| |
Becca’s mother decided that the family was going to go to the theater for the evening. Her father hated such activities, but in order to keep his wife happy he was willing to go. There was a new play that had just opened at the Casino Theater, and her mother didn’t want to be the last one to see it. Becca wasn’t excited, but she was happy to have the distraction.
The kiss she had shared with Robert was making it hard for her to think of little else. Even as she sat in the audience and watched the show, her mind was still replaying those moments. After the show, they wanted to enjoy the air on the theater’s rooftop garden.
“Did you enjoy the show?”
Stephan had decided to go the theater as well that night, and her mother was more than happy to invite him to join them on the roof. He was looking well in his evening clothes and a warm smile. He might have senses she was distracted, because he kept asking her questions that took her away from her thoughts.
“It was lovely,” she replied back, hoping he didn’t notice her long pause.
“What was your favorite part?”
Becca could hardly remember any of it. “The funny part near the end.”
Stephen tilted his head, letting a lock of dark hair fall across his forehead. “It was a tragedy... what part was funny?”
Becca wished she had paid better attention to it. “I must have misheard one of the lines then.”
Stephen still looked confused but chose to accept her answer. “Would you like to see something amazing?”
Becca didn’t know what he was referring to. “What do you consider amazing?”
“The view of the city from the corner of the rooftop is amazing. They built a little balcony that give a perfect vantage point.”
“Do you spend a great deal of time here?”
She could see him blush in the faint light of the lanterns they had hanging around the garden.
“I might have known an actress once who brought me up her after a performance.”
Becca was beginning how these actresses had time to learn their lines with as many men as they entertained.
“It was a very long time ago,” he said hastily.
“I don’t think my mother would approve of me going out of her sight.”
Becca hoped he would accept that excuse, but she truthfully just didn’t feel up to it. Being alone with a man was beginning to prove to be as bad as they said.
“It’s only a few feet away. She will still be able to see you clearly.”
Becca sighed, glancing over at where her parents were engrossed in conversation with a pair of their friends. Her mother turned and caught her eye, then gave her a nod. Becca remembered that Stephen was on the short list of men approved by her mother. She was supposed to be charming him.
“I suppose a lovely view would be nice.” At least it might spare her from having to pretend to listen to conversations from anyone else.
Stephen led her to where a small balcony had been built off the edge of the building. It had two long marble benches built into it, giving people a place to sit and look out over the city. Although not the tallest building on Broadway, the Casino Theatre was tall enough to still give a good view of the streetlights below.
As Becca leaned over the railing, she could feel the soft breeze across her cheeks and she closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she felt this kind of peace.
“You look different today,” Stephen commented.
“Is that a compliment?” she joked, keeping her eyes closed so she couldn’t see his expression.
“You always look beautiful.” Stephen sounded amused. “Tonight you also look relaxed. I haven’t seen that on you in years.’
Probably not since Brandon boarded the ship that took him away.
“What changed?” he asked.
Becca could feel Stephen moving to lean against rail next to her but she still kept her eyes closed. “Is it because an old friend has returned?”
She knew he was talking about Robert. “Isn’t he an old friend of yours too?”
“We knew each other, but were never really friends. It’s different between men.”
Everything seemed to be different with men. Somehow they lived in the world, but were such vastly different creatures. Someone might need to study them for science.
“I’m happy that Robert has returned to New York. He has changed so much that it’s almost like meeting a new man. I think Brandon would be proud of his baby brother.”
Stephen chuckled when she said that and that made her open her eyes finally.
“Don’t let him hear you say that. I don’t think that is how he would want you to see him.”
“Are you referring to that ridiculous story in the paper insinuating he was in love with me?”
“No, but I do think he has strong feelings for you.”
Becca thought back to that kiss they shared.
“I am wondering if you return the feeling.”
Stephen had a serious expression on his face, and Becca couldn’t think of the words to answer him. She had been swept up in her time with Robert and not really thinking about her emotions. It seemed strange to think of him romantically, given they had grown up together. Yet, she admitted that things felt different with him now as a man.
“Are you getting jealous?” She wanted to keep the banter between them light.
“Perhaps I am.” Stephen slid across the banister, getting closer to her. She could feel the anticipation of him wanting to kiss her. It didn’t feel the same as when Robert came close. She pushed away from the railing to put more distance between them and could feel a flush across her face.
“Stephen, we can’t... there are too many people...” She was trying to give him an explanation for her pulling away.
“There is plenty of privacy.” He tried to come closer again. “The actress who told me about this spot assured me.”
Becca took another step back, but her backside brushed up against a bush that was placed there for decoration.
“Ohhhh.” A female voice moaned from the other side.
“Did you hurt yourself?” Stephen asked, his expression turning to concern.
“No. That wasn’t me.”
Stephen came up behind her and together they bent around the corner of the bush to find out who was using it for privacy. At first all she could see was the long, undone hair of a woman as she was shaking it loose. The glimmer of her blond locks was blinding. Then she noticed that there was a man, sitting on the bench in front of her. That was who the display was meant for. As Becca focused on the man’s face, she realized that it was Robert. This was just like the night she caught him in the room of his hotel. Even his expression was the same.
“How could you?” She didn’t mean to say that as loud as she did but her shock made her lose control of her voice.
The woman seemed unaffected by the interruption. She half turned, showing that she had begun to undo the back of her gown enough that is sagged in the front. She lifted a hand to hold it in place and it pushed her full breasts higher. She had a hint of a smile and not a bit of remorse over being caught. Becca recognized her as being the performer from that night’s show.
“Becca?” Robert spoke, struggling to get to his fit as quickly as he could. She could see that the front of his shirt was partially unbuttoned, to the top of his vest. He was wearing his jacket still but it was open and his necktie was gone. The crisp white fabric of his shirt showed wrinkled where somebody had been grabbing it. The actress must have been helping him undress as well.
“Did we disturb you?” the actress asked in a sickly-sweet tone that turned Becca’s stomach. Robert had the decency to look ashamed at being caught as he quickly started to button his shirt and straighten up his appearance.
“Umm, I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Stephen was also embarrassed, but his kept glancing at the actress, as if her creamy skin was impossible to look away from. He was stuttering like a school boy and fidgeting with putting his hands in his pockets. Becca wondered if all men acted like this around her.
“We should go.” Stephen tried to pull her back to the other side of the bush shielding them from the crowd. “Give them their privacy.”
“We appreciate it,” said the actress.
“No, wait.” Those were the first words Robert had spoken since Becca saw him, but she didn’t want to listen to what he had to say.
“I will leave you two to finish,” Stephen said.
Becca twirled around, pushing past Stephan who was offering her his hand and rushing away from the intimate scene she had witnessed. The thought that he could be holding her one night, even if it was for just a kiss, then another woman the next made her feel sick to her stomach.
“Becca, wait.”
It was Stephan calling out her name as he followed after her through the crush of people on the rooftop. She could hear him, but all she could think about was getting further from it. She found the doors that led to the stairs going back to the theater. She didn’t even bother to stop to tell her parents what happened. All she could think of was getting away. She didn’t stop until she reached the lobby.
“You are lucky you didn’t hurt yourself,” Stephen said, holding his chest and sounded slightly winded as he caught her in the lobby.
“I’m sorry. You didn’t need to follow me.”
“I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman if I didn’t.”
Stephen reached up to slick back his dark brown hair with one hand, while the older was holding his stomach. She wondered if he had ever done a day’s worth of hard work and doubted it.
“I can get my own ride home,” she told him. “My parents brought the carriage. I can send it back for them.”
“Do they know you are leaving?”
Becca hadn’t been able to stop and tell them.
“I can let them know for you,” Stephen offered. “I won’t tell them why you left.”
“Tell them I felt ill.” That wasn’t a lie.
Stephen nodded and escorted her out to the carriage her family’s driver had brought around. She gave his hand a squeeze in gratitude as he helped her in.