by Jenna Brandt
A few minutes later, Bryce arrived at the restaurant to meet his friend.
“You’re late. Not that I care, but it’s completely unlike you,” Roger observed as Bryce sat down at the table across from him.
“Sorry, Gabrielle ambushed me again today. She keeps popping up everywhere I am lately. I don’t know what to make of it.”
“She’s still into you, is what it means. It was completely awful, not to mention stupid, what she did, but I think she cares for you.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s proven herself untrustworthy. I can’t get past that. Every time she wasn’t with me, I would question what she was doing. I can’t live that way. I need to trust the woman I’m with.”
“She made a mistake, Bryce. A huge one, granted, but still a mistake. If you love her, you should forgive her.”
“That’s just it, I'm certain I never loved her because she wasn't the right woman for me. She pursued me so heavily in the beginning, and her beauty was so intoxicating, I overlooked how vastly different we are and how those differences created huge obstacles. When I found her with her trainer, instead of being hurt, I felt relief. I can't deny I felt betrayed, but it only confirmed what I already knew—we weren’t right for each other.”
“Well, I’m the first to admit, I’m not an expert when it comes to relationships. My parents are both on their third marriages and I’ve never had a relationship that’s lasted longer than a few months. You shouldn’t count her out. Give it some time, you might come to realize you miss her.”
Bryce considered what his friend was saying. Will I miss Gabrielle if I don’t give her a chance? It had only been six months since their breakup, but he didn’t think so. They had plenty of problems in their two-year relationship. She was irrationally jealous, she argued about everything, was completely demanding and self-absorbed—the complete opposite of what he could tell about Lana. The cheating was the just the final bullet in their already dead relationship. However, he didn’t see the point in discussing it any further with Roger.
“What’s good here?” Bryce inquired, changing the subject. “This is my first time.”
“I hear the salmon is exceptional. You also can’t go wrong with the stuffed tenderloin from what I hear.”
A woman with slicked back blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and red lipstick dressed in an elegant black dress approached their table with a seductive smile plastered on her face. Her attention fell squarely on Bryce. “Good afternoon, Mr. Montgomery. We’re so glad to have you with us today. I’m Cynthia Riley, the restaurant manager, and I will be personally taking care of you today. I wanted to offer whatever you would like—on the house—for Manhattan’s #1 Most Eligible Bachelor.”
Bryce forced himself to keep from rolling his eyes or letting out a sigh. When is this going to end? He hated all the attention and special treatment he got because of that ridiculous list. “I think I will have the salmon,” he stated, trying to avoid engaging the woman beyond what was necessary.
“You’re sure you wouldn’t want anything else? Perhaps one of our award-winning appetizers or a bottle of our exclusive imported French wine?”
Bryce shook his head. “No, thank you. I have a short window of time to eat.”
She leaned forward, allowing her ample bosom to come into full view of him. “Are you sure I can’t entice you with anything else?” she asked with a flirtatious voice. “I mean anything.”
“I’m quite content with just the salmon,” Bryce stated with a cold tone and a narrowed glare. He wasn’t in the mood to contend with one more woman fawning all over him and hoped she got the message.
She straightened up and gathered the menus from the table with an irritated look on her face. “Very well, I will make sure a server puts your order in with instructions to make it quick.” She turned around, then over her shoulder added, “I have pressing business to attend to. I’ll have Maggie take over your table.”
Apparently, she got the message, from her haughty attitude and decision to hand off their table to someone else. Oh, well, at least she won’t be in my face flirting constantly for the next hour.
“Why did you do that?” Roger asked with irritation. “You might not have been interested, but it tempted me to find out what she meant by anything.”
“I’m sure you can still have a crack at her if you’re interested. She couldn’t have gotten too far,” Bryce stated with a roll of his eyes. “Honestly, how can you stand women who are that obvious?”
“All women are like that Bryce; some just hide it better than others. I figure, I would rather know where I stand with them up front than waste my time for months to find it out later.”
Bryce felt bad for his friend that he viewed women and relationships in such a jaded manner. It would be easy to do the same after Gabrielle, but he was still a hopeless romantic when it came down to it. He wanted to have the happily-ever-after with the right woman.
The church service was exactly what Lana needed to hear. She was grateful for the time off from both of her jobs and from going to auditions even if it was just for the morning.
After Pastor Greg finished the message, Lana and Celeste went out to take their positions at the front of the church as greeters.
Lana enjoyed serving at church and greeting people as they came inside. From the regulars to the first-time visitors, it was her job during the second service to make their experience comfortable and inviting.
As the music played, the entering parishioners dwindled until it was time for Lana and Celeste to leave their posts at the front doors.
“I need to go find Marjorie and tell her I need next week off. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Celeste explained before she sauntered off down the side hallway to find the church’s secretary.
Lana was grabbing her jacket and purse from behind the information counter when someone’s voice startled her.
“Good morning, Lana. You’re looking lovely today.”
She turned to find Reggie Fields looking at her with admiring green eyes. His blonde hair was slicked back, and he was wearing his usual plaid button-up and jeans.
“It looks like we had a good turn out today,” he said as he handed her the badges for the prayer team. “We had several people come up for prayer after service.”
“That’s great to hear,” Lana commented as she placed the badges behind the counter. “I’m glad the prayer team is helping people.”
“It was your idea after all,” Reggie stated. “Have you decided if you'll come back on the team? We miss you.”
Lana’s eyes dropped to the counter as she tried to think of the right words to say. She didn’t want to hurt Reggie, but he didn’t seem to get the hint she wasn’t interested in dating him. His constant attention and hyper-focus on her life made her uncomfortable to the point she had left the prayer team two months prior.
“It’s best if I stay a greeter. Besides, you have a strong prayer team now. You don’t need me.”
“You’re wrong,” he corrected. “I need you… I mean, we need you. The team is better with you on it.”
“That’s kind of you to say, Reggie, but I made the right decision when I switched to my new position.”
His brows furrowed together. “I don’t get you, Lana. We were having such a nice time serving together, and then you just up and left. It felt like we were getting close. Is it something I did? If you tell me what it was, I could fix it.”
Lana shook her head. “It’s not like that, Reggie. It’s not anything you can fix—it’s just better if we keep space between us.”
“What does that mean?” he asked defensively. “You make it sound like I’m some weirdo stalking you. I’ve done nothing but be nice to you, and you’ve been avoiding me for months now.”
Feeling uncomfortable, Lana wanted to escape, but she didn’t know how to get away from Reggie without making a scene.
Luckily, Celeste came back into the lobby and made her way over to Lana’s side. “You ready to head out of he
re?” she asked, eyeing Reggie suspiciously.
Lana nodded, sighing with relief. “I am.”
“I guess we need to stick a pin in our conversation for a later time then,” Reggie stated, the frustration audible in his voice.
Once they were out of the church and headed into the subway, Lana stated, “Thank you for rescuing me back there.”
“You’re welcome. I know how Reggie can be. He doesn’t seem to want to take ‘no’ for an answer with you.”
“I wish he would realize that we would never work together. He’s too needy for me, and I’m way too independent for him. I need a man who supports my dreams and aspirations, not somebody who thinks I’m being unrealistic.”
“You know who that sounds like, right? From everything you told me, Bryce fits the bill.”
Lana had been thinking the same thing. When she talked about acting with him, he seemed not only interested, but supportive. If she got serious with him, he wouldn’t try to persuade her to give up on her dreams but would encourage her to go after them.
“I agree. It’s one of the things I like most about him. He doesn't seem put off by my goals.”
“I guess it’s good you’re going on a second date with him then. Who knows, he might be the one.”
What an intriguing notion. Could Bryce be the man she ended up spending the rest of her life with? Her heart sped up at the thought.
8
Bryce steadied himself outside Lana’s apartment. He took two deep breaths before knocking. He wanted everything to go perfectly for their second date.
The door swung open to reveal Lana on the other side. She was wearing a lavender knee-length dress which enhanced her natural beauty. Her hair was half pinned back, allowing the ends of her hair to curl and float down and around her shoulders.
“You're gorgeous,” Bryce stated with a massive smile. He couldn’t keep the excitement from showing, nor did he want to. “You ready to head out?”
Lana nodded. “Just let me grab my coat and purse.” She reached behind the door and pulled out both items. As she slipped her coat on, she asked, “Are you going to tell me where we're going?”
“Nope. You told me you like surprises, so I figured why not plan another one?”
She laughed, causing her hazel eyes to twinkle and her hair to bounce around her. Bryce felt his heart somersault, a direct result at hearing the intoxicating sound.
“Have it your way.”
Once outside the apartment building, Bryce’s black limo was waiting for them with Mark beside it. He opened the back door as they approached.
“Thank you for waiting for us, Mark.”
“Of course, sir.”
Lana got into the backseat of the vehicle, followed by Bryce, after which Mark shut the door. She glanced around the car before she stated, “This sure is big for just the two of us.”
“It’s easier to have Mark drive us to our destination and drop us off than for me to take one of my other cars.”
“Other cars? How many do you have exactly?”
He shrugged. “Only a dozen or so.” When her eyebrow arched in disapproval, he quickly added, “But several were investments and one was a gift from the King of Wurtucanga.”
“A king gave you a car? There must be an impressive story behind that. Do tell.”
Bryce rarely talked about his assets. He never wanted to appear as if he were showing off. He wanted people to like him for who he was, not what he had. As he looked at Lana, he didn’t believe either of those scenarios applied.
“When I introduced Blaze and Graze into Wurtucanga, it brought in an influx of revenue to its cities via tourists, not to mention the solar farms we built in the surrounding villages from the money the app raised. The King wanted to thank me so he bought me a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda.”
Lana smiled. “What an amazing life you’ve led so far. You’ve gotten to travel the world while helping people. How marvelous.”
Bryce felt a pang of remorse. It felt like eons since he had worked on a project that focused on helping others rather than making money. “I haven’t gotten to travel much lately. Titan Enterprises keeps me rather tied to New York, not to mention, focused on profitability.”
The smile vanished from Lana’s face. “It’s your company, right?”
He nodded.
“Then you can make the focus whatever you want. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
The partition rolled down between the driver’s and the passengers’ area. “We’re here, Sir.”
“Thank you, Mark.”
As they exited the car, Lana gasped. “You brought me to Broadway?”
“I did. We need to get inside before we’re late.”
They rushed inside and Bryce guided her down to the front of the theater.
“Where are all the other guests? Are we early?”
“No, I arranged a private performance for us.”
Her head snapped to the side as her eyes rounded with surprise. “You mean it’s just going to be us?”
“I hope that’s all right.”
“It’s more than all right. It’s the best surprise anyone has given me. I don’t know how you keep doing it, but you do.”
Relief flooded Bryce, grateful his plans pleased her. “We should sit, as they’re planning to start the performance promptly at seven.”
“What, and they wouldn’t hold the performance for the man who bought out tonight’s show?” she jested with a smile as she sat in the seat next to Bryce.
“They probably would, considering I’m the one who funded this show, but I wouldn’t want to push my weight around that way. If we agreed upon seven, I want to honor that.”
The teasing smile vanished from Lana’s face as a look of admiration replaced it. “That’s good to hear. Often money changes people for the worse. They have no sense of respect for those around them. I’m glad it hasn’t seemed to have done that with you.”
Lana’s praise made his heart swell with appreciation. He liked that she admired and respected him. He wanted to do whatever it took to keep her seeing him that way.
The lights dimmed, signaling it was time for the show to start. The actors took to the stage and the contemporary drama about three sisters and their relationships unfolded.
Throughout the performance, Bryce would glance over at Lana. The acting glued her eyes to the stage in excitement, mesmerized by the drama. He could tell, she would love to be up there working alongside them.
Two hours later, the play ended. Lana turned to face Bryce with a smile. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. I’ve never gotten to sit this close at a Broadway play.” She glanced around the large theater and added, “Or have it all to myself for that matter.”
“Well, there’s still more.”
“There is?” she asked with amazement.
“Come with me.” He took her hand and pulled her down and through the side door by the stage. They headed through several hallways until they were standing in front of a door marked “green” room.
“What are we doing here?” Lana inquired.
Bryce turned the knob and pushed the door open. “I brought you here to meet the cast.”
Lana gasped as her hand squeezed Bryce’s. She glanced from the members of the play over to Bryce and then back to the cast once more.
He walked forward, pulling her alongside him. “Good evening, everyone. Thank you for your remarkable performance tonight and for staying after to meet us.”
“Good evening, Mr. Montgomery,” the cast members returned.
“All of you were wonderful,” Lana stated with awe. “I feel so privileged to watch you perform tonight.”
“Lana is an actor as well, so she knows far more about it than I do; however, I have to agree, you all were exceptional.”
“You’re an actor? What have you been in that we might have seen?” the actor that played the youngest sister asked as she stepped forward to talk with Lana.
“I’ve bee
n in the chorus of two off-Broadway plays and had a small role in The Westward Winds. I’ve also been in several commercials.” Lana’s cheeks tinged with pink as she added, “I’m still waiting for my big break.”
“Which role did you play in The Westward Winds?” one of the male leads inquired. “I saw that play.”
“Delora.”
“I thought I recognized you,” the man said with a smile. “You were remarkable, despite only having a handful of lines.”
“Thank you. That means a great deal coming from an actor of your caliber, Mr. Richardson.”
“Please, call me Sam. Why don’t you give me your number and I will keep you in mind if I hear about any acting jobs?”
Bryce stiffened under the invitation. Did the man have the audacity to hit on Lana right in front of him? Sam Richardson was a well-known movie actor who was doing a stint on Broadway. It was a real win for Bryce to get him to accept the starring male role in his play, but the man had a reputation for being a playboy with no scruples.
Lana glanced over at Bryce, giving him a confused stare. She must be uncomfortable with the request as much as he was. Bryce stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Lana’s shoulders. “If you hear about a role, you can forward the information to me.”
The actor’s eyebrows raised up in surprise before he nodded. “Of course, I can do that, Mr. Montgomery.”
As they moved over to a different part of the group, Lana leaned up and whispered against Bryce’s ear, “Thanks for the save.”
He whispered back, “No problem.”
They spent the next hour talking with the cast about the play and the actors’ previous jobs. There were a lot of laughs over more memorable moments and a few tears shed over some poignant times shared during actors’ final performances.
As Bryce and Lana left the theater, she stopped him outside on the sidewalk. She turned to face him, smiling. “This was the best night of my life. I never thought I would get to do something so special. Thank you so much.”