Twenty-Three
BRANDON STAYED AT A HOTEL A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE Kellers’ apartment, and after a long day with Bailey he was finally ready for sleep. He had big plans tomorrow, but for now he couldn’t stop thinking about the last ten hours. Right from the beginning when he surprised Bailey the day had been perfect. He’d brought an Old Navy baseball cap and dark sunglasses this time, and he wore beat up khaki shorts — too plain for anyone to think he was a celebrity.
They walked through Times Square holding hands, and shared dinner at a small pizza shop — all without being recognized even once. Brandon climbed into bed and thought about the last two months filming on the Tahitian Islands, spending every day making a movie with a handful of Hollywood’s top talent. No matter how great the experience, he had missed Bailey with every breath.
His leading lady this time was Eva Gentry, a single, exotic-looking brunette in her midtwenties. On the first day of the shoot she’d asked him to take a walk with her to the beach. Night had already fallen, and Brandon had his guard up from the moment they set out. Once they reached the shore, the actress started to take off her shirt. “Let’s take a swim.”
“Hey,” Brandon grabbed her top and pulled it back into place. “You said you wanted to walk.”
“It’s the oldest line in the book.” She had batted her dark eyes at him, moving closer. “Come on, Brandon … you and I know what’s going to happen on this island. We’re here for weeks. We’re supposed to be in love.”
Brandon explained that he was flattered. “But you need to know something.” He kept his distance, his arms crossed, his voice filled with a new sort of passion. “See … I want to honor God. I haven’t done that most of my life, but it’s not an option now. God comes first.”
Eva rolled her eyes. “Please …” She gave him a snobby look. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Brandon Paul. You and I made out at a party a year ago. And now you’ve got to honor God?”
“I’ve changed.” He hated that maybe his response might hurt her, or make her feel like he was rejecting her. “I’m not the same person I was back then.”
She took a step closer and grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt. “I bet I can prove you are.”
“Eva.” He had taken a firm hold of her hand and moved it off his shirt then. “I’m serious. He hoped she could see his heart, the fact that he truly had changed. “My life’s so much happier … I’d love to tell you about it sometime.”
“With our clothes on?” She sneered at him. Her laughter was an attempt to save face.
“Yes.” Brandon was frustrated with himself for how he had once lived. She wouldn’t act this way if he hadn’t been very available back before he chose a relationship with Christ. “With our clothes on.”
She looked him up and down from his eyes to his feet and back — slow and measured, like she was sizing up his worth as a man. “Forget it, Brandon. You’ve lost it … I can see that now.”
“It isn’t only my faith,” he called after her. It was a moment he would remember, because it underlined the fact that he wanted to go public about his feelings for Bailey.
Eva stopped and looked back at him, her expression mocking him. “What, Brandon? What else could make you tell me no?”
“I’m in love with someone else.” He had crossed his arms, his toes deep in the sand. “Even if I wasn’t a Christian, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
The memory of the conversation faded. Brandon rolled onto his side in the king-sized hotel bed and remembered the look on her face as she walked away, leaving him alone on the beach. Like whoever Brandon was in love with — compared to Eva — wasn’t even worth asking about. Instead the look on her face told him the missed moment on the beach was his loss.
The amazing thing was he hadn’t been tempted — even after their filming began in earnest. At first Brandon worried the encounter might damage their on-screen chemistry. But Eva was too much of a professional for that. If anything, she tried harder, so that when they shared a kissing scene she would trip a little or fumble her lines and the director would cut the action and ask for a retake.
“A dozen retakes,” she whispered one day to him. They were standing in knee-deep warm blue water, and her words were shared between just the two of them. “That’s my goal today. A dozen retakes.”
Brandon knew there would be challenges ahead — being a leading man in Hollywood, finding himself on location shoots with girls like Eva … He would always have to keep his guard up in this profession. But with his faith, he was ready for the challenge. Besides, no other girl mattered besides Bailey. If he had his way, tomorrow would help Bailey believe that — even if just a little more than the last time he was here.
He fell asleep thinking about their time in New York City, how Bailey had bought him a Statue of Liberty foam rubber visor and how he’d worn it over his baseball cap — enjoying the feel of her laughing beside him. He could hardly wait to see Hairspray tomorrow night. But only after the surprise he had for the daytime. He smiled to himself.
He could hardly wait.
THE NEXT MORNING BAILEY WAS READY half an hour before Brandon arrived at the Kellers’ apartment. During that time she had coffee with Betty and Bob. The couple shared more of their story, how Bob had met Betty when they were just twenty, and how she was dating someone else at the time.
“You stole me from him. In the middle of our date.” Betty grinned, and it was easy to see that she remembered the long ago night. “I don’t think he ever forgave you.”
Bob waved off the possibility. “It was your first date with the guy.”
“Still.” She smiled at Bailey. “It’s true. He never forgave Bob.”
Bailey laughed. These two were great, and gradually over the weeks she’d learned much about them. They would always feel like family, no matter how long she stayed in New York City or where God took her next.
“So,” Betty’s eyes twinkled. “Where’s Brandon taking you today?”
“I’m not sure.” She smoothed her pink T-shirt and white shorts. She had gone through three outfits looking for the perfect thing to wear today, and she was happy with her choice. It was the end of August, and she’d heard that the sweltering heat from last week was scheduled to let up a little. She smiled at Betty. “Life’s always a surprise with Brandon.”
“I see that.” She smiled, but she looked slightly pensive. “He’s full of life, that’s for sure.”
Bailey wasn’t sure she wanted to ask … she had a feeling the Kellers weren’t a hundred percent sold on Brandon. But she pressed on anyway. “What do you think of him?”
“We don’t really know him. Just a few minutes yesterday when he got here.” Bob grinned. His expression was far easier going than his wife’s. “I let him in and told him hello … that’s about it.”
“I guess the better question,” Betty leaned over the table, her coffee cup caught between her hands, “is what do you think about him, Bailey?”
She laughed. “That’s easy … I mean, look at yesterday. I was so down I was ready to board the next flight home. Brandon shows up and changes everything.”
“Yes.” Her expression remained the same, the questions in her eyes not quite satisfied with Bailey’s answer. “But is he someone you could love, Bailey?”
She thought about Cody, and his relationship with Cheyenne … the fact that he’d moved on and the reality that she’d most likely never talk to him again. “Yes …” She believed her answer to the center of her heart. “Yes, I could love him.” She shrugged, her mood easy. “Maybe I already do.”
They talked about the Bible study and the forgiveness God calls His people to do. “I feel a lot more able to forgive today … after spending the afternoon and evening with Brandon.”
“Did you tell him what you were dealing with?” Betty would’ve made a good counselor. She raised one eyebrow, not prodding but pressing the matter just enough to make Bailey squirm.
“I tried a couple times.” She remembered the chaos in Times Square, the crowds of people and their constant determination that no one would recognize either of them. “We’ll talk about it today.”
Bailey made a point to remember her statement, both then and later when she and Brandon climbed in the back of a black Suburban and the driver Brandon had hired pulled out into traffic. Not now, but sometime today she wanted to tell Brandon about her struggle with the cast and Francesca … and maybe even her thoughts about Cody.
He left some distance between them as he turned to face her. “You haven’t guessed where we’re going?”
“To the moon?” She turned and rested the side of her face on the seat. How thrilling to have a whole day with him. “With you anything’s possible.”
“Hmmm … the moon.” He put his arm on the back of the seat and played with a strand of her hair. “That would be fun. But not today.”
She realized how little they’d talked about anything serious yesterday. “So tell me about your shoot … how’s it going?”
“It’s great.” He hesitated. “Eva Gentry is interesting. She’s made it a challenge.”
Bailey wanted to ask. She knew a little of what it was like to date someone who was constantly filming love scenes with some actress. Her Christian Kids Theater drama instructor Katy Hart had dealt with that during the years she dated Dayne Matthews. Ultimately — before they got married — Dayne decided he wouldn’t do love scenes, not unless they were with Katy. These days he spent his professional time directing and producing rather than acting.
The slightest wave of jealousy washed over her. Eva Gentry was gorgeous, and every week she was with a different guy on the covers of the tabloids. Bailey wasn’t sure why, but she hadn’t given the reality a lot of thought until now. Too busy trying to hold her life together — what with the sad loss of Chrissy and her Bible study and the eight shows a week. But now she pictured the setting — a sunny secluded island, a love story, and weeks and weeks with Eva Gentry.
A handful of questions came to mind, like whether Eva had hit on him or whether Brandon had mentioned that he was sort of seeing someone. Brandon was watching her, and after a few seconds he put his hand on her cheek. “I know what you’re thinking.”
“You do?” Her heart skipped a beat and pounded faster than before. If she were going to let this sort of thing bother her, then she and Brandon didn’t stand a chance. She tried to keep the mood light with a smile. “Fine … tell me.”
“You want to know about Eva and me …” He didn’t look bothered. If anything, there was more love in his eyes now than when they first got into the SUV. “From the first day she thought we’d be together — on and off camera. But I told her I’d changed and my faith was everything to me. I wasn’t interested in cheap affairs.”
Bailey would’ve liked to see Eva Gentry’s reaction to that. “Did she laugh?”
“She did.” He brushed his fingers against her skin, his touch light. “Betty tells me you’ve dealt with some of that too.” He raised an eyebrow. “The Bible study?” He smiled. “We have a lot to talk about, don’t we?”
“We do.” She felt relieved. A part of her had wondered if Brandon would ever be as deep as Cody, as able to hear her heart and care about the important things inside her. But here he was dismissing her fears with every word. He cared. Betty had talked to him, and he’d remembered to ask Bailey about it today. Not only that, but he was being an open book about his time with Eva. Her heart soared … wherever he was taking her they would have hours to catch up. She just hoped they’d have time alone so they wouldn’t be distracted trying to disguise themselves or navigate the busy city streets.
They pulled into a parking lot just north of Chelsea Piers and Brandon nodded to a gorgeous yacht. “I rented it for the day. So we can talk.”
She let her head fall back and she laughed out loud. Being with him was better than anything she could’ve dreamed. Every day more unbelievable than the last. They were escorted from the SUV to the boat and Bailey wasn’t surprised to find a private staff ready to serve them. Again if they knew who Brandon was, they said nothing. But then that was part of their job — allowing celebrities the chance for privacy.
Brandon took her to the top deck, to a covered open-air patio. Two reclining beach chairs were there with a pitcher of iced tea and a table full of fresh fruit and other snacks. “Have I mentioned that I’m amazed?” Bailey looked at him as they took the chairs. “Is there any detail you don’t think about?”
He gave a silly sort of modest shrug, and he slipped a pair of sunglasses on. “Come on, Bailey … you’re worth all this and more.”
The boat set sail fifteen minutes later, and they took off down the Hudson River. Bailey had always wanted to do this — ever since she’d moved to New York. There were public ship lines that conducted public tours around the Island of Manhattan. But always she’d been busy with the show, or unable to find someone to go with. Taking Brandon on a cruise like that had never been a possibility, because on a small three-decker public tour boat he was bound to get recognized.
But this was altogether perfect. Bailey sat down and settled back in her chair. She found her own sunglasses in her purse, put them on, and stared at the skyline. From this place on the top deck of the yacht, they could see the city and harbor perfectly.
“We’re going to the Statue of Liberty first.” His voice held the familiar sense of playfulness. “I figured since you got me my first Statue of Liberty hat, we should at least make a stop there.”
“Definitely.” The trip to the statue took about fifteen minutes, and in that time they simply let the breeze wash over them, grateful to be alone together. They stood and walked to the railing as they neared Liberty Island, and Bailey reached for his hand. “Thank you, Brandon. Really. I can’t believe this.”
He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, both of them facing the water. “I love this … planning days like this for you.” He leaned his head against hers. They stayed that way, watching as the yacht drew closer to the statue. Finally, they felt the captain cut the engine. A voice came over the intercom. “We’ll take a few minutes here, like you requested.”
Brandon smiled and he jogged back to his chair. A stuffed beach bag sat by his chair, something else he must have planned ahead of time. He reached inside, pulled out his Statue of Liberty hat, and slipped it on. Then he grabbed a second one from the bag and a small camera, as well. “The paparazzi wished they had this picture.” He returned to her, handed her the second visor, and waited until she had it on. Then he put his arm around her, and — holding the camera out with his left hand — he took their picture. “Best happy snap ever. This’ll be on Facebook by tonight.” He winked at her. “Under my pseudonym of course.”
He showed her the picture, and Bailey laughed hard at the way they looked, trying to be serious, their green foam visors waving in the wind. They tried to get a picture of the Statue of Liberty, but no angle actually did it justice. “It’s one of those things you need to see in person to appreciate.”
Bailey agreed, and after Brandon put their hats and the camera away he returned to her side. He put his arm around her once more and again they leaned on the railing, taking in the beauty of the river and the distant bridges. “So, Bailey … tell me about the Bible study.”
It touched her deeply that he remembered to bring it up again. Now when they had time to talk. “It started with Chrissy’s death.”
“I’m sorry about that.” He faced her, and held her arms, running his thumbs over her bare skin. “I wanted to be there for you.”
“It’s okay.” She let her head fall against his for a few seconds. His presence would’ve only caused more tension. The memorial wasn’t open to anyone outside the cast, anyway. She looked at him again. “It means a lot that you wish you were there.”
“So … at the memorial you told everyone you wanted to have a Bible study … is that right?”
Bailey nodded, and over the next half hour she went back to the beginning, how she’d ignored God’s voice and let Chrissy down, and how she couldn’t do that twice. She told him Francesca originally okayed the Bible study, thinking that anything in Chrissy’s memory would be worthwhile. “But too many of the cast members thought we were sitting around judging them … and they complained.” She felt awful about the admission ahead, but she had to tell him the truth. “Francesca asked me to stop the study, and I agreed. I called it off.”
“Hmm …” Brandon waited, letting Bailey’s words sit for a few seconds. He brushed a wisp of her hair back from her forehead. “Maybe it was just a season … a short time when God wanted the study, and now it’s time to move on.”
“Or maybe I’m supposed to try harder.” She told him about Gerald and his questions about homosexuality, and how they had looked at Bible verses together, trying to grasp God’s take on sin in general — all sin. And how people needed to never give up fighting against it.
“Wow …” Brandon looked impressed. “That couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t.”
He slipped his arms around her back and slowly drew her in, close to him. “I’m proud of you, Bailey. I’m not sure I’m that brave. And I have as many chances to share God’s views on that topic as you do. Hollywood’s full of people who feel the way your cast feels. Like I must hate gay people just because I love Jesus.”
“Exactly.”
One of the staff members appeared in the doorway and signaled to Brandon. “Lunch, sir?”
“Yes, that’s great. Thank you.” He led Bailey back to the table where a couple of chairs had been brought in for the occasion. The conversation lightened while they ate salmon and spinach and fresh baked bread. After lunch they explored the yacht, and finally wound up on the top deck at their spot alongside the railing.
“This day … it’s been perfect.” He grinned. “Well, not quite. After I get the chance to see you perform … then it’ll be perfect.”
She laughed, and the sound mixed with the breeze off the Hudson. “Don’t get your hopes up. I’m still hanging on by a thread — at least that’s how I feel.”
They turned toward the water and allowed a comfortable silence for a while. Finally Brandon turned, his face close to hers. “There is one thing I forgot to tell you. About Eva and the movie shoot.”
Bailey’s stomach tightened, and her next breath didn’t come as easily. Was this it, the moment where he admitted some awful transgression, or some change of mind? She looked for answers in his eyes … waiting for him to explain.
Again he turned toward her. “Don’t look so worried.” This time he took hold of her hands.
“I’m not.”
“Bailey …”
“Really.” She laughed, but it sounded forced. “I mean … I’m interested in what you forgot to tell me.” She emphasized the word forgot, but her light laughter kept the mood light. “But I’m not worried.”
“You are.” His teasing was meant to be playful, nothing more. “I like it … that you’re worried.”
“Oh, you do?” She laughed a little more easily this time. Whatever he wanted to tell her, it couldn’t be too bad.
“Yes.” He slid his fingers between hers and took a step closer. The rest of the world faded away. “I like that you care.” He took his time, clearly enjoying this moment.
“So …”
“Well …” His smile let up and his eyes filled with a vulnerability she’d rarely seen before. He released her hands and put his arms around her waist. The boat swayed, and the two of them moved gently with it — like a dance that needed no music. “I told Eva I wasn’t interested because I wanted to honor God.” He brought one hand to her face. “But I also told her there was another reason.”
Bailey felt dizzy, caught up in the moment, in the intimacy between them. “What …” She swallowed, her voice so soft even she could barely hear it. “What did you tell her?”
“I told her …” Brandon was so close he could’ve kissed her. “I was in love with someone else.”
Bailey let that sink in for a long few seconds. Was he serious? “You told her that?” The sun on her shoulders … the view of the city and the sway of the boat … the feel of his arms around her … She had never felt this way in all her life.
“I said it …” He drew her closer, his voice a whisper against her cheek. “And I meant it.”
Bailey wasn’t sure what to say, how to respond. So she stayed in his arms, her head against his chest as the possibilities slow-danced in her heart. The boat docked and they found their way back to the Suburban. They shared an early dinner in a private steak house room in Manhattan and later that night she danced her heart out on the J. Markham Theater stage. After that they shared another carriage ride, this one through Central Park. Brandon made her laugh with a dozen stories from his recent weeks on set. When the time came, she hated telling Brandon goodbye. That night alone in her room she relived every moment with him and wished more than anything that he didn’t have to go home so soon. Because even as she prayed for God to make sense of her swirling emotions, for the first time she was consumed by one very clear thought.
Maybe she was in love with him too.