Lizzy opened her mouth to greet the figure on the other side of the door, but words were lost as she realized just who had opened the penthouse door. The man looked at her hesitantly as he waited for her to speak. Feeling like an idiot, Lizzy finally managed to close her mouth and resorted to just looking dazed and confused.
The man spoke, breaking the awkward silence. Extending his hand in greeting, he said, “You must be the reporter here about the interview...”
Functioning purely on auto pilot, Lizzy extended her hand, feeling the same warm touch she had felt the previous night. Holding his gaze as she pumped his hand up and down, she tried to find words, but settled on nodding instead.
The man worked his hand free from her fingers and stepped back into the penthouse making the way for her to enter. “Alright, won’t you come in.....”
She gave him a slight nod as she looked down at the floor and proceeded to enter the penthouse. She felt a hand on her back as she was gently steered toward a table with two chairs in front of a large window overlooking the city.
“Would you like something to drink?” He offered, “Water, perhaps?”
Finding some semblance of a voice, Lizzy croaked, “Yyyess, umm, yes. Thank you, water is good.”
The man nodded and turned, leaving the sitting room.
Oh shit, Lizzy thought the self, is this a joke? If it was, he obviously didn’t realize. Did he? He showed no signs of recognizing her from the show last night. Oh hell, she thought, no way it could be a joke. No one as famous as he would engage in a joke played on someone like her. Ok, so no joke. Why was she interviewing HIM for an article on charities? She managed to look around the room just as he joined her again, carrying a bottle of sparking water and a glass of ice. He set it on the table, opened the bottle of fizzy liquid and poured it over the crackling ice, then handed it to her before sitting in the chair opposite of her. Realizing she was still grasping her bag, she set it down and took the water gratefully, sipping it slowly trying to regain her composure. Obviously used to having this affect on women, he waited for her to settle herself in.
After she set the glass back on the table, he proceeded, “Ok, so your here to conduct an interview....and you are...” He inquired, his eyes locking on to hers.
Swallowing hard, she managed, “Elizabeth...Lizzy...Donnell, and you are....?”
Oh my God, Lizzy. And you are? You know who he is, idiot! She scolded herself.
Slightly shaking his head in amusement, he answered, “Uh, Jon. I am Jon Bongiovi.”
“Of course you are.” She said in reply. “I know who you are.” she laughed just too loudly, feeling like a total loon.
Not able to help the smirk on his full lips, he replied, “OK, well you know, you look familiar to me. I see so many people in my line of work....”
“Ah, yes! I bet you do. I, uh, was at a concert last night...maybe you were there....” she laughed nervously.
Lizzy, get a grip, woman. How are you going to conduct an interview if you keep sounding like the biggest blubbering idiot on the planet? And why is he having this affect on me? She wasn’t usually one to get star stuck.
Studying her more closely, she could see the recognition taking hold. Nodding, he said, “Yes, ok. Now I remember you.” his eyes narrowed as looked right at her. “The hair is different.”
Unable to break his steadfast gaze, she just nodded.
“Did you enjoy the show?” he asked, his stare not wavering.
Nodding harder, she said, “Yes. Very much. Thank you.”
“So an interview brings you here.” he noted again, almost accusingly.
Realizing he was wondering if she was using this as an excuse, she quickly fumbled in her bag for a business card. She handed it to him, “Yes, I was sent here to interview someone...you....for an article I am writing on local charities. I have no idea why it is you, but this is where I was sent.” She hesitated a moment, “and it seems you were expecting me, as well.”
She waited while he eyed her card. He finally set it down on the table with a slight nod and met a serious stare. “My apologies. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has used that story on me.”
“Oh, no. Mr. Bon Jovi, ...er, Jon. No, I have never been interested in you, believe me.” She said, shaking her head.
His looked slightly taken aback, yet amused, “Really....” he said, as he waited to see how she might dig herself out of that hole.
A slight blush rising in her checks, she tried to back pedal. “I mean, Not that I am not interested in you, but I am not interested in you. Not like that. Well, not now, anyway. I mean, I was. Once. Way back a long time ago. You know, back in the....” she stammered, her face turning beat red. Finally giving up she closed her mouth for a minute as she watched him erupt in laughter.
“I am here to conduct an interview. I will admit I was a huge fan back in the day. I have since grown up, I have a family and a career. I am not here trying to hook up with a rock star.” She said sternly.
He wiped the grin off his face as he met her darkened gaze, not unlike the look she had give him the previous night as he had crooned to her. “Ok. I’m sorry. You obviously are here for an interview. So, lets get on with it, shall we?” He said.
Hearing a slight challenge in his voice, she looked away as she rummaged through her bag for her notebook and a pen. Arrogant rock star, she thought. She crossed her legs and opened her notebook, ready to put pen to paper. No trace of a smile remained on her lips as she studied her questions she had jotted on the train ride in.
She looked up into deep blue eyes, “Yes, lets get on with it.”
His baby blues turned an icier shade as he leaned back into the chair, putting his hands behind his head, “Ok, shoot.”
Willing herself to lose the nerves, she managed an almost business like demeanor as she went through each question. Realizing she was passionate about this article, Jon began to talk openly about his feelings on charitable work, his own foundation and his desire to visit as many local charities around the country as he could. She lost herself as she watched him explain the feeling of helping families that had lost homes in Hurricane Katrina, seeing their thankful reactions. She could tell how deeply touched he was, and how important it was to him to help others.
“I feel very fortunate to have the life I have been blessed with. The least I can do is share my good fortune with others and use any clout I do have to improve the lives of those less fortunate, and encourage everyone to do anything that they can do, as well. It doesn’t have to be monetary. It can be rolling up your sleeves and volunteering. Any amount someone can do, is one step closer to improving the lives so many in this country, and in turn, our own lives, as well.”
Not really knowing what else she could add to the already informative answers he had given, she nodded, “Well, I can see you are very passionate about your charitable work. I think this will be a very nice addition to my article series.” She said, putting the cap on her pen, and closing the notebook. “Thank you for your time.” She had to admit she had a new found admiration for him.
She started to put away the paper and pen, then close her bag, and proceeded to stand.
He followed suit as he rose from the chair, “No problem, I always welcome an opportunity to get the word out and encourage people to help each other. I look forward to reading the articles.”
“I am sure my editor will forward a copy to your office.” She informed him, “Unless you feel you want to read it before it goes to press...?” She asked.
He shook his head, “No need, but thank you. That will be fine.”
The silence that followed was a bit awkward, leaving her unsure of what to do next, so she proceeded toward the penthouse door, leaving him to follow her.
He lengthened his stride as he reached for the door ahead of her, “Allow me.” He said, as he opened it for her.
She stepped over the thresh hold into the hall and turned, offering her hand, “Well, it was nice meeting you, Jon. I hope it is ok to call you that.”
He took her hand in his, warm and firm, “Of course, Baby.” He said, his blue eyes almost electric as he looked her.
Her slightly peeved look at the term of endearment amused him, and a slight smirk forming on his lips.
Opening her mouth to respond, she was once again left searching for her voice at the disarming look he gave her. Damn man, she though, he was really good at ruffling feathers, and rendering one useless. On one hand it slightly infuriated her that he obviously felt he could get away calling her “baby”, and on the other hand it made her even more peeved that he so obviously enjoyed causing this very reaction in her. Arrogant.
“Good bye, Mr. Bon Jovi.” She said, shaking her head as she spun around on her heels and left with a wave. He might be a good person, and really enjoy helping others. But it was obvious to her that the rock star status had went to his head long ago. She left feeling rather dumb at her raw emotional response to his musical seduction from the previous night. Oh well, live and learn, Lizzy.
She gave a nod to the doorman as she left the swanky building, and headed down the street, back toward the train station. She was unaware of anyone watching her from the top floor of the hotel, the curtains slightly parted. Realizing she had a headache from the tight bun, she reached up and freed her hair as she walked, shaking our the long, chestnut strands. Thinking better of just leaving the city, she decided to grab a bite to eat first. She entered a small deli down the street from the hotel. The curtains fell back together in the penthouse window. He grabbed a baseball hat and sunglasses before exiting the penthouse, the door clicking closed behind him. He left the hotel without a notice to the doorman, his strong stride carrying him down the street as he eyed the signs on the buildings. Spotting the one he saw her enter, he stopped short. Why do I feel the need to follow this woman? He had no idea. Did he need the last word? She had said volumes in her icey retreat.
Adopting tunnel vision as she took her order from the counter and proceeded past the line of people waiting, she took no notice of him. She found a table in the back of the deli, away from the window. While it was busy, the customers seemed to be getting their orders to go. No one sat near her or bothered her as she took out her notepad, meaning to edit her notes while she ate. Lost in her own thoughts, the only notice she had of anyone approaching her was a sudden shadow being cast on her paper. Looking up as she chewed, she found herself staring back into the same blue eyes, this time shaded by a baseball cap, sunglasses hung over the neck of his snug t-shirt. He was holding a tray, a very similar smirk on his lips to when she had left him.
“Do you mind if I share your table?” He asked, the smirk remaining.
She looked past him at the rest of the deli, basically empty, then looked back at him.
Not really sure what to say, she said, “Sure? I guess, so. I was kind of busy.”
Seeming to completely miss her hint that she would rather be left alone, he took that as an invitation and sat down in the chair opposite of her. “Great, thanks. There really wasn’t anywhere else to sit.”
She closed the notebook, and wiped her mouth with her napkin, noticing the wedding ring on his finger as he unwrapped his sandwich. It was the first time she had noticed it. Last night she had been too busy getting lost in the seemingly romantic gaze of a rock star to notice.
“Your married?” She inquired. She remembered way back in the days of their youth, her and Slyvia had been devastated at the news that he had run off and married his high school sweetheart. Back when she could be easily swayed by the seemingly romantic gaze of a rock star. But that was not today, she told herself, as he lifted his eyes to meet hers.
“Yep, for better or for worse.” He answered, then took a bite into the thick sandwich. He smiled at her as he chewed. “Why, you trying to pick me up?”
She rolled her eyes, and shook her head. “Not hardly, Mr. Bon Jovi. I just noticed the ring.”
“Ah, your observant.” he answered, chewing.”I am, too.” he said, with a wink. “And I don’t see a wedding ring on your finger, yet you said you were married.”
She looked down at her hand, realizing she did indeed, forget to put her rings back on that morning after her shower. “I am. I just took them off this morning and guess I forgot to put them back on.” All of a sudden she felt very naked and exposed to his eye.
“Ah, ok. I take mine off sometimes, too. Usually at shows, so I don’t lose it.”
She nodded, “Good idea.” she said, rubbing her finger where her ring usually sat. She had stopped eating as he proceeded to devour his sandwich. “Why did you follow me here?”
He took a break in chewing at her question, looking thoughtful. After a moment he said, “I think you left with a bad impression of me and I didn’t want to leave you thinking ill toughts of me. The subject of your article is very near and dear to my heart.” He took a bite of his pickle and continued. “I am visiting a local charity in about an hour, and I thought maybe you might like to come along.”
She opened her mouth to assure him she did not, but he stopped her short, “I thought maybe you could get some good material for your article.” He said, staring her down with that electric blue gaze again.
She couldn’t deny that it was a good idea, for the article. She wanted to protest, but he was right. It could give some real clout to her article to shadow him on his visit.
Letting out a sigh, she shrugged her shoulders, “Yeah, ok. That could be very helpful.” she admitted.
Just then she heard a muffled cell phone ring. He put his sandwich down and reached into his back jean pocket. Being very snug it took him a second to pry it from the hold of the taunt fabric.
He looked at the number, “Excuse me for a moment.” he said and stood up, walking to the front of the deli.
Her own cell phone vibrated at that very moment in her computer bag pocket. She reached for it, and noted the number of her editor. He was checking in on how the interview had went. She told him about it and about the visit to the local charity with Jon. Sounding not so sure about it, he strongly encouraged her to go.
“Think about it, Lizzy. An article with Jon Bon Jovi touting the wonders of helping your local charity. Heck, we could do a whole article series just on his involvement. Yes! That is it. I want at least one article on just his charitable work, and the visit to the shelter this afternoon. A complete write up. Do you think he will go for it? Wine and dine him if you have to. This could be huge, Lizzy. Not just for the paper, but for you, too.”
She let out a sigh as she hung up, just as Jon came back. He slipped back into the chair, with a grin, “Sorry about that. Now where were we? Oh yes. And after the visit, how about we grab a bite to eat and go over the information?” His blue eyes holding hers as he waited for her to speak.
She let out another sigh, almost of defeat, and nodded, “Sure, Jon. I think that would be a great idea. I have something I would like to discuss with you, as well.”
He raised his eyebrows, “Really, now what might that be, baby?” He said as he eyed her rubbing her naked finger.
Chapter 4
