Page 39 of Faking Romance

I nod.

“Right this way. Mr. Pointer is waiting.”

Roxy stifles a giggle and I give her a curious look. “Porter and Pointer? And Gray and Bray? What’s up with that?”

I chuckle and shrug. But before I can think of a response, the woman leads us into a two-story room with a fireplace and large oversized leather furniture. Pierce and Haven both stand from where they are seated and walk over to greet us.

“Lovely to see you, Roxy,” Pierce says as he leans and kisses her cheek.

She blushes. “Nice to see you too.”

“Grayson’s been telling me all about your bookstore. I need to hear more,” Haven says excitedly as she pulls Roxy into a hug and then loops her arm through hers and escorts her to a sofa.

“Well, uh, that’s a conversation that could take a while, you want to get a drink, while our ladies chat?” Pierce asks.

“I’d love that,” I say as I glance over at Roxy. She gives me a reassuring look and I mouth, “Thank you,” again. She nods and smiles at me.

* * *

Dinner went surprisingly well. Apparently, the film’s director, Hubert Cushner, wasn’t able to attend, but it was almost better that way. I got a chance to talk with Pierce one-on-one and he assured me that the music I had written was perfect. Roxy and Haven hit it off and spent the entire night discussing books. Haven even joined Roxy’s book club.

We get in the car after dinner, and I glance at the time. An idea had popped into my head around nine and I couldn’t shake it, so I made up an excuse for us to leave.

“Why the rush to leave?” Roxy asks with curiosity as I pull out onto the street.

“I want to take you somewhere,” I say to her. “And we need to get there before ten.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Trust me…please,” I say as I glance over at her.

She shrugs and sits back in the seat. “OK.”

“OK? Like you aren’t going to fight me on it?”

She glares at me. “Don’t push it, Porter.”

Chuckling, I turn on the music and drive us downtown. I park in the garage next door to a theater. It’s a smaller, historical theater, but it has something I know she’ll love. Well, a few things, I hope she’ll love.

“This way,” I say as I hurry us to a side door and punch in the code.

“What is this place?” she asks.

“It’s the Townsend Theater,” I explain. The sound of Mozart fills the air as we step through the threshold.

“What…” She trails off as I lead her up a flight of stairs to a private box. I seat her along the front and sit down next to her. Her eyes go to the stage where a quartet of strings is practicing.

My friend Yosef waves up at me as he goes to pluck a string on his double bass.

“I’ll be right back,” I say as I release Roxy’s hand. She glances my way but then goes back to watching my friends practice. I head to the side stage and lower the house lights and then turn on the little lights in the ceiling.

I walk back up to the box and smile as I watch Roxy staring at the ceiling in awe. I’m enjoying watching her so much, I don’t move. I just stand there for long minutes as her eyes track the glittering constellations overhead and her foot taps to the beat of the music. Her hair sways gently and her lips are parted. She looks stunning, a true natural beauty. How is it possible this woman thinks she’s a failure compared to her siblings? She’s perfect and smart and a fucking badass business owner.

Shaking my head, I finally step up next to her and sit.

“How have I never been here before? This is beautiful,” she whispers as she looks up at the ceiling.

“I agree. Beautiful,” I repeat only I don’t mean the ceiling. I mean Roxy.

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