I guess crushes are aptly named.
God, what am I? A twelve-year-old schoolgirl?
"I'm sorry, Henderson, I've no intention of being in your show. I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"You gettin' in?" the cabby yells.
"Sorry, mate. She's not," Henderson says as he pulls me back slightly so he can close the door. I have no choice but to turn around and look at him.
"What'd you do that for? I am going to Bergdorf’s."
"Not before we talk. Tabitha, here, let's get outta the street."
He holds onto my elbow, guiding me gently back into the foyer of the building. Neither of us says anything. I pull my coat tighter around me, still freezing from the February air. Another reason to hate New York; it's too damn cold here. "What are we supposed to talk about?"
I don't take rejection well.
I never have, and I don't see that changing any time soon.
I turn to face Henderson, leveling him with my best Callie Smalls icy stare.
He stares back. Dammit, why does he have to be attractive? It's because he's rejected me. He's the cookie I can't have, which makes me want it all the more. It's because …
All thoughts cease the moment his lips touch mine. Soft initially. Hesitant, then eager. Urgent. Despite my best intentions, I melt into him, returning his kiss with my own urgency. In this moment, I forget everything.
There is only him. There is only us.
“Oh my God, you're Tabby Cat! I thought you looked familiar!" A shrieking voice comes crashing down on us, breaking the magic of the moment. I feel Henderson smile against my lips before he pulls away.
"I should have stayed brunette," I mutter, turning to face my fan.
Henderson, still holding onto me, whispers in my ear, "The blonde looks good. Really good. It's you. Own it."
I greet the eager enthusiast, smiling and taking a selfie as he continues to gush. "I can't believe it's really you. I thought it was, but like, oh my God. Are you going to be in a show at The Edison? Oh my God, I would die if I could be in a show with you! I've been a fan of the Sassy Cats since I was a little kid."
Considering he looks like an adult, that statement stings a bit. "Thanks so much. I'm not sure about The Edison …" I glance at Henderson who is cocking an eyebrow. "We're … ah … in negotiations about it currently."
The hopeful actor looks from me to Henderson and then back again. "I wish I could work on the negotiations process like you do. Especially with Grayson Keene."
Henderson barks out a laugh. "I believe Grayson's taken, but we'll consider your desire—for a part," he adds hastily.
As soon as the guy leaves, I lean back in to kiss Henderson again but pull up short. "This is not how I audition for a part."
Henderson closes the gap between us, saying against my lips, "I know."
I don't know that he does. And it may have been the way I operated in the past, but I want to be a better role model for my daughter. I pull back, my hands bracing on his forearm. "No, really, Henderson. You have to know, I don't want you to think that I'm kissing you and want to be with you because of a part in a stupid show."
He takes a step back. "Well, thank you for calling my life's work stupid. And thank you for assuring me that there is no way someone likeyoucould ever be interested in someone likemewithout an ulterior motive."
Oh, he's pissed. Grumpy Henderson is definitely back.
"What's that supposed to mean? Someone likeme? I'm saying exactly what I mean. That I'm interested in you with no ulterior motives. Just you. Although, I'm not so sure I'm interested in this side of you. I didn't want you to think this was about a part."
"Why would I think this was about a part?"
I throw my hands up in the air.
“Maybe because I just auditioned for your play? But no worries, since you made it clear that you aren't interested in me for me and definitely not interested in me for the play. So will you excuse me, please? I need to hail another taxi.”
