A New York Love Story by Cassie Rocca Page A

like that? If someone should propose it, I would immediately suspect a plot to commit a homicide. Drowning me in the lake could be a good way of making me shut me up.”
    â€œYou pretend to be so tough! But I bet there is a sentimental romantic hiding under that crusty shell, and one day a man will ask you to marry him in one of those little boats, and our own little Clover will melt into a sea of tears, weeping with joy.”
    Oh Jesus! Don’t encourage my craziness…
she thought, trying not to picture the romantic scene. But it was too late. Clover already started to imagine herself in that situation. The vision was coming together: the silence broken only by the lapping sound of boats moving slowly through the water and the chirping of little birds in the air – a perfect background for the sweetest marriage proposal she could ever imagine. A man, blonde and beautiful like a Greek god, was leaning towards her, handing her a small velvet box containing the most beautiful diamond ring… a light breeze as the boat glided through the water towards the arch of a pretty little bridge covered by fragrant jasmine…
    She made herself focus on her cup and changed the subject. “Hot chocolate, the best cure for every kind of pain!”
    â€œAfter an afternoon with me, you really needed it, right?”
    If I think that you’ll leave and won’t ever remember me, yes I need it,
she thought. Better start stocking up lots of sugar.
    But she answered, “In a way, yes… being successful at my job is one of my few certainties, and with you it didn’t work. This hot chocolate helps to soothe me and accept the failure.”
    â€œThere is no failure at all! I just wanted to think about it all a little longer… but I know I will end up following all of your suggestions. My father will be crazy about the complete
Star Trek
DVD collection with Leonard Nimoy’s autograph… and the tickets for David Garrett’s concert will absolutely thrill Cecile…”
    â€œYes, that could really be an unforgettable experience, especially if we could get her a pass for backstage. But we would probably need your movie star power and influence to do it, my dear.”
    â€œOf course! I will definitely do that for my little sister…”
    â€œShe’s a lucky girl; she has a brother who can grant her wishes, like the genie from Aladdin’s lamp!”
    â€œIt was your idea, not mine…”
    â€œYes, but you were wise to ask for my advice. My brother wouldn’t ever do something like that for me,” she said, with a shade of sadness in her voice.
    â€œOh, poor little lamb…”
    â€œVery funny… but don’t patronize me. I can still see you fretting over every idea that I dreamed up!” Clover mumbled, trying to ignore her inner desire to simply be hugged. The more Cade talked about his family, the more lonely she felt. She would have loved to be as valued by her family as he seemed to value each member of his.
    â€œHey, I wasn’t rejecting any of your ideas, I’m simply a procrastinator. I’m sure we could still come up with brilliant new ideas before Christmas. So, you must give me some more time to convince me that these are the best gifts we can get…” Cade stared at her with his deep blue eyes.
    Damn! How could he do this? How can he make her feel in raptures with just a look?
She didn’t feel any different from all his stupid adoring fans, and she didn’t like it. Clover put down her cup and suddenly stood up. “Let’s go.”
    They walked in silence for a few minutes. Central Park was less cheerful after dusk. People were rushing to get home and there was a sense of melancholy in the air.
    â€œSomething wrong?” Cade asked.
    â€œNot at all, but it’s time to go…”
    â€œYou got up all of a sudden, and I thought that I had upset you by asking for another