke. “I’m actually up for anything, but wouldn’t mind seeing the observatory. I was a kid the last time I went, and it’s been redone since then.” She really hoped they could visit.
“To the observatory we go then. I know of a great restaurant in that area where we can eat lunch. Do you like Mediterranean food?” He peeked at her while driving.
“Humus, flatbread and feta; what’s not to like?” She smiled and looked at him, catching the same expression beaming across his face.
“Since I’m not a big meat eater either, that sounds good to me.” He continued driving in the direction of the restaurant he’d mentioned eating at on several occasions.
“How did your meeting go?” She bit her lip, waiting to hear his response then noticed his eyes linger on her mouth before turning to look out of the windshield once more. She liked when he did that.
“Really good. We’re moving forward with this. We just need to work on the details of the contract, but it looks like I will have all creative control. I expect some things to change from the books, but it’s essential that it has the same feel.”
“That is fantastic, Caleb. You really have to make sure that Jake’s character is just like the book. I couldn’t imagine one thing changing about him.”
“So you remember the character’s name?” He joked with her.
Embarrassed that he just caught her by her own admission, she just nodded. “Yeah I was re-reading the first book this morning while you were at your meeting.” She looked at him through her long mascara covered eyelashes.
“So what do you think?”
“Well I’ve only read the first two books, but I honestly like them. I can see why the studio approached you, and I think they will make great action packed movies.” She gazed over to the breathtaking man beside her. “I’m very happy for you.” She thought about this new road he would be traveling down, and hoped she would be a part of his new future.
After eating an amazing vegetarian feast, they traveled up the mountain to the Planetarium. As they drove up the windy road, Abby was reminded about the last time she’d come up this hill. It was one of the last pleasant memories she had of her father. He’d taken time off work during her spring break from school, and spent the week taking her to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Griffith Park, then to Sea World in San Diego. She was only nine at the time, and didn’t pay much attention to the fact that her mom hadn’t joined them on the trip. He left their family a week later. For the next several years, she’d thought she had done something wrong during the trip that made him want to leave. Once she was old enough to understand, her mom explained that her father had fallen in love with a woman overseas when he traveled for business. He left them to start a new family, and it had nothing to do with Abby.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Taken out of her daydream, she swished her head in Caleb’s direction.
“I was just thinking about my dad, and the last time he brought me here.”
“Good memories I hope?”
“Yeah, this place is very special to me.” She still didn’t understand what would make a man take such actions, but she couldn’t help but hold that trip nea
r to her heart.
After claiming a parking space, they got out of the car, and she took a deep breath.
Clean, crisp November air hit her lungs as she looked out into the horizon. “I forgot how beautiful it is up here.”
“Look over there.” Caleb pointed toward the hills in the background. “You can see the Hollywood sign.”
“I don’t remember that from the last time I was here.”
“There are hiking trails that take you fairly close. Maybe we can do that next time.” Yay! He was talking about a next time, too.
“I would love to do that. I’m not prepared for a hike today though.” She pointed to her flip-flop covered feet.
“Come on, let’s walk over.” He grabbed her hand and continued to hold it as they strolled toward the building. She wondered what they looked like to other people passing by. Did others wonder if Caleb and she were a couple? How long they’d been together? Why he was with her? Okay stop. No negative thoughts. She breathed in and out, slowly closing her eyes then opening them again. Caleb had taken notice.
“Everything good?”
“Yes. I’m just taking it all in.” She lied, but only a small white lie. They passed by the famous concrete sculptured monument with carved figures of the six greatest astronomers Hipparchus, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Sir Isaac Newton, and William Herschel. A couple, having pictures taken were just beside the monument. They sat on a blanket with a picnic basket and a bunch of balloons. The photographer had an assistant, so this was obviously a planned photo shoot. The woman held one side of a small framed chalkboard that read, “Save the Date”, and the man held the other side as they kissed, and the photographer took the shots. Abby shyly looked at Caleb who was also smiling. They continued to walk hand in hand until they got to the entrance. Caleb held the door open with one hand while the other he placed on her lower back and led her inside. “What would you like to see first?”
