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Song: The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
Moose stared into her trusting, sweet eyes frozen as Maria's text glared across his cell phone.
He knew there's was no way to explain, not in a way where she would easily understand, not after last night, this morning, or their talk of long distance commitments and love.
His heart clenched, the last thing he wanted to do was lie, not to her, ever, but he had waited so long, he was too afraid of risking this moment, ruining everything.
Time was running out, if he waited much longer it would be obvious that he was thinking of what to say, it would be too suspicious, she would know something was wrong.
Call it immaturity, fear of losing her, or just plain male stupidity, Moose did the worse thing he could do… he lied.
"Oh, Maria? She's my cousin from Kansas, she was staying with us for a few weeks, tonight was her last night in California, the family was supposed to meet for dinner for her last night."
As soon as the words left his mouth he knew it was a mistake, not only did he lie, but he pulled his family into this.
What if she mentioned her to someone?
Furrowing her eyebrows, Camille thought for a minute, she was always under the impression that Moose's entire family lived in California, but she soon just went with it knowing that he'd never deceive her, that was something she didn't have to worry about with him.
"Will your family be upset that you'll be missing this dinner?"
Feeling his stomach twist into knots, Moose immediately wanted to take it all back, but how could he now?
Maria was someone that he casually dated on and off, he had always been upfront about this with her, but she wanted more, and was not shy about making her feelings known.
He saw her once between the time when he stood her up, the night he found out about Camille wanted him to dance with her, and now.
It was two seconds, they passed by each other on the street, Moose was running to an appointment with his agent, and she stopped him.
Maria wanted to pin him down for another date, he didn't want to go, his mind was on Camille, and only Camille, but she was insistent.
Moose was running late, and she was beginning to make a scene, so he said yes to dinner sometime, thinking back he vaguely remembered getting a text from her right before he left for New York.
He kept making excuses, not wanting to hurt her feelings, but she wouldn't stop texting him, so he gave in, thinking that this dinner would give him the chance to break it off completely, so there was no misunderstanding.
Moose completely forgot that it was for this night.
At the time he just thought he'd come to the city, maybe get a chance to just see Camille, he never really even counted on talking her, forget about having the best night of his life making love to the one and only person he's only cared about. There was no way he could've seen that coming, not in a million years did he imagine this one night would lead to all of this.
Looking down immediately, he quickly sent Maria a text as guilt washed over him like ice cold water.
xxxxxxxxxx
Maria
Have to cancel
I'm out of town
on business
won't be back for awhile
sorry
xxxxxxxxxx
Panic was beginning to set in as he hastily wrote and sent a poorly thought out text.
Instantly he could see that she was writing him back as he looked up to see Camille on the phone with airline.
xxxxxxxxxxx
This is the second time
you blew me off
We need to talk
now!
xxxxxxxxxxxx
One of the reasons why it wasn't working out with Maria was due to her temper, and her possessiveness, which was now all coming to a head, at the worst time.
At first she accepted his terms, nothing serious, just casual dates - that's what he said in the beginning, but he had a feeling she always wanted more, that she could change his mind.
Trying to think fast, not wanting to be on the phone with her, he sent another hurried text.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
won't be around for awhile
have no idea how long
this project with be.
this was unexpected.
can't talk, very busy
sorry
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Groaning inwardly, Moose turned his sound down and shoved the cell in his pocket feeling like the worst person on the planet.
It was then that he noticed her soft hands smooth around his waist, as her small frame hugged him from behind.
Turning around into her arms he looked down into her smiling face knowing that somehow he had to make this right, he just couldn't risk looking her, losing this.
"Well I called the airline."
Flashing his canines, unable to not grin at just how adorable she was, he lifted her chin up towards him as the other hand slid to the small of her back pulling her close.
"And…"
Shrugging she gazed up at him seductively causing him to shut everything that was happening outside of them out.
"Well unfortunately they don't have anything till tomorrow morning, so we have a whole other night to kill before we head to California… it's just … "
Loving that they had to be here for another night, he brought his mouth closer, hovering over her parted lips that were inviting him in.
His voice grew husky with anticipation watching the side of her sweet mouth curve into a mischievous sexy grin.
"It's just…"
Lifting her flirtatious gaze upwards to the ceiling, she contemplated their options while brushing against his body, immediately evoking the reaction from him that she had desired.
"Well, I just can't imagine what we're going to do... with all that time."
Wanting nothing more than to pick her up and slide her back into that warm bed, Moose needed her to know that there was so much more to this, he wanted to take her out, on a real date, somewhere special, romantic.
He wanted to prove that he was not like every other guy, and that, this, was unlike any other relationship, in truth he wanted to give her the world, and in his mind that started with a magical night.
Taking a step back, Moose took her hand and kissed it gently. "Camille, would you go out with me tonight?"
A look of shock spread across her face. "Moose, you don't have to do anything, I'm perfectly happy - "
Lacing his fingers through hers, he softened his tone so that it was dripping with sincerity.
"Cam, last night was… amazing, perfect really…. but we did this backwards. You deserve so much more. Let me take you out, on a real date, I want to experience the city for the first time with you. I want our first date to be special. I want to start this off right."
Jumping into his arms, Camille faintly whispered, almost afraid to say what she felt out loud for fear that it was all too good to be true.
"I feel like I've waited my whole life for someone like you, that nothing ever worked out because all along I was supposed to be with you, I love you Moose."
His eyes slid shut at her breathy admission, it was exactly how he felt, they were meant to be together, it was fate, the way they met, how they kept crossing paths, it was all leading up to this moment.
"I love you Camille."
cMc
After borrowing a suit from a fellow dancer that Camille knew living in the apartment above them, Moose stood in front of her mirror fixing the cuffs, hoping she wouldn't notice that his guy was built much bigger than he was.
Hearing the sound of her heels behind him, his big brown eyes lifted to the right capturing her reflection staring back at him.
Turning around quickly, Moose lifted his hand to his heart. "Cam, you… you are so beautiful."
She really was, Camille had been saving this particular dress for a special occasion for almost a year now.
She saw it in window of a designer shop, it beyond anything she would normally spend, but after trying it on a whim, she had to have it.
Nothing up till now seemed special enough to wear it, nothing had come close to an evening with him.
It was exquisitely elegant and dangerously provocative all at the same time.
Strapless, deep red silk drifted down to her strappy three inch heels, hugging her alluring curves as if it were painted on, but it was the slit that split the dress up middle to places he gladly spend an eternity, that had him almost down on his knees.
Camille's hair was down around her bare shoulders, with loose, almost messy waves that framed her gorgeous heart shaped face.
He felt like a boy in his big brother's black simple suit, not nearly enough of the man that someone like Camille deserved.
Giving him a warm smile, making him feel, as always that he was perfect just the way he was, she was suddenly close, fixing his collar.
Having her so near, breathing in her perfume, having her sexy body wrapped in red just for him, he knew that if they didn't leave now, he'd never be able to hold back.
"Come on we better get going, we have reservations."
Widening her eyes she took his hand as they headed for the elevator. "Moose, you're not familiar with the city, how did you manage to - "
Lifting his cell from his pocket he ginned secretively. "I had a little help, Jon Chu grew up here. I told him about our, revelation, so to speak, and he was more than willing to help me out."
Skating her thumb across his plump bottom lip, wanting so much to give him a new experience in an elevator that would remedy his anxieties forever, she held back.
"Moose, where are we going?"
Raising his eyebrows he cupped her face as the door opened to the ground floor revealing a cab waiting outside on the street for them.
"You'll see."
Opening the door for her, he ran around to the other side, to give the driver a knowing wink before sliding close to her to take her hand.
cMc
Camille found herself speechless as she sat across from Moose under a magical ceiling glowing with a multitude of ethereal colored lights on the sixty fifth floor of thirty Rockefeller plaza, in one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world.
Barely able to breathe she gazed out the windows that spiralled around the room giving them a view of the city that she had never seen before, it was beyond anything she could've imagined.
"I can't believe we're in the Rainbow Room, Moose, even with Jon Chu's help it's impossible to get reservations here, how did you manage - "
Taking her hand from across the table he awkwardly looked around feeling a little uncomfortable with the affluent people surrounding them.
"Well it turns out we didn't hide our feelings for each other that well, it seems that everyone that knows us has been waiting for this to happen. When I told Jon, he said, 'It's about time.' After that calls were made and I guess favors were called in. I just want the best for you Cam, it's what you deserve."
Camille teared up, this was so fast, it was unfolding like a dream, like something out of a romantic movie.
After hours of talking about their past, their time spent apart, what projects they had done, college, along with just about everything else as dreamy music from Frank Sinatra and alike played in the background they looked up at their waiter in shock.
They had no idea they had closed the place, the fairy tale restaurant had emptied out, they were literally the only couple left.
Excuse me sir, we regret to inform you that the dining room has closed for the evening, your expenses for the night have been taken care of, would you like us to call a cab for you, it's quite late.
Mooses' heart dropped, the entire reason for taking her there was to dance with her on under those lights, with the lavish chandeliers sparkling all around her, to the music that was like their big number, the one where they fell in love, it was all supposed to have this grandiose ending that she was supposed to never forget and he blew it.
Taking the waiter aside he pleaded the case, and as sympathetic as he was, he rattled off a lengthy explanation why he couldn't let them stay, something about regulations, and labor issues, all Moose heard at the end of the conversation was no.
Looking back at his stunning girl as she took in the view from the city below, completely satisfied and happy with the night as it was, something occurred him.
Grabbing the waiter by the shoulders he shook the balding stiff middle aged guy, "What time is it!"
Growing tired of the young couple, the white gloved waiter dressed in his impressive tux sighed heavily, "It's almost one sir, now once again, would you like a cab?"
A huge smile beamed across Moose showing the tips of his canine teeth as he nodded emphatically. "Yes, please, we don't have much time!"
Rolling his eyes the waiter disappeared from the floor waving his hand in the air letting Moose know that he was taking care of it.
Camille shrieked as he rushed over and grabbed her by the hand, "Cam, hurry, we have to run if we're going to make it in time!"
Now this was the Moose she remembered, within a second he had her dashing around busboys, and cleaning crews as apologies flew from their lips in their wake.
Moose jumped over chairs nearly running into large trays that were being balanced on waiter's shoulders ducking just in time before dishes went tumbling to the ground.
Laughing like kids he never let go of her hand, pulling her behind him past a maze of elderly white haired people who looked down upon them as if they didn't belong.
Spinning her around dramatically once they reached the elevators, he pulled her through the doors and kissed her softly, breathlessly, before reaching into the hall to steal a slick black fedora hat off of one of the elderly men that looked as if he was in the mob.
Placing it on top of his unruly curls he took her in his arms pulling her close as he rested against the wall in an attempt to catch his breath.
"I hope you enjoyed that because I have a feeling we won't be welcomed back again."
His huge smile faded in the quietness of the elevator, realizing what a scene he just caused, he hoped he hadn't embarrassed her, he pulled in his bottom lip taking a moment to look down at her, to admire just how beautiful she was, realizing that she could do much better than him.
Her green eyes that reminded him of the sea flickered up at him as she grabbed the lapels of his suit bringing her even closer.
"You're insane, you know that right?"
Skimming the edge of the expensive hat with her fingertips, Camille shook her head, "What is it with you and stealing hats anyway? I thought that was just written for your character."
Shrugging adorably, Moose attempted to look angelic.
"No, that's just … me. I've been doing it since I was a kid, me and Rob would run through the mall, in the street, getting into trouble, harmless trouble mind you. His thing was to pull pranks on people, I was too young, too shy I guess, but I was fast, we'd be dancing on benches, fountains, anything we could use to have fun, make the dance seem different. I was ten when I lifted a Yankee hat off of some tourist, it was my first. I guess I just never stopped, it's just a thrill to see the delayed reaction of someone notice long after I've done it. I still have that Yankee hat, one of many, all different kinds at home."
Looking guilty, he nodded. "Pretty immature huh? Does that bother you? I mean we are getting older, I would understand if - "
Her answer came swiftly as she tilted his 'newly acquired' hat up so she could press her lips tenderly to his before whispering softly.
"Moose, you're crazy, one of kind, full of life, insanely talented, and incredibly passionate, " she kissed him again, this time more deeply, so full of emotion she actually felt him shudder in response, "why would I ever want you to change?"
Gazing down at her, his eyes wide with wonder he wrapped her silky chocolate spun hair loosely around his finger, caressing the palm of his hand along her jaw, amazed that she was his.
Just then the door opened to reveal an official looking man in a sophisticated tailored suit with a gold plated name tag.
Kenneth Thredson
Manager
This guy was seven foot something, a slicked back blonde haired Viking looking model type that appeared very serious as he blocked their way into the lobby.
Speaking into his cell, the man stood directly in front of Moose towering over him.
"Yes sir, I have him here sir, absolutely sir."
Lowering his cell, Kenneth lifted the hat off of Moose's head.
Keeping his eyes on Moose, the twenty something old man spoke to Camille.
"Miss. there's a taxi waiting for you outside, this kid is going to jail. I suggest you get on home now, you obviously don't belong with this punk."
"Jail? What?!"
Stunned Moose reached for his wallet, "Look it was just a joke, let me pay for his troubles, I don't think we need to bring the police into this."
Giving him a condescending glare, Kenneth sighed. "Put your wallet away, the gentleman you stole from can buy this building if he wanted to, I don't think money is what he's looking for."
Getting nervous for him Camille carefully walked up to the manager. "Excuse me, would it be possible if we spoke in private?"
Kenneth eyed her for a moment, taking in the gorgeous woman standing in front of him and the sexy as hell dress she was wearing.
Nodding once he confidently strolled across the room with Camille in tow as Moose stood dumbstruck by the entire situation.
Staring at them nervously, clueless as to what she could possibly be saying to him, he leaned against the wall wondering if he was going to be sitting in the back of a police car soon for doing something so harmless, so stupid.
Within a few minutes Kenneth moved closer to Camille, closer than he liked as his steel blue eyes went directly to Moose.
Camille smiled widely as she took the hand that was extended to her and shook it, as if they came to an agreement.
"Thank you Ken, I look forward to it."
"It was a pleasure meeting you Ms. Stoner, get home safe."
Suddenly Moose felt his arm jerk as Camille grabbed him quickly ushering him out the door and into the waiting cab.
Looking at the time he realized they still could make it.
"Empire State Building please."
Reaching for her hand Moose turned towards her, "What did you say to him? What are you looking forward to? Why did he let me go?"
Laughing she crossed her legs leaning back against the seat. "I couldn't let them haul you off to jail now could I?"
Taking on a entirely serious tone he sat back. "What does that mean?"
Shrugging as if it were nothing she sighed. "I promised him a date, but I just did it to get you out of trouble, of course I'm not going to go. I gave him a wrong number. Apparently the hat you took was off a very prominent political figure that has no sense of humor."
Closing his eyes Moose felt like a complete idiot.
Pulling up to the popular sky rise, Moose jumped out and opened her door. "I promise to make it up to you, I'm really sorry Cam."
Poking his head out the window the cabbie yelled out to the both of them. "The last elevator ride is in two minutes, I'd hurry if I were you!"
Before she knew it they were running up the steps just making it as the doorman stopped the elevator doors from closing with his hand.
Once again breathless they laughed the entire fifteen minute ride up to the observation deck.
"I can't believe you almost got arrested."
"I can't believe you pimped yourself out to save me!"
Knowing he was joking she still hit him hard in the arm swearing him out as the doors opened to the top of the city.
They both fell silent as they laced fingers and walked out into the warm summer breeze that was whipping along the metal deck.
In awe they both stared out at the incredible city lights, far from the distractions of the world below.
Whispering softly she brought him close to her side. "This was a fantastic idea Moose."
Reaching for his cell he quickly searched out his playlist until he found the right song.
"I wanted to dance with you, back at the restaurant, but we got carried away talking, I wanted it to be someplace beautiful, somewhere you'd feel special."
Hitting play, he braced his phone against a bench and spun her around into his arms.
Music swelled around them suddenly, music that was much like the number they danced to not so long ago.
Nodding the security guard walked around the opposite way, giving them their privacy.
Someday
When I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
Dancing slowly he held her by her tiny waist, while the other hand closed over her fingers with his arm stretched out beside them, just as they did in the movie.
"Moose, I don't know what to say. No one's ever done anything like this for me before."
Yes you're lovely
With your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight
He smiled as the sparkling city lights below danced, and the stars above flickered putting on a show that was just for them, just for this special night.
"I'd do anything for you Camille, I want you to know I'm serious about us, you're all I've thought about since we met, no matter how hard I tried to forget you, It's impossible… you're my Chameleon, my love, I could never be with anyone else."
With each word your tenderness grows
Tearing my fear apart
And that laugh
Wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart
"Moose, you right, I think we can make this long distance thing work. Nothing would be a sacrifice if it meant being with you. I could always transfer, Cal Tech has an excellent engineering program. while I'm there I could look into cheap lofts, that will let me keep my apartment in the city for work - "
Lovely
Never ever change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it
Cause I love you
Chuckling softly, he kissed her again, cutting her off, he cupped her face in his hands whispering, hovering over her lips.
"There you go again, over thinking, just dance with me. Everything will work out, I know it will."
Just the way you look tonight
And that laugh
That wrinkles your nose
It touches my foolish heart
Spinning her around again she took his breath away as her long hair fanned out around them.
Pulling her back in close he couldn't help himself as her body flushed tight against his.
Walking her back against the fence, it felt as if they were on the edge of the world, flying, it was overwhelming.
Unable to keep from touching her, Moose drifted his hands down to the slit in her dress smoothing his hand up the inside of her thigh desperate to feel her.
Lovely
Don't you ever change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it
Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight
Deeply kissing her, he brushed his tongue along her bottom lip, evoking a gasp from her as his fingertips skated between her legs.
"Cam, let's go … I can't wait, I love you, I need to be inside you."
Hmm...
Hmm...
Just the way you look tonight
Nodding breathlessly as the music faded out, she reached for his phone.
The bottom dropped out from underneath her as she read the text that was glowing across his screen.
XXXXXXXX
I don't understand Moose
If u want to break up
just tell me,
This isn't like u
What's going on?
call me, please
Maria
XXXXXXXX
Wordlessly she handed him his cell before stepping into the elevator, unable to look back.
"Don't follow me, I'll leave your stuff at Andrews, you can stay with him until your flight tomorrow… you have to return his suit anyway."
She sounded shocked, like the life was taken from her, emotionless, but he could see her wiping tears from her cheeks.
Reading the text he panicked, "Cam! No wait, you don't understand… please let me explain!"
Angry now, she yelled loudly, still refusing to look at him as the door closed behind her shutting him out.
"Your cousin from Kansas? You lied to me, there's nothing you could say. Just leave Moose, just go home."