Twenty-Six
BRANDON HAD PREPARED FOR THESE FEW DAYS IN NEW YORK City since the last time he was here, a month ago. As the morning dawned, he walked to the window of his hotel room and smiled. God had given them a perfect day … the leaves as bright orange and red as they would ever be, the sky a perfect blue overhead.
His question later today after her show would come with a gift — something he’d had custom made just for her. It was a delicate white gold chain with a tiny yellow gold heart that hung at the center. Engraved across the front were the letters B&B and on the back was simply Jer. 29:11. Brandon remembered the verse because Bailey had talked about it back when they were filming Unlocked. God knew the plans He had for them, good plans to give them a hope and a future.
Now Brandon could only hope that the future God had for them was one that would find them together. And that those same plans might begin in earnest tonight. He gathered the things he’d need. The necklace, already enclosed in a pretty box, and his baseball cap and sunglasses. He even considered a fake mustache today, but he changed his mind. Too itchy. Still, he would’ve worn any disguise that might give him privacy for this day with Bailey.
He met her at eight that morning and the two of them shared coffee with Betty and Bob. Then they rode in the same black SUV with the same driver, but this time Brandon took her to Central Park. On a Tuesday in October at this hour, Brandon was pretty sure he wouldn’t need his entire disguise. He stuck with the baseball cap and brought the other things in a shoulder bag, which he wore across his body.
“The park?” Bailey’s voice was filled with delight. It was one of the things he loved about her, the way she marveled at the mundane … her ability to find joy in the everyday pleasures of life. He could hardly wait to live in the same city as her — something the two of them had never done other than their time shooting Unlocked. And back then she was dating someone else.
“We’ve never been here together.” Brandon took her hand and gave the driver quick instructions to stay close in case they needed to get away. Then he walked with her to the nearest path, the one that would take them by the pond and the zoo. Brandon hadn’t spent much time in New York City, and he’d never taken this walk through Central Park. But he mapped it out a week ago, so he was very familiar with the trail.
Everything about being with her was wonderful. Brandon loved the way her fingers felt in his, and the feel of her arm as it brushed against his.
She seemed to know he was thinking about her, because she turned and smiled at him. “It’s a perfect day.”
“It is now.” He wanted so badly to kiss her, to call her his girlfriend and never have to wonder another day whether she felt about him the way he felt about her. No wonder he was nervous. He would have her answer soon enough.
They stopped at the pond and found a park bench. For a few minutes they were quiet, enjoying the feel of the sun on their faces, the feeling that somehow here in the middle of the city they had found a country setting, green grass and the vast pond stretched out before them. After a while Bailey leaned on his shoulder and sighed. “I’m still thinking about my Bible study.” She lifted her eyes to his. “I have to find a way to start it up again.”
Brandon didn’t think the problem seemed very complicated. “Come on, Bailey, you can figure this out.”
“Meaning what?” She wasn’t irritated, but her eyes proved she was flustered. “Francesca told me to quit holding it.” She put her hand over her chest. “But in here I can feel God telling me not to give up.”
“So don’t.” Brandon smiled gently at her. This was a serious matter for her, he understood. “Tell the dancers who were meeting with you that you’re starting up again. Hold it at the Starbucks near the theater. Make it once a week in the morning, and they’ll come.” He was careful not to sound flippant. “What can Francesca do about that?”
“If she finds out?” Bailey straightened and turned so she could see him better. “Fire me. I’ll be home by the next afternoon.”
“Okay … so she fires you.” Brandon soothed his hand over hers. “Then you move to LA and get back into making movies.”
Bailey seemed to think that over. “But what sort of example am I if I go against what she asked?”
“The kind that’s all through the Bible.” He chuckled quietly. “Bailey, come on. I might be new at it, but I’m pretty sure people like Paul and Timothy went against a lot of people in authority to spread the gospel of Jesus.” He hesitated, hoping she could hear him with her heart. “It’s not like you’d be breaking a law. Americans are still allowed to hold public Bible studies, last I checked.”
He was right — about everything. Peace smoothed out the concerned lines on her forehead. “You make it sound simple.”
“The cast already thinks you’re weird, right?” He slid a little closer and ran his hand along the back of her head, her hair. He felt his grin lighten the moment. “And I have to say, sometimes I agree.”
Her laugh told him she was going to be okay. “I’m definitely weird. No question about that.” She breathed in and seemed to find new life, new hope in the moment. “And if I lose my job, I lose it. But at least I’ll be following what God wants from me.”
“Exactly.” He stood and helped her to her feet. “But if you do lose your job, I have to say I’ll need an assistant through the end of February.” His smile was sheepish. “Don’t you think?” “You’re funny.”
“Betty and Bob would be down with the idea … I’m sure.” She laughed again. “Okay … I’ll have the Bible study. If Francesca fires me, I’ll be your assistant.” “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes and laughed again. “You haven’t worked with Francesca Tilly.”
They set out down another pathway, benches on either side. It was a part of the park that had made its way into countless movies. They slowed, and Bailey turned to him. “I love that you were bold in that article … I guess I just think of the whole industry as pretty Godless. Everyone except producers like Keith Ellison and Dayne.” She put her arm around his waist and gave him a side hug. “And you, of course.”
“Maybe it’s changing.” Brandon put his arm around her. More people walked through the park now, so he kept his sunglasses in place, the bill of his hat pulled down. “A guy at my agency wants to make it an industry thing, reading Scripture.” He stopped and gave her a pointed smile. “He wants me to memorize a Bible verse every week. Life is a mist … that was the first one.”
“I love it.”
“People act like they’ll live forever, like the whole world will always revolve around them.” Brandon had thought about this long and hard after his friend showed him the Bible verse. “The truth is, there won’t be autograph lines in heaven. We have to be so careful how we spend our days … since most of our lives will be spent in eternity.”
Adoration filled Bailey’s eyes, and Brandon drank it in. They stopped again and stepped off the path. An enormous maple tree anchored the walkway and together they leaned on it. “Do you know how many movies have been filmed on this path?” She gazed down the walkway and then up at him. “Maybe we can film our movie here someday.”
“I’d like that.” Again he wanted to kiss her. He touched her face, let his fingers move lightly down her arm. He had to wait. This wasn’t the time. “You know what’s next?” Anything to put a little distance between them, as far as Brandon was concerned. He truly cherished her, and he understood her desire to wait until she got married. It was what he wanted for himself now too. But still, the closeness of her was almost more than he could take.
They started walking again. “I’m still thinking that trip to the moon is possible.” She laughed a little and looked at him. “With you, right, Brandon?”
“Well,” he raised one eyebrow. “I am intrigued by the idea.”
This time they both laughed and a little further down the path he pointed to the entrance to the zoo. “That’s next. The zoo.” He chuckled. “I mean, I have to see this. A zoo in the middle of New York City? We couldn’t spend a day here without at least stopping in.”
“The zoo is perfect!” Her voice was like music in his heart, and he savored it as such.
Bailey held his hand as they walked into the zoo, and again he was careful to keep his eyes down, his face shaded. At least until after they were inside. Once they were past the front gates, they walked toward the mongoose exhibit. “Mongoose pups were born a few days ago.” He’d done his research. “We can’t miss that.”
She looked at him, like she truly marveled that he would know about the pups. “You amaze me, Brandon … I love this.”
They walked a little quicker, holding hands even when Bailey broke into a skip. Brandon kept up with her, loving how the moment made him feel like a kid, like they were back in high school. How different his life would’ve been had he and Bailey known each other when they were younger. But then maybe that didn’t matter as much as what he was praying for now. That they might know each other when they were old.
BAILEY COULD HARDLY WAIT TO SEE the mongoose pups, but more than that she couldn’t stop thinking about whatever question he wanted to ask her, and when that might happen. The day had been nothing but magical since the moment he’d shown up at her apartment, and even now she only wished she could slow the hours. Their time together was never enough.
On the walk to the mongoose exhibit, she remembered something she hadn’t told him. “Hey … I have a surprise for you too.”
“You do?” His fingers felt wonderful between hers, and she hoped no one would notice him. So far the day had been theirs alone.
“I called in … I haven’t used hardly any vacation days. The standby dancers were available, so I’m off tonight.”
“Really?” He stopped and turned to her. They were just off the main pathway, so they weren’t in anyone’s way. “Bailey, that’s great!” He made a silly face. “Of course, that means I’ll have to fly home tomorrow, and you’ll have to put up with me for another day.” He started walking again, his eyes still on hers. “Because I’m not leaving New York City without watching my favorite performer.”
Comments like that reminded her why she enjoyed her time with Brandon so much. He made her a priority, and he loved watching her perform. She put her arms around his waist and hugged him. Then she took hold of his hand again and ran a little ahead. “Come on … the mongoose pups are waiting.”
They were the only ones at the exhibit when they reached it. “Ahhh,” Bailey stooped low, bringing herself to eye level with the pups. “They’re so cute.”
“They are.” Brandon chuckled. “They sort of have a nervous look.”
“Nervous and cute.”
“Kind of like you used to be around me at first.” He elbowed her softly in the ribs.
“Hey …” She returned the gesture, and for a moment they had a teasing sort of tickling battle. “You have the most recognized face in the nation.” She laughed as he poked at her other side, and she did the same to him. “That would make anyone nervous.”
“Alright you … Nervous Nelly. Let’s go check on the sea lions.”
Bailey could practically hear the romantic music in the background as they made their way around the zoo. They were almost back to the front gates again when they came head on with a high school class — or maybe two classes. At that exact moment, Brandon had his head upturned, laughing at something she said. Bailey could see what was going to happen seconds before it actually did. And by then it was too late.
“Brandon Paul?” A big girl at the front of the group stopped and screamed his name. Then she pointed at him. “Yes. It’s him! Brandon Paul!”
If there had been more people at the zoo he might’ve been able to escape in the crowd. But they were the only two people heading out of the zoo at that moment, and with the girl’s announcement, the fifty teenagers let loose in their direction. Brandon cared a lot for the people who liked his work. He would sign an autograph at dinner or take a picture just about anytime.
But in this moment, Bailey was glad he responded the way he did. He pulled the cap of his hat firmly down on his forehead, grabbed her hand, and the two of them took off. They darted past the group of high school kids and out the gate. “To the car,” he shouted.
But the students didn’t give up that easily.
They took off down the same path they’d walked in on. But a number of the teens stayed close behind.
“That’s Bailey Flanigan!” one of the guys shouted. “Hey! Bailey, wait up.”
She almost wondered if it would be easier to stop and deal with the kids, sign autographs, and take pictures. But then Brandon was far more experienced at this, and the crowds he could draw in a very short time would make her night at Sardi’s look like a quiet affair. They held hands, staying fifteen yards ahead of the kids, but the commotion they caused was drawing other people into the chase.
“We’re a parade,” she smiled at him, yelling so he could hear her above the shouts from behind.
“Always.” He picked up their pace, and as he ran he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called their driver. “Same place, five minutes,” he told him.
Whether one of the kids called the news or flashed the information on Twitter, they would never know, but by the time they passed the pond, more than a hundred people ran after them, and a host of paparazzi jumped out from a cropping of bushes and began snapping pictures.
“Keep running.” Brandon didn’t seem upset, just determined.
Bailey was glad she was in shape. They’d already run for a few minutes.
“Don’t worry about the pictures. There’s no way around them.”
She had been with Brandon at premieres where she wondered if she’d ever seen so many flashes or heard so many cameras clicking. But a red carpet event was supposed to be like that. Here … with a couple dozen cameramen snapping rapid-fire shots as they ran toward them, Bailey could only imagine the pictures they were getting.
The paparazzi continued to shoot as they ran up and passed them, and then they joined the throng of people still chasing them. They reached the drop-off spot and there was the driver, the back door already open. He saluted Brandon as they ran up, and like a scene from a movie Brandon and Bailey jumped into the car and the driver slammed the door shut.
“Wow …” Brandon was breathing hard, but still able to laugh. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“I did.” Bailey doubled over, laughing and trying to catch her breath at the same time. “There was nothing I could do. Not enough time.”
“There never is.” He leaned back against the seat, his arms sprawled out at either side like he was exhausted. He turned his head and grinned at her. “Okay … so we got through that, right?”
“We did.” She turned sideways and laughed again. “It’s crazy … like what are people thinking? They’ll catch us and then what … tackle us to the ground? Force you out for a cup of coffee?” She exhaled, her heartbeat almost back to normal.
“You’re not freaked out?”
“No.” She was a little, but she didn’t want to say so. They’d survived it, right? “It was a onetime thing. Compared to all the hours we’ve had in the city, I guess it isn’t so bad.”
Brandon winced. “Except one thing … now they know we’re a couple.” He was quick to correct himself. “What I mean is … we starred in a movie together, and now we’re holding hands in Central Park months after the movie hits theaters.” He nodded, his expression resigned. “They’ll think we’re a couple for sure.”
“Which means …” Bailey thought she understood where he was headed with this. “We’ll have less of a chance hiding next time we check out the mongoose pups?”
“Exactly.”
Bailey wasn’t sure what to say. She appreciated that Brandon had a plan, that he’d arranged for the driver to be nearby in case something like this happened. She could live with this if she had to, right? If that’s where God was leading them? They fell quiet then, and Brandon reached for her hand. Once their fingers were together, Bailey’s questions fell away. She could tolerate any amount of paparazzi or wild fans if it meant being with him.
She had never been more sure.