The Gift of a Lifetime Page 16

  ‘You,’ he answered simply. Then his smile faded and his tone became more conversational and less adoring. He didn’t want to scare her off, after all. ‘So you took care of your errand then? What did you have to do?’

  But she shook her head and waved a hand at his question. ‘Oh, nothing. Just something I had to figure out.’

  ‘Sounds intriguing,’ he chuckled, eyes twinkling. ‘What did you have to figure out? Despite what you think, I’m not just a pretty face, you know. Maybe I could help?’

  Her face was a picture. ‘Well, actually it’s kind of private. Maybe I’ll be able to tell you about it sometime…’ she added. Then she returned to tucking into her sandwich and took a polite bite, chewing thoughtfully for a moment or two. ‘Can I ask you a question?’

  He peered across the table, now sensing a definite change in her tone – the playfulness was gone, and he really hoped she wasn’t going to try to warn him off again. He was already too heavily invested for that. ‘Of course. Anything.’

  Beth paused for a moment, as if she was trying to figure out how to say whatever it was that she wanted to articulate. She opened her mouth to speak once, and then shut it again, as if reconsidering. He could tell an internal struggle was going on and he waited, wondering exactly what she’d say. Deep down he couldn’t help but hope that it was some revelation that she had left her boyfriend – Danny, his name was – and that perhaps she needed somewhere to crash that night? Of course, she would be more than welcome at his place …

  But that’s not what Beth said.

  ‘So, do you believe in destiny?’ she asked.

  OK, tricky one, he thought. This didn’t seem to be directly involving her guy or their relationship, but he supposed there was a chance that it could.

  He smiled confidently. ‘Of course I do. Why do you ask?’ While he thought he might know what was going on in Beth’s head, he would rather let her do the talking – there was much to be learned.

  ‘Well, I was watching this movie last night and it’s just – that’s just a word that popped into my head,’ she said, revealing nothing more. ‘It’s a powerful idea, don’t you think?’

  ‘It is. Powerful, that is,’ Ryan agreed, intrigued. ‘So has destiny knocked on your door lately?’ He couldn’t help but flirt – with Beth it was so much fun.

  For her part, though, she had been on her best behaviour. And he wouldn’t expect anything different from a woman like her. She was loyal to the core – after all, she had been with her guy for seven years. However, Ryan couldn’t help but think that maybe chinks were appearing in her armour recently and he was hoping for a seven-year itch indeed. There was something going on in her life, that was for sure – especially at home – and Ryan was determined to wait in the wings. When the time was right she would understand who really got her; who would sweep her off her feet. Not that Danny guy, who was obviously taking her for granted.

  And with every day that passed, he knew he was getting closer. The pieces of the puzzle would eventually fall into place and Beth would understand that she had moved on from her relationship – out-grown it, even – and it would be time to start something new.

  Preferably with him.

  At least, that’s how Ryan saw things working out. But there was still the fact that he didn’t know all that much about Beth; he was still establishing his relationship with her, which obviously put him at a disadvantage in comparison to her boyfriend. Yes, he knew her favourite movies and certain things about New York that she loved – she talked about that stuff quite regularly – and he was dedicated to hoarding each and every detail away. However, it went without saying that Danny probably knew anything and everything about her too – even if it was clear at the moment that the guy wasn’t giving her the attention she deserved.

  Which, of course, helped in creating a level playing field for Ryan. But it still wasn’t enough. He had to win Beth over.

  She nodded knowingly at his question. ‘You might say that. Actually, I’ve always thought destiny was just another form of magic. There is something special about it, something that makes it a little outside of this world. As if greater forces are at play, almost. I guess you never know when it’s going to intervene in your life, or where and when you’re going to be met with it.’

  ‘Like at Carlisle’s?’ he prompted, remembering how their paths had originally crossed. And his words got the exact reaction he intended: her cheeks turned pink.

  ‘Or at the corner of Lexington and 52nd…’ she shot back, eyes shining, before blanching as if she’d suddenly said something she shouldn’t. Ryan loved it when he could get her to flirt back. He knew she tried to fight it. You could almost see her catch herself. And while he didn’t like the idea of Beth feeling guilty or chastising herself over her incredibly innocent behaviour, he couldn’t help but admit that seeing that guard come down occasionally gave him the motivation he needed to continue his pursuit.

  Ryan also didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty at the idea of working to pull her away from Danny. After all, it seemed like the guy had it coming. You couldn’t … shouldn’t ignore a girl like Beth – who was so passionate and fun, and full of joy and optimism – and expect her to stick around regardless. From what she had told him, he secretly suspected that Danny might have something going on in his life too, perhaps a piece on the side? If that was the case then he definitely deserved to lose her.

  Why wouldn’t any guy who had been with Beth for that long – seven years – put a ring on her finger and take her off the market? Idiot. The guy deserved to lose her. And it seemed like Beth knew deep down that things weren’t going to work out either. Otherwise, why would she be so happy to hang out with him?

  ‘I think that destiny, fortune, fate, whatever it comes down to – however we make our path – I think it’s important to pay attention to the signs.’

  Ryan had a hunch he knew where she was going with this. Sometimes Beth had a way of talking around herself, but that was part of her charm. She had this ethereal quality about her, as if she lived on a slightly different planet from everyone else, a happier and considerably less cynical, planet. He wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

  Patience, Ryan, patience, he chided himself. There’s time for that. Don’t overplay your hand. You can’t spook her by doing anything too soon. You push things and you will lose her – send her rushing back into Danny’s arms out of guilt alone. That wouldn’t do.

  ‘You mean serendipity?’ Ryan ventured, catching her drift, and Beth nodded. ‘As it happens, I agree with you,’ he continued. ‘I think you do have to know the signs, and understand the clues.’ Much to his delight, he saw her smile a little. ‘But I think for those moments you have to have your eyes open. You have to realise when you are being met with destiny. Those certain moments – crossroads, even – the really special ones where you know your life is about to change, they don’t come around too often.’

  Beth’s smiled faded at this and her gaze appeared far away, as if she was somewhere else, thinking of another time and place. Ryan wondered what he’d said wrong and couldn’t help but be worried. Right now he wanted her back in the moment.

  ‘Beth?’

  She snapped out of it and smiled guiltily. ‘Sorry, I was just thinking of something. Lost my train of thought.’

  ‘It’s OK. I know you’ve had a lot on your mind lately.’

  She nodded and finished her sandwich. ‘Yes, I have this … project of sorts that I have been working on. It’s been challenging at times,’ she offered, briefly meeting his gaze, before sharply looking away again. ‘But I think it’s going well.’

  Ryan wiped his hands with his napkin and took a sip of his soda. ‘Well, you know that I am here for you, Beth. Whatever project you’re working on, if you need help with anything – anything at all – just ask.’ He added with a wink, ‘I’m at your service.’

  Chapter 19

  Since returning from lunch, Beth had felt energised and refocused. She now k
new exactly what to do – or, more to the point, where to go – once her shift was over. But having to wait to do so was killing her, and heading back to Carlisle’s with Ryan after their lunchtime excursion, she thought impulsively of saying that she didn’t feel well, that she had eaten something funny at lunch and had to take the rest of the day off.

  Then she could continue on in her quest and pursue the next clue that she had been given.

  However, there was just one problem. No matter how much she stared at herself in the ladies’ restroom mirror, she couldn’t will herself to look like anything other than the picture of perfect wellness. Indeed, she was glowing with excitement. Her lack of grisly pallor was displayed in rosy cheeks, bright eyes and a clear complexion – the epitome of health and happiness.

  There was no way anyone – especially Jodi, who would be the one covering for Beth if she threw a sickie – would believe her story. She might be able to fake it to the human resources department upstairs, but her friend would see right through her. Instead, she decided that she would just have to wait it out. Only a couple more hours to go until the end of her workday. And then, on to the next stage of the trail.

  Where it was all ultimately leading, Beth had no idea, but she was very much enjoying the ride.

  Working away on the sales floor, she felt buoyed by her most recent discovery and how easily she’d worked this part out. She couldn’t help bouncing a little on her feet to burn off some of the giddiness that had settled in her stomach.

  She’d actually created an in-store display last Christmas based on this very scenario, so the set-up was more than familiar to her. As the saying went, this one was in the bag. She knew exactly where the clue given to her today by Steve the bellhop was pointing her, almost as if ‘X’ marked the spot.

  A five-dollar bill with writing on it; the book, Love in the Time of Cholera: it all pointed to the movie Serendipity. One of Beth’s absolute favourite New York Christmas movies.

  Shakespearian in its delivery – and indeed reminding Beth a little of her own life at that moment – the movie was based on a variety of near misses and plot reversals. Set here in New York, Jonathan, played by John Cusack, and Sara, played by Kate Beckinsale, meet by chance in Bloomingdale’s department store at Christmastime (real-life parallels, much?). Irrespective of the fact that both are in relationships with other people, there is an immediate attraction and connection between them. But Sara doesn’t think it’s the right time for them to be together. So she comes up with an idea to test fate. Jonathan writes his phone number on a five-dollar bill and Sara, in turn, writes her name and number on the inside jacket of a book, Love in the Time of Cholera. If they are meant to be together fate will ensure they find the book and the five-dollar bill respectively and be led back to one another.

  But Jonathan isn’t satisfied with this, and comes up with a more immediate test of fate. He insists that they enter the bank of lifts at a hotel and see if they happen to end up on the same floor. And while the audience sees from the individual perspective of each character that indeed they both choose the same floor, Jonathan is delayed as a child gets in the lift and pushes every single button, preventing him from arriving in the same spot at the same time as Sara.

  And with that Beth was incredibly clear on where she was supposed to go next.

  To the same hotel in the movie. The Waldorf Astoria.

  The ‘23’ marked on the five-dollar bill was pointing her exactly where she was supposed to go. The same floor that Jonathan and Sara had both picked in the movie.

  ‘You look like you’re a thousand miles away,’ said Jodi, interrupting Beth from her train of thought and bringing her back to reality. ‘What’s up with you? More clues? What’s it this time?’

  Beth nodded briefly in answer and immediately got back to work, doing a bit of cleaning up and filing around the cash wrap. ‘Yes, another one, actually. And I know where I’m going this time. Didn’t even need help with this one,’ she beamed.

  She quickly gave Jodi the synopsis of the Seven Year Itch connection, and how Danny had inadvertently pointed her in the right direction. But the moment that she mentioned that Ryan had wanted to go to a deli near the location she was supposed to find, Beth knew that Jodi was on high alert.

  ‘What? Ryan just “happened” to want to go to the same place that you needed to go to in order to solve the last clue?’ Jodi rolled her eyes. ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I didn’t see this before. What a friggin’ idiot I am. You suspect that he’s behind this, don’t you? Why did you tell me that you thought it was Danny? So I’d help you out? Because you know well that if I’d thought for a second that…’

  Jodi shook her head, frustrated, her words trailing off and immediately Beth felt guilty. It wasn’t as if she was one hundred per cent sure yet that Ryan was the instigator, nor had she misled Jodi intentionally. And even so, despite one or two potential indications here and there, there was no clear indication that Ryan had planned it all, especially given Danny’s recent revelation about Billy. Remembering this set Beth on the defensive.

  ‘No, I don’t know that for sure, actually. I still have no idea who’s doing this. Besides, it was only pure chance that he wanted to go to that deli. That’s all it was. Serendipity.’

  But Jodi wasn’t convinced. ‘Wrong. That is just the kind of movie-talk nonsense you’re calling on to justify all of this to yourself. You have used that excuse to rationalise this whole crazy thing, that’s what I think. Unless you believe in your heart that Danny has put this all together as a surprise for you – as something romantic because you are his girlfriend, and the relationship needs a boost – then I insist you abandon this insanity immediately. I’m serious, Beth. If Ryan is behind this then he is way overstepping his boundaries, and by being party to it you are only encouraging him. That’s not right at all in my mind and, frankly, he should know better, as should you. And, well, if it’s not him, then this is just plain creepy because you have a stalker. That’s what I think.’

  Beth bit her lip. Was Jodi right? Should she abandon this? Because if she really looked at this analytically the way that her friend wanted her to, she had to admit that she didn’t truly suspect that Danny was behind this. What would be the point? Why would he go through the trouble of putting together this elaborate scheme when it appeared that they were growing apart by the day?

  She thought hard, willing the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place.

  Could it truly be Ryan, then, or Billy, or was someone else entirely at play?

  But of course, that led to more questions – specifically, as Jodi pointed out, Beth’s willing participation in this venture. If Ryan was behind it, then for decency and morality’s sake she should stop. If Billy was behind it then she definitely didn’t want to continue. And by some chance, if it was Danny, what was his motive?

  Never mind the reasoning behind it if it was someone else entirely …

  Even though she had thought the words ‘secret admirer’ in her mind, Beth hadn’t really seriously considered that option yet, and now she felt like a fool.

  But no, this couldn’t be a stranger, some random person, putting this together, she realised. It had to be someone who knew her; especially given the New York movie references, which seemed specifically tailored for her, and all three men were aware of that passion.

  Beth swallowed hard. More confusion. More uncertainty. More questions.

  She was between a rock and a hard place with this one.

  ‘Jodi, I have to continue with this. You just don’t understand.’

  But Jodi was already shaking her head. ‘No, I do understand, I’ve been there before. You seem to keep forgetting that, for some reason. You are feeling a bit let down by Danny lately, I get that. You are looking for something exciting in your life. This “treasure hunt” falls into your lap. You lie to me, your best friend, and get me to help you with this, while I operate under the notion that it’s Danny who’s behind it. But you have other ideas – th
at this crush of yours—’

  ‘He’s not a crush,’ Beth insisted, annoyed. ‘I told you before, he’s a friend.’

  ‘Whatever,’ Jodi continued, unconvinced. ‘You start pretending or drawing conclusions in your mind that maybe Ryan is behind this. And you justify in your head that this is just for fun. But, Beth, if Danny isn’t doing this and Ryan is, it’s inappropriate. He’s out of line and not respecting you when you say you’re not available. I mean, unless—’

  ‘Unless what?’ Beth snapped, not meaning to sound as harsh as she did. She didn’t lose her temper with people, especially Jodi, but right now her buttons were being pushed.

  ‘Unless you are done with your relationship with Danny.’

  ‘No, I’m not. I’m not finished with Danny. It’s just a rough patch. That’s all. And we will work it out … somehow. And this treasure hunt…’ Her voice trailed off as she realised that she didn’t have an excuse. And any comeback she had now seemed illogical. At least it did when Jodi made it all sound so black and white.

  Beth bristled internally. What right did Jodi have to make her feel guilty? Just because her friend couldn’t see the magic and romance in anything didn’t mean that Beth had to cut it out of her life. In that instant, she decided she would continue the treasure hunt, but she wouldn’t let Jodi know. If Jodi didn’t want to help any more – well, fine, she didn’t need her help.

  However, there was one thing that continued to trouble her and nag at her insides. And she couldn’t deny that it did present somewhat of an issue.

  Where her next clue was pointing her – the Waldorf Astoria. A hotel.

  If Ryan was the one behind this, what would she do if he was there? At the hotel waiting for her? She frowned. No, that would be crossing the line. And she would leave. Simple as that. And that would be the end of this treasure hunt.

  But what if … Beth allowed her mind to trail off, considering other options.

  What if it was just another stop? What if there was another clue waiting for her at the Waldorf? She realised that she had to find out.