Chasing Rainbows - Part Seventeen

A/N - Sorry at the lengthy delay. Have been on holidays and it's been too hot to write, plus the internet connection was decidedly dodgy. Hope I haven't lost too many readers! Look forward to your comments! :)

Chapter Seventeen

                “So how did you find LA? Was this your first trip to Tinsel Town?”

The conversation had been so natural and since they’d ordered, and devoured their starters, which didn’t disappoint, but the niceties about the weather and family anecdotes had kind of exhausted themselves, and things could only become a little more personal. So this as a topic seemed infinitely safer than she’d imagined.

                “As an actress surely I have to love it? I’m back in six weeks and I don’t’ know if that’ll lead to anything else. I mean that would be ideal for me career wise.”

She saw his questioning eyebrow; he didn’t miss a trick, “do I like LA?” He nodded, so she sighed, “it’s all a bit pretentious, but shouldn’t I like that being an actress? I mean I wonder whether this is what I can do. You know?”

He sat back in his chair watching her, and suddenly Emma realised how much she’d given away, to someone she’d considered both a stranger and her enemy, she’d not even told Isobel of these fears.

                “I think, really, that you’ve finally got where you need to be, and that’s it a pretty scary place...not LA,” he smiled, “but being on the brink of everything you’ve ever dreamed of. I suppose now is the time when you doubt yourself and everything you want...”

                “Very philosophical!”

Jacob nodded, “maybe, but I’ve had a lot of time to think about life lately. And it’s a strange thing!”

                “Did the money help? You needed to sort something out with your father?”

It was Jacob’s turn to be stunned, “you remember?”  When she nodded he took a drink of wine, “yep, it squared things with him, I’m still the opposite of a prodigal son, but he has less over me.”

She waited to hear him elaborate, but soon realised that the conversation had dried up, it seemed he was allowed barriers...though she was just as unlikely to discuss the mechanics of her family too.

                “I do know one thing about California though,” Emma sat back, her fingers linked over her full stomach, “I am not going to fit into my bridesmaid’s dress in a few weeks if I have any more food at your portion size! I mean even breakfast swamps me! And it’s SO good that I can’t resist! I’ve had my daily calorie intake before lunch!”

Jacob smiled, “it’s funny but that’s what my old college roommate used to say, he was a Brit too. We don’t ALL eat that much do we?”

She shrugged, “when you’re on holiday here, you know doing the tourist thing than I suppose you tend to eat out a lot. When you live here it must be different!”

He nodded, “I guess. So tell me about hte wedding then, is everythign organised?”

Emma sat wistfully for a moment, she’d never dreamed of a big white wedding, not like Isobel had, but it was so ironic that her own marriage was a drunken decision witnessed by an Elvis impersonator. Her mother would never get to gush over whether roses or lilies decorated the church, and would never wipe at a stray tear when she first saw her, her only daughter in a dress that made her look and feel like a princess, and her poor Dad would never walk her down the aisle, never give her away.

Eventually she met Jacob’s eyes, “Isobel has been planning this moment since we were twelve, there is nothing she hasn’t thought about. The groom and his party even have matching underwear! I mean she’s no Bridezilla, but she knows what she wants! And that’s a good thing!”

Jacob could see the sadness tingeing her eyes, and yet again he felt dreadful that they’d fallen into this situation. He liked her, he liked her a lot. The last couple of hours they’d got on like friends, but now he could see how she felt cheated, how she’d not had the same opportunity as her friend.

He wondered what would have happened if they’d woken up together without the rings, without the marriage certificate. Would they have exchanged numbers? Met up again in a far less stressful way?  He’d like to think so; he’d not shared his life with anyone on a regular basis, other than the odd roommate. Women had been restricted to really brief flings, a few dates here and there. He didn’t have the trappings that most women looked for, he had no car, no ‘regular’ job, he lived in his grandmother’s house. He hardly had ‘catch of the century’ written all over him, but there was something about Emma that made him know that she wasn’t like that. That material things weren’t of interest to her. But now as he thought of the cheap gaudy rings they’d used to get married, the brief ceremony...he knew she deserved more. A lot more!

They shared a decadent dessert, ironically a rich chocolate and raspberry roulade. And it was GOOD. Jacob insisted on coffee, and whilst Emma was protesting at the fact her dress was bursting at the seams, she appreciated it once it arrived, the perfect end to her meal.

                “You tired?” he asked, sliding an arm around her shoulders and directing her out of the restaurant. He smiled as she leaned into him, but didn’t gloat; he didn’t want this to end.

                “More than I thought possible,” she let him absorb her weight, and allowed him to lead her out into the dark evening. “Never underestimate the power of a good meal!?”

Emma was putty in his hands, and Jacob was never one to let an opportunity like that escape him.  A few minutes walk away and he was where he wanted to be, near one of the Pier’s and with great timing there was the object of his intention there. A horse and cart to ride in, the perfect relaxation after a great meal, and more than a little romantic.

She looked up at Jacob as he approached the old fashioned cart and was rewarded with a grin, “what better way to see they city? And by the time we’ve done the tourist lap, we’ll be refreshed and ready to party on. See?”

He gestured to the cart driver, then helped her into the back.

                “Blanket here Sir; it’s windy along the coast!” The driver handed them a thick fleece as they both settled into the quite small seat.

Emma felt a little awkward squeezed up next to him, and when Jacob spread his arm along the back of the seat she eyed him warily. His response was a lazy grin, “relax! Enjoy the ride.”

Easier said than done when he was so strong and so firm next to her, and she was so tired it was harder to fight leaning into him than actually doing it. So by the fourth corner on their route, she was curled into his side, her head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her tightly. Jacob’s voice was soft but animated as he pointed out the various sights as the horse trundled along at a leisurely pace. Emma loved the enthusiasm and pride in his voice, and despite her relaxed state, she couldn’t help but be absorbed by the city they passed through.

                “I’d love to have time to take you over the bridge to Sausalito, and across the Bay, there are some really nice suburbs around here that can take your breath away.”

You’re taking my breath away, she almost blurted, and it was true. They were cuddled together so intimately, and Emma couldn’t remember ever feeling like this, relaxed yet on fire. His voice was as hypnotic as his strong heartbeat under her ear, and it almost seemed as they were in a bubble, just the two of them with nothing else mattering.

                “Hey wake up sleepy!” a pair of lips resting on her forehead woke Emma from a place of warmth and comfort. Opening her eyes she felt tired, but extremely relaxed. Finally her eyes focussed on Jacob, smiling down at her. “We’re supposed to be going dancing. You up for that?”

She nodded with a smile, “I think I needed that catnap! SO rude though!”

He laughed, helping her to her feet, “not rude, never rude, I just never thought you’d relax enough in my presence to actually fall asleep!”

Tilting her head to one side, she looked at him studiously for a moment, “really? You’re not that bad.” It was a concession of huge proportions, and Jacob was beaming like a Cheshire cat when he helped her down from the cart, and there was a spring in his step as he led her along yet another street of a city she was becoming enamoured with.

The Ferry building seemed to be THE place to be seen. It was a huge building that housed lots of businesses and nice restaurants and bars. Jacob was well known there, or so it seemed, he was greeted by several proprietors as they cased the passing trade from various doorways.

                “This is my favourite place!” He announced as he opened a door to a bar that lacked either the trendiness or gaudiness of the other bars they’d passed. But as they stepped into the room Emma immediately felt at home. The barman, a man in his fifties, dashed around to the salon to pull Jacob into a fierce bear hug.

                “Hey Boy! Been too long! Hear you did well in Vegas!”

Jacob nodded, “better than ok, got the old man off my back...and...” he gestured to Emma, “a wife into the bargain!”

                “Wife?” The man who he introduced as Walter could not have looked any more shocked if she’d pulled off her head and started to play football with it. He looked between the two of them then shook his head, “sorry but I can’t believe someone this lovely would see past your prickles and thorns!””

Emma extended her hand to take the one offered by Walter and smiled, “I’m so glad that it’s not just me that sees his cantankerous side!”

The older man laughed, “oh no, but maybe you’re equally one of the only ones to see past his grumpy side!”

Emma bit the retort that settled on her lips, whatever happened Jacob this was his home town, his haunts, she couldn’t embarrass him, say things that would make a return here awkward once they separated and went their own ways, it would already be hard enough for him to explain what had gone wrong now that he’d introduced her as his wife. So she smile genially and in a conspiratorial manner at Walter, then gave him a huge wink.

                “This calls for champagne!” Emma groaned as Walter pulled a bottle from the fridge below the counter and cracked it open. She loved champagne, but she’d had a few glasses of wine with dinner, the last thing she needed was to get drunk, after all that was what had led to them being in this mess in the first place.  But it was rude to refuse a drink in your own honour, so she accepted a glass and chinked it with Jacob and Walter before sipping at it.

                “You trying to guilt me in to submission?” she asked in a whisper.

Jacob smiled, “not at all. I promised you twenty four hours of my life. This is an important part of that; Walt is more like a father than my own. That’s all!” His smile was genuine, and she felt awful at the rapid change in mood the comment had caused.

Within fifteen minutes the bar was significantly fuller and the quiet celebration was becoming a raucous affair. At least a dozen people, mainly men, had clapped Jacob on the back and shaken her hand in a far calmer manner, and there was a growing line of celebratory drinks in front of them.

                “You can pass a few back to Walt, he’ll dispose of them!”

Jacob’s whisper was a welcome excuse, she smiled, “there was me thinking you were trying to get me drunk!”

Jacob laughed with irony, “cos that turned out SO well last time!”

Again she’d caused him to turn away from her in a defeatist moment. Emma was beginning to hate herself, she was putting a real dampener on the night, and she’d promised Jacob that she’d experience twenty four hour with him, this was her own doing, she shouldn’t snipe and back bite, it was all wrong.

With a sigh that was part resignation and part self loathing, she slipped her hand forward to entwine with his. Jacob was talking to a man, deep in a conversation about computers, from what she could make out. And whilst he didn’t stop talking, he glanced at her and gave a welcoming smile.

As they sat on adjacent barstools, striking up conversations, drinking their drinks, their hands stayed interlinked. And Emma tried to ignore how disconcerting she found that.

It was late; Jacob could feel the time slipping away from him. He watched Emma chatting to Walt, leaning over the bar in animated conversation. He couldn’t let this fail, and he’d hoped that after dinner, after being so relaxed and open with her that they’d be closer, that they’d have more chance for the future. But despite her slotting in to the casualness of Walt’s bar, that she could be comfortable in his world, there’d been no let up in her anger towards him. He didn’t want to give up, but part of him was now thinking that maybe he wanted this to work because he’d never managed to hold down a long term relationship, that up until now he was the king of failure, as his parents didn’t hesitate to remind him.

Chasing Rainbows - Part Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Could she give this a year? Emma had asked herself the question all afternoon.  There was some sense in what he said; this could be the one man she had waited all her life for. But on the flipside she could so very easily disappear into the distance and not resurface for a year. If he wouldn’t relocate across the state boundary for a few weeks then she’d have to. Hopefully that would be easier if this part with Theo Samuel worked out.

Damn, Theo. She hadn’t thought about him or her impending break into Hollywood since leaving LA that morning, if truth be known she’d not thought about it for a lot longer than that even. The man who was buying their second beer had been her first and foremost thought for weeks now. Since the moment she’d woken up married to him.

                “You are a real thinker Mrs Coren!” Jacob offered knowing that the title would wind her up, but also that she was now more than coming around to the fact that they really were linked legally by marriage.

                “And you don’t know when to quit Mr Coren. Just as I’m starting to think you might not be the monster you’ve been making yourself appear, you blow it!”

He laughed sliding back into his seat, “you say that as I buy you another beer? And peanuts!” He reached in his pocket to provide a packet for her. “That was all you wanted that night in Vegas, was peanuts to go with you beer. So I’ve provided tonight! Ok?”

Unable to hide her smile, she pounced on the packet with relish! There was nothing greater than the salty snack to accompany a beer, and she chewed on a few whilst she studied Jacob. He was handsome, she couldn’t deny that, with his unruly blonde hair, big blue eyes and strong jaw, but it was his lips that entranced her, and those that she studied so intently. Could she imagine introducing him to her parents as her husband? Would her mother’s relief be outweighed by the down side of this man? She knew so little about him, had no idea if he courted poverty of lived the life of a millionaire, she imagined it was somewhere in between, and she didn’t know what music he liked, what his hobbies were...she couldn’t stay married to a stranger.

You know he’s got a fantastic arse and a tattoo of a raven on his right pec.  She didn’t know where the latter memory game from, other than they’d spent a night together and she’d woken up in his bed, as naked as he was... The fact she couldn’t remember the night in any detail was almost confusing when the clarity of his tattoo came to her mind...and then the even more detailed memory of tracing the outline with her tongue!  ARGH!

When she raised her eyes to look at Jacob again he was lounging in the seat grinning, “I’d pay far more than a penny for THOSE thoughts!”

She was an actress damn it! She was meant to be perfect in these situations, able to hide behind one of the many facades that she had in her repertoire, but there was something about this man that stripped her bare, exposing every part of her to his unyielding gaze. To her dismay she found herself mumbling, “I was just remembering...”

She stopped herself finishing the comment, but his eyes glittered and she knew he knew what she was thinking about.

                “I’m just going to the bathroom!” She announced jumping to her feet.

“Coward!” he mouthed as she glanced back at him briefly.

Isobel was in hysterics, “the ice queen of East London is sat on a toilet to avoid a man?”

Emma groaned, “and all to get advice for my highly amused about-to-be-married-loved-up friend!”

                “A friend who thinks you’ve finally met your match! But what do I know?”

Groaning again Emma leaned back against the wall behind the closed toilet and finally suggested, “he says we can’t get divorced for a year.”

                “Shit!” The phone went silent for a moment as Isobel digested that. “Then you may as well go for it! Date him; shag him, live with him for a bit. If you hate him then you can do the divorce in a year. You don’t lose anything but you could gain a really hot husband for life!”

                “Is this the simplistic views of a woman about to marry the man of her dreams?”

                “Maybe, but I am also your best friend, and with that comes a responsibility to be the voice of reason when you are being too pig headed to see common sense!”

                “Is this the common sense thing? That I commit my life to a complete stranger?”

That was greeted with a laugh from Isobel, “he got you to walk down the aisle with him, he must have done something right! You are not easily led or gullible, so don’t start doubting yourself now. Give the man a chance, from where I’m standing you have absolutely NOTHING to lose!”

Two hours later Emma was looking around the cute townhouse he called home. They’d come back in order to change before their night out, a slap up meal at a restaurant Google revealed to be award winning with the chef and owner being famous on the West Coast. Emma had planned to wear the same dress as the previous evening, but when it came down to it, it felt SO wrong, so she found a non crease dress in her bag that sufficed. Halter neck, and an emerald green that Isobel assured her was perfect for her complexion, she was never sure, but it was clingy yet floaty and infinitely comfortable, so it was the obvious choice.

Jacob had shown her to a guest room to change, and that pleased her, there was no expectation about sharing his room and his bed, and so she didn’t have to come out fighting at the start of the evening. The house was exactly as Emma pictured a coastal American house, wooden and once brightly painted, but it’s proximity to the beach meant the oranges and yellows were diminished to pale peach and lemon, and despite that it wasn’t an overly feminine house. It suited its occupant, though she could quite easily imagine his octogenarian grandmother tending the small flower garden.

The house was also deceptively large, a little like the tardis in that way, and ironically Jacob was as charismatic yet elusive as the Doctor! Since dressing she’d come down stairs and investigated the two reception rooms, a lounge complete with large TV and games and entertainment equipment, the other seemed to be an office/dumping ground, and even the chaos of the rooms didn’t put her off the house. It was enchanting. She was studying a family group photo that adorned one of the walls when she felt Jacob enter the room from the adjacent kitchen. He’d been bashing around in there for a while since she’d come downstairs.

Looking up, Emma froze. Jacob was stood in the doorway, a Mojito in each hand and devastating in a charcoal grey suit, his black shirt tieless and open at the neck.

                “That’s the Coren hierarchy! Need a guided tour of your new family?”

Emma was used to his teasing this late in the day, “so who should I avoid?”

He raised his eyebrows with a mock scowl then laughed, “I’d be the worst husband if I didn’t keep you free of every single one of them!”

It was Emma’s turn to raise an eyebrow, “so I’m not worthy of meeting the disapproving parents, nice choice Jacob!”

Her feigned offence almost broke him in two. “I didn’t mean that...but you know that?”

She laughed, “just like to set you off balance every now and again! That’s been your reign over me!”

Jacob nodded, handing her the drink he’d made her, “I can’t deny that! Why does this marriage feel like a battlefield?”

Emma sipped the drink through the straw he’d provided before she answered, “maybe because we’re both wanting to make of this what we want, and the two ideals are a million miles away.”

He lowered himself into a seat opposite her and contemplated that for a moment, “I don’t want us to argue any more, it’s destructive. Can we have a truce? For tonight if no more.”

Emma sat in a chair opposite hating that she found this lounge SO comfortable! The whole house had a quaintness about it that so typically summed up how an elderly grandmother would live, but it had been modernised in part, but wasn’t overly masculine, and it almost made Jacob seem more manly for that. He was happy to live in a house of pastel colours and floral fabrics, most men would baulk at that.

                “A truce would hint that we were enemies, and I don’t think we are Jacob. We’ve just got to sort out a lot of differences.”

                “Does that mean you’re on board with this marriage?”

She laughed, “we are married! And as you’ve told me there isn’t a great amount I can do about that!”

He sighed; he only wished she’d sound a bit happier at the thought, instead this was her punishment to bear. “Drink up; we’ve got a cab coming in twenty minutes. Dinner won’t wait!”

Emma watched the shutters come down with Jacob, and she hated the way she thwarted him at every olive branch offered. He was making an effort to help her feel welcome, and his reasoning over their future made sense. She just hated this limbo, this lack of control, but she could see her behaviour, her flippant remarks were making a difficult situation unbearable.

She drank her drink silently for a moment, then Jacob got up and made for the door, Emma stood and reached out, placing a hand in his shoulder, “sorry. I shouldn’t be so childish. I know this is hard for us both.”

He smiled then, “I’m stood in my own home making demands, I can see how hard that must be for you. We’ll get through this Em, ok?”

Nodding she relaxed, at last she realised that he understood her, and how she was feeling.

                                                                                                                          

The restaurant lived up to its expectation, airy, modern, with a menu that instantly saw Emma salivating.

                “What are your favourite three foods?” Jacob asked snatching the menu from her. “Mine are sweet potato, steak, preferably fillet and chocolate! Pick my meal and I’ll pick yours!”

Emma didn’t know how that made her feel, she really loved a lot on that menu, but if he picked for her what if it wasn’t what she felt like. But she would be doing the same for him.

Sensing her hesitation he smiled, “we’re married; we need to learn more about each other. Ok?”

Nodding she spoke quietly, “prawns, the bigger the better, artichokes and raspberries!”

The grin that greeted her reply was one of satisfaction, handing her back the menu he studied it giving the odd mumble which was meant to be disconcerting, but when he glanced at her, he found her knowing nod far more worrying. He hoped that she didn’t order something that qualified as revenge!

He’d ordered a local pinot grigio when they’d arrived, and they were both glad of the dry cold drink to whet their appetites as they studied the menus. When the waiter finally approached, Jacob offered her to order first.

                “Can I get the risotto to start?”

The waiter nodded, “roast squash and sage?”

She nodded, “filet mignon with wilted spinach and crushed potato.”

Jacob’s eyes widened in pleasure as he waiter asked how she’d like it cooked. He exhaled the breath he was holding when she didn’t ask for it to be cremated; instead the word “rare” was like music to his ears.

                “And for sir?”

It was Emma’s turn to hold her breath.

                “The roast duck salad with berry dressing to start, then the roast plaice fillet stuffed with seafood. It comes with?”

                “Samphire and watercress salad, and a roast baby potatoes in a lemon dressing.”

                “Perfect!” Jacob responded his eyes on Emma’s as they widened equally in pleasure.  “on a scale of one to ten, how much is your mouth watering now? I’m at nine at least!”

There was so much innuendo in his words, but he was right, the food he’d just ordered sounded amazing.

                “I think you’ve chosen well Mr Coren, really well!”

He grinned and topped up her wine glass, ignoring the look of anguish on the face of the very attentive waiter who was hovering a few feet away, Jacob wasn’t the type to court protocol. See she told herself, you know a lot about him already!

Chasing Rainbows - Part Fifteen

Chapter 15

 

He’d hired a private boat, some sort of motor cruiser...not that she was an expert. Emma was sat on the canopied top deck of the boat, above the cock pit, though she was sure that referred to a car? Regardless, the cool breeze of the Bay whipped around her, and the fairly calm San Francisco Bay was spread out in front of them.  After settling her on the deck as though she was some sort of delicate flower, Jacob had disappeared back down the steps and had yet to return.

It gave Emma even more time to think. They’d hardly spoken since she’d arrived, the atmosphere was tense and she was feeling nauseous, that was until the beauty of her location drew her attention. He’d made an effort for her, she had to admit that, and he seemed desperate to make her see the real City, and maybe the real him?

                “Penny for your thoughts?” Jacob’s voice cut through the silence and startled her. Turning Emma saw him stood at the top of the steps with a glass of what appeared to be champagne in each hand.

                “I don’t think they’re worth a penny.” She offered with a laugh.

Jacob smiled, and it was a dazzling smile, “I’d pay more than a penny to have a sneaky peek at your thoughts...I might have a chance of surviving the day then.”

It was Emma’s chance to laugh, using a hand to stop the hair flapping around her wildly, the other took the glass he offered, “I think it’s me that really needs the help here. You do have home advantage after all!”

Jacob watched her drink, elegantly tipping her head to savour the champagne. She was a natural beauty, from her long silky hair to her deep blue eyes that were hidden behind large shades, to those full and infinitely kissable lips.

Andy had berated him for all that he’d spent on this day, the boat hire, the champagne, the reservation at the best - and so most expensive restaurant in town. All was eating into his small buffer...most of the five hundred grand was accounted for in his debt to his father and final development plans for his game. The fact that Andy couldn’t understand his reasons for doing this did little to ease the scorn he was landing on him.

                “So you live in the city?” Her hand gripped the railing surrounding the deck, and her face was upturned to the sun, he imagined that under her glasses her eyes were closed in pleasure, and it warmed him.

                “Yes, my parents live in Sacramento; it’s about ninety minutes away, that’s where I was brought up. But my grandmother lived here, I spent all my holidays here as a child. I’ve never really seen Sacramento as my home. I love coming home here; I see Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, the AT&T Park...” But his words were falling on deaf ears; Emma was entranced with the vision that beheld them as the boat moved around the head land.

                “...or the Golden Gate!”

Emma was holding her breath, it was magical, to see such an amazing construction from a boat on the water it breached. She’d felt this way when she’d first gone to Niagara Falls, or the Sydney Opera House. In front of her was the jaw dropping, breath taking Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most universally recognisable constructions on the planet, and it didn’t let her down.

               

                “You like?” A voice asked from beside her.

She was too absorbed to respond with the animosity that had peppered every contact with Jacob to date, “it’s amazing!” Her voice was a whisper, and was almost lost in the roar of the boat engine, and the whoosh of the wind. “Better than any postcard of film...” She snapped her head up to look at him, “will we pass Alcatraz?” Her knowledge of the geography of the area wasn’t great, but she knew the bridge in the distance was close to the legendary former prison.

She felt his arm encircle her shoulder as he turned her slightly to the right and pointed out an island, larger than the films led her to believe, but despite that rather understated. But then she realised that the buildings topping it were the landmark prison with its tower, and rows of windows.

                “It’s not ‘The Birdman of Alcatraz’ is it?”

He laughed, “it doesn’t look that wild from over here, but if you go inside, see the cells...horrible!” As he saw her face contort he added, “We can visit if you want? Maybe tomorrow?”

She nodded, “that sounds amazing!” Then she looked up at him, “you are SO lucky to live here!”

Jacob couldn’t disagree, and he was loving watching her experiencing her first view of something he loved dearly, and she wasn’t disappointing him. “I feel like that. Growing up in the nineties, it was such a great place to come.”

                “It isn’t now?”

He pondered that for a moment, and she leaned against the railings and looked up at him, his blonde hair was unruly in the breeze, but he’d removed his sunglasses and his blue eyes were bright, every line on his face evaporated as he talked with enthusiasm, “in the nineties it was a world famous haunt for skateboarders, and as a youngster it was so exciting to have so much happening here! If I didn’t love the place for a million reasons then I’d love it for the freedom I found here as a kid!”

That was a sentiment Emma could understand, she knew that there were places that gave you an emotional tug, a sense of belonging beyond what was expected or usual. Rather than voice that she merely nodded in agreement.

                “I love it now, but it was how it was back then that cemented the place in here!” He thumped his chest then broke into a smile as a ferry passed them, tourists waving manically from the deck. The boat they were in was elegant and very expensive, they probably presumed that the two of them stood there, physically closer than he had imagined, were famous, one of San Francisco’s rich residents. But they weren’t, thought a boat was a definite maybe on his list of things to buy if he ever made a gazillion.

The boat pulling into Fisherman’s Wharf distracted them from their temporary closeness, and they were back down on deck by the time the boat was docked.  Jacob took her bag in one hand, then held the other out to help her down to the wooden pontoon that served as the walkway.

                “So what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” She asked as she tried to keep up with his fast pace, all the while her heel threatening to spike between the worn boards underfoot.

                “Well,” he glanced back at her and realised that she was struggling. “Do you want me to carry you?”

It was an honest question, she realised that he was genuine, but not an image that she wanted to conjure up, his arms wrapped around her, her body pressed against his. She shuddered at thought for reasons she didn’t want to digest. “NO!” She snapped, glad that he’d paused for a moment.

He chuckled a warm sound, her response telling him so much about how she was feeling, and that pleased him, an off kilter Emma was a reasonable Emma. “Well, I’ve booked us dinner tonight, but first there’s a wander through town...see the sites...” When he saw her eyes were trained on her bag in his hand, he smiled, “I’m going to get this taken to mine. Ok?”

When she nodded he smiled that dazzling smile and turned back to lead her further away from the water.

Nob Hill. The name had made her chuckle, but as she clung to the post at the back of the rickety tram, she watched the landmark that was Fisherman’s Wharf disappear into the distance, and felt exhilarated, for a moment she was catching the enthusiasm for this place that was radiating from her very content guide.

                “I used to get this tram,” he leaned in to whisper over the sound of the tourists and locals alike that filled the tram to capacity, “every day. It took twice as long to get to my gran’s but it’s such a devastating ride. I think I loved the adrenaline of the whole thing.” Suddenly the tram hit the plateau halfway up the hill and levelled off and everyone seemed to take a collective deep breath of relaxation. Then is started to ratchet itself up the second half of the hill.

                “I can see how a young kid would love this!”

He laughed, “you’re not wrong. What about you? Scared?”

Emma contemplated her answer for a moment, “not scared...well not of this anyway. I just find the whole thing strange, being here...”

Jacob groaned, he knew this wasn’t easy, hell he was talking in ways that weren’t natural to him, what they needed was a bar, a few beers to relax...but that was the exact thing that got them in trouble. Andy had told him this was a ridiculous situation, and now that Emma was here, he wished he’d planned things a little better. But he had hoped that they’d drop into an easier conversation than they had, “I’m not the enemy here Emma, I’m merely wanting to ensure WE do the right thing, not ME, not YOU, but US, together. OK?”

Emma was watching him and he couldn’t read her thoughts for a moment, then she spoke and it was music to his ears, “I think I could do with a beer!”

Taking her hand they skipped off the tram at the top of Nob Hill, then he led her down a few blocks until he saw the bar he was looking for. “A drink is the last thing we should be doing, but I agree, one might help.”

Emma instantly made for a booth at the back of the bar, and sat there watching Jacob laughing with the bar man, he was such a charismatic man, that had been what had drawn her to him back in Las Vegas. As the barman looked at her, then back to Jacob with a smile, she wished she could hear exactly what their conversation was about.

Jacob was still beaming as he crossed the dark cool room to her, carrying two very appealing, large frothy beers. Placing one in front of her, he slid into the opposite side of the booth to Emma, and she suddenly felt awkward with such scrutiny.

                “You’re blushing!” He said, almost bemused.

Emma shrugged, “and you sir are staring!”

                “Touché!” He was still grinning in a more buffoon like manner. “But aren’t I allowed to appreciate my darling wife, especially when the barman tells me how lucky I am!”

She groaned, “Jacob,” it was the first time she remembered saying his name and that realisation floored her, she took a second to compose herself. “You keep saying that, as though this is some sort of normal relationship, that we’re married through choice. It was a mistake. A drunken mistake. Showing me how beautiful your city is, buying me wonderful meals...I get that you live in a nice place, and I also know you’re a nice guy...there’s no way I’d be in this position if you weren’t!” When he raised an eyebrow she added, “if you weren’t a nice guy I’d not have gone anywhere near you.”

He sighed, sipping his beer before leaning his elbows on the table, bringing his face closer to her, “I am a nice guy, which is a huge part of why we’re here. You weren’t forced into this, that night in Vegas, you wanted me Emma, you wanted to be with me, be my wife. It wasn’t a one way thing.”

                “We were both drunk!” She pressed herself back against the seat back, desperately wanting to put distance between them. It gave her a little more composure, “we had a couple of fun evenings together, that does make for a lifelong marriage. Am I the only one thinking this is crazy?”

Jacob sipped his beer again, “what I think is that we are married. We may have done something rashly, on a whim, but unfortunately we are now in this situation.”

                “We can get it annulled. It’s not ideal...”

Finally Jacob slumped back in his seat giving her some breathing room, “annulment? On what grounds? That I forced you? That you weren’t in a fit state to say ‘I do’, Emma you are dreaming! And we’ve been married a few weeks now; you’ve not made any protest till now! I’m not being painted as some criminal forcing you into a compromising situation...”

                “Brittany Spears did it! She knew her husband for years first, I read about it!” When he scoffed at her feeble example she groaned, “Divorce then, let’s at least free ourselves!”

Jacob watched her for a moment, enjoying that she was struggling when his attention focussed on her totally, “are you familiar with the Nevada divorce laws? Have you looked into it? It’s not like you can just go see a judge and it’s all done! It might be that simple in your country!”

Emma felt her jaw drop, “I don’t know which bit of that comment I find most offensive! Do you honestly think I’m that au fait with divorce laws? Are you worried I might be entitled to some of your Vegas winnings?  Is that what this is? I mean you’ve already told me that you needed that money specifically...”

He reached across and placed a hand over hers, Emma had to fight the way her pulse raced, hating the effect that brief contact had on her, “Emma. One of us has to move to Vegas for a couple of months after we petition for a divorce...and that’s after we’ve been separated for a year. There’s no quick fix.”

Emma could feel her jaw drop and hated that he’d surprised her, it proved that Marcia her supposed learned legal friend was MORE than under informed. “A year?”

He nodded, “there’s no easy solution Emma, which is why I think we should see if it works, if there’s anything between us. If not, we’ll petition in a year!”

                “A year?” She breathed again, unable to imagine being linked to this man for that time.

Chasing Rainbows - Part Fourteen

A/N Presume you all think I've forgotten this story...haven't, just a touch of writer's block, hopefully back on track. I know where I want this story to go, just having trouble writing it! Hope you all enjoy! And please comment...this story is different to my others, do you like the way it's written or rather the others???

Chapter Fourteen

 

All the read throughs went well, the directors were pleased, Theo was locked in to discussions for an hour afterwards. But Emma was really happy that he was pleased. She was leaving the studio for her last evening in the City - which she intended to spend alone panicking about the following day, when Theo called out to her, running after her at a jog.

                “Thanks for coming out here Emma; it’s been really cool to have you around. As it’s your last night I was thinking I should buy you dinner, you know, as a thank you! I could pick you up? Half seven?” His smile and enthusiasm were infectious, but every inch of her wanted, if not needed the evening to steel herself for the following day. 

Emma groaned, “I promised myself a night in, I’ve got an early flight tomorrow...” He gave her puppy dog eyes, and that world famous smile, and she couldn’t help but agree and as he walked off with a skip in his step, she had the feeling that this was more like a date than anything else. Every other time they’d gone out there had been more than just the two of them, tonight had ‘awkward’ written all over it.

                “Just go and enjoy it!” Isobel assured her later as they battled on the phone, “I know what you’re saying. It’s complicated. But you’re hardly likely to dive into bed with Theo Samuel. I mean it’s dinner Ems, that’s all. A little flirting maybe just what the doctor ordered. If nothing else it’ll take your mind off tomorrow.”

                “It’s all so bloody confusing Iz, I mean you wait all your life for a Hollywood star to ask you out, and it finally happens the night before you have a date with your new yet estranged husband. Who’d have thought it?”

Isobel laughed, “like I always say, a White problem is a crisis! You sure you’re ok to come into school on Wednesday?”

Emma had promised to speak to a school full of eager children on the merits of being an actress. Until fairly recently it hadn’t been the best life for her, but things were definitely looking up professionally. “Of course I am. Shit!” The realisation hit her between the eyes like a bullet, “what if he throws me off the show if I turn him down?”

                “You’re getting hysterical White, go get that bath and take ten deep breaths. It’ll be fine! Text me from the date tomorrow? Let me know how the husband treats you!”

A bath and a cup of tea did little to settle Emma’s nerves, and then she had a text from Jacob telling her his plans for the following day. And it included dinner, at an exclusive restaurant. She groaned, she’d exhausted both her wardrobe and her credit card on this trip. She only had the dress she’d sidelined for tonight, a blue knee length number that Eve, Isobel’s twin had loaned her. So she had the choice, impress her new boss, or save it for her the man she was desperately convincing herself she hated.

In the end it was the potential of being photographed with Theo, the chance that they’d be in an exclusive place too that won through. With a bit of luck it’d still be clean the following evening...or she could try and get it dry cleaned? Then she shook herself, why did she care? She needed to get over this, over him, once and for all.

Either way, she was just ready when Theo called to say he was outside. As she stepped out into the warm evening, she gasped, there was Theo, leaning against a small but very expensive looking sports car, dressed in a tight sweater that managed to make him not look gay, thought on anyone else it probably would, and a pair of black jeans. He looked stunning, and the aviator shades he wore did give a bit of a disguise. Though there was no hiding this man was traffic stopping with his good looks, physique and the presence he commanded when he walked in a room.

                “You look a-mazing!” he announced taking her hand and kissing her cheek. Then he helped her into the car. Emma followed where he led and soon they were whizzing through the streets of the city.

The Pacific Highway was spectacular, and with the top down on the rocket like sports car, Emma loved the feel of the breeze wrapping around them, and was glad that it was too noisy for conversation. Instead they had companionable silence as the car weaved its way along the rugged coast to Santa Barbara.

Emma stood in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. There was only ten minutes until she boarded the flight to San Francisco, and she was bricking it. The previous night, her time with Theo would go down as the most surreal evening of her life.

Theo, away from the cameras was a really nice guy. Quiet, thoughtful, he listened as well as talked. The restaurant he selected was a small Italian place, where the floor was paving stones, and the ceiling and walls were covered in growing vines. It was amazing, and a million miles from the sort of place she imagined he’d take her too. She ordered pasta after debating over the menu for far too long, and as she ate the delicious parpadelle with chicken and wild mushrooms, she listened to his tales of his last visit to London, all the time ruing the choice of main course. It was almost impossible to eat any of the ribbon style pastas in a situation like this without making a mess. She made a mental note NOT to order anything like this tomorrow, even thought spaghetti was her single favourite meal.

Once they’d finished the meal, Emma was telling Theo about her best friend’s upcoming wedding, and the bridesmaid dress she had to wear - though she didn’t elaborate that the other bridesmaids were so perfect in stature compared to her and she was likely to look like the dumpy one between two ex-catwalk models. There was no need to create a negative position for yourself needlessly, and any comment would make him instantly assess her and study her body in more detail than he had to. So instead she glossed over that, and described the country manor house that was to be the location of this wedding.

Theo absorbed the details as she’d expect of a girlfriend, and he giggled appropriately and seemed to ask JUST the right questions. He was definitely a Metrosexual man, and she mentally compared how different he was to her own father, so traditionally formal, and an old fashioned man’s man!  But then her father would never lower his defences to act, to throw himself into different scenarios as Theo did. Chalk and cheese! So many talk shows and problem pages described women seeking a father figure, a man of a similar type to him, but she knew that she wasn’t like that. But whilst she found Theo attractive, and he treated her SO well, there just wasn’t that spark that she’d spent so long looking for. Yet.

After dinner they’d gone to a quiet beach and paddled in the cool Pacific Ocean, strolling on the sand. He’d held her hand as they’d walked, talking about his childhood in Oxfordshire, his transition to the States as a teenager. She in turn gave him anecdotes about her acting experience to date, her commercials, stage work, then the voiceovers, all pieces in her quest to be where she was now. On the fringe of Hollywood, even if it was a bit part, meant everything to her.

Theo had dropped onto the sand, uncaring of the effect it might have on his designer trousers and patted the space beside her. Then he’d told her how much promise she had, how he saw this part as being the bridge she was looking for. “You’re punchy, strong...different to everyone else. I think that works...Stick by me kid, and I’ll see you do well!” There had been a sincerity in his voice and almost an intimacy that she found a little disconcerting. And his face and his smile had haunted her all night as she’d lain awake. Her thoughts fluctuating between Jacob and her new boss of sorts.

Splashing some water on her face, she tried to compose herself. Emma had never been in a situation where she had two men making unwritten demands on her. One flattering her, promising her the world, the other not letting her out of his grasp. As she left the sanctuary of the bathroom, she felt as though she was stepping from the frying pan straight into the fire.

The flight took little more than an hour, and all too soon there was nowhere for Emma to hide. She’d agreed to come here, she’d agreed with his demands, had made this deal, so she couldn’t run away. Not this time. So taking a deep breath she gathered her bag and strolled out into the bright arrival hall.

Jacob wanted more time; he suddenly wasn’t ready for this. As he stood there he hated what he’d done. Why had he forced her here? Because she intrigues you, because you’re not ready to let her go. Because you want to be the one to decide when that happens. Was this all just an ego thing?

It was too late to change that now, as he skipped across the road and into the airport he was met by a rush of people, the flight was in! And there, stood a little unsure in the midst of the throng was Emma...his wife.

He eyed her for a few moments, taking advantage of the fact that she was unaware of him to study her. He’d not seen her in anything other than party clothes to date, and seeing her in well worn jeans, flip-flops and a strappy white top was having a rather noticeable effect on his libido.  This voyeuristic moment couldn’t last, and as her eyes scanned the arrival hall nervously, he moved into her line of vision and smiled. He hated the look of fear that flashed across her eyes as they connected with his, and he walked towards her with a smile on his face.

Reaching for the travel bag at her feet, he planted a kiss on her unsuspecting cheek. Returning to his full height he smiled again at the gasp on her lips, then said, “Welcome to San Francisco!”

It was the icebreaker that they both needed and Adam was rewarded with a smile. “It looked amazing as we came in to land.”

He grinned, “I love this City, and I’m going to love showing a virgin around!” He then leaned in closer and added, “you’re on a loser Emma, really you are!”

She knew he was referring to their deal and that he believed she’d fall in love with his home, but there was definitely an unwritten context to his words, and it made her shudder with an emotion she was unwilling to define.

                “It won’t be enough!” She managed to breathe, but the words almost choked her.

Jacob was exuding confidence, almost cockiness as he marched out into the sunshine and waved for a cab, bundling her inside he made small talk with the driver as he wove the vehicle deeper into the city. Emma was too busy staring in awe out of the window. The first ten minutes saw them pass through a commercial zone, but every now and then they’d have a great view of the bay, or a passing hill, and small glances at rows of clap board houses, each individual and different to its neighbours.

Just as she spotted what seemed to be the cityscape on the horizon, the cab detoured off the highway, and wound along more roads, until they stopped at a small harbour area.

                “From the water is the best way to enter the City for the first time!” Jacob announced as Emma looked at him questioningly, and it was only then that she realised they hadn’t spoken since the arrival hall.

                “Why are you doing this?” She asked as he got out of the car and paid the driver.

                “Because I want you to have a truly special experience, if you don’t like it here, or like me...then I realise I’ve lost!”

The words were humble, and honest, but she couldn’t begin to trust him. Not an inch!