Then There Was You(67)

He reached for the bag that was heavy on my shoulder. “We have a busy weekend planned. First stop… baggage claim.”

“And then?” I asked.

He gave me a sidelong glance. Mystery, excitement, and something else that I couldn’t decipher was lighting up his face. “You’ll see…”

After locating my suitcase, we met a man just outside the exit.

“Vance, make sure this gets to the Plaza,” he instructed, handing the guy my suitcase, along with hefty tip.

Vance nodded. “You got it, boss.”

I watched the stranger walk away with my personal belongings.

Chris patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry. Vance will take care of it. It will be in your room when you get there.”

Within a few minutes we were riding down the busy streets of New York in the back of a yellow cab. Being a country girl, the blaring horns from angry drivers frightened me. All the cars crammed onto one narrow street while their drivers honked and yelled was a little overwhelming.

“There is no way I could live here,” I blurted. “These road-ragers freak me out.”

Chris laughed. “I’ve been to New York more times than I can count and trust me, they still scare me.”

Eventually, the driver pulled the car to the edge of the street.

“Your stop,” he said with a thick foreign accent.

Chris tossed a wad of cash at him and hopped out. I sighed as I watched Chris walking around the taxi to my side and pulling open the door like a gentleman. He grabbed my hand to help me out, while I looked up at the sign on the building.

“Serendipity?” I asked with delight.

“Your favorite movie, right?”

I couldn’t believe that he remembered our conversation. I wondered if he’d ever decided to watch it. I stood in awe for a moment, looking at the black and white painted sign over the door. Without thinking I jumped up and wrapped my arms around him, lifting my feet off the ground. “Thank you!”

I am in New York City… with Chris King. This is amazing! This is crazy! This is wonderful! I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here! My mind pulled me in different directions.

Chris held onto me, sighing into my hair, and I froze. It was like the day he left Fairbanks. I remembered his arms around me as I’d buried my head in his chest. I remembered the ache I’d had for a long while after he’d left. Now years had passed, and he was standing here in front of me. It was the most exhilarating feeling, but at the same time it frightened me. I wasn’t sure where we were headed, but I knew I’d enjoy this weekend with Chris as if it were my last.

We walked into the quaint little store. I felt like I had stepped off the busy streets of New York and into a stunning mosaic of stained glass chandeliers. Lots of mismatched, eccentric light fixtures hung above the tiny round tables. Knick-knacks filled the shelves. It almost reminded me of Clyde’s General Store back home with the food counter in the back.

“I feel a little overdressed for this place,” I admitted.

“You look amazing.” He dismissed my worries, looking me up and down. “Besides, you need a fancy dress to match the Golden Opulence Sundae.”

“The what?” I cocked my head in confusion.

He smiled with a hint of mischief. “The Golden Opulence Sundae. It’s a very special sundae made with Tahitian vanilla beans. People say it’s like an orgasm in a bowl.”

Orgasm in a bowl? I blushed by the way Chris was looking at me. “That good, huh?”

“I guess we’ll see,” he grinned.

The server brought us the sundae and placed it in the middle of the table. “Thank you for choosing Serendipity 3 for your special occasion. Please enjoy the edible golden leaf as well as the gold-covered almonds. The Amedei Porcelana chocolate is to die for as well. You’re in for a real treat.” The look she gave us made me wonder if this wasn’t a sundae they served often.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Chris said as he lifted the spoon.

She smiled at him as if she recognized him, but didn’t say anything else. I supposed living in New York City where celebrities were a commodity, seeing someone like Chris King was no big deal.

“Real gold?” I whispered, leaning across the table toward Chris.

He nodded, impressed himself. “Twenty-three karats, they say.”

I looked at the gold-plated nuts in the bowl, grimacing, but with a hint of curiosity. “You can really eat those?”

“I guess so. Try one.” He spooned out one of the almonds, offering it to me.

I shook my head. “You first.”

He shrugged and popped it in his mouth. It crunched loudly in his mouth. “Hmmm, crunchy… nutty… delicious.” Grabbing another one, he tossed it in, too. “Better grab one,” he warned.