Don't Wake Me if I'm Dreaming

by J. E. Chaney

  “So what, let him leap, hell, like a frog if he wants. You deserve the attention and lavishing lifestyle. Besides, if you guys don’t rush it, he’ll realize falling in love with you is the easiest thing in the world. Trust me.”

  “Thanks. I think. I think falling in love is the furthest thing from his mind.”

  “Since when do men think with their brains? He won’t be able to control himself with you.” She took the glass and sipped from it. “Holy hell!” She crumpled her face coughing. “What is this crap?” She looked in the glass.

  “Very expensive whiskey.” I guzzled a deep chug finishing my drink, making my throat burn.

  She cleared her throat. “You were okay with kissing him, yeah?”

  I blushed, “Well, I didn’t exactly try to stop him.”

  “There you have it. You two have a lot of fun together and your chemistry—wow! I could see why he’d be so gung ho to kiss you.” She handed me her glass. “Yuck! This stuff will grow hair on my chest.”

  We heard a knock at the door. I was instantly flushed with anxiety.

  “It’s him.” She headed to the door.

  I rushed to the bathroom rechecking myself in front of the mirror, with a deep breath, exhaling as the door opened. Calm down, Sasha.

  I heard Jack’s voice, and headed out to greet him. He looked past Aimee as she slipped out of the room.

  “Hi, again.” I smiled shyly.

  His smile was of satisfaction looking me over. “You are exceptionally beautiful this evening.”

  “And you are handsome as usual.”

  He stepped just in the door, not allowing it to close all the way.

  “You can come in.”

  “Thank you, but Vance is waiting in the hall.”

  “Gotcha. Let me just…” I turned, looking for… “My coat, found it.” I slid it on and grabbed my clutch. “Okay.”

  “Ready?”

  “I think so.” I hooked my arm around his and headed into the hall.

  ***

  A long spread of vehicles waited for valet parking ahead of us when we pulled up in the crowded block of the Metropolitan Opera House.

  We hurriedly rushed from the car to the covered awning, avoiding the flurries. Vance handed the doorman our tickets as we hurried inside.

  The opera house was magnificent with a huge, retro looking chandelier just inside the doors. Enormous tapestries hung on either side of the marble staircases leading to a balcony stacked full of people finishing their cocktails. Christmas greenery was tastefully strung from the ceiling and tied with large red velvet bows. I noticed the excitement in Jack’s eyes as he watched me taking in the surroundings.

  “It’s beautiful,” I mouthed to him, not wanting to shout over the chattering crowd surrounding us.

  We made our way to the doors leading into the opera hall. It was also strikingly beautiful inside. I followed Jack to the lower level parterre seating section finding our seats near the stage. He removed my coat, draping it over my seat.

  “Such a gentleman.” I smiled.

  Aimee sat on my other side next to Vance and we all engaged in small talk until the lights dimmed. The conductor made his way just below the stage, bowed, and then was seated. The orchestra began playing for a few minutes before the stage curtain drew open and the lighting changed.

  We watched fixedly, as the performers came on stage.

  Jack laid his arm on the rest, extending his hand to me. My fingers slid between his. After a few minutes, I leaned in my seat, slightly closer to him. His hand slid from mine and reached around my shoulder. He was watching the show, with a thumb lightly tracing my shoulder.

  I unintentionally became stiff, nervous, trying to welcome his caress.

  He leaned over, slightly touching his lips to my shoulder “Breathe.” His attention returned to the performance.

  I stabilized my breathing, relaxing back into his arm and watched the performance.

  Finally, I was able to focus on the performance I had seen several times before in my hometown community, but not nearly with the same beauty or awareness as in this moment.

  This time, the play brought new light as I paid attention to the young Clara dreaming about the Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads as she lay sleeping next to the tree. I completely understood how real her dream was to her. How my own dreams were turning into a performance of sort. I knew in the end Clara would wake with her beloved Nutcracker next to her. I glanced at Jack’s knees and held in my laughter as I too was next to the man of my dreams.

  During the short intermission, Jack had whispered to me, “I want you to trust I have only the best of intentions with you.”

  “Trust is built, not just given.” I side glanced his direction.

  “So I have a new goal.” He kissed my temple. “Do you still dance?” He spoke just loud enough for me to hear.

  “Mostly on tables when I’m drinking.”

  He tipped his head back, surprised. “You had me for a second.”

  “And you looked too excited about that.” I turned, facing him. “No, I’ve injured my ankles too many times to do much these days, but I have a studio in my apartment I play around in once in a blue moon.”

  “It would be an honor to see you dance.”

  “Someday you might be so lucky.”

  “Ah, I’ll hold you to that.”

  “It won’t be impressive, trust me, my body isn’t as nimble as it once was, but I did dance from the time I was four until right around nineteen. Then that dream ended. My ankle just couldn’t do it any longer.”

  “Sounds relatable. I haven’t touched my sticks in years.”

  “Does your leg make it so you still can’t play?”

  “Not my best. There’s just something about no longer having the ability to do your best that takes the drive right out of the game. At least that’s how it was for me. I practiced my whole life trying to be good enough for the NHL.”

  “And were you?”

  “I was scouted out by the Canucks. After my injury, the doctor said that was the end of that dream.”

  “That’s a horrible story.” I could relate to have a slaughtered dream.

  “You’re telling me. I underwent two surgeries trying to convince myself that wasn’t the end.”

  “Well, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to see you play around someday.”

  “Maybe.” His voice held a smile.

  After the ballet, we headed to dinner, and nearly two hours of laughter at One if by Land, Two if by Sea.

  The restaurant had the most romantic ambiance with dimmed yellow lighting cast from the chandeliers. Sconces lined the red brick walls on either side of the windows, and the dark wooden floors looked as though they hosted many years of service. It was cozy and beautiful. A pianist set the mood playing from a classic selection of sheet music, but was a bit loud, so we dined upstairs.

  Our group dynamic was perfect. I sweetly was reminded of our couple’s time with Matt. It had the same feeling of sociability and close intimacy. It was an added bonus that Vance and Jack had already established a friendship, in which Aimee and I were extremely grateful.

  Clearing his Beef Wellington and risotto, Jack pulled his chair closer to mine resting his arm on the back and relaxing with a scotch in his other hand. The guys were talking about work, and Aimee and I were people watching when I gained the confidence to reach under the table for Jack’s leg, hoping he would hold my hand. Unaware of his surprised stiffened brows and smirk, I hadn’t realized the distance between my hand and his knee.

  He placed his hand on mine looking to his lap grinning. I quickly noticed I had neared a very bold move turning my face a deep scarlet hue.

  “That was an accident,” I mumbled to him.

  “Not all accidents are necessarily bad,” Jack said as he lifted my hand into his, holding it comfortably mid leg. “This probably isn’t the right pace for getting frisky.” He winked.

  I guess if any
thing, Jack’s constant smile indicated he was enjoying himself, even if at my humiliating expense.

  ***

  Vance had all but carried Aimee to their room, after her fourth martini, leaving Jack to walk me to my room.

  “Quite a night.” He smiled.

  “I’d say so. Did you enjoy the play?”

  “Uh, yeah. I stayed awake.”

  “Life would be colorless if we all shared the same taste.”

  “Truth be told. It was a nice performance. Do you think Aimee will be okay?” He glanced back at their door.

  “Oh yeah, she’ll be all right. I think she was unaware that her tolerance isn’t the same as it was prior to having Scott. She seldom drinks anymore, but I’m sure they’ll be enjoying themselves just fine in there.” I slid my keycard and unlocked my door, then stepped just inside, with my back holding the door.

  Jack rocked back on his soles then forward again with his hands behind his back. “I’ll see you at breakfast?”

  I nodded. “I like breakfast,” I said, staring at his lips.

  His frame shook with mirth. “Good, so do I.”

  Feeling foolish, I quickly said goodnight.

  “Sleep well.” He leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead then turned toward his room.

  Unsure of why I basically excused him, I experienced an outburst of courage and lunged for his arm. “Jack, wait.”

  He turned and stared at me for a few seconds.

  “Come in. I want you to stay.” I reached for his hand, pulling him into my room.

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded.

  He pushed the door closed behind him. “It’s not too late to catch a movie,” he suggested.

  I shook my head no, gazing into his eyes.

  Realizing it was an invitation, he stepped toward me and placed his hands on both sides of my face and spared no time kissing me. Our bodies intertwined, deepening the kiss. It was incredibly delightful as our lips mastered the perfect kiss.

  “That was hot.” He glanced over my shoulder at the bed then took a deep breath and exhaled. “We probably shouldn’t be doing this. You’ve had a few drinks this evening.”

  “We can’t make out in my room?”

  “We can, but that’s not what I was referring to.”

  “That’s rather presumptuous.”

  “You asked me to stay, how else should I presume the meaning?”

  “I meant to stay and visit, not for sex!” My mouth hung open in surprise. Had I really given him the idea I was ready to have sex with him, or were my thoughts that transparent.

  “You really should’ve clarified that.” He grinned.

  “Well, I wasn’t expecting you to assume.”

  “You really are difficult to understand at times, but you know this already. Right?”

  “Are we having our first argument?” I bit my lip.

  “Are you indicating we might end up having make up sex?”

  I laughed. “Are you being suggestive?”

  “It was a question, not a statement.”

  “Then, no. I’m not suggesting anything.” I twisted my lips.

  “Okay, then. We’re not done making out are we?”

  “This is becoming awkward.”

  “Goodnight, Sasha. Get some rest.” He left my room grinning ear-to-ear.

  I quickly rushed to the door then stood against it, wishing he hadn’t left.

  Jack knocked on the door.

  I stared at the handle a few seconds.

  “Hi, again.” I opened the door.

  “Hi.”

  Our silent stare told my imagination he wanted me.

  “I’m not sleeping with you on our second date—ish, just so you know.”

  “Glad you exercise such class. I dropped my room key on your floor,” he spoke in a solemn manner, pointing at the keycard.

  I glanced down and noticed the keycard, then held the door open feeling feverishly embarrassed.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” I repeated wanting to crawl in hole.

  I noticed a grin slip to the corner of his lips as he headed into the hall.

  The door closed, and I fell back against it and sighed, feeling high. Nothing that just happened in the last few moments was remotely close to being serious, but I was definitely enjoying our sizzling chemistry.

  I pulled my hair down, then ran and pounced on the bed, kicking my feet into a tickled frenzy of laughter. “Momma, he’s so fine!” I squealed, flopping onto my stomach. It had only been twenty-nine hours since meeting Jack, but during that time, I felt a connection to him that was instantaneous and profound. The fear of letting anyone in was dwindling to only a trickle of fear.

  After sleeping nine peaceful hours, courtesy of a sleeping pill, I woke to a text from Aimee.

  “Pregnant yet?”

  “OMG YES!”

  “Menstrual fairy shot me in my sleep. I’m dying!”

  “Have another drink. C u n dining room.”

  I rushed to get cleaned up. I thought a moment about knocking on Jack’s door to see if he would walk with me to the dining hall but felt a little cowardice.

  I made my way downstairs and was surprised to see Jack and Vance already sitting at the table, both holding pages from a poorly dissected newspaper. I wasn’t sure what to expect or how Jack would react toward me in front of Vance as I apprehensively approached the table.

  “Well, hey there, gorgeous, good morning,” Jack said, standing to pull a chair for me.

  “Yes, good indeed!” I smiled, but before I could sit, Jack tastefully kissed me close to my lips. “Did you sleep well?” He returned to his chair and folded the paper.

  “I did.” My smile turned to a near blush as I reached for a mug, pouring myself some coffee. “And you?”

  “Like a champ.”

  Vance discreetly pointed. “She Devil at two o’clock. Don’t make direct eye contact with it. It’ll suck your soul.”

  Aimee was dragging her feet, looking run over by a mac truck. “Somebody please remove my uterus and get my ass some coffee!” She moaned. Her face had hangover written all over it.

  “Told you,” Vance mumbled, his face looked smug, pouring her a mug of coffee.

  “Told them what?” she asked with an angry brow.

  “You have bionic hearing.”

  Aimee was about to blow into the hot mug when she peeked up at Jack, then to me. Her skewed face twisted into a slight smile of contentment, then quickly turned to repulse. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She set the mug down then hurried from the table.

  “Drink soda water. There should be a bottle in your mini fridge,” Jack said empathetically.

  I watched her run across the lobby to a restroom. “I should probably…” I pointed.

  “Nah, I’ll take care of wifezilla. I’m willing to bet we’re not getting her out of the room anytime soon.”

  “Between the hangover and missing Scott, she’s probably over this trip.” I curled my lip under a little at Vance.

  “We’ll catch up with you guys for dinner.” He tossed the paper on the table then headed after his wife.

  “Married life sure looks appealing,” Jack muttered sarcastically, reassembling the paper.

  “It’s not bad for them. Just a few days during that time of the month she becomes slightly sensitive and possibly neurotic, but I couldn’t picture her any other way.”

  “That’s reassuring.”

  “So, what do you have planned for the day?”

  “Seeing that it’s just the two of us now, I think maybe we should head down to Rockefeller Center and ice skate.”

  “Ice skate?” My brows popped up.

  “You’ve never been ice skating?”

  “I can’t say I have. Fear of falling I suppose.”

  “I won’t let you fall.” He lifted his chin reassuringly.

  “Perfect. I can’t wait.” I tried sounding convincing.

  The waitress strode to our table hol
ding two plates, looking lost. “Did the gentleman sitting here change his mind about breakfast?” she asked, looking at Vance’s empty seat.

  “He did. I’ll take his plate.” I smiled politely, looking at the Eggs Benedict.

  “Perfect. Will that be all?” she asked.

  Jack looked at me in question.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “That worked out nicely.” He placed a napkin on his lap.

  “He’ll order room service. Isn’t there an ice rink in Central Park?”

  “Yes, two, Wollman Rink and Trump Lasker Rink. We could go to one of those if you’d rather?”

  “I don’t mind either way. I’ve always wanted to see Central Park.” I was indifferent, hoping he’d catch a hint of my I’d rather do anything else, thought.

  “Wollman Rink it is. It’s by the zoo.” He took a bite, and then spoke after swallowing. “I’d dress in layers to be safe. The air is a bit biting across the ice.”

  “You know, the zoo sounds nice.”

  “Next time.” He winked.

  “Fantastic.” I slapped a miserable smile on my face.

  ***

  My fingers were so cold Jack had to help me lace up my skates. I quickly concealed my hands in my mittens then stood, wobbling a little. I took a few steps with my arms out at my side, to get a feel for balance. It was awkward, but not too difficult to stand and step.

  “Are you ready?” Jack asked, reaching for my hands.

  “To fall and break my neck? Why not!” It was too late to make excuses, I had to skate.

  “Slow and steady.”

  “There’s a first for everything, right?” I quoted him.

  “Exactly.” He stepped onto the ice, then slowly skated backward pulling me with him.

  I was stiff and graceless. The skates felt clunky with each step and I kept my hands locked around his. My lungs expanded with air and exhaled out a smile to assure him I wasn’t a wimp.

  “I can either pull you across the ice or you can be brave and learn to skate.”

  “You want me to let go?” My eyes grew wide and dreadful.

  “I won’t let you fall.”

  I unclenched my grip and held my balance until gliding to a stop.

  “Here,” he said, moving to my side, he placed an arm across my back then held my hand in front of me. “You’re doing incredible. Look down, and focus on one point with your eyes, that’s where you’ll want to step, and loosen your body. If you stiffen up, you’ll fall. It helps to bend your knees and bring your shoulders slightly forward, but not too much starting out. The faster you go, the more you’ll lean in.”