by Emma Lea
“Can we talk?”
“I'm working, Connor.”
He took a quick look around the shop. There were a few people in the store, but no one looked like they were in desperate need of assistance.
“I know, but what I have to say is important.”
She sighed and cast her gaze anywhere but at him.
“Please?” He wasn't above begging.
“Fine,” she said, “But I can't be away from the desk for too long.”
He grinned and let her lead the way through the stacks to the small office she had in the back. He'd never been in the tiny room before and there was barely enough room for the both of them and the desk which she put between them by sitting down behind it.
She looked up at him expectantly, but didn't say anything. He cleared his throat.
“I was an idiot,” he said, deciding that Millie was right. “I'm sorry for not staying for lunch the other day. I really did have an appointment in Armidale, but it's no excuse for my being rude.” He sat down in the chair opposite her and beseeched her with his eyes. “We had something good between us and, well, I ruined it and I'm sorry.”
“Okay,” she said, drawing out the word.
“You and I both know that I'm only here for another couple of weeks and I didn't want to… I don't know how to say it without sounding like a douche.”
A small smile played around her lips. “Just say it.”
“I love spending time with you, Georgie, more than I have with anyone in a long time. I got scared. I was worried that if we spent more time together that you would end up getting hurt so I thought—”
“You thought you would spare me the hurt then by hurting me now.”
He dropped his head and mumbled, “Yeah,” ashamed of his cowardice. He took a breath and looked up at her, “But I was wrong,” he said, “I was wrong to do that without talking to you first, without giving you a chance to tell me what you want. And…”
“And?”
“And, I like you and I missed you and I want to spend time with you while I can. Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Is that a question or a command?”
“Wow,” he said with a shake of his head, “I haven't yet met tough Georgie. I like her.”
Georgie rewarded him with a bright smile that took his breath away. She was absolutely stunning when she smiled that way, it lit up her whole face and made her eyes sparkle.
“Please, Georgie, would you go out to dinner with me tonight?”
“I'd love to,” she said and he could breathe again.
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he said, “Does that give you enough time after the shop closes?”
Georgie shrugged, “Sure,” she said and then bit her lip, “Um, what should I wear? I mean, are we going to restaurant or on one of your adventure thingies?”
He smiled at her. “This is a real date,” he said, “in a real restaurant with waiters and everything.”
Her eyes widened in what looked a lot like trepidation, but she nodded.
“Ah, okay then, sure six is fine.”
“I’ll see you then,” he said, getting up and walking out of the office, waving to Millie as he headed out of the store, a mile wide smile on his face.
9
“For God’s sake, sit still!” Kendra admonished, but Georgie was so nervous she didn't think she could sit still.
After Connor had left, she'd had a panicked conversation with Millie who had then called Kendra. They were in her apartment, trying to get her ready for her date with Prince Charming. Who was she to be going on a date with a movie star? And what if she spilt something on her dress or knocked over the wine or did any number of stupid things that she was inclined to do? This wasn't just Connor from Book Club, this was Connor Faulkes, movie star and one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. What the heck was she, Georgie Danners, book shop owner, doing going out with him?
“Calm down,” Millie said, walking into the room with a handful of wardrobe choices.
The three of them were similar sizes, although they both had more in the bra department than Georgie. Millie and Kendra had both brought a few outfits for her to try on since none of Georgie’s clothes would be acceptable. She didn't think that her usual jeans and quirky t-shirt would cut it at a restaurant.
“What if I use the wrong fork?” Georgie said, suddenly reminded of the scene in Pretty Woman.
“I don't think he’ll care one way or another what fork you use,” Kendra said.
“But I bet he knows all about that sort of stuff. We’ve only seen ‘good ole boy’ Connor, we haven't really seen The Connor Faulkes.”
“I wouldn't think there was much difference,” Millie said, “He doesn't strike me as the type to pretend to be someone he's not.”
“He's an actor,” Georgie reminded them, “All he does is pretend he's someone he's not.”
“That's his job, what he does when he's working, it's not who he is.” Kendra’s calm steadiness helped to soothe Georgie’s jittery nerves. “You know him,” she went on, “You've spent time with him, gotten to know the real Connor behind all the hype. Relax and just enjoy it, enjoy being out on a date with a gorgeous man.”
Georgie stared at herself in the mirror.
“My first date,” she whispered, “And it's with Connor Faulkes.”
“No,” Kendra said, laying a hand on her shoulder and catching her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. “Your first date with Connor, your friend.”
“She's right,” Millie said, coming to stand beside them, “You have to stop obsessing over him being an actor. Not once has he behaved like some toffee-nosed, entitled douchebag. You're the one who keeps bringing up his status and it's doing your head in. So stop it. You're going out on a date, your first date, with a guy who you've already spent hours with. Just relax and enjoy it.”
Georgie looked at her two friends and took a deep breath. She knew they were right, but she was so nervous. It was her first date, which would give her nerves enough, but that it was with a guy that she really liked, despite him being famous, that only ratcheted up the nerves even more without adding the extra pressure of him being a movie star and gorgeous and her dream guy. It wasn't just that he was a star, it was that she had fantasised about him for so long that she had put him on a pedestal. Even getting to know him over the last few weeks hadn't diminished the awe she felt for him. If anything, her awe had grown. He was the perfect man - good looking, fit, strong, kind, sweet, nice, funny, confident - she could list his attributes for hours.
“He’s just a guy,” Millie said, breaking into her thoughts.
“That doesn't help,” Georgie said, “I'm hopeless around all guys, twice as much around Connor.”
“Maybe you were at first,” Kendra said, “But I haven't seen a hint of clumsiness or awkwardness lately when he's around. You even got into a heated discussion with him at Book Club.”
Georgie was surprised to realise that what Kendra was saying was right. The first few times she'd been a complete klutz, but lately she'd actually felt normal around him and hadn't even given a second thought to her awkwardness or clumsiness.
“See, it worked!” Millie crowed.
“What worked?”
“Immersion therapy.”
“I thought it was exposure therapy,” Georgie said dryly.
Millie waved the comment away. “Same horse, different jockey. But the fact remains, I was right. It worked.”
“So I'm cured, doctor?”
“Don't be a smarty pants,” Millie said, undeterred. “In this instance, you are. Being around Connor all the time has made you forget to be nervous. You're used to him and as such, no more clumsiness.”
“Hmm, maybe,” Georgie conceded, “But we’re entering a whole new environment here. I've never been on a date with him.”
“Why all the pressure on the word ‘date’?” Kendra asked, “it's just the two of you having dinner, what's the big deal?”
“You guys
wouldn't understand,” Georgie said, nerves fading and melancholy settling in. “You've both been on lots of dates, had boyfriends and all that stuff. This is all new to me and it makes me nervous and anxious and I feel completely out of my depth.”
Kendra put her arm around Georgie and gave her a squeeze. “But it's just Connor. Getting dressed up and going to a restaurant doesn't change the fact that this is Connor, your friend, the guy you've been hanging out with for weeks now. You are psyching yourself out for absolutely no reason. Now come and try on this dress, I think it will be perfect on you.”
Georgie tried to let her friends’ confidence rub off on her and she smiled and nodded and did all the things to make them think that she had put aside her anxiety. The fact was, as the time drew closer, she felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest. That’s who she was; she put a lot of pressure on herself and she didn't know how to change that. She just hoped that she wouldn't make a fool of herself tonight.
There was a knock on the door and Georgie felt like throwing up. He was here, this was really happening. Part of her had wondered whether he would call and cancel or even just stand her up, but no, Connor was here and she was going on a date.
Kendra and Millie had left only a few minutes ago after having primped and preened her to within an inch of her life. She wore a slinky black dress that wasn't too short, but had a side split that showed a decent amount of leg. It was backless, which in this heat wasn't a bad choice and she didn't have to worry about a bra, not with her little pimples. On her feet were scrappy silver heels that she actually really liked, but made her feel a little gangly and unsure on her legs. They had left her hair down, but instead of straightening it, Kendra had curled it into soft waves. There was no Vamp Red lipstick this time, just a pale blush colour and for the first time in ages, she was wearing contacts.
There was another hesitant knock on the door and she rolled her eyes at herself for being frozen in place. With a calming breath, she crossed the room and opened the door. Connor stood there in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt underneath that was open at the collar. He'd shaved the unruly scruff from his face, but not entirely, leaving a manicured short growth of dark blonde whiskers. He smiled when he saw her, his eyes lighting up and her nerves disappeared like smoke.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice husky.
“So do you,” she replied, her own voice breathy.
He held out his arm to her, “Shall we?”
Georgie took his arm and let him guide her down the stairs and out into the street where a sleek BMW sat waiting for them.
“Where’s your truck?” She asked.
“I figured you wouldn't want to be climbing up into it with a dress and heels on,” he said with a shy shrug, “So I borrowed Gran’s car.”
“Thank you,” she said, feeling touched by his thoughtfulness.
He opened the car door for her and she slid into the soft leather seat. He rounded the car and slid behind the wheel and then they were pulling away from the curb.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they passed out of town.
“I've heard some good things about Window Payne Wineries and I thought we could check it out.”
“Nice,” she said relaxing into the seat, “I haven't been there, but I've wanted to.”
“Do you know the Payne brothers?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Kendra might, she grew up here.”
“I was friends with them back in the day,” he said, “I'm excited to see what they've done with the property. It wasn't a vineyard back then, just rolling hills and some old out buildings.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence for the rest of the journey.
She was stunning. Sitting opposite him in the soft candlelight he couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she was. It wasn't the clothes or the makeup or even the fact that she wasn't wearing her glasses tonight, it was just her. Everything about her. Her golden hair shone in the low light and her eyes were like the sparkling cerulean sea. Her fair skin had a rosy glow from the wine and her lips were plush and pink and he wanted to taste them. She had him bewitched and it wasn't something she'd said or done, it was just her and he knew he was lost. Just the fact that he was thinking such poetic things was testament to how much she had affected him.
“So what are your plans?” she asked, sipping from her wine glass, “I know you've got ‘A Royal Engagement’ coming up, but what then, after that?”
“I've got a new venture in the works,” he said, wanting to share his news with her, “A local project.”
Her eyebrows lifted up elegantly. “Here in Aus?”
He nodded. “I want to try my hand at directing,” he said, “That's what the meeting in Armidale was all about. I met with an independent film studio who pitched me an idea. I'd have a small role in it, but what I'm really interested in is the chance to get behind the camera.”
She smiled at him, a genuine delighted smile. “That sounds amazing,” she said, “I don't know how you do it, I wouldn't know the first thing about making a film.”
He shrugged, “I didn't either when I first started. But the more I learned the more it fascinated me. Getting the chance to work with a small independent crew will mean I'll get to learn even more.”
“Surely one of the major film studios would be willing to give you a chance?”
He shook his head, “I don't want that. I know the pressure the studios put on their directors. Every movie costs an obscene amount of money and the studios need to make that money back at the box office. Plus, all of the hands on stuff would be done by several hundreds of assistants and tech support staff. I don't want that, I want to get into the thick of it, get my hands dirty, have more control. I don't want to make a movie just to make money, I want to make a movie that means something to me even if only a few people see it.”
Her smile softened as she looked at him. “You're amazing,” she said.
“No,” he replied, “I'm just me and I can be stubborn and unreasonable and just as pigheaded as the next guy. But for the first time in a long time, I'm excited for what's coming up. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, I love acting and I'm so thankful for all the opportunities it has given me, but I'm ready for something more, something new.”
She reached across the table and laid her hand on his. “I think it's wonderful and I think you're amazing. There is so much passion and energy about you that floors me sometimes. I grew up without ever experiencing anything like that and being around you inspires me.”
He turned his hand over so that they were palm to palm. “Thank you,” he said, touched by her words.
A waiter approached and subtly put the leather bill folder on the table. Connor glanced up and realised they were the only two left in the restaurant. Wow, where had the time gone? Being with Georgie was like being in an alternate universe where time moved differently.
He signed the check and then stood, holding his arm out to Georgie. She hooked her hand under his elbow and they walked out of the restaurant and into the balmy night.
“That was wonderful,” she said as they drove down the driveway and onto the road. “The food was amazing and the wine,” she smiled, “the wine was delicious.”
“It was nice,” he said thinking that it was the company that had made the evening so wonderful. He couldn't even remember what he ate, although it must have been good because he had such a feeling of satisfaction that only good food and wine could give.
He reached across the console and took her hand in his, liking the contact, the connection with her. The ride back to her apartment was quiet, but companionably so and far too short. He didn't want the evening to end, despite them already having spent hours together. He could quite comfortably spend many more hours with her, which gave him an idea. Instead of stopping in front of her apartment, he continued to drive through town.
“Where are we going?” Georgie asked.
“I want to show you something. Is that o
kay?”
He shot her a quick glance and saw her smile and nod.
It didn't take long to get to his destination and he was grateful that it was deserted. He parked the car and switched off the lights, leaving them in darkness. Looking out the windscreen the town of Oxley Crossing was laid out before them and above them was the night sky dotted with stars that looked like diamonds flung carelessly across black velvet.
“Wow,” Georgie breathed, “it's beautiful.”
“Come on,” he said, getting out of the car and crossing to open her door.
He held her hand as they walked to the railing of the lookout. It was a clear night and they could see for miles. The twinkling lights of the small town looked like a fairy land and the sky above made them both feel like they were standing on the edge of the universe.
Unable to stop himself, Connor pulled Georgie into his arms. She looked up at him with soft, trusting eyes and he felt his heart skip a beat. Slowly, so as not to scare her away, he lowered his head, hesitating a breath from her lips to give her time to object and then he kissed her. It was a soft brush of lips that made her melt into him and he let himself get lost in the magic of it. The perfect kiss with the perfect girl on the perfect night. It was the stuff of movies, but for once in his life, it was real.
10
“Could it be that one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors is off the market?”
Connor rolled his eyes at the headline as he walked passed the doorway of Gran’s TV room. The entertainment news shows always made things sound so dramatic and he wondered who the poor celebrity was this time. He was lucky to have a fairly good rapport with the paps and they left him alone for the most part. He knew that as a celebrity, he owed his fans a look into his private life and he was willing to give the media shots of him in his everyday life as long as they respected his boundaries. So far it had worked and he was thankful for it.