| Chapter 17: A Moment “OK, McLean, now spill,” Lauralee had put her seatbelt on. “Just where in the hell are you taking me?” Alex tickled her chin. “I love how your eyes blaze when you’re persistent.” “Talk, cause you don’t want to see me angry.” She crossed her arms. “Nope,” Alex had a broad smile on his face. He pulled out of the parking lot. “Put on the CD player. I want you to hear something.” Lauralee pushed the button and music sounded from the speakers. “Is it…” “Yup, the first copy of the album. I wanted you to be the first to hear it.” Lauralee smiled. She leaned back in the seat, closed her eyes and listened to the music. She loved it. Sometimes she just forgot what Alex did. When she heard the album, it hit her. He was a singer, and a damn good one at that. She knew with all the press in LA, but when she heard the “concert” tonight and his voice in the car, she knew he was destined for success far greater than she imagined. Lauralee felt the car come to a stop. “Lau? We’re here.” “Huh?” She forgot where she was. She opened her eyes to an old-fashioned marquis theatre. Alex got out of the car and opened Lauralee’s door. “We’re here!” He took her by the hand and led her inside, his eyes sparkling like a 5-year-old. When they stepped inside, Lauralee looked in awe. It looked like a swing club from the 1940’s. There was a big dance floor, with tables lining the edge. A huge stage graced the front, with grandstands for a jazz band. “What is this place?” “Let me tell you a little story. Once upon a time, about 50 years ago, a woman walked into this place for a USO dance. She went with some of her friends, but they were grabbed up and taken to the dance floor. She sat at one of the tables, wishing that she had never come, when a dark figure came up to her and asked her to dance. When she looked up, she saw the most handsome man she had ever met. They played a song and wound up dancing to it for the next 45 years.” “Let me guess, your grandparents.” “Yeah,” Alex looked around. “They came here every year on their anniversary to look back on that first moment. The owner always remembered them, and set a special place for them. When the band struck up their song, they always went to the middle of the dance floor and danced to it.” “So, why did you bring me here?” “My grandmother always said, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I want to start our moment here.” “Alex, our first date was at Pleasure Island.” “Humor me OK? Maestro?” A band appeared on the stage with a singer at the front. Alex sat her down at the table, and ran to the other end. “OK, hit it!” He pointed to the stage. The song started to blare from the stage. Lauralee smiled as Alex sauntered over to her. “Excuse me?” “Yes?” She looked up at him and swore the room shot up a few hundred degrees. “Would you care to dance?” He offered her his hand. “Why, I’d love to.” She took his hand and they went to the dance floor as the songstress began to sing a song that Lauralee would never forget. At last My love has come along My lonely days Are over And life is like a song Oh yeah, at last The stars above are blue My heart was wrapped up in clover The night I looked at you I found a dream That I could speak to A dream that I Can call my own I found a thrill to press my cheek to A thrill I’ve never known Oh yeah, when you smile, you smile Oh and then, the spell is cast And here we are In heaven For you are mine At last Lauralee never wanted to break that moment. She still held on to him when the song ended. He finally lifted his chin from her forehead. “Was it a moment?” “Oh yeah,” she whispered looking directly into his eyes. “It was a moment.” He began to pull away from her. “Don’t.” “Why?” “I want to hold on to this for a while longer.” She began to sway with him, the only music being the beating of their hearts. She felt the tears come over her, tears of pure joy. She felt that moment of perfection hit her again, like the first time they kissed. She pulled from him. “Are you OK?” She saw his wet face. “Yeah,” he wiped his cheeks. “Now I know why my grandmother tells that story so much.” Lauralee nodded. “So are we going home?” “Hell no girl! We still have another stop to make.” He offered his arm and she accepted. ~*~ The drive seemed to be bumpier as the car was hit with trees. “Um, Alex? Methinks there’s no road here.” “Just hold on a few more seconds,” Alex insisted. They finally hit a clearing and stopped. “See? I told you so.” Lauralee looked out at the lights over Orlando. “Wow,” was all she could say. He turned off the car and they got out. They sat on the hood of the car. “This is one of my favorite places,” he put his arm around her. “You have been all over the world, and this is your favorite place?” “When the world won’t let you go out and get a burger, sometimes you need to think. I always come here when I have things on my mind.” “Alone?” Alex nodded. She understood why she was here. “Thank you.” Lauralee got up and leaned on his chest, her back facing him as he put his arms around her waist and leaned his head on her shoulder. She closed her eyes as they stayed in silence for a few minutes. She knew the next words out of his mouth would be sad ones. “I can’t believe this is our last night here,” he whispered. She let the lump dissolve in her throat as the tears flowed from her eyes. He hugged her even tighter. Lauralee turned around to face him. “I know,” she looked into his watery eyes. “Alex, I’m so afraid.” She finally let her confession out. “Why?” “You’ll be on tour, and I’ll be back home living my life, with no changes. You’ll be experiencing new things everyday.” “You forgot one thing though.” He rested his palm on her cheek. “That is?” “That I’ll be thinking of you the entire time.” He took a deep breath. “This has been far more than a fling to me. This has been the best summer of my life. You have the best summer of my life.” “I feel the same way. I just don’t want this to be one of those things where when the summer goes, the feelings go with it.” “Never happen,” Alex looked matter-of-factly. “But…” Alex pulled her in for a kiss, his mouth searching hers hungrily. She almost felt her toes curl up. “Does that reassure you?” Alex was slightly out of breath. “Mmm-hmm,” was all she could mutter. She touched her forehead to his. “Stay with me tonight,” her voice was raspy. “Lau…” “No, I don’t mean making love, although the moment would be good. But I can’t leave you tonight. I don’t want to wake up alone. Please?” “OK,” he said. “You want to leave?” She pushed him back on the hood. “Does that mean a no?” He smirked sexily, as she leaned on top of him for a heavy-duty make-out session. Chapter 18 Contents Chapter 16 |