STAGESTRUCK - The Complete Series (15 page)

Thursday night, I paced the floors of my apartment anxiously and waited for Max to arrive. It was seven thirty, and he was due any minute. I checked myself in the mirror for the tenth time; every hair was still in place. My buzzer rang and I rushed to the intercom.

“Hello?” I said, trying to sound casual.

“Hello, beautiful.” Max replied.

“I’ll be right down.” I told him. I slid my new coat over my shoulders, grabbed my handbag, and walked downstairs. Max had a taxi waiting at the curb. He looked devastatingly handsome in a single breasted pin striped suit; his starched shirt matched my dress exactly.

“Kate, you look amazing.” He said with a smile. “I love it when you curl your hair like that… it reminds me of the first time we met.” He told me as he opened the taxi door.

“You remember how I wore my hair that night?” I asked with a smile.

“I remember everything about you.” He told me as he slid into the seat next to me. “The Empire State Building, please.” He directed the driver.

“The Empire State Building?” I gasped.

“Yes, that’s where we’re having dinner… at the very top.” He told me with a smile. “Now, as I was saying I remember everything about you, particularly that night. Your hair was curled and loose like it is right now, and you were wearing a smoking hot black dress that I could tell wasn’t yours. You looked infatuated with life that night, Kate… so happy, so swept up in the excitement. You look like that now.” He said as he leaned in to kiss me. He planted a soft peck on my lips before pulling away.

As we traveled down the busy streets, I held Max’s hand and watched the city pass before my eyes. I still hadn’t grown accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells of New York, and I hoped that I never would. I never wanted to take such amazing things for granted.

The taxi finally arrived at our destination; Max paid the driver and we stepped out onto the street. The Empire State Building towered above us and from our spot on the sidewalk I couldn’t see the top.

“We’re taking an elevator up there, right?” I asked, lifting my right foot and shaking my stiletto.

“Yes,” he laughed. “I’ve gone up both ways, and the elevator is worth the fee.”

We stepped into the lobby and rode the elevator all the way to the top; the ride took several minutes, and we shared the elevator with six other people.

“Which restaurant are we going to?” I whispered as the cable pulled us up the building.

“Just be patient, it’s a surprise.” He smiled. The elevator stopped twice to let other passengers off before we reached the top. We had the car to ourselves for the rest of the ascent.

“Have you ever been kissed 100 stories off the ground?” Max asked as he leaned in to me.

I shook my head and he kissed me sweetly, leaving me wanting more. The doors opened and we stepped out onto the observation level. “I didn’t think there were any restaurants at the very top…” I said before turning a corner and laying eyes on a small café table. It was set for two and held champagne on ice and a single red rose. “What have you done?” I gasped.

“I called in some favors…” He smiled. “Our food will come from the steakhouse a few levels down, but we get to enjoy it right here.”

“We have the whole floor to ourselves?” I asked in disbelief. “What kind of strings did you pull?”

“Let’s just say that you meet all kinds when you spend your days behind a bar.” He laughed. “So, do you like it?”

“I love it.” I gushed. “This is more amazing that I could have ever imagined.”

“Fiona helped me plan.” He admitted with a blush. “She insisted on the single red rose… she said that’s how the Beast won over Belle in the movie.”

“She’s an amazing little girl.” I told him. “I can’t believe you never mentioned her.”

“I don’t talk about my family much.” He said, shifting uncomfortably.

“You don’t have to talk about them now,” I assured him quickly. “Not if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“No… I want you in my life Kate, you’ll learn about them eventually. Might as well tell you now.” He took a deep breath. “My family has an ungodly amount of money.” He confessed. “My great, great grandfather patented a steel production process back in the 1800s… no one in the family has really had to work since.”

“You’re an heir to a steel fortune?” I asked, my mouth agape. He popped the champagne bottle and poured me a glass.

“Drink this while I explain.” He insisted. “Yes, I am an heir. But like everyone in my family before me, I have no intention of ever flaunting my money. We all spend enough to be comfortable, but nothing extravagant.”

I finished the first glass of champagne in one sip and absorbed his news. “That’s how you can afford an apartment in Manhattan, and how Fiona’s able to go to the Youth Theater.” I stated.

“Yes.” He replied. “Kate, I really hope that you’re not upset with me for keeping this from you… it’s not something that I like to share until I really know someone…”

“I completely understand.” I assured him with a warm smile. “And I’m glad you feel comfortable telling me now. You know my grandparents set up a trust fund for me… so you’ll never have to worry about me being here for…”

He interrupted me. “Kate, I know that you’d never use me for my money.” He assured me.

I smiled and studied him carefully. “I have to ask Max. If your family has that much money, why in the world are you slinging drinks and Orlando’s?”

He laughed. “I get that a lot… honestly, I love the stories. Everyone knows that bartenders and hairstylists hear the best gossip. I get a lot of my writing ideas from the customers. Plus, having a job helps make me feel like a normal person.” He finished with a smile.

“I think you’re pretty far from normal.” I told him with a suggestive smile.

The elevator chimed and a man in a white uniform stepped out rolling a cart. He walked to our table and placed two covered dishes in front of us. He also set down a carafe of ice water and a basket of bread.

“Is there anything else you need right now?” He asked politely.

“No, we should be good from here on out.” Max told him. “Thank you.”

The man nodded and then returned to the elevator. Max lifted the domed lids off of our plates, revealing two gigantic lobster tails.

“You like seafood, right?” He asked nervously.

“Love it.” I told him. We ate in comfortable silence, stealing glances at each other between bites. When our plates were empty, Max poured us each a glass of champagne and then stood. He crossed to my side of the table and took me by the hand.

“Would you like to look through the binoculars?” he asked.

“I’d love to.”

We spent another thirty minutes staring out at the city. Max showed me every major landmark that could be seen from the observation deck, saving our next destination for last.

“See that little café on the far right?” He asked after pointing the binoculars. “They make the best pie in the city. That’s where we’re having dessert… would you like to get going?”

“Sounds good.” I agreed. We rode the elevator back to ground level and stepped into a waiting taxi; the streets were relatively clear, and we reached the café in a matter of minutes. We walked to a booth and slid in on the same side.

A waitress appeared and we each ordered a slice of cherry pie and coffee. I worked up the nerve to ask a question that had been nagging at me for days.

“Max… I understand if it’s a sensitive subject, and you don’t have to answer… but can I ask where Fiona’s dad is? I’ve never heard either of you mention him.”

Max smiled sadly. “His name was Jack… he was a great guy. He and Rachel had been married for six years when Fiona was born, and he’d already been to Iraq twice. He was deployed on his third tour when Fiona was eight months old… he didn’t make it back.”

“Oh god, I’m so sorry.” I sighed. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“No, it’s alright.” He insisted. “It’s a natural, obvious question. And like I said at dinner, I want you in my life. So the more you know about it, the better.”

“That’s why you spend so much time with Fiona.” I said. “And why you’re so protective of her.”

He nodded. “I love that little girl with everything I have. I want to make sure she never wants for anything… you’re great with her too, you know. Do you want kids of your own one day?”

‘OH MY GOD!’ I thought happily. ‘We’re already having the kids talk!’ I looked him in the eye and smiled. “I’d love to have kids someday… lots and lots of them. Not any time soon, of course, but eventually.”

“That’s good to hear.” He said with a smile.

The waitress delivered our order and we once again ate in comfortable silence; I spent the time fantasizing about what we’d name our children. When our plates were empty, Max wrapped an arm around me and we sat in the booth for hours, just talking. We learned about each other’s childhoods, families, and dreams. Before we knew it, it was three o’clock in the morning.

“Oh my god, I need to get you home.” Max sighed. “I guess I just didn’t want the night to end.”

“It doesn’t have to,” I smiled coyly. “You’re more than welcome to stay with me.”

He smiled and handed me a twenty. “Will you take care of the check? I’m going to start looking for a taxi, they can be hard to find this time of night.”

I paid at the counter while Max went outside. When I stepped onto the sidewalk, he was waiting with a taxi. We slid into the backseat and I gave the driver my address and then laid my head on Max’s shoulder; I was nearly asleep when we arrived at my building. Max paid the driver and walked me to my door.

“You’re going to stay, aren’t you?” I asked as I fumbled with my keys. He took them from me and unlocked the door.

“Not tonight.” He said softly.

“But… I thought…” I yawned.

“Kate, I’ve had a fantastic time… in fact, this might have been the best night of my life… but I think that we should take things slowly this time.” He told me. “You bolted after our first night together; I bolted after our second… I want to do it right this time.”

I’d been half in love with him already and his speech made me fall the rest of the way. Max truly wanted to build a life with me, starting with a solid foundation. I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you for an amazing night.” I told him with a smile. “Text me when you get home, so I know you made it alright?”

“You got it.” He said with a wink. He lightly kissed the top of my hand. “Sleep well, sweet Kate.” He said before turning around and disappearing down the stairway.

I woke early the next morning, but remained in bed. The first freeze of the year had set in overnight and I didn’t want to leave the warm sanctuary of my blankets. I burrowed under my down comforter and daydreamed about my future with Max. Everything in my life was finally going as I hoped; there was no longer a doubt in my mind that New York City was where I was meant to be.

Because I was so content in my daydreams, I ignored my phone the first time it rang. I wanted to stay in my happy bubble for as long as possible before letting the real world in again. A second call came through just a few moments after the first, and I knew that I had to face reality. I drug myself out of bed and fetched my phone from my purse. When I saw Serena’s name on the screen, excitement shot through my body.

“Hey!” I answered quickly. “Do you have news?”

“Don’t act all sweet and innocent with me, you backstabbing bitch.” She answered hostilely.

I was completely taken aback. I had no idea what I had done, or what Serena THOUGHT I’d done, to warrant such hate. “Serena, what are you talking about?” I asked kindly. “I’d never stab you in the back. Have you heard something about Chicago?”

“Save it, Kate.” She spat. “I’ve already heard the news. I know all about your little hook-up with Dylan Matthews.”

“What…?”

“Don’t try to deny it, one of the costume guys saw you go in to his dressing room last week.” She continued full steam ahead. “I gave you just the opportunity you needed, didn’t I? You cozied up to me, acted like my friend… then the moment I turned my back on you, you stabbed me in it. I hope you’re proud of yourself, Kate.”

“Serena, honestly,” I broke in, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Have the casting decisions been posted? Did I get a role and you didn’t?” I didn’t bother to acknowledge her comments about my run in with Dylan Matthews. After all, if Serena was pissed at me, it had to be because I got cast in Chicago and she didn’t. Dylan wasn’t involved with the show, so I didn’t see how the time I’d spent with him was any of her business.

“You know that not all of the final decisions have been posted,” she raged. “Unless you’ve made up your mind already. I mean, everyone knows that you’re going to choose the Jersey Boys role, it would be nice if you’d go ahead and make it official so someone who actually DESERVES the Roxy spot can get to work.”

Nothing she said was making any sense; I pulled my phone away from my ear and checked my missed call log. The call I’d ignored had been from Marion. I put the phone to my head again and interrupted Serena’s rant.

“Look, Serena I have no idea what’s going on, or what you’ve heard. I need to return a call to Marion. I’m sure there’s been some sort of misunderstanding; I’ll call you one I’ve straightened it out.”

“Don’t bother calling me back.” She hissed. “In fact, forget my number.” She ended the call angrily.