by C. J. Corbin
“You are by calling me. Did you just get to New York?”
“Yeah, we landed about two hours ago.” I opened the curtain to look out the window. “You should see all the traffic and you can hear the noise all the way up here. I love it.” I said excitedly.
“How did the book signing go?” He asked.
Our conversation continued until Nancy knocked softly on the door. “Elizabeth, room service is here.”
“My food is here. We’re both starving.” I told Michael.
“That’s a new one for you. I’ve never heard you talking about so much food,” he laughed.
“It’s what Nancy and I do when we travel. We eat.”
“You go and eat. Thanks for letting me know you arrived safely.”
I sighed. “I miss you Michael.” My heart was heavy, and I didn’t want to end the call.
Michael voice became soft and wistful, “Babe, I miss you too. I feel like we haven’t had any time together at all. When I think back on our time together up with the eagles, it really wasn’t that long ago but it seems like forever,” he broke his sentence off.
“I know,” my voice matched his and I leaned against the window. “I want you to hold me and make love with me.”
“Damn it Babe, next book tour I go with you.” He growled over the phone.
I laughed softly, “Only if you take me on your photo shoots.”
“I’m teaching you how to a use a camera when you get home.” He laughed with me. “Okay, go eat. Call me tomorrow night.”
We ended our call and I joined Nancy in the living room.
Nancy looked at me as I sat down, “You two have it bad.”
I frowned and nodded, “I know.” I took a forkful of salad and munched on it thoughtfully. “I don’t know if it’s because we were interrupted with all our traveling as things were beginning, or if there really is something between us.”
Nancy gestured at the roses on the table, “Elizabeth, a man does not spend a small fortune on flowers, not to mention coming up with cryptic sayings on cards because there is nothing between you. I think it’s obvious that he is courting you.”
I laughed and then looked at Nancy, “You’re serious, aren’t you? Where did you come up with courting?”
“By what you’ve described of Michael, he sounds fairly conservative, at least when it comes to women.” She stopped to pop a small piece of bread into her mouth, “The flowers definitely point to wooing.”
I smiled and sat back in the chair. “I like the sound of that. I’m being wooed.”
Nancy nodded, “Yes, I think you are. Enjoy it. Men like Michael don’t come around very often.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Insert whatever city you would like. We were getting to the grind of the tour. The signing in New York started at noon and was supposed to end at six. It didn’t. Nancy and I stayed until eight and we were almost late to dinner.
Sam and Martha met us at the restaurant. I was thankful Luc was absent again. I concluded that I most likely would never see him again. I was more than a little embarrassed about what had happened between the two of us. There were a few other people from the publishing east coast office that we knew who also joined us. Overall, it was a pleasant dinner, but I was tired. Since we did not have the opportunity to go back to the hotel to change clothes, I felt grungy and dirty from the day. The pants suit I had worn at the book signing translated well for dinner, so at least I had chosen my wardrobe correctly.
That night I fell into bed exhausted. Michael and I spoke only briefly on the phone. They were still watching the eagles, and were under the opinion that it was in all probability local hunters, single or plural. I asked Michael to be especially careful and he told me he was always careful. I added him and the eagles to my list of worries.
Nancy and I took an early flight to Chicago the next morning. I had to forego my usual bliss of room service breakfast, but we managed to grab coffee at the Starbucks next to the hotel before we left. The airline did serve us breakfast in first class, but it was not room service breakfast. I did not grumble too much because I knew the next few days would be very tiring to both of us. A book signing felt like being on stage for six hours straight, smiling, laughing, being pleasant, with everyone focused on you.
A corporate representative from the chain of bookstores met us at O’Hare airport with a limousine. Sandy was a pleasant and efficient woman. When I was tired, I appreciated efficiency. She took us directly to the bookstore for my television interview. The hotel was located conveniently across the street so we could check in quickly and afterwards the book signing would begin at three and would last for six hours.
The reporter and camera crew were at the bookstore when we arrived. Sandy had warned me in the limousine that they wanted to film me arriving at the store because the fans had already started lining up.
In the face of cheers from the waiting fans, I waved and walked over, “Hey you guys, how long have you been here?”
“We’ve been waiting since early this morning.” A young woman at the front of the line said. “We heard about Miami and that you had to turn people away.”
“Thanks for coming. We’ll let you in a soon as we can.” I said.
A young man further back in the line, “We’ll wait.”
Another person yelled from the crowd, “We love Jessica, and we love you!” I turned and waved again.
After we made the introductions inside, my makeup was touched up for the interview. The camera crew and reporter waited for me in a small area of the bookstore set up with couches and chairs. The reporter and I chatted for a few minutes before we started to film. Since there was only one camera, we sat on the couch together. The couch was comfortable but it was difficult with my long legs to find a position in which I did not slouch and one that would keep my legs together.
Melissa, the stereotypical blond reporter, leaned over to me and whispered, “I won’t ask you on camera about page 75, but why do you think it’s getting so much attention?”
I laughed, “Honestly, I’m not sure why it’s getting so much attention. Other parts of the book were racier. If I had to guess, it must be because it’s underwater.”
We started the interview and Melissa asked me all the standard Jessica questions about how long I had been writing, where I got my ideas from, and my future plans for Jessica. When it came to my plans, I still had not told anyone about ending the Jessica saga, so I certainly did not discuss it during the interview.
“Elizabeth, there have been rumors flying around the past few days that there might be a movie deal in the works for the Jessica series. Can you lend any credibility to this story?” Melissa asked as she moved closer to me, I guessed because she wanted to appear conspiratorially friendly.
I flashed a look at Nancy who was standing behind Melissa just off camera. Nancy rolled her eyes and gave a barely perceptible shrug of her shoulders. I looked back at Melissa and shook my head. “No, nothing like that to report, although given the right circumstances the story would make a terrific movie.”
Melissa nodded and accepted my answer at face value. She looked directly at the camera and signed off. Melissa turned back to me and offered her hand as she stood. “Elizabeth, thank you for the interview, I’m looking forward to reading the book, especially page 75.”
I laughed and stood with her. “Hope you’re not disappointed. There are other good parts of the book.”
We said our goodbyes and Nancy pulled me over to her. “Good interview. Those S.O.B.’s at Triad have leaked it to the press. I’m going to kill them.”
“Do you think it was them? Maybe Sam’s people have leaked it. You know to generate more publicity in this book.” I asked.
Nancy looked at me considering the possibility, “Well someone has leaked it. I’m going to call Bill’s office and see if they have heard anything.”
“Let me know.” I turned to go and Nancy grabbed me.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
/>
I looked at my watch. “I have an hour before the book signing. I’m just going to run over to the hotel for a minute.”
Nancy smiled, “You can’t wait can you? You’ve got to go over to see if there are flowers in the room, don’t you?”
I looked chagrined and nodded. Nancy just rolled her eyes, “Go. But hurry back. We’re supposed to have Chicago deep dish pizza delivered in a few minutes for lunch.”
I nodded again and turned to the door. Nancy yelled out after me as she took her phone out of her pocket, “Take security.”
Sandy who had heard us joined us quickly, “I’ll go with you Elizabeth.”
“That’s sweet of you,” I said, “but, you don’t have to. The hotel is just across the street.”
“I don’t mind. There is a big crowd gathering out there. John will walk us across the street.” She beckoned to the burly security guard standing by the door. We crossed the street without incident probably because I stopped to talk to the fans again. Sandy rode up in the elevator with me.
“Elizabeth, if I could be so bold, why is it that you needed to come over to the hotel?”
I smiled, “It’s really silly. My boyfriend,” I loved to linger on that word. The word alone could send little shivers down my spine and start my stomach flipping. “He has been sending me roses to each one of my book signing stops.”
She nodded in understanding, “So you want to see if there are flowers here in Chicago. Will you be disappointed if they are not there?”
I thought about it for a moment before answering. “I guess so, but no really, I won’t be. He’s been very generous. There were flowers in Miami and New York. I’m only going to be here one night, so it would be very wasteful since I can’t take them with me.”
We walked down the hushed hallway and I slid the card key into the slot when we reached my room. The door snapped quietly open. The room again was a suite and we had to step fully into the room.
Both of us gasped at the same time and then said “Aww” in unison. The pink and red roses were on the table by the window. I crossed the room to them and bent over to inhale their fragrance. I read the card silently, “We’ll be together again soon. Hurry home. M.” and tucked it into my jacket pocket. Sandy had returned to the doorway to give me privacy. Had I been alone, the crying would have started. The roses and the sentiment on the card made my heart sing however, it laid heaviness on my heart too. I missed Michael more than ever now.
I joined Sandy in the hallway and closed the door behind us.
“The roses are beautiful.” Sandy commented. “May I ask if there is significance between the pink and red?”
I smiled. “He seems to be adding a red rose everyday and subtracting a pink one.”
Sandy nodded appreciatively, “Wow, he’s very romantic and very visual too.”
“Yeah,” I said smiling, “That must be the photographer in him.”
Nancy and I were finished by nine thirty and we made our way over to the hotel. I was tired and begged off dinner. We would be leaving early the next morning for a flight to St. Louis, and by the end of the day tomorrow, we would be in New Orleans for the next stop.
When I reached my room, I was disappointed to leave a message for Michael after reaching his voicemail. I thanked him for the flowers and told him he was being far too extravagant. I hoped he didn’t listen to me. I loved getting the flowers.
Tammy emailed more pictures of the dogs and herself. I laughed at the antics in the photographs since they were a little slice of home for me. I hoped there would be one of Michael among the pictures, but there wasn’t. Michael had definitely taken the shots and I began to recognize his style. I replied to Tammy’s email thanking her for the pictures and told her I wanted one of her dad. Curious as to how far that would get me, I seriously doubted that I would see anything at all. I shut my laptop down and fell into an exhausted sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The next morning Nancy and I were up early again. Early enough for room service breakfast. We talked over coffee. It was a busy day ahead, the book signing in St. Louis from noon to six and then a flight to New Orleans. By this point, I had forgotten what day it was and Nancy had to remind me it was Friday, one more week on the tour. I should have been enjoying the trip more and usually did. This time it was different though. I had someone waiting for me at home. Somebody wonderful who was sending me flowers.
Nancy and I arrived in New Orleans late in the evening. Our hotel was in the French Quarter and as expected, it was crowded even for a Friday night. I was thankful that my bedroom faced the courtyard, which meant it would be quiet. The book signing was from noon to six and then we would have the whole evening and Sunday free. We would fly to Phoenix on Monday morning.
Nancy came with me to my rooms first. She was as curious as I was to see if there would be flowers. She spotted them first. They were sitting on the table in the front room. Six pink and six red roses were in the vase. My heart almost leapt out of my body.
Nancy only said one word. “Wow.”
If I could have hugged them, I would have. I hadn’t spoken with Michael since Chicago. I would track him down somehow.
“This one is a keeper.” She whispered to me, “He’s for real.”
I just nodded. I hadn’t looked at the card. I didn’t want to with Nancy in the room. I wanted to cry by myself and I was holding it together just enough to say goodnight to her. Nancy understood without me having to tell her. She quickly left me alone.
I opened the French windows looking out over the Quarter and sat in the heavily brocaded chair by the window. Slipping the card slowly out of the envelope I read it aloud, “Elizabeth, you brought a new kind of love to me. Michael.” I gasped, and the tears slowly trailed down my face. “Oh Michael.” I wiped the tears away and dialed his cell phone number.
Michael answered the phone with the first ring. My heart wanted to sing when I heard his voice. “Elizabeth, how is my woman?”
I smiled, “Hi Michael, you’re some kind of incredible.”
“I am?” he questioned, “Why do you say that?”
“I love the flowers. You are so sweet.” I said.
Michael laughed, “I want to be something more than sweet. I want to be your sexy hunk of a man.”
I laughed. “Oh you’re more than that. You know you are spoiling me. You shouldn’t be spending all your money. You have daughters in college.”
“You deserve to be spoiled. Indulge me.” He said it very softly. “Have you had a chance to look at your email?”
“No, I just got into the room. Did you send more pictures of the dogs?” I asked. I went over to my laptop bag, pulled out my computer, and turned it on. Michael stayed on the phone with me as I got on the internet. There was an email from Tammy and right below there was one from Michael. The subject line on his email read “Private.” I opened his email and found a photo attachment. “Did you send me a picture?” I asked.
“Open it and see.” Michael laughed.
The photo took a moment to download. As it opened, I struggled for my breath, “Michael, you didn’t?”
“If I see it spread on the internet, I’ll know who did it.” He said laughing.
“I could make a lot of money with this one.” I sighed. The picture was of him in his bathtub. The bubbles covered the important parts but I could clearly see his chest and he had his legs propped up together on the ledge of the tub. Completing the effect were burning candles surrounding the tub. The picture was deliciously sexy. Michael’s eyes looked directly at the camera and I felt he was looking directly at me. It made me shiver, in a very good way. “How did you take this picture?”
“Don’t worry, I was alone.” Michael laughed, “You know I am a talented photographer and know how to take pictures on time release.”
“Well,” I cleared my throat. “This is …” I paused for a moment while I tried to gather my thoughts. I heard Michael chuckling in the background. “Hmmm, this is definitely yummy
. You are my sexy hunk of a man.” I was wondering how I could upload the picture into my iPad because I couldn’t go around with my computer on all the time, or could I?
“I’m glad you like it. We’re going to have to take a picture of you for me and I know just how I want you posed.”
I giggled, “Oh, I don’t think that is ever going to happen.”
By the end of our conversation, Michael had me more than giggling. Our banter had refreshed me and my bones did not feel as tired as before. The laughter from the street below was strangely comforting to me also. The breeze carried into my room the smells of rain on the Mississippi. I had always loved New Orleans just for this reason. The city did not have the hustle of New York or the sassiness of Miami. It had its own personality, one of southern charm that captured long gone days. Nights spent on a verandah, sipping a mint julep, and listening to a Cajun beat. The first ideas of centering a new book in New Orleans arrived that night.
Before our conversation ended, Michael had reminded me that the wife of his colleague would be coming to the book signing tomorrow. He described her and asked me to be on the lookout for her since she was shy.
I crawled beneath the feather comforter and cuddled up against the feather pillows, everything almost felt like home. The courtyard that the bedroom faced was quiet. The trees were rustling as the breeze increased. The lace curtains fluttered and I heard the first drops of rain. The sound of the rain lulled me softly to sleep.
The next morning we agreed to meet in the lobby. We walked to Café Du Monde for their chicory coffee and donuts. It had rained hard during the night and the streets were still wet. The humidity and heat had not set in yet, but the threat was there. The outdoor café was located on the river. We ordered our café au lait and beignets, and then sat outside under the covered patio.
I had found the secret to eating the powdered sugar beignets was not to breathe while taking a bite. If you inhaled, your lungs filled with the powdered sugar and you had a coughing fit. Exhaling was almost worse, that created a chest and lap full of powdered sugar. Yes, it was better not to breathe at all until the morsel was safely in your mouth. Nancy and I still ended up blowing powdered sugar at each other while we were laughing.