Chapt 9

Olivia

The next month or so found me in New York every weekend and usually in Donnie's bed when he wasn't working. I had gotten into the habit of baking some sort of goodies for the guys on set and delivering them every Friday, no matter where the set was for that day. I tried to push the thought of something missing out of my head and was pretty successful for the most part.

It was a Saturday morning in October, early October and the weather was wonderful. I was up early and cooking breakfast in Donnie's kitchen when he came shuffling in, pajama pants, white t shirt and a smile.

"Hey ma," he said kissing my cheek. "That smells amazing, and you look amazing." Pouring a cup of coffee he took a seat at the high top bar and opened up the paper. "Hey, do you have any plans for tonight?"

"Um, no I don't think so, why?"

"No reason, just be ready at about 5, I have a surprise for you."

Why my heart sank I couldn't tell you, but it did. I wasn't a fan of surprises, but this was more than that. "Well you need to tell me where we're going so I know how to dress. I may have to go shopping if I didn't bring anything appropriate."

He smiled up at me and shook his head no. "Let's just do the little black dress kind of thing and we will be just fine."

I could tell there was no getting it out of him so I let it go. I'd definitely have to go shopping; I hadn't brought anything remotely close to little black dress.

After breakfast I headed out to find something that would work. "Maggie, I cannot let this get serious! I don't belong with him, not in a serious relationship. We are from two totally different worlds and there is no way that it could ever work."

"And just why the hell couldn't it work out woman?"

"Let's start with the fact that I have no desire to be in the limelight at all, and there would be no way to avoid the attention if I were to date him. Then there's the fact that I'm not a model or some other extravagantly gorgeous chick with these long legs and perfect boobs and hair. Guys like him, they just don't want plain old girls, and they want that arm piece that will look good on a red carpet. I'm so far from the red carpet I'm sneaking in the damn back door!"

"Oh just stop, he doesn't care about any of that and you shouldn't either. Stop looking for excuses and just go with it."

I didn't know how to make her see that I didn't want the life he led, even if I did want him, and I wasn't sure where I stood with that when it came to serious relationships. I hung up and grabbed a Starbucks before headed into Barney's to search for a dress for an evening that I had no idea about.

Donnie

Was I nervous about tonight, no, not really. I knew she wasn't fond of surprises but I also knew that she would love this one. She'd be fine once we got to where we were going. I slid the grey sweater over my head and smiled to myself. Olivia wasn't the type of girl you just enjoyed hot nights with, she was the kind you took care of and held onto. Sure, there was the niggling thought that something wasn't quite spot on, but I couldn't help but think it was nothing more than the fact that she deserved more than nights of sex, she deserved commitment.

"Hey, Donnie, would you log me out of my facebook page please?"

I smiled and shook my head. She was always leaving that damn page logged in. "Of course, just as soon as I post some crazy status!"

"Donnie don't you dare mister." She called from the shower with a laugh in her voice.

I logged her out without posting anything this time. "I'm going to watch some football while you finish up getting ready okay?"

"Okay, I won't be long, promise."

She was true to her word and ready within half an hour. She walked out into my living room and she looked amazing. "If this is what you come up with on short notice I'd love to see what you can do with time to plan. You look wonderful Liv. You ready to head out?"

"Tell me where we're going, please," she said as I took her hand and led her out the door.

"You will see soon enough. I will tell you first stop is dinner."

"Well, I a hungry," she replied, laughing.

Olivia

Dinner was amazing. Michael's was a fantastic restaurant, even when we went in the back door and sat in a secluded area. It just felt like too much in a way. All that just to have a peaceful dinner and not to be seen would be a ridiculous way to have a relationship.

"Okay you, now where are we going?"

He smiled and kissed my nose. "You'll see."

Thirty minutes later we were standing at the top of the Empire State Building, looking out over the city. It was breathtaking and probably the most romantic thing I'd ever experienced. His arms were wrapped around my waist and he was swaying me lightly side to side as he hummed a familiar tune.

"This is breathtaking, such a beautiful sight. I'd give anything to have my camera up here to capture it all."

"We'll come back, you can bring it then," he whispered. He slowly began to sing a Blake Shelton song, God Gave Me You, and I think I may have melted. As he finished the song up he kissed my cheek so soft. "I love you Olivia."

I froze. What did he mean he loved me? He couldn't love me. Surely he meant he loved me in a way that wasn't serious. I just smiled, not knowing what to say and not feeling like repeating the words was the right thing to do at that moment in time. What was wrong with me? Why wasn't this man, in this setting, in this life, feeling like it should?