Page 38 of Close Match
Beingon the stage my whole career has been a great adventure I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’ve sung and danced for people who want to escape their world for a little while. It’s been exhilarating every moment I’ve played a role. Except for right now when I’d give anything to be just the woman I’ve sworn for the last few hours I am to my birth father.
“So, when do you fly back, Linnie?” We’re all standing outside Georgia Browns. It’s a weird feeling; after all, we’re all heading back to the same hotel.
“Anytime,” I blurt out without thinking. Three sets of eyes give me different looks of confusion. “I, um, have an open-ended ticket.” Probably because the pilot knows I’ll give him twelve hours’ notice when I’m ready to leave.
“Really? I was hoping we might have a chance for another chance to talk. Just us.” Ev’s nervousness starts to make an appearance. I do what comes naturally, what I’d do if I were backstage with a nervous fan. I reach over and squeeze his arm. He lets out a deep breath.
“That’d be lovely. What are you doing tomorrow? I flew into Dulles, so I thought I might hit Tyson’s Corner on my way out of town.”
His eyes grow wide and flick toward Char before they meet mine. “I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning, but if you don’t mind a late lunch…”
“I don’t mind at all.” Lunch was enjoyable, but I feel so much more of a connection to Char, and even Monty, than I do Ev right now. I attribute it to the fact that they’re naturally more outgoing than he is.
We need this time together—my father and me.
“There’s a restaurant in Tyson’s called Coastal Oaks,” Char suggests. “It’s part of a local chain. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.”
I smile at her warmly. “Sounds like we have a winner. You mentioned a doctor’s appointment? If you let me know what time that is, I’ll plan to meet you a few hours later.”
Monty barks out a laugh. “What?” I ask innocently. “Just because I think doctors should send out a text message like restaurants do when your table is ready…”
Now everyone is laughing. “I’ll be sure to mention that to mine tomorrow.” My father grins. “Now, I understand why you’re so successful at your job, Linnie. You have a very natural way of putting people at ease.”
Except myself, I think guiltily. I hate lying to these kind people, but I had to be sure my father was as genuine as he appeared in email. “Thank you,” I say sincerely. “But I think that’s just something I learned.”
“Then your mother did a spectacular job raising you,” Char declares. Laying a hand on my shoulder, she brushes her cheek next to mine. “Thank you for being so lovely in person, Linnie. I hope we’ll meet again.”
“Me too, Char. And thank you for being here. It was a nice surprise.” I mean it. My father’s wife complements him beautifully.
She pulls back, and then Monty’s in front of me. “There’s still something about you,” he murmurs. He brushes his hand casually over my shoulder. I feel the jolt down to my toes.
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing,” I joke.
His head tilts. He purses his lips while he considers his words. “It’s something. I’ll let you know when I figure it out. In the meantime, safe travels.” He leans down and brushes his lips against my cheek. Thank God he can’t feel the way my heart skips a beat in my chest as I inhale the scent of the rain mixed with the woods that’s clinging to his skin. As I so rarely get to smell fresh scents in the city, it’s intoxicating to my senses. “Thank you for making it a pleasure.”
I pull back just enough, and our eyes connect like magnets; a compelling mystery arcs between us. Even beyond the half-truths, it’s like he can see me. The real me—the Linnie that only a handful of people get to know. In my fright, I step back. I can’t find words, so I nod. He lingers a moment before stepping back to let Ev move in.
“Should we exchange numbers?” he asks with some hesitation.
Well, laughing is one way to regain whatever breath I seemed to have given to Montague Parrish. “I guess that would help.” I grin. Quickly, Ev and I exchange contact information.
“I’ll text you when they call me back,” he promises.
“Don’t be surprised if I’m already there,” I warn him. “It’s rare I get time to just putter in stores.”
He lifts a hand cautiously and cups my cheek. I still. “I won’t be. Do you need a ride? We can drop you off along the way,” he offers.
I shake my head. “I have transportation, but thank you.”
His hand drops. “Of course. I’ll see you at lunch, then.” He turns and reaches for Char’s hand. The three of them start to walk into the Hamilton.
I can’t leave it like this. “Ev?” I call out.
He stops and turns. “Yes?”
I take the few steps that span us and give him a gentle hug. “Thank you for asking me to come down. I know this wasn’t easy for you.”
He drops Char’s hand to wrap his arms around me. We stand there for a moment in silence. “Linnie, if you knew what this moment means to me, you’d understand that I’m so overwhelmed I don’t know what to do.”
