Harry led us to a smaller room towards the back. The light was dimmed, but candles flickered all around us, casting a very romantic mood. There were several tables scattered around the room, but none were occupied. It looked like we were the only ones this room was waiting for.
“Here we are,” Harry said, gesturing to the table in the center. “The best table in the house.” He pulled out a chair for me. “Your chair awaits,” he said as I slipped into it. Harry looked down at me. “I hope you enjoy your time at La Fem. And I meant what I said. You are welcome here anytime.” He gave me a stately nod, then turned to my date seated across from me. “Champagne is on the way as we speak. I hope your evening is enjoyable,” he told him, sneaking a quick glance back at me.
“Thanks, Harry. I’m sure this will be a most amazing evening,” Ryan said as the owner turned and left us alone in the flickering candle light.
“Wow,” I breathed when he was gone. This was so surreal. Like a dream come true, and let me tell you, it’s not like I’m not used to getting attention. I guess what it boiled down to was I used to be a big fish in a small pond. Now I was treading water in the ocean and they actually liked me here. I didn’t think that was going to be possible. Not after the huge reality check I had been given my first few days in L.A..
“Wow, what?” Ryan asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
I looked over at him, causing my heart to stir in my chest. It was still a shock to be seated alone with Ryan Everheart. “I can’t believe he invited me back anytime.”
“I can,” he said, picking up his menu. “He can see how incredibly special you are.”
I sat there, my mouth hanging open, watching Ryan skim through his menu. Did he just say what I thought he did, or were my ears playing tricks on me?
He looked up at me, a small grin spreading across his lips. He knew I was staring. Of course. Guys like that always knew when a woman’s eyes were on them. He watched me a moment, no doubt taking in the disbelief on my face. Confusion slipped into his eyes as the smile left his lips. “You know that right?” he asked me softly.
I was speechless. What was I supposed to say to that? Here was one of the biggest movie stars on the planet and he was looking at me like I was the Holy Grail.
“No,” Ryan said, even softer this time. “You don’t, do you?”
“What?” I asked, confused by his words. I wasn’t any more special than anyone else in this city. Money, beauty, everyone had those here. I was just another young girl with too ambitious ideas.
“Don’t worry,” he said, reaching across the table and taking my hand gently in his. “We’ll make sure you find out.”
Leaning back, I let the feel of my hand in his encompass me. I knew I couldn’t let myself get too attached. I knew there was no chance of this actually going somewhere. But as I held his gaze, his eyes giving me the impression that I was the only thing he cared about and ever would, I really didn’t care. I was an adult. And I wasn’t going into this blindly. If he wanted to woo me, treat me like a queen, and sweep me off my feet, I was going to let him. Whether it was a month, a week, or even 30 minutes, I was going to enjoy this, because time was short and Ryan was darn hot.
Studying our menus, his hand never leaving mine, we were ready to order when our waitress returned with our champagne. It turned out to be from Harry’s personal stash, and it was on the house. I didn’t know if that was usual for Ryan’s visits, but it made me feel very, very special.
“What can I get you this evening?” the waitress asked us, pen poised. She smiled brightly, a gleam in her eye as she jotted down Ryan’s order. Of course, she did. How could she not be taken in by this gorgeous man? It seemed to me most women would be putty in his hands, not to mention a few guys. That’s just who he was. He was as charismatic off screen as he was on. And I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone else caught his eye.
The waitress turned to me, waiting for my order. I told her what I wanted and waited for her attention to drift back to Ryan.
But it never did.
She offered me the same eager smile, hanging on to my every word as I spoke. As she took our menus, she told me how much she loved my dress.
“I wish I could look that good,” she said, leaving to get our orders started.
I stared at her, even after she left, feeling like I was in a waking dream. I know I looked good. It’s the only talent I actually have, as you well know. But I couldn’t figure out her comment. Our waitress had been just as beautiful as well. Blonde, blue-eyed, curvy in all the right places. We could have almost been sisters. What made me any more special?
I felt Ryan’s hand tighten against mine reassuringly. Ah, yes. I glanced up at him. It was him. That’s what made the difference. Who he was had coated over me, lending me some of the charm he commanded. I let out the breath I was holding. Tonight I was Royalty. Once again living the high life.
My smile echoed Ryan’s, relaxing me as it did. It felt good to feel special. Even if my extended royal title went poof at midnight.
Our food arrived quickly, grilled filet of beef served with creamy garlic potatoes and fresh vegetables, red wine and shallots reduction for him, and house made raviolis in roasted tomato and pepper sauce for me, and we settled into comfortable chatter as we ate. I learned he was a football player in high school, (No surprise.) a classically trained pianist, (Quite a bit of a surprise.) and the black sheep of his family.
“What? Being rich and famous isn’t enough for your parents?” I teased.
He shook his head, a serious look on his face. “No. My father expected me to go into business with him. I didn’t want to. End of story.”
“How come?”
“My father and I don’t see eye to eye on many things. I’ve made my decision and I’ve been doing my own thing ever since.”
I nodded, thinking how brave he was to go out on his own against his father’s wishes. We were kindred spirits, on the same journey to find ourselves, but at least I had my parents behind me, loving me no matter what.
“Well,” I said, taking a sip of my champagne. “At least you succeeded in making a name for yourself. That doesn’t happen too often.” I frowned slightly as I sat my glass down. “Trust me, I should know.”
He smiled; a genuine grin that seemed to be only for me. “I think you’ve done just fine making a name for yourself, Maxie Duncan. After all, it’s not a name I’ll be forgetting any time soon.”
My heart seized at those words. I had made an impression on him. True, it was only for tonight, but a girl could fantasize on a moment like this for the rest of her life.
A waiter brought a dessert cart into the room just as we were finishing up. Ryan talked me into sharing a piece of turtle brownie pie with him. I knew I’d regret it in the morning, but between those dimples and the aroma of chocolate smothered in caramel sauce, I couldn’t help myself. And it was delish.
After we finished, we headed out, me promising Harry for the 100th time I would be back, into the cool night air. I looked around, hoping to spot the car we had arrived in. None of the cars around us looked familiar.
Ryan noticed my gaze. “Oh, you won’t find the car we came in. I sent the driver home,” he said, taking my hand, his fingertips cold against my skin from the air outside. He gently pulled me from the sidewalk and over to a midnight blue Lotus parked nearby. “I have my car waiting for us.”
I looked at the slick piece of luxury in front of me as I stepped around to the passenger side and sighed inwardly. I had missed being around cars like this. I might be growing as a person, but I would always be a rich girl at heart. I know…talk about a step back.
“I take it you like my car,” he said, opening the door for me.
“I love it,” I said as I slid in, watching him shut the door. I leaned back, letting the rich leather upholstery welcome me in a hug. I was home. I was a shallow, spoiled, rich girl, but so help me, I was home.
Ryan Everheart slid into the driver’s seat with
practiced grace and looked at me. “You certainly make my car look good, Maxie Duncan.” He started the engine. It roared to life, then settling into a purr only money could buy. “You were born to ride in luxury,” he told me, pulling out of the parking lot. “Never forget that.”
Ryan pulled out onto the freeway and headed up the coast along the classic Pacific Coast Highway, showing me everything Southern California was famous for.
Fourteen
After following nothing but the stars in the sky for an hour, Ryan pulled off the highway, seeming to slow to almost a crawl after the speed of the open road. The car drifted silently, the empty road stretching out before us like a forgotten gateway to the unknown.
Peering out my window, I watched the dark shapes of bushes and trees as they silently guarded the night like sentinels of old. “Where are we?” I asked, sudden nervousness crawling around my stomach. It dawned on me how alone we were, and how much I didn’t know about one of the world’s most famous guys. They don’t tell you things like who is a serial killer in their spare time in the pages of People.
“What’s a matter,” he asked, sensing the nervousness I suddenly carried. “Do you not trust me?”
I looked at him, seriousness in my eyes. “Should I?”
Ryan looked at me for a moment, the seriousness echoed in his own. “That’s for you to figure out. But…” he said, his gaze drifting back to the road. “I hope you do.”
I stayed silent as he pulled into an empty parking lot. The lines painted on the pavement were faded with age. Weeds grew up through cracks in the blacktop, showing nature’s desire to claim what was rightfully hers. Everything was silent around us. Nothing moved. Nothing even breathed out there.
“It’s as if no one’s been here for years,” I said, creeped out by the stillness around me.
Ryan laughed softly. “That’s because no one has,” he said, opening the Lotus’ door. “Come on, I want to show you something.” He shut his door and came around to mine.
As he opened it, another wave of doubt came over me. What was I doing? Was I crazy? Here I was going out in the middle of nowhere with a stranger.
He looked at me, concern clouding his eyes as he seemed to guess where my thoughts were heading. “It’s okay, Maxie. I won’t bite. I promise.” Extending his hand out for me, he added with a slight grin, “At least…not yet.”
My heart seemed to stop at that grin. He wanted to spend some time alone with me and I was ready to call America’s Most Wanted. I smiled shyly, letting him pull me from the car. What the heck. I was already here, might as well put a little trust in the man. After all, he was America’s golden boy.
“So what’s so important out here?” I asked, trying to put some confidence in my words as we crossed the parking lot to the weed covered hill in front of us.
“You’ll see,” he said, pulling me forward into a well-worn path up the hill. He smiled at me, pure delight in his eyes, as we carefully trudged up the trail.
I stopped for a moment, pulling my new Manolo Blahniks off my feet. Heels were definitely not made to climb in. I could just see me breaking an ankle out here. That would be a great way to end the evening.
Ryan slipped the shoes from my hand, meaning to carry them for me, and looked down at my bare feet. “Are you okay like that?”
I nodded, my toes wiggling against the dirt. One of my favorite things was to feel the grass between my toes. Not a very sophisticated thing, I know, but what can I say? I’m a very complicated person.
“Good,” he said, taking my hand in his. “We’re almost there.” He led me casually up the rest of the path, his fingers gently laced with mine.
A shiver ran down my spine as I followed behind which had nothing to do with the chill in the air. Being this close to him, our fingers intertwined, was nothing short of magical. Maybe I was already dead, because this was Heaven.
Ryan stopped, turning to me before we reached the top. Excitement bubbled in him, threatening to overflow any second. I looked at him as the corner of his lips twitched in anticipation. He acted like he had the world’s biggest secret to share. What could be so important?
He pulled me closer, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “Welcome to Jaden Park Paradise Pier. The most thrilling amusement park in the world,” he said, leading me to the top of the hill.
I gasped as I stared down at the beach in front of us. There, nestled on the sand and jutting out into the ocean, were the remains of a forgotten nautical theme park. It sat there, a skeleton on a boardwalk, calling out, enticing me by its ghostly appearance.
“Oh, wow,” I said, taking in the rundown blackened buildings. We were high enough on the hill to see everything. The old rusty rides sat silent in the moonlight. It made me sad to think that they would never move again. “It’s breathtaking, in a depressing apocalyptic way,” I told him.
He chuckled, nodding in agreement. “I suppose it is. This place does have a beautifully tragic allure to it.” Taking his suit jacket off, he spread it across the ground, then with grace I could never achieve, he bent a knee taking a seat on the makeshift blanket. Looking up at me, his perfect teeth shining in the moonlight as he smiled, he patted the spot next to him. “Care to join me?”
Smoothing down my dress, I lowered myself to the ground, praying I could look only half as good as Ryan. I looked out at the water, the haunting structure taking up most of the view. “Why is it still lit up?
“It stays lit so boats can see it. There were too many accidents at night here when it was first closed down. Too many late night boaters not paying attention. In the end, it was safer to keep it lit all night.”
I took in the park. I guess that made sense. It was the same reason people came up with lighthouses. “Why don’t they just tear it down?”
“Maybe the owner doesn’t want to.”
I let his words sink in as I took in all the place had to offer. The faded colors, the broken statues. It made me wonder what it would have been like in its heyday. I could almost hear the ghosts of memories floating around down there, rejoicing in what was now lost to the world.
I understood why it was still there. It had somehow survived the hardships placed against it and still managed to keep its place in the world. In many ways, we were alike. Time tried to wear us down, but we remained intact, just waiting for someone to love us enough to make us whole again.
“What was the name of this place?” I asked Ryan, only taking my eyes off it for a second. There were too many wonderful things down there to stop looking at it for any longer.
He leaned closer. “Jaden Park Paradise Pier,” he said, awe in his voice as he spoke, almost as if he was naming royalty.
“I’ve never heard of the place.” I turned and looked at him. “Why haven’t I ever heard of this place?”
Ryan shrugged. “Not a whole lot of people have. It was one of the most popular parks in the 20’s. People came from all over just to ride the Big Dipper,” he said, tracing a finger down the sloping wooden arch of decaying roller coaster track. “This was the spot to be. Young, old. Rich, poor. Famous, or not. Everyone wanted to spend a day under the glittering lights of the midway.” He pointed a finger down at the old boardwalk as waves crashed around its supports. “That was the jewel of amusement parks.”
I watched the wonder in his eyes as he spoke. This place meant a lot to him. “What happened to it?” I asked, being swept up in the emotions of it.
“The Great Depression came and went. People stopped going to places like this. Carefree days and frivolous nights were something people couldn’t afford anymore,” he told me with a shrug. “Visitors stopped coming. Money dried up. The park started to be too much of a burden to keep open. They shut it down and walked away.” His gaze drifted to me. “It sat here, empty, a ghost of its former self, waiting for something to change. Nothing ever did. Except for a small fire in 1954. Turned part of her into a charred mess, but…she still stands.”
“It must have been wonderful here.”
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“Oh, yes. It was. It was the greatest thing around. So fresh and new. You’d look at her and know anything was possible here.”
I looked at him in amazement. He talked like he’d known this place. It was as if he’d actually witnessed its days of glory. But that couldn’t be right. He was only a few years older than I was. He had been born in the days of neon-jellied sandals and crimped hair. He wasn’t even thought of yet in the heyday of this park’s past. Why was he so attached to it?
He noticed the confusion on my face. “I’m sorry. The way I talk about this place, you must think I’m crazy.”
I shook my head. “No, not crazy. I'm just not quite sure how you can have sentimental feelings for a place you’ve never seen.”
He turned away from me and shrugged. “Stories passed down to me,” he said, almost automatically. “I’ve grown up hearing all about Jaden Park. Sometime…” He stopped, glancing out at the water, his eyes glazing over at the memories stirring in his head. “Sometimes I feel I’ve lived all her stories personally.”
Wow. The guy sitting here, telling me stories about his past wasn’t the Ryan I had gotten to know through the big screen. This Ryan was quiet, thoughtful, almost vulnerable. No longer was there any trace of the cool Hollywood actor.
I realized this was a side of him most people never got to see. I doubted if he even realized he was showing it to me. There was so much sadness in his eyes as he watched the waves dance in the darkness below.
I leaned towards him. “Ryan,” I whispered, “who used to bring you here?”
He looked over at me, startled. It was almost as if he had forgotten I was even there.
“My mother,” he said softly before slipping a smile back across his lips. “But…that is a story for another day.” He slipped back into the controlled golden god with those words. The perfect dashing leading man, who made women drool with that smile.
But I had seen the real Ryan for a moment. The one who was haunted by things I couldn’t even begin to imagine. There was a depth to him that seemed endless, a depth you might fall into if you got too close.
Maxie Duncan Box Set Page 6