Intensity

by S. Briones Lim

  “If he’s our friend how come you warned me about being careful around him? You obviously noticed something off,” Celine replied.

  “I guess I was wrong,” Ruthie said sternly. “We’ve all been friends for years, right? Besides, you already rode back home with him and that didn’t end up weird, right?”

  Celine nodded, but still kept her eyes down. She wanted to tell Ruthie about how Brian felt about her, she really did. She just couldn’t admit it, even to herself. She already felt guilty about driving home with him and she knew admitting he liked her would make her feel things she shouldn’t be feeling.

  She swallowed and in a quiet voice said, “Just promise me that you won’t force me to go anywhere I don’t want to”

  Ruthie nodded her head. “Done.”

  Chapter 20

  “Do you think this one’s okay?” Ruthie held out an eggshell colored sleeveless top. It had a few sequined embellishments towards the shoulder area, but not too much. Ruthie’s number one beauty rule was that simplicity was always better.

  Celine sat cross-legged on Ruthie’s huge bed and leaned back on her arms. She narrowed her eyes and nodded. “I always thought that top was cute, but is it good for what you’re doing?” She paused and cocked her head to the side. “Wait a minute, do you even know what you’re doing?”

  Ruthie pursed her lips. In truth, she still hadn’t heard from either Cash or Brian. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Celine that. Telling her friend would mean admitting it to herself. It would mean finality…it would mean her trip to New York was nixed. She wasn’t ready to face the possibility yet. Especially since Celine had already booked her flight to New York.

  Changing the subject, Ruthie asked, “How about you? What are you packing?”

  “Business casual stuff,” Celine answered, sounding a bit bored. “You know, just dresses and boots; stuff I wouldn’t usually wear.”

  “How long does the conference last?” Ruthie was desperate to talk about anything but Cash at the moment.

  “Just Saturday—I’ll be out by evening.” Celine narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Why?”

  Ruthie threw her head back and began laughing. “I’m not going to force you to do anything, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Ruthie folded the shirt and placed it on top of her suitcase. With a softened expression, she sat next to Celine and patted her leg. “Are you sure this attitude problem of yours is not about Brian?”

  “I don’t have an attitude!” she protested.

  “Right.” Ruthie laughed.

  Celine rolled her eyes and rested her head against Ruthie’s wooden headboard. “For the last time, this is not about Brian. I just don’t want to start off my impending marriage by hanging out with a bunch of strange men who do drugs and partake in other questionable activities.”

  All amusement left Ruthie’s face. “By questionable, do you mean me?”

  Celine rolled her dark brown eyes and groaned. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

  “Fair enough.” Ruthie began clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth.

  “What are you thinking?” Celine asked with apprehension. She grabbed at Ruthie’s pillow, hugging it like a shield.

  “Just that Intensity isn’t a bunch of strange men. We practically grew up with them!” Ruthie grabbed at a hanger and waved it in front of her face, enunciating every syllable.

  “Oh, come off it.” Celine laughed. “And please put down that hanger before you blind yourself.” She shook her head and smiled. “We grew up with their image! Who knew that Hunter was a druggie and Cash is a—”

  “Is a what?” Ruthie prodded, raising her eyebrows, still clutching onto the plastic hanger that was quickly becoming her stress ball.

  “We don’t know them on a personal level, Best Friend.” Celine shook her head. “I just don’t feel right partying it up with them while my fiancé is on the other side of the country.”

  To Celine’s surprise, Ruthie burst out into a fit of laughter. It was so off the cusp that Celine couldn’t help but frown in curiosity.

  “What?” Celine asked incredulously. “What’s so funny?”

  “Do you remember the last party we threw?” Ruthie’s eyes lit up in amusement.

  “You mean the only one we ever threw? Don’t remind me.” Celine tried hard to fight it, but the corners of her mouth soon gave way to a tiny smile.

  Celine’s cold demeanor quickly vanished and was replaced with the same light-hearted woman Ruthie knew and loved. She didn’t know what was going on with her friend, but attributed it to wedding stress. Attempting to keep the ball rolling, Ruthie added, “All I know is that I’m never drinking jungle juice ever again!”

  “If you can even call it that! It was a smorgasbord of alcoholic beverages! I’m surprised that we were both able to function enough to clean the next day.” Celine laughed.

  “Yeah, at least I was able to get the security deposit back from that place. Word to the wise, never throw a party a week before you’re supposed to move out of a place.” Ruthie shook her head nostalgically. The two of them did have some great adventures under their belts.

  “Stupid twenty-one-year-olds,” Celine added with sentimentality.

  Ruthie sat back against her white-washed headboard and smiled down at her friend. “See? All went well. There’s no reason why you have to stop having fun just because you’re getting married.”

  Celine sat up and frowned. “Where’d that come from? I never planned on stopping, Ruthie. I just want to be smart about the fun that I do have.”

  “You mean you want to plan the fun that you have. That doesn’t sound like any fun to me at all,” Ruthie said with a shake of her head.

  “I’m still spontaneous, if that’s what you’re trying to say!” Celine argued.

  Ruthie sighed. “I didn’t say that you weren’t. I just see you as preventing yourself from living it up because you’re getting married. You said it yourself, nothing is going to change.”

  “With our friendship.” Celine exhaled and crossed her arms. “I’m going to be one half of a whole, Ruthie. I have to keep Noah’s opinion in mind and that includes not spending all hours of the night living it up like a celebrity, which I’m not.”

  Ruthie’s shoulders sagged forward. She knew Celine was right, but she didn’t see the harm of having one last crazy weekend together. “Prove you’re spontaneous, then. Be fun for once.”

  “Excuse me?” Celine lifted an eyebrow.

  “Throw all your inhibitions aside and just let loose this weekend. No double thinking anything. Your wedding stuff will be here when you get back. Noah will be here when you get back.”

  Celine remained quiet and looked away. What was she even doing going to New York? She dodged a bullet in San Diego and here she was diving head first back into the fire. And why? To save Ruthie? When did best friend duties become so life-consuming?

  “Come on! We need another fun adventure for the books.” Ruthie jutted her bottom lip forward in a mock pout.

  Yeah, because meeting Intensity was anything but fun. Celine groaned. “I’m going already, aren’t I? Just promise me that whatever crazy adventure you have planned, you will not be leaving me alone!”

  “Better than a no!” Ruthie replied happily.

  Celine eyed Ruthie’s open suitcase. “Well, this adventure is already getting off to a weird start. We’re not even flying together. When does your flight leave again?”

  Ruthie visibly swallowed and stood from the bed. She walked over to her walk-in closet and disappeared, not wanting Celine to see her face. How long could she keep up with this charade? She kept holding onto hope, but as the time kept ticking away, any hope of New York was slowly walking out the door.

  “Ruthie?” Celine called out in confusion. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No,” Ruthie called out from inside the closet. “You just reminded me that I better stop stalling and get packed. You know me, I like having everything ready days in adva
nce,” she lied.

  “Okay.” Celine stood up slowly and began walking towards the doorway. About halfway through the doorframe she paused and pivoted on her heel. “Let me know if you need help.”

  Chapter 21

  “Did you even start looking for dresses yet?” Celine’s sister, Melissa, demanded loudly.

  Celine was hunched over the kitchen counter, placing freshly baked cookies onto a ceramic plate. She quickly pulled the phone away from her ear and took a bite into a warm chocolate chip cookie. Baking was her therapy and unfortunately stress-eating was as well. All the wedding planning was beginning to get to her, but not as badly as her sister was making her feel.

  “Celine? Are you listening to me?” Melissa called out from the other line.

  “Yes!” Celine answered with a mouth full of chocolate goo. “Yes, I am.”

  “You’re eating, aren’t you?” Her tone was almost disapproving.

  “So what if I am? I’m hungry!” Celine cried out defensively.

  “That’s not going to help you find a dress any easier. It might even make it harder.” The sound of a baby’s cries interrupted Melissa. “Hold on,” she sighed.

  Celine listened to her sister humming, attempting to lull her niece to sleep. Taking advantage of Melissa’s preoccupation, Celine explained, “I’m too stressed to gain weight, if that’s what you’re saying! Just this week alone Noah and I are signing the contracts for our wedding venue, finalizing the guest list, meeting the caterers—I’m sorry if my dress is the last thing on my mind!”

  “Take a deep breath! Geez, you’re even worse than I was during my wedding,” Melissa snorted.

  Celine shut her eyes and shook her head. Melissa was the biggest bridezilla in the history of bridezillas. There was no way she was even close to that level. Celine sighed. “I just have a lot of things on my plate.”

  “Well, that’s what you get for agreeing to do that conference in New York. What were you thinking?” Melissa clucked.

  “I was thinking that it would help my career, Melissa! I’m sorry I’m not a dentist like you. I’m a writer and this is my job,” Celine hissed.

  “Fine, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine.” Celine’s eyebrows rose. Her sister was never one to apologize. She felt a nagging urge to grab a calendar and circle the date. It was one that would go down in infamy.

  “I’ll book your appointment with the Bridal Boutique. How does the twenty-fifth sound?” Melissa asked.

  “That sounds…good, actually,” Celine replied in surprise. Why was her sister being so nice? Guess people could change after all. “I’ll let Ruthie know.”

  “You sure she won’t be partying it up with celebrities?” Melissa grunted. She took a deep breath and in an almost condescending tone remarked, “You know how many people asked me about her? Her face is all over the tabloids! I can’t even go to Target without seeing her face in the check-out line.”

  “Don’t remind me. Why else do you think I agreed to go to New York?” Celine quickly shut her mouth. She didn’t mean to admit it out loud.

  “What?” Melissa breathed. “You mean to tell me that the only reason you agreed to go to New York was because of Ruthie?” Melissa let out a sarcastic laugh. “I’m sorry, Celine, but you are in way over your head to even take stupid trips like this while you’re planning a wedding. Why are you really going to New York? Is it to keep an eye out for Ruthie?”

  “Yes,” Celine admitted, taking a huge bite out of her cookie.

  “She’s a grown woman, Celine. She can watch out for herself. If she makes stupid mistakes that end up plastered all over national news outlets, then let her! Don’t get dragged down with it.”

  “Fine.” Celine just wanted the whole conversation to end.

  Melissa paused and added, “The twenty-fifth, then.”

  Celine didn’t even wait for her to finish before she hung up the phone.

  ***

  Celine pushed her oversized sunglasses to the top of her head. She jumped out of Noah’s sedan and headed over to the trunk. Just as she was about to reach for the latch, she paused. It had never occurred to her before, but Noah never opened doors for her. He never went out of his way to carry her luggage or walk her to the door. As Brian’s face flashed in her mind, she quickly pushed him away and reached out to open the trunk. Noah never did any of those things for her because he knew she was a strong, capable woman.

  Just then Noah came from around the car and watched her as she lifted her small carry-on from the trunk. “Are you excited?” He smiled.

  Celine shrugged. “Honestly, I’m nervous.”

  “About what?” Noah asked, frowning slightly. “If you’re worried about speaking, don’t be. I’ve heard you talking on the phone before and your voice is loud enough to be considered public speaking!”

  “Very funny,” Celine snapped, though she couldn’t help but smile. That was the great thing about Noah. He may never open doors for her, but he always knew how to make her feel better.

  “What time does your flight land?” He rubbed the back of his head sadly. “I’m sorry I can’t come with you. There’s just so much to take care of before the restaurant opens next week.”

  Forcing a smile, Celine replied, “It’s okay.” Truthfully, she was a bit bummed he couldn’t enjoy New York with her, but then again, they had their whole lives to take trips together. Noah turned to bring Celine in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him and inhaled his sweet scent. “My flight lands around six,” she answered. “I should have a shuttle waiting to bring me back to the hotel. I’ll call you as soon as I’m checked in.”

  Noah nodded. “Sounds good. What time does Ruthie land?”

  “You know what? She never really gave me a straight up answer. She just told me she’d be arriving some time tonight and that she’d call me.” Celine shrugged. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she wasn’t going anymore.”

  “Maybe she’s not,” Noah remarked.

  Celine shook her head. “No, she’d better! I’m not going to New York all by my lonesome. Besides, she’s been packed for days now! If she wasn’t going, I’m sure I would have heard about it already. In fact, we’d probably be sitting at home eating a pint of ice cream as we speak!”

  Noah laughed. “Just be careful, okay? I hear New York horror stories all the time.”

  “I’m just going to be in Manhattan,” Celine reminded him. “I’ll go to the conference, just do a little sight-seeing at night and be back by Sunday night. You don’t have to worry about me one bit.”

  “Just make sure to call me, okay? I don’t mean to sound like an overbearing husband, but I can’t help but worry about you being in a strange place.”

  “New York’s not strange!” Celine protested, though she couldn’t help but smile at the fact Noah called himself her husband.

  Noah raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure that half naked cowboy is a good testament to that.”

  “Okay, maybe a little strange,” Celine laughed. She squeezed him one last time before stepping away. “I promise I’ll call you as soon as I land. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “Okay,” Noah said warmly, planting a kiss on her lips. “Be safe.”

  Chapter 22

  Ruthie was slumped over her couch. She reached over and pulled a magazine from her makeshift rack, but quickly threw it to the side. No matter what she did that day, she wouldn’t be able to concentrate. She had finally heard from Cash two nights before. It was a short text, but it was a text nonetheless.

  Be ready by 4 p.m. Friday

  By 3:30 she was bursting at the seams. She had no idea how much more anticipation she’d be able to endure. Finally at 3:50 a knock came from the door. Her heart began to pound mercilessly as she attempted to stand. Even with her knees and legs feeling like Jell-O, she somehow managed to make it to the door. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and opened it.

  “Hi, Beautiful,” Cash’s melodic voice crooned. “Surprised?”
>
  Ruthie quietly nodded her head. She stepped aside and gestured for Cash to enter. He did so, glancing from left to right.

  “You have a beautiful place,” he commented. His eyes skimmed the living room and stopped at the couch. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eye.

  Ruthie gulped, following his gaze. “I didn’t expect you to pick me up.”

  Cash sighed and bowed his head. “Yeah, I told Brian to set everything up for you. He somehow ‘forgot,’” he explained, using air quotations. He huffed and shook his head. “Regardless, I pulled some strings and here I am. Here to escort you on our private plane.”

  “Wait—what?” Ruthie asked, flabbergasted.

  Cash nodded nonchalantly. “Yeah, I’m here to escort you to the airport and then to our plane and then to New York City!” He plopped down on the couch and looked at her wickedly. “Last time I was near a couch with you…”

  Her face immediately began to burn. Mumbling incoherent jumble, she turned and headed toward her room. She vaguely heard Cash rise from behind her. Nervously, she spun around. “I’m just grabbing my stuff,” she said quickly. It was already hard enough to contain herself with him in the living room. She was afraid of what she would do if he even got anywhere near her bedroom. Cash stepped back and raised an eyebrow. Without another word, he turned around and headed back to the couch, grabbing the magazine Ruthie so carelessly threw aside.

  At least the guy could take a hint. Ruthie hurriedly grabbed her leopard print suitcase and practically sprinted back to the living room. She took a moment to stare at Cash, who looked completely out of place in her little apartment. Wearing what was probably a $200 shirt and dark jeans, he seemed the epitome of a GQ magazine cover. Figuring she should speak before he spotted her eyeing him like some sort of candy bar, she said, “Ready,” rather breathlessly.