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I followed the path of deep crimson rose petals toward the pile of blankets. They were multicolored and mismatched with the pillows. I noticed one had a cord. I looked at him quizzically.
He shrugged his shoulders. “I know you are always cold. I couldn’t expect you to have a stargazing rooftop picnic without an electric blanket.”
An electric blanket? He was melting my heart—that was sweeter than the roses. I flipped open the picnic basket. It was stocked with grapes, cheese, crackers, and brownies. I reached for the chocolate first.
He knelt to grab the champagne and loosened it from the icy bucket. “I haven’t said anything yet, but I really liked the play. It was good.”
“Good?”
“Yeah. It was good. You, however, were the super star. You weren’t kidding about being on stage. It was like you were a different person out there.” He smiled as the champagne cork popped across the roof. “One day I’ll be able to say I knew that movie star when she was in college. Maybe I’ll even give one of those tabloid TV interviews and tell all your secrets.” He handed me a chilled glass. “You know I’m kidding by now, right? Seriously, though, you were really fantastic tonight.”
I liked how Beau looked right into my eyes when he talked to me. “Thanks. I think for an opening night it went really well.”
“I bet you’ll be glad when the
week is over and you can take a break.”
“Break? What do you mean?”
“You’ve been in rehearsals nonstop. Once the play is done, you can just coast until graduation. You only have this project.”
“I’ve got another production going right after this one. I’m not taking a break.”
“Really? Don’t you want to stop and experience college life before it’s gone? Isn’t there anything you wish you had more time to do? You spend a lot of time in that basement.”
I couldn’t tell if he was testing me or just teasing. “The theater is my life. I’ve been a part of Encore since I was a freshman. I have one show left and I’m not going to take off and hang out.”
His idea seemed absurd, but amid the candlelight and the champagne, a part of me regretted I didn’t have nights like this in my Carolina memories. I had spent them in the basement rehearsing or in the library studying. Beau’s questions might have struck a nerve.
“Ok. Ok. I get it. You are an actress.” He knocked back the rest of his champagne. “It seems we both think we know what’s best for the other.”
I felt slightly less irritated remembering how I grilled Beau about becoming a lawyer. I probably deserved that.
“Be honest. What do you think?” He gestured to the rooftop.
Beau looked undeniably hot on the roof. It didn’t occur to me only because all the girls backstage were undressing him with their eyes. My resistance to him was quickly coming undone every time his arm brushed against mine or he smiled at me as if he knew who I really was. The way he worried every time I made a fool of myself was sexier to me than I ever could have imagined. Beau was daring and adventurous; maybe it was time I tried to be too. I was holding so much back. Maybe I should try Beau’s open approach to life.
I nestled into the pillows, hoping he would sit next to me. “It’s the most unreal thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe you did all of this. You really know your Love Match.” It truly looked like something out of a movie or, in our case, a cheesy reality show about finding true love.
“I figured we needed something over-the-top to write about on the blog this week since it is Valentine’s Day and all.” I watched as he snapped a few pictures of the setting with his phone. “I can post a few pics and talk about how this looks just like one of Victoria’s dates. We haven’t had one of the crazy roses-and-candles dates they have on the show. This should definitely help disprove the love theory.” He refilled my glass of champagne.
I bit down hard on my lip. I chugged the cold champagne, feeling the smoothness of the bubbles slide down my throat.
“Hey, London. You ok? You’re awfully quiet.” He finally sat next to me on the cushions and laid the electric blanket over my lap. It was already warm.
I couldn’t talk. If I said anything, my voice was going to crack and tears were going to run down my cheeks. This was the most beautiful date I had ever had and it was all fake. This was for a class project and it didn’t mean anything more to him than that. I wasn’t much different from Nina and her useless crush on Derek.
“Wait. Did you think I was setting this up for real?”
Now he was just rubbing it in. I was the one who had given in to the romantic aura surrounding Valentine’s Day. Talking was still out of the question; my voice would betray me. I felt the tear sliding down my face and I couldn’t stop it.
“Oh shit. London, don’t cry. Why are you crying? I’m not good with crying girls. I have no idea what to do.” Beau nervously shifted positions so he was sitting almost in front of me, leaning on one arm. He edged closer so that I could smell the faintest hint of his cologne.
Sheer panic spread across his face. He looked so worried with his forehead crinkled, that a tiny giggle escaped my mouth.
“That’s better. I like it when you’re laughing.” He reached toward my face and traced the tear off my cheek.
The gesture was pure and intimate. I stared into his eyes. The depths of brown layers were dancing with the flickering candlelight. I held my breath as his hand moved to cup the side of my face and I let my eyes close, feeling the roughness of his palm against my cheek. The longer we sat not moving, the more I felt the want for him building in my chest. I wasn’t sure how to draw him closer to me—I already felt so off balance. But I knew I didn’t want him to feel sorry for me.
