Chapter 29
THE DAYS WHOOSH by in a blur. Rudy is fully immersed in his new role as the lead singer of New Dawn, a band on a quicker rise to the top than Donald Trump’s blood pressure on Election Day, according to a headline in the local Daily News.
That does mean we’re spending a lot less time together than I’d like.
Sure, we’re sleeping in the same bed, but whenever he gets home from a gig, I’m already deep in a sleep coma.
And when I’m heading off to work, he’s still snoozing away.
However much I’d love to see one of his new shows, it’s basically impossible without Patrice around at work.
The Christmas party is just around the corner now and all the prep work is squarely on my shoulders.
I’m working a lot of overtime and it’s making me feel like a bad girlfriend.
That’s why it’s such an amazing surprise to find Rudy standing outside my door on Friday night with a huge grin on his face.
Hey, I say in surprise, before licking the massive spoon I was using to fish chunks of cookie dough out of my pint of Ben & Jerry’s. I thought you were playing tonight.
He presses a kiss to my mouth and warmth floods his eyes. Hey. I missed you, he whispers into my lips. We played an early show and I didn’t stick around for long. As he braids his fingers into my locks, he draws me closer, kissing away some ice cream remnants from my mouth.
Mmm, cookie dough? he guesses.
See, that’s why I lo—that’s what made me fall for you. I’m quick to correct myself. You know exactly which ice cream is the good kind.
I don’t want our first I love you to happen here, in the grubby hallway of a building that should have been condemned a long time ago.
It really should happen in more of a candles and rose petals type of setting.
Or ideally near a Christmas tree, though I’m not sure how much Rudy would appreciate that vibe.
Want some? I ask, stepping aside to let him in. He shakes his head.
I actually had something else in mind . . . The corner of his mouth lifts up. Put your coat on.
Times Square is one of the busiest spots in New York, which really is saying something.
Aside from hordes of people walking around, everything about the scene just screams for attention.
While the sun has gone down, Times Square is far from dark.
Huge billboards on towering buildings show off flashing images.
I recognize the green witch from Wicked on a sign advertising the Broadway show.
There’s a photo of a newly famous singer, fresh off of her debut.
And an ad for the new Disney Christmas movie.
I can’t stop gazing around. There’s so much to see, and my eyes keep landing on new sights.
Where are we going? I shout at Rudy, hoping to be heard over the honking sounds of all the slow-moving cabs.
Tons of people rush by, but plenty of folks are standing around taking pictures.
Rudy grabs my hand, dragging me through the crowd.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost each other in this chaos.
When we come to a sudden stop in the middle of Times Square, he points up at a glowing sign.
It’s quite a bit smaller than the rest of them and it’s more or less overshadowed by everything around it, but . . .
Holy shit! You’re in Times Square! I squeal. This is incredible!
Rudy sneaks in behind me, pulling me close, my back leaning up against his front.
In the shot, Lauren’s resting her head on Joey’s shoulder as she stares seductively into the lens.
Ian’s standing off to one side, a bit removed from the rest of the band, gripping his electric guitar.
And Rudy’s in the middle of it all, his arms crossed, looking .
. . There’s really no other way to put it .
. . Looking hot. I’ll admit I’m a little biased, but still.
There’s a rising sun in the background of the image and at the top, in big letters: NEW DAWN.
It’s so surreal, Rudy mutters, resting his chin on my head. We have an interview scheduled next week at Good Night with Jerry. It’s just a local talk show, but it’s pretty popular. This is all so weird.
This is all so deserved, I correct him. I can’t believe you didn’t get discovered sooner.
Of course, I tried to book you for a show well before any of this, but alas, I sigh, then twirl around, wrap my arms around his neck, and look him in the eye.
New Dawn was always too good for a Christmas party.
His pupils dilate when I rise up onto my toes and press my lips to his. As his hands enclose my face, he uses his thumbs to rub my cheeks warm. And then I feel something land on my skin. It’s cold, light, and quickly turns wet—so I look up.
It’s snowing! I give Rudy a look of delight and he smiles when he notices how excited I am. Rudy, you’re in Times Square, and there’s snow! And it’s only halfway through December! Maybe . . .
You’re dreaming of a white Christmas right now, aren’t you? he guesses.
You don’t seem to hate the idea as much as I thought you might, I chuckle.
Ah, he replies. I might despise Christmas, but seeing you happy makes me happy.
Something seems to dawn on him in the short silence that follows and he breaks into a warm smile. Snowflakes are sticking to his long, dark lashes and there’s a twinkle in his eyes.
Want to go grab a drink somewhere? I suggest.
Rudy shakes his head. You didn’t think I brought you all the way out here just to look at a picture of me, did you? I’m not that much of a narcissist. Let’s go. He grabs my hand again, tugging me through the throng.
Where are we going? I ask in a curious tone.
I can’t stand the all-knowing grin on his face.
I might love Christmas, but I hate surprises.
Especially when I know a surprise is coming.
I was that kid who would turn the house upside down right before her birthday hoping to find all the presents.
In the days leading up to my tenth birthday, that resulted in a pretty serious bite from the hamster my parents had bought me as a gift.
The little guy just glared at me with beady black eyes full of accusation, like he was punishing me for our premature meet-and-greet.
We stroll through streets that are lit up with street lanterns and colourful Christmas lights. We wander along the stores in the Diamond District—they’ve tossed their displays full of anything that has anything to do with Christmas, from glowing reindeer to Christmas trees.
The snow hasn’t stopped falling from the sky and it’s turning all the cars white. The miniature ice crystals shimmer in the light that’s hitting them from all angles: the window displays, street lights, and . . .
Wow!
I’m staring wide-eyed at the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen.
It’s almost as tall as the third floor of the building behind it.
Decked out with colourful ornaments and lights, it’s finished with an enormous star-shaped tree topper.
Facing the tree are a number of white Christmas angels, dressed with strings of lights.
Each one points a golden trumpet toward the heavens, like they’re announcing the arrival of God—or a rock god.
When I look over, I see Rudy studying me intently.
Do you like it? he asks eagerly.
Do I like it? Do birds fly? Of course I like it! I shout.
I recognize this place from Home Alone 2—the scene with little Kevin waiting for his mom at Rockefeller Center. With his family always leaving him behind for the holidays, it’s a miracle he never developed a distaste for Christmas.
Walking past the angels, we end our stroll at an ice rink at the foot of the Christmas tree. The sound of Christmas music coming through the speakers is nearly drowned out by people laughing and the sound of their blades scraping along the ice.
I give Rudy a puzzled look when he starts to make his way to the skate rental booth.
Um, aren’t you a terrible skater? I ask, surprised to see him walking back toward me carrying two pairs of skates.
He doesn’t say a word, just gazes at me with a mysterious smile on his lips before putting his skates on so quickly and easily that I can’t help but furrow my brow.
Do you have something you need to tell me? I ask.
He then makes his way to the edge of the rink, displaying all the grace of a limping penguin, before casually gliding onto the ice like it’s nothing.
What . . . How . . . What?! I gape at him as he reaches his hand out to me.
I’ve been practicing. His eyes are sparkling with pride. Hurry up, before the ice is completely covered in snow.
I place my hand into his and step onto the rink. He pulls me along and the music swells as the sound of Michael Bublé’s voice fills the air.
The wind breezes through my hair. Rudy’s face is beaming as we travel across the ice, hand in hand, like it’s the only thing we’ve ever done. Who would have thought Rudy would—completely unprompted—bring me to a place that looks like a Christmas explosion.
We skate along, carving more and more scratches into the ice.
Most of the falling snow is intercepted by everyone enjoying this wintery weather, so it doesn’t even get a chance to mess with our fun on the ice.
White flakes cling to my scarf and my cheeks have gone tingly from the cold.
I’m loving everything about it and Rudy seems to be soaking it all up, too.
The snow is really coming down now, as we make our way back to the subway station. I notice an enticingly thick layer on the hood of a car and I can’t help myself from running my hands through the white ice crystals, kneading them into a big snowball.
Chuckling to myself, I sneak up on Rudy as he’s admiring the Tiffany’s display.
Rudy? I say in a sugary sweet voice while I pull back my arm and take on a cannon-like position.
Ye—
Oopsie! I startle and clasp my hand to my mouth as Rudy wipes his eyes and splutters out white blobs of snow.
I nailed him square in the face and I can pinpoint the exact moment he decides I must be feeling much too warm without snow sliding down my neck, too. He laughs as he slowly stalks toward me, a dangerous sparkle in his eyes. Backing away, I raise up my fuzzy mitten-clad hands in a defensive stance.
Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .
He takes another step closer to me, the snow cracking under his Dr. Martens.
I didn’t mean to get you in the face! I squeak, as he closes in on me and bends down toward a mound of pristinely white, glistening snow.
I’m sorry! What can I do to make it up to you? I’m cornered now, my butt backed up against a parked car.
Shit.
And then I hear a snowball bash into the windshield next to me.
Ha! Missed me! I yell triumphantly. I crouch down to gather a fresh snowball, then chuck it against Rudy’s coat.
His next hit lands right on target. He totally got me. I feel little trickles of ice water roll down my neck and into my coat as I brush the snow from the back of my head. A shiver zips through my body and I decide it’s time to bring in the big guns.
I sweep my arms across the hood of a car and move toward Rudy, my hands loaded with snow. I’m not even trying to shape it into a ball at this point. Rudy’s eyes grow large as I pick up my pace, storming toward him like a kamikaze pilot to dump the snow into his coat collar.
Rudy screams out in terror, giving me a wide-eyed stare. But then his pupils constrict as he grabs me by the waist. You really shouldn’t have done that . . .
And before I know it, we’re both on the ground. I try really hard not to think about all the stale urine and gangster spit we’re probably rolling through right now. There’s snow stuck to my coat and Rudy has made it his mission to shove as much of it as possible down my collar.
Have mercy! I laugh, while attempting to shove him off me. I give up! You win!
What was that? He beams at me, halting his attempts to freeze me alive. His white teeth are on full display. With his face so close to mine, I can count the deep brown speckles in his eyes. His delirious grin fades as his gaze travels to my mouth.
I’m breathing rapidly now—my breath creating little clouds of condensation in the air. I feel breathless, though. Not only from the adrenaline coursing through me, but because I know what’s about to come.
Rudy presses his soft lips to mine in a kiss.
It’s tender and intense. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer.
I block out the sounds of people whistling as they pass, just like I block out the feeling of the cold snow against my back, melting inside my coat.
Pulling his head back a little, he rubs his cold, red nose against mine. There’s a look of warmth in his eyes.
Maybe this isn’t the worst time of year after all, he confesses quietly.