A New York Love Story by Cassie Rocca Page B

date.”
    â€œAnother date? We didn’t have a
date
today. I was just doing my job.” Her voice was uncertain…
    Cade put his hands in his pockets. “Ah, yes! I had forgotten. You would never go out with me for any other reason, because you despise my way of making a living.”
    â€œNo, I don’t despise it… I guess I just don’t trust it… to trust someone who
acts
for a living is like putting a loaded gun in the hands of a child.”
    â€œMy god! Do you think it’s easy to be on the other side? It’s difficult for me to trust too. It’s difficult to understand who really cares about me and who is just interested in me as the famous actor.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t want to be mean. After all you’re a nice person and you deserve to be appreciated for who you are beyond your fame.”
    Cade seemed pleased. “Did I really hear a compliment coming from you?”
    â€œDon’t get used to this. I change my mind quickly!” Clover made a face.
    â€œYes! You have changed your opinion about me. I know you like me… I can tell… admit it!”
    Clover didn’t answer and diverted his attention by pointing at a souvenir stand. “Look! Snow globes…”
    â€œYou’re avoiding my question, young lady.”
    â€œI used to collect them years ago. Every time I visited a place I came home with a new snow globe…”
    Cade came over to her, but she moved away, towards the souvenir stand.
    â€œNow that I think about it, I don’t have one from California.”
    â€œOk then! I will send you one.”
    â€œIn that case, I should return the favor…”
    â€œYes, you could do it by answering my question.”
    Clover looked at the snow globes, ignoring him. Suddenly she felt buoyant, like a young girl playing with the boy she liked. It was fun to leave him hanging.
    She bought the snow globe that would best remind him of his days in New York. The metal base was engraved with the Manhattan skyline, and inside the globe the snow whirled around the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. She handed it to him ceremonially with a great smile, “Here, for you. So when you’re back in LA you will remember me.”
    â€œI couldn’t forget you, even if I wanted to.”
    With her heart in her throat Clover turned and headed towards the park’s exit. “You will be back in your city full of sun, palm trees and beautiful women… so, forgive my scepticism, but I don’t think you’ll remember these days for too long. I could pretend to believe it, just to please you…”
    She couldn’t finish her monologue. Cade had grabbed the two ends of her scarf to stop her and was pulling her towards him. She stepped back until she felt his chest against her. It was a good thing he couldn’t see her face. She wasn’t sure she could hide the powerful attraction she felt at this moment. She hoped that the noise of the traffic around them was enough to cover the loud beating of her heart.
    Cade put an arm around her waist, pulling her even closer and they touched cheeks. “You should believe me, because I don’t have any problem expressing what I feel… as opposed to someone who avoids difficult questions.”
    Clover wanted so badly to let her face feel the texture of his, but she didn’t do it. She simply abandoned herself to the warmth of that closeness. The thought of being in the arms of a movie star, who was throwing caution to the wind to flirt with her in the middle of a public park, was overwhelmingly exciting.
    â€œIf I don’t have an answer right away I will sell you out to the journalists as the cruel New Yorker who has rejected the Prince of Hollywood. They will persecute you and you won’t have peace any more for a while!” He faked a menacing laugh and squeezed her tighter.
    â€œThis is a low blow!” She giggled, freeing