Chapter Two

Of course he remembered her. She smelled like lavender and baby powder, a scent that lingered on his olfactory and reminded him of summer. Her smile was welcoming and she flashed it to everyone as if they were old friends. He immediately felt at ease with her, and the time they spent together on the stage made him think of the famous old time duos like Hepburn and Tracy: their banter was easy and the laughter real.

When they stumbled upon each other at that horrible club in Brooklyn, Ryan was both surprised and even excited. It wasn’t much of a coincidence that they would have the same friends, most want-to-be actors and actresses knew of each other and through word of mouth had the same hang outs. Ryan had seen her in passing before at other, larger dance clubs or bars; however this was the first time that they were at a place to talk and see each other eye to eye.

Surprisingly Kaylin had the same natural, easy-going way to her as she did at the auditions. She didn’t pretend to be anyone then or now, and her behavior was a refreshing change from the phony, soul-less eyes and smiles of the other people he met with numbers attached to their chests. She had changed her dress from the jeans and sweaters he had seen her wearing before, and was now wearing a fitted silver dress with tank sleeves and bunches at the hem. Ryan had found himself watching her throughout the night. Her happy attitude was like a magnet that pulled his eyes to her. Even when he sat down he could still hear her laugh and people trying to talk over the thumping of the music to get to her. He gulped down half of his beer, winded from trying to dance too long. He slung his free arm over the empty seat beside him and settled in, his friends were dancing or mingling around the place with the few locals still out. Again he found his gaze lingering on Kaylin, he watched her dance and throw her arms around the friends in front of her, he saw her throw a look at the DJ and wink as a new song started. Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail at the nape of her neck and a stray lock of hair kept falling across her eyes; as she tucked it behind her ear, she looked over and met his gaze. His smiled widened and he didn’t look away. Like he had silently called to her, she patted her friend’s arm and began to walk off the dance floor towards him.

Kaylin pulled out the chair across from the brown-haired boy sitting at her table, “Has anyone claimed this seat yet?” she asked sitting down before he had the chance to answer. He smiled around his glass and gestured with his hand to have a seat as he swallowed a rather large draught from his beer.

“So we’re in this together,” were the first words he said directly to her, not in character.

“Um, I guess so, I, er, I didn’t hear anyone else they chose, sorry…” she stumbled, “Congratulations?”

He smirked. “I meant being loners, but if you got the part, congratulations to you,” he said and took another slug of his beer.

Kaylin looked away momentarily as she felt the heat rush to her cheeks. She smiled fully and threw her head back as if stretching her neck. “So, why aren’t you dancing?” she asked, trying to change the subject. She reached for a bottle of water two seats away clearly marked with a K on the label.

“Too many people. It’s amazing how crowded it seems when you’re on the floor compared to how empty the place really is.” He glanced at the empty tables around them. “My name is Ryan Wiley, by the way. You know, in case you were wondering.” He was making a joke. Kaylin picked up on the humor in his voice, in his face and very coolly replied, “Yeah, I know.” She couldn’t keep her poker face though, and smiled.

“I’m Kaylin McSandsen,” she said as she screwed the lid on the now empty water bottle.

“That I did know,” he replied, “you did a fantastic job at the audition for Big City Blues. I take it you got the part?”

Kaylin nodded in response and tucked her stray hair back behind her ear again. “We’re celebrating tonight. I’m usually a homebody.”

“I don’t believe that,” Ryan said casting a doubtful smirk, “you seem to know your way around a dance floor and everyone seems to know you.”

“Nah, I’m just a nice person. And the dancing is just a holdover from my younger years.”

“Younger years? How old are you? like twenty? Can you even buy a beer?” Ryan laughed, gesturing to her bottled water, “How can you have ‘younger years’?”

“I’m twenty eight I’ll have you know,” she said with mock authority, “I just don’t drink,” she played with the bottle. It was easy talking to him, they had a good rapport and he had a nice laugh. “How old are you?” she asked more seriously now. She was wanted to steer the conversation in a more intimate direction away from the casual banter but not if he was as young as he looked.

“Same, actually,” he said, “want to see my license?” as he noticed her doubtful look. He picked up on her line of talking, though, and leaned in. “I’m going to get another drink, you want another water?”

“Sure,” she replied and watched him push back from the table and head to the bar. He was wearing jeans and a patterned button shirt. His cuffs were pushed up, but not in a casual way, he was careful about how they were folded. Kaylin noticed things like that about people, how they looked and how they acted was pointless, she was observant about the details. It made her a good friend, and it made it easier to live in New York; she had a quick mind.

It didn’t take long for Ryan to return to the table, drinks in hand.

The night went on quickly; they closed the club and as they stumbled around the subway and then the streets trying to find cabs, Kaylin realized that Ryan hadn’t left her side. They had danced together, people watched together, and not looked at their watches together. The DJ’s announcement of last call had taken her by surprise as she ground her hips into Ryan pelvis, moving to the beat that pulsated the air around them. When they all ended up outside Ryan handed her a water bottle, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by her girlfriends.

At the subway station Katie, one of Kaylin’s girlfriends, announced, “Ok, we’re going to take the red line home. Kay - you go with Ryan. You both live in Queens,” and then hustled the others away before anyone could protest. It made sense that since they both lived near each other they would ride home together, but the pointed announcement made Kaylin blush despite herself. The howling of the subway coming to a stop beside their platform broke the moment of awkward silence that settled after their friends left.

“After you,” Ryan said putting his hand on the small of her back guiding her through the sliding doors and to a seat. The electric heat that emanated from where he had placed his hand sent a sizzle of heat up and down Kaylin’s body.

Kaylin sat down and hopped over to the window allowing a space for Ryan to sit down. “Where do you live in Queens?” Kaylin asked watching him as he settled in to his seat: shifting his weight, adjusting his jacket, running his hand through his hair.

“Forest Hills,” he said taking a gulp of the water he was holding, “I rent a place across from this Chinese grocery store on 69th. You?”

“I live in more the Rego Park district. Ingram Street,” she replied, moving herself so her back was against the window and she was facing him more directly. His arm was against the back of the seat his elbow bent so his arm didn’t extend to where she was sitting, his hand rested a few inches from her left shoulder.

“Are you cold? You don’t have a jacket or anything,” his forefinger began tracing tiny circles along her shoulder; he watched his own hand looking for her reaction. Kaylin bit her bottom lip and playfully titled her head to the side. She felt tingles along her arm from where his finger had been; shivers crisscrossed her skin. Ryan lifted his eyes to meet hers, and pulled himself closer across the seat to her.

“I’m fine,” she leaned closer, “definitely fine,” she kept her eyes on his as he leaned towards her only when his head tilted so she couldn’t see them anymore did her eyes flutter closed. Kaylin moved her hands up to the back of his head as he reached around her waist with his free hand. As their lips met, Kaylin felt a wave of heat rush through her. He pulled her closer to him; the taste of her on his lips was insatiable.

In no time at all the buzz of the conductor’s voice over the broken speakers let them know their stop was coming up. Kaylin had lifted her legs and draped them across Ryan’s lap; their kissing continued as the subway rocked and sped them over the bridge and across the bay to home.

He lowered his head to nuzzle her neck and whispered, “You’re going home with me tonight.” It was more of a statement than a question, the air in the small space of their subway car still sparked with the chemistry between them. She pulled her head back and looked up at him with doe eyes, not saying a word, one of the corners of her mouth began to curl releasing a sultry half smile and she leaned in to kiss him again. When the train began to slow to a stop he used the excuse of helping her up to keep hold of her hand. She didn’t object and allowed him to lead her through the station; he kissed her again on the platform, his hands on her waist, hers holding the collar of his jacket. They reluctantly moved towards the exit, but with the blast of cold air that hit them as the escalator brought them to the surface, a realization came to Kaylin.

“Ryan,” she said stopping and turning to him, “I think I should just go home now.” He took a step towards her, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, long and hard, her hands instinctively around his neck as he lowered his hands to her waist and drew her to him. Their lips parted and the kiss became more deep and intimate until she finally forced herself back. Her eyes were smiling despite trying to be serious.

“I don’t want to rush this,” she kissed him quickly on the lips and started to back away. “You are amazing, but I want to save some of you for later,” she smirked.

“That’s the nicest put-off I’ve ever gotten,” he grinned. He was aching for more, but the idea that she wanted something other than one night dissipated any hurt feelings he might have had. He realized that she had only had water to drink, and he had been drinking beer for the better part of five hours now. “I’m not drunk, Kaylin, this isn’t a drunken euphoria I’m feeling, don’t think it is.”

“I know it’s not. But this isn’t a put off. It’s a rain check,” she winked, and spun around to head down the block in the opposite direction.“Kay! Kaylin!! I don’t even have your number!!” He pulled out his cell phone and waved it to her. She crossed back to him and took the phone from his hand. She punched in her number, then looked up at him seductively as his hand grazed hers when she handed it back. She reached up on her toes and kissed him quickly on the lips and dashed off before he could say another word.