| 22. High 11:21 pm "Nice digs, Meggie," Paul commented, impressed. "Really?" She shut the door to her new apartment. "I think so too. The bad thing is I'm leaving in three months." "Well, you don't have to." "Yeah, but the only reason I'm still in Hollywood is for treatment. I wouldn't stay here for any period of time for no reason." She put down her purse. "Why?" "I've been on tour every day for the past year and a half. This whole...complacency thing doesn't appeal to me." He laughed. "You'll get used to it." Meg raised an eyebrow and walked towards him, "That's what they all say." She smiled and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I can't believe this is happening," he whispered, his forehead touching hers. "I can't either." She leaned her head on his chest. "Why didn't we think of this earlier?" "Oh I did, believe me." She laughed, "Oh, so this is my fault, eh?" "Don't you start talking Canadian again." She laughed again. "Let's get out of here for a while, what do you say?" "Sounds good to me. What do you got in mind, Meggie?" "You know what? I know where an old movie set is downtown. Wanna sneak in?" "Eve Meghan Whitley! I can't believe you would do something so daring!" She smiled, "Believe it, Paulie!" Soon enough, they were in Meg's BMW Z3 headed inbound to downtown Hollywood. The top was down and the night air was filled with energy. The temperature had cooled to about 60 degrees and the moon was full. Janet Jackson's voice mixed with Meg and Paul's as it blasted from the speakers of Meg's car. "I love this song!" Meg yelled over Janet's high-pitched voice. "So do I!" Paul yelled in reply. When the song ended and a commercial came on the radio station, Meg turned it off in frustration. "I hate commercials." "Sing something then. Entertain me." "Isn't my witty presence enough?" He snorted. "Okay." "Tsk, tsk. Sarcasm ill benefits you, my dear Paulie." 23. Genuine 11:45 pm "What do you think was filmed here?" "I don't know. I don't think it's been used since the forties. No, wait, a few scenes from 'My Fair Lady' were filmed here." She began walking toward one of the costume booths. "Speaking of fair ladies..." he pulled her to him, stopping her. She rolled her eyes, smiling. "So how �bout you sing me that song you promised, eh?" She laughed. "How much you gonna pay me? A million people paid me 20 bucks a pop to hear me sing, ya know." "No, they just wanted to hear the excellent keyboardist." She laughed again. "Oh, yes, it was all about you, Paulie." Paul snickered. "I wish," "I can't believe you still want me to sing that. I haven't sung that in, like, six months." "Please..." he whined, sticking out his lower lip. He batted his eyelashes sweetly. She smiled and stifled a laugh. "You know I can't resist a puppy dog face." "You'll do it?" "Why the heck not?" "Okay, then, go ahead." "Slow or fast?" "Slow, of course." "Good choice. Alright, picture it: Christine's still mourning the death of her father, in the graveyard. Ready to hear some mean soprano, baby?" He laughed, "Yep," and sat down on a couch nearby that looked like it could have been from the Brady Bunch. She found a light board nearby and turned on blue lights. "Some mood lighting for the crowd this evening," she explained in her best announcer voice. "Ooh...sexified!" She laughed and Paul couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was and how her eyes sparkled when she smiled. What did I do to deserve her? Since when have I been so lucky? He smiled. She glanced at him. "Why you smiling?" "I'm just thinking about how lucky I am." She left the light board and kneeled in front of him, cupping his face in her hands. "You are amazing, Paul. I can't think of anything better than loving you. My only regret is that I waited so long to start. I'm the lucky one." She kissed his cheek and then his lips. "Believe me." She smiled. "I love you." "I love you. And that's why I will sing for you! Ready?" She stood up and moved to the center of the studio. "Yep. Sing away." |