Chapter 2 The Diner and the Phone Call

The six-block walk to Denise's Diner was accomplished in relative silence; my mind was spinning and I guessed that his was, too. It was located on a quiet street off of Wilshire and Emmett let his hand rest lightly on my waist the entire way there. Somehow, it felt right.

He opened the door for me and I glanced around, smiling at the Fifties ambiance of the décor. Black and white linoleum squares covered the floor and a white and chrome counter ran the length of the room; matching tiles covering the front panel.

There were openings on either end of the counter for the waitresses' ease in reaching the customers seated in the eight red plastic covered booths. Chrome based stools with round, padded, red plastic covered seats fronted the counter. The tables in the booths were also chrome based with red tops edged in chrome.

At each table, and spaced across the counter, were small jukeboxes offering retro selections that could be purchased for a quarter. Venetian blinds hung in the plate glass windows; closed at that time of night.

Emmett led me to a booth in the corner farthest from the door. I slid in and he faced me from across the table.

"This place is great, Emmett," I said smiling at him. "I've lived here for over six months and never knew this was here."

"I found it a few weeks ago," he replied. "I've been coming here ever since."

The waitress appeared with old style glasses of water and plastic covered menus. She was wearing a uniform straight out of the fifties, the little white apron included.

"Hi, Emmett," she greeted him, placing a menu before each of us. "Glad to see that you're not alone tonight."

"Hi, Jane," he replied with a grin. "How are tips?"

"Aw, you know how it is during the week," she said, with a wink. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Jane, this is Mara Brannigan. She's the singer over at the Torch Lounge," he replied, smiling. "Mara, this is Jane, the best little waitress in the city."

She blushed as she shook my hand in greeting. Then she gasped.

"I've heard about you," she exclaimed. "I have a few regulars that have said how awesome you are. I'm happy to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too," I said, smiling. "I'm thankful for the compliments."

"Well, I'll give you two a minute to decide what you'll have," she said, turning back to the counter.

"She's nice," I said.

"Yes, she is," he replied with a smile. "The food here is really good too, and they don't skimp on the servings"

I looked up at him and grinned.

"What?" he asked, smiling back.

"Well, given your size, I'm sure you can eat large portions and not worry about your weight." I responded.

"I guess you're right," he said "My granny used to feed us big meals back home in Tennessee; and I've never really had to watch what I eat, although I do work out pretty intensely a couple of times a week."

"I can tell," I said without thinking and ducked my head in embarrassment.

I felt myself blushing as I glanced back up at him to find him grinning, his delicious dimples deepening.

I hastily looked back down at my menu, not really seeing anything that was written on it.

"See anything that you'd like?" he asked while perusing his own folder.

"I'll let you order for me," I replied.

He looked up at me and smiled wickedly.

"You sure you trust me?"

I looked at him, thoughtfully. My heart was racing at the double meaning of his words.

Was I ready for this? It had been over two years since Brian and I was tired of going home alone every night.

Finally, my decision made, I took a deep breath and looked him square in the eye.

"Yes," I said as Jane came back to our table.

He continued to stare back at me, his eyes darkening slightly. Then he turned his head and smiled up at Jane.

"Hey sweetie, just give us two of my usual with diet sodas to drink," he ordered.

Jane's eyes widened and she looked at me.

"Okay…two Emmett's specials, coming right up," she said, shaking her head as she went to place our order.

"What was that all about?" I asked suspiciously.

He just sat back, stretching his arms along the back of his seat and grinned.

"You'll see," he replied with a chuckle.

"What have you done, big guy?" I questioned with a smirk..

He laughed, a big booming laugh. It was the first time I'd heard it and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Oh, boy, was I really going to do this? Had I made a bad choice?

Suddenly he leaned forward and picked up my hand. He looked down at it resting in his, rubbing soft circles on the back with his thumb. Then he looked up into my eyes.

"You know," he said quietly. "I meant what I said about wanting to get to know you. Not Mara the singer...although I'd like to get to know her, too...but the real you. I just feel that there is a connection between us, sweetness and I'd like to explore it. Of course there is the deep sexual attraction I feel, and I know that you feel it, too."

I gasped as I returned his gaze. I stared into his eyes for a long moment.

"Yes, I feel that, too," I whispered.

Jane appeared carrying a large serving tray. She set it down on the table behind me and began to serve our dinner.

"Oh, my God!" I cried . "Emmett, what have you done?"

Before each of us sat a platter—not a dish—laden with a huge serving of mashed potatoes and gravy and a chicken fried steak that hung over the sides. In a small cereal bowl was a serving of creamed corn and in another a serving of turnip greens. A basket of corn bread with a side dish of butter sat between us. Two super sized glasses of soda sat to the side.

"You told me to order for you and I did," he replied, chuckling.

"But…I… but…" I choked out.

"Just eat what you can and we'll have Jane box up the rest." He smiled. "You can take it home with you; it's even better warmed up."

I just shook my head and picked up my fork.

We talked throughout our dinner. He had a brother, Edward and his wife, Bella. His brother-in-law Jasper was married to his sister Alice. They were all in the "business" in one capacity or another, even his parents.

His dad, Carlisle was a successful director and his mother Esme, a set designer. Alice was a costume designer, while Jasper was in a rock band and ran his own recording studio. Bella was a scriptwriter and Edward was an actor, like himself.

"So," Emmett said, spearing another piece of steak. "What is your family like?"

"You met the only family I have this evening, Shari and James. I was raised in a children's home in Arkansas, with a few ventures into foster care, until I was eighteen. After two years of saving every penny I could get my hands on, I came out here to California. Applying for student grants, and getting them, I enrolled at USC, Santa Barbara. That's where I met Sheri and we've been together for the last ten years.

After having eaten only a small portion of my meal…Emmett having devoured his…we had Jane put the rest into a to-go box. Leaving her a generous tip, Emmett offered to walk me home. I lived a block from the hotel, in a small house that I rented.

"I can make it on my own." I replied. "You don't have to go out of your way."

"My car is parked at the hotel," he replied. "I want to take you home, Mara."

I looked up at him, searching his eyes. There was none of the "Hey I'm a big movie star and I want to fuck you and I always get what I want" in his eyes. He looked down at me, his eyes asking guilelessly.

"All right," I said softly.

He smiled and took my hand.

We stopped at the corner of my street and, looking up at him briefly, I slowly led him down the half block to my little stucco cottage.

It had been the gatehouse for a larger estate during the Twenties but, due to the stock market crash of '29, the property had been sold off in half-acre plots; which in this day was a lot of land in Hollywood.

The front walk was gated and lined with a thick low hedge, which the landlord kept trimmed. A myriad of flowers still lined the foundation in the early September weather and English ivy climbed the trellises on either side of the porch.

Two short steps led up to the recessed porch, wide enough for two Adirondack chairs with a small table in between. The exterior was painted a bright white with dark green shutters and trim.

My landlord was a sweetheart of a man. Charlie was eighty-five and could tell stories of the "old days of Hollywood" for hours. I had spent many an afternoon with him and his lovely wife, Renee, listening, fascinated by his tales.

Emmett held the screen door for me as I unlocked the heavy oak door, which lead into a small entryway. His size seemed to dwarf the area that I had thought was good sized.

I flipped the light switch, illuminating the entry and living room. Setting my purse down on a small stand table, sitting under a framed mirror near the door, I tossed my keys into the small wooden bowl I kept there for that purpose.

I started to walk into the living room when Emmett gently took my arm and turned me to face him. My heart began to race as he brought his large hands up to cup my face. His eyes darkened as he gazed for a long moment into mine.

"I've wanted to do this since I first saw you on that stage," he whispered, tracing his thumb across my bottom lip. "It saddened me to hear so much sorrow come from someone so beautiful."

Slowly his face lowered, his soft gentle lips pressing into mine. Pulling back, he looked down at me and then latched onto my mouth hungrily.

With a whimper, I wound my arms around his neck, leaning my body into his. His arms came tightly around me. One hand slid down my back to cup the curve of my ass, holding my hips flush against him. I could feel his arousal, which was straining at the zipper of his jeans, come in contact with my stomach.

He broke the kiss and, with unsteady breaths, buried his face in my neck. I felt him begin to lick and nip at the sensitive skin under my jaw.

"Emmett," I moaned breathlessly, tilting my chin to give him better access to my throat.

He caught my lips again, as his hand slipped under the hem of my sweater. It slid up my stomach, causing the muscles to quiver, to capture the full roundness of my swollen breast in its palm. He cupped his hand around it and traced his thumb across the already hardened nipple, through the lace of my bra. With a moan, I arched into his hand.

"Oh God, Mara," he groaned. "I want you so much."

"I know, I want…"I started…and my phone rang.

I stepped back, resting my hand on his chest, as it rang again.

I was one of the few remaining holdouts for a landline phone at home and right then I wanted to yank the cord out of the wall.

Walking into the living room, I picked up the cordless receiver that sat on an end table next to the long overstuffed couch.

"Hi, James," I said sighed, speaking into phone. "Yes, James, I'm home safe and sound. No…and goodnight, James."

I turned to find Emmett watching me from the arched entrance to the living room, a smirking smile on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"He seems pretty territorial for a married man" he said quietly.

I stiffened.

"He's just watching out for me," I defended coolly. "He and Sheri are very happily married. No doubt Sheri asked him to call."

"I meant no offense, Mara," he said, taking a step toward me.

"I think that it was a good thing that he did," I said quietly, wrapping my arms around my stomach. "Emmett, this is going too fast and I don't know if I'm ready for it. Maybe you'd better go."

He stepped back looking as if he'd been punched. He just stared at me for a moment, then a little smile touched the corners of his mouth. Resolve shone in his eyes.

"Okay, sweetness, we'll play this your way for now," he said, stepping up to me, taking me gently by the shoulders and staring deeply into my eyes. "But I give you fair warning, I intend to pursue you relentlessly. You will see or hear from me daily, green eyes, until you areready."

Then his mouth was on mine hungrily, his tongue sweeping the interior demandingly and I began to tremble. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine.

"Goodnight, Mara," he whispered, ghosting his knuckles down my cheek and, turning with a soft smile, walked out the door.

What had I just done?

At one o'clock the next afternoon, Sheri and I met for rehearsal. I found her on the stage randomly tinkling the piano keys.

"Hey you," I said, taking my seat on the stool she had placed next to the piano.

She continued to play with the keys as she smiled up at me.

"You know," she said with a grin. "We're not starting this until you give me all the deets about last night…or early this morning, as the case may be."

"There's really nothing to tell," I replied, picking up a piece of sheet music and pretending to look it over.

She politely reached over and took it out of my hands and just cocked her head, raising an eyebrow.

"What? We had a nice dinner and he walked me home," I said, just as Felix walked in carrying a huge long white box.

"I believe this is for you, Mara," he said grinning, handing me the box. " I barely caught the delivery boy. He was just about to turn away when I started my security check."

He patted my arm and gave me a thumbs-up as he headed back to continue his walk through.

I thanked him and stood up, setting the box on the piano. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before looking over at a broadly grinning Sheri.

"Well, aren't you gonna open the box?" she asked excitedly.

I just shook my head at her. I knew who they were from and why. Emmett was making good on his promise.

Reaching over, I slowly slid the ribbon off of the box and carefully lifted the lid. Pulling back the tissue paper, I gasped at the riot of color nestled inside.

"Oh, Mara, they're beautiful," Sheri exclaimed. "You search for a card, while I go find a vase."

I found the small card on the side of the bouquet.

Flowers have meanings and these send a specific message:

The yellow daffodils represent a new beginning and happiness.

The red Amaryllis represents determination and radiant beauty.

The purple Anemone represents anticipation.

The different colored Asters represent patience.

I feel that this could be the beginning of happiness for us.

I have the anticipation of, and determination, for it.

You are truly a radiant beauty,

And I have the patience of Job.

See you soon, Mara.

Emmett

I smiled, and held the card to my chest.

"Here ya go," Sheri said, placing a large crystal vase, half full of water, next to the box. She covered the top of the piano with newspaper, lifting the box and vase to slide the sheets under them.

I set the card down to pull the flowers out of the box and she quickly grabbed it and began reading. I smiled with a sigh, knowing that it would do no good to protest, and began arranging the beautiful long stemmed flowers, baby's breath and greenery into the vase.

"Okay, Mara," she said, laying the card in front of me. "What happened last night? And don't tell me nothing."

It's just like I said, darlin", we had a nice dinner and he walked me home," I said looking at her.

She opened her mouth to say something, and I stopped her.

"I invited him in, knowing that he wanted me just like I wanted him," I continued. "We were kissing and groping a bit, when the phone rang."

Her eyes got wide.

"We didn't," she said with a gasp, bringing her hand to her mouth.

"You did have James call didn't you?"

I giggled at the horrified look on her face.

"Oh, Mar, I'm so sorry," she whispered apologetically.

"Actually, it turned out well," I said, hugging her. "It gave me the opportunity to step back, rethink my decision and tell him that I didn't think I was ready for a relationship."

"And?" she asked. "What did he say?"

"He was disappointed but understanding, I think," I replied. "Then he warned me that he was going to 'pursue me relentlessly' until I am ready. I would say that the pursuit has started."

Smiling, I reached out, touching the petals of the red Amaryllis. He was apparently determined in his quest

"Seems like you're looking forward to this, soul sister," Sheri said, turning and sitting back down on the piano bench. "This is gonna be fun to watch"

"I'm still not sure I'm ready, Sheri," I said softly. "But it is nice to have someone interested again."

She nodded her head and ran her nimble fingers across the piano keys. I gathered up the debris from arranging the flowers and we began our rehearsal for the night's show.

That night during the first set, I found myself a little…well maybe a lot…disappointed that I hadn't seen Emmett, but I supposed that the flowers, which still stood atop the baby grand, had been his offering for that day.

As I turned to Sheri for the last song of the evening, she nodded toward the door. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe into the lounge, his ankles and his arms crossed. He grinned and I looked down to hide the smile playing around my mouth.

Sheri started the intro and I raised my head, placing the mic to my lips and stared at him.

When No One Cares

As sung by Frank Sinatra

When no one cares

And the phone never rings

The nights are endless things

You're like a child that cries

And no one heeds the crying

You're like a falling star that dies

And seems to go on dying

Closing my eyes, I couldn't believe that I was bearing my soul like this.

When no one cares

You just count souvenirs

And they glisten with your tears

You can't believe a love like his

Could come from someone new

When no one cares, but you.

I glanced back at the door and my heart plummeted when he was gone.

On the way back to the dressing room, Sheri grabbed my arm.

"Wow, I think he means what he said," she said, grinning.

I smiled wanly.

"I guess so," I said. "But he didn't stay."

"No, but he was here andhe sent the flowers," she said as we entered the dressing room.

She stopped and turned me to face her.

"Mar, you can't have it both ways," she said gently. "You either want him around or you don't. This pursuit of his has just started. It's gonna be up to you to end it, one way or the other. You need to put the past aside; not every man is like Brian. Google him, he's famous and you could learn a lot about him."

"Don't be silly, Sheri," I said chuckling. "I couldn't do something like that, it's like invading his privacy."

"Why? The information is out there for the finding," she said, throwing her hands in the air. "At least you'd know for sure if he is married or not!"

I gasped and she turned her horrified eyes to me.

"I'm…oh, Mara…I didn't mean…" she cried as tears filled her eyes. "I…I"

"Shhh," I whispered, taking her in my arms. "It's cool, sweetie. You're right, at least I would know."

An hour later, I was sitting in my living room, debating with myself whether or not to Google one Emmett McCarty. Finally deciding, I went to my desk and booted up my laptop. I had just pulled up Emmett when my phone rang..

It was odd for someone to be calling this late. Glancing at the caller ID, I didn't recognize the number and decided to let it go to voice mail.

"Hey, sweetness," Emmett's smooth, husky voice said.

I grabbed the phone.

"Emmett?" I asked.

"Yes , Mara," he replied. "I just wanted to make sure you got home all right."

"Yeah," I whispered into the mouthpiece. "I'm fine."

My heart began to race.

"Thanks for the flowers, "I said softly. "They're really beautiful."

"You're welcome," he replied. "Did you read the card?""Yes," I said, a smile forming. "You are a man of your word, aren't you?"

"I am, yes," he said. "Especially where you are concerned. You will see or hear from me everyday."

"This call makes three times today." I chuckled. "Why didn't you stay after the show?"

"Didn't want to overdo it."

"I was disappointed when I looked up and found that you had gone," I said softly. "I don't think that you could overdo anything."

I felt myself flush at the pregnant pause on the other end of the phone.

"In that case, have dinner with me tomorrow," he said, his voice deepening. "I know that you have Sundays off. Please? In fact why don't we take a picnic to the beach in the afternoon, instead?"

"I don't know, Emmett," I replied, biting my fingernail.

"How else are we going to get to know each other if you won't spend time with me?" he asked persuasively. "Please, Mara, we'll be out amongst people, well a few people. I have to be a little careful where I go so that I won't be harassed, too much."

"I'm sorry you have that problem." I laughed quietly. "It's such a burden to bear. I'd like to give it a try sometime."

"It can be pretty annoying at times," he said. "I mean the fans are, for the most part, great. It's really the paparazzi that are the real problem."

"I wouldn't like that, either," I said. "I'm a very private person and value that privacy too much."

"It can be a pain." He sighed. "So, will you come for a picnic on the beach with me tomorrow?"

"Yes," I replied, before I could over think my answer. "That would be nice, thank you."

"Great." I heard him exhale as if he'd been holding his breath.

I smiled, realizing that he seemed as nervous as I was.

"Can I bring anything?" I asked, "I make real southern fried chicken and a mean potato salad."

"I was just going to cater a basket, but if you'd like to cook a little, it'd be great," he replied enthusiastically. "I'll get some drinks and a few other things to go with it. How about I pick you up, say, around two o'clock?"

"That sounds good," I replied.

"Then I'll say goodnight, sweetness," he said huskily. "Get some rest now. I don't want you falling asleep on me tomorrow."

"I will," I answered. "Get the rest, that is. Good night, Emmett. I'm looking forward to tomorrow; and thank you again for the flowers."

"Get used to it, babe," he said wickedly, "I'm just getting started. Goodnight."

And the connection was broken. I stood there holding the phone to my lips.

As I set it back in its cradle, I noticed my laptop still sitting open on the desk. Going over, I shut it down and closed it. I didn't need to Google Emmett, for some reason I just trusted him.

Goodnight Emmett. I hope I know what I'm doing

A/N: Thanks for readin', and please be kind and review!