Ella walked over to him, smiling big. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to enjoy today without being stopped every five minutes.”
“You did this yourself?” she asked, touching his goatee.
“No. I had a friend stop by this morning. She does makeup for one of the big studios in Hollywood.”
Ella immediately looked up from his goatee, meeting his eyes. “A friend, huh?”
Felix gulped, instantly realizing the error of his ways. While he had no intention of ever sleeping with Candy again, their relationship wasn’t exactly a friendship. In fact, Candy had arrived that morning at his place fully intent on doing more than just his goatee and mustache.
“Yeah,” he said, clearing his throat. “We met on the set of that music video I had a cameo on a while back.” Ella didn’t seem at all impressed, so he added quickly. “I called her last night and told her what I was doing today—taking my girlfriend to Disneyland—and that I needed a little help blending in.”
He really had. Of course, that still didn’t stop Candy from saying some of the suggestive things she had. Bottom line was that even though it felt a little weird, he’d actually enjoyed saying the words “I’m in a serious relationship now.”
Ella examined his goatee again with a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Of course, even this would look good on you.”
He told her about Abel and Nellie and the girl at the entrance not recognizing him and how Nellie had actually thought he was a thug coming in to rob the place. Ella laughed.
“How’d you know it was me so fast?”
“Your stance,” she said without hesitation.
“My stance?”
“Yes. Your stance,” she said very matter-of-factly then touched his shoulders and arms. “And these.” She touched his chest, running her palm over it. “And this.” She lowered her voice. “I’d know this masterpiece anywhere.”
She winked and asked him to give her a minute as she walked away toward the desk. Felix stood there flabbergasted. “My stance?”
A few minutes later they were out of there and on their way to the happiest place on earth. As expected, the place was packed. If Felix had had more time he might’ve been able to arrange to bring her on one of the days the park opened up only to VIP guests. Not only would it be far less crowded, but among the VIP’s would be other celebrities. Because they were all in the same boat, they respected each other’s space, so he wouldn’t have had to wear this stupid getup.
Still, the last thing he wanted was for Ella to think him a diva, so he went the flow and waited in the long lines like everyone else without complaining. By lunch time, they’d been there over three hours and had only been on four rides. And even though his mustache was now itching, Felix didn’t have a single complaint. It turned out waiting in the long lines had been the best part so far. They got to talk extensively, and Ella did a lot of giggling because every time he kissed her she said it tickled. That only made him want to do it more.
Felix himself had never been a huge fan of Disneyland. Like Ella, he’d been on the older side when he was finally able to afford to go. Though not nearly as old as Ella on her first trip, he’d still been older. It was decidedly a place for the very young or the young at heart. Felix preferred the parks with the edgier more heart-stopping rides. Ella, it seemed, was young at heart. The smile on her face when she’d looked in the mirror after putting on the pink princess ear hat just like the ones she’d described her neighbors wearing was priceless. She spent most of the day in a whimsical daze. Felix had even bought her a bouquet of the Mickey head balloons she’d spoken of on their way there. At first, she’d protested he shouldn’t, that those balloons were for little kids and he was being silly. But he’d since caught her several times looking up at her balloon bouquet with that same blissful smile she’d worn throughout all the rides she said she’d only dreamed of getting on some day: It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and even some of the kiddy rides like Alice In Wonderland. He’d kissed her every single time he caught her because she was just too damn adorable.
They’d just finished with Disneyland and were on their way over to California Adventure when Felix got another call from Adelina. He’d already ignored her first two, but she’d texted earlier after he hadn’t returned her calls to say that it was critical that he get back to her ASAP.
He took advantage of the time he had standing outside the ladies’ room and waiting for Ella to answer the call. “Make this fast, Adelina. I’m busy right now.”
“Where are you?”
“Why?”
“You’re still in Los Angeles, right?”
“Yes. Anaheim,” he clarified. “But yeah, I’m still in town.”
“Good. How soon can you get to Burbank?”
“Today? Not at all.”
Ella walked out of the ladies’ room and over to him. Felix had to smile at the ridiculous hat that she apparently wasn’t taking off all day. He readied himself to either hurry Adelina off the phone or hang up on her because he wasn’t going to waste any of his Ella time on his publicist.
“Why? I don’t have you down for any appearances or interviews today. Aren’t you just hanging out at 5th Street?”
Annoyed that she’d think he’d be ready to just jump when she asked him to, Felix asked Ella to give him just a minute. She motioned for him to take his time as she took the balloon bouquet he was holding for her from him. He started to respond when two of the balloons flew away. Ella stared up at them helplessly then turned to him and pouted.
He laughed, putting his phone aside so he could kiss those pouty lips, and promised to get her more. Done with Adelina, he brought the phone back to his ear.
“Whatever it is will have to wait for another day. I’m indisposed for the rest of the day to be anywhere and,” he said firmly then added with even more inflection, “to take any more calls unless it’s a real emergency.”
“But this is Mercedes-Benz. It’s a huge endorsement and you’ll be gone next week. Okay, okay!” she said quickly as if she knew he was getting ready to hang up on her. “I doubt they’ll wanna do this on the weekend, but if I can get them to agree, because tomorrow is your last day before you leave for Big Bear, are you okay with tomorrow?”
It was also his last day with Ella, and he didn’t want to cut into that, but he also knew Ella was working, so he agreed quickly just to get off the phone already.
“I can’t believe I did that,” Ella said as soon as he was off the phone, looking genuinely upset with herself as she glanced up at her balloons. “You don’t have to get me more. I still have plenty.”
He’d never get enough of kissing her now and did so again then pulled away and looked up at her remaining balloons. “Nope,” he said, shaking his head. “That’s not gonna cut it. I can see where the other two are missing. Let’s go replace them.”
They replaced her balloons first thing then were off to explore the second park. They hadn’t even been in the other park for five minutes when his text message indicator dinged again. He’d just bought her an ice cream cone they were going to share because he wasn’t big on sweets and because he’d already eaten crap that day that wasn’t on his training menu list. Ella saw Felix frown and looked at him confused. “Who was that you were on the phone with?”
“Adel—” He caught himself. ”My publicist.”
“Her name’s Adele?”
“No, Adelina,” he said, annoyed with himself that he’d let that slip because he’d only ever referred to Adelina as his publicist when he mentioned anything about her to Ella.
He’d never called any of his publicists by their last names. It sounded too proper, and it felt weird, but he was seriously thinking about going back to referring to Adelina as Ms. Lazardi. He might even replace his publicist again because even this could come back and bite him in the ass. He didn’t want to risk anything when it came to Ella now.
“You only have
the one, right?” She licked her ice cream, squinting as she looked up at him. He nodded, refusing to offer more about Adelina. “So it’s that woman from the day of the blood drive. The pretty one?”
Ella offered him the ice cream cone, and he took it with a shrug. “I don’t know about pretty, but, yeah, that was her.”
He licked the ice cream a couple of times then handed it back to her.
“That’s it?” she said, taking it. “You don’t want anymore?”
“I really shouldn’t be having any, sweetheart.”
His phone dinged again, making him clench his jaw.
“Is something going on today? Is that why she keeps calling and texting?”
Ella continued to eat her ice cream, seemingly unfazed as if her question was just a curious one, but it made Felix nervous. She was way too smart and way too perceptive for that question to be without further motive than just curiosity. And her comment about Adelina being pretty had come out of nowhere just like the first time she’d pointed it out.
“I don’t even know if that’s her,” he said, pulling out his phone. He had no intention of responding; he was only going to turn it off. “It’s just some endorsement deal she’s trying to set up a meeting for.”
Inadvertently, he read the beginning part of Adelina’s text and decided maybe he should read it, but only because he didn’t want his last day with Ella tomorrow interrupted.
They can only see you tomorrow if we can get together before noon. Does that work for you?
The second text was a bit more urgent.
I have them on hold, Felix. Yes or no! If you don’t respond, I’m just going to set it up for tomorrow morning.
Felix looked up at Ella who was still working on her ice cream and if he wasn’t mistaken eyeing his phone with a little more than just curiosity now. “What hours are you working tomorrow?”
“The late shift. I switched with Carmen in case I was too tired after today to go in early. Why?”
“Because I don’t want her setting up this meeting when you’re off.” He was already responding to Adelina as he spoke. “Tomorrow’s my last day here before Big Bear.”
Can’t do morning. Set it up for another day.
“My dad’s spending the weekend at my grandma’s starting today,” Ella said as Felix send off the text. She lifted a playful brow. “I don’t have to go home tonight. We can spend all morning at your place tomorrow if that’s something that might interest you. It’d be nice if I could show you my gratitude for making me feel like such a princess.” She licked the rim of the ice cream cone slowly then licked her lips and smiled. “All day.”
Felix could feel his pants tighten even as his phone pinged again.
Are you sure? Because you’ll be gone after tomorrow. This is important!
It took him just seconds to respond to that.
I’m DAMN sure. Set it up for another day. I’m turning my phone off now.
He turned the phone off and slipped it into his pocket. “All day, huh?” he asked, slipping his arm around Ella’s waist and pulling him to him. “Sounds like heaven to me.”
~*~
Ella
The only time Grayson’s words had crossed her mind today was early on. The times Felix had seemed so unnerved by the calls and texts he kept getting were when she was pulled from her magical Disney reverie. She hadn’t even realized she’d always wanted to come to Disneyland this much. When he had said he’d take her anywhere she wanted to go, Disneyland had been the very first place that popped into her head.
Even then, as caught up in everything as she’d been, she’d still noticed his sudden anxiousness whenever his phone rang or pinged. Despite what a sweetheart and how graciously attentive he’d been, she couldn’t help but think of Grayson’s words when she realized it was his pretty publicist who’d been doing all the calling and texting. Whatever he says or does for you, whatever he buys you, it’s nothing he hasn’t already done for someone else.
She couldn’t imagine Felix having gone through all this trouble—disguising himself so he could spend the day at Disneyland treating just any girl like a princess all day—just to get a piece of ass. Ella didn’t profess to be anything extraordinary, but this was Felix. He didn’t have to do all this.
Nothing more than a challenge.
Once again she scolded herself. The challenge was over. If that’s all he’d been in this for, then why was he still around? In hindsight, she wondered now if that was why she’d been so anxious to get it over with in his library that first night—to see if once he’d won the challenge he’d run. If it really was the case and all he’d been in this for was the challenge, then it was better to pull the rug from under her feet sooner rather than later before she was in too deep.
Even though the night had ended the way it had with him dismissing her so unceremoniously, okay rudely, he’d apologized almost immediately, and she’d heard the sincerity in his voice when he was able to do so in person. Now that she knew the whole story behind those painful photos she couldn’t possibly hold his reaction against him.
She waited for Felix where she was holding their spot to watch the main street electrical parade that was about to begin in a few minutes. Since there were still a few minutes until it started, he’d gone off to get them some water. The bothersome thoughts she didn’t want to have about his pretty publicist were still on her mind when the announcement came over the speaker. The parade was about to begin and the lights went off. Ella looked around anxiously for Felix as the announcer began speaking in an electronic voice about the magical parade about to start when Felix was suddenly behind her.
He pulled three different colored glow necklaces around her neck and handed her a bottle of water. Then he sat behind her, bringing his legs on either side of her, and pulled her closer up against him. Ella was still busy admiring her pretty necklaces like the ones so many kids around her wore. As silly as it was, she couldn’t help feeling excited. They were so bright.
“Thank you.” She turned to kiss him, touching him gently on his fake goatee. She’d already told him it made him look sexy as hell.
Then the music started. It was loud, and it throbbed through all the speakers around them, making her heart beat a little faster with excitement. Then the lit floats came one after another, each one more beautiful than the last. She’d seen this on television and on YouTube on more than one occasion, but being here, witnessing it in person, hearing it this loud, and feeling the vibration of the music was exhilarating. For a moment, she thought she almost felt choked up.
“That’s it,” Felix whispered in her ear then kissed her cheek. “I’m getting you season passes.”
She nodded, smiling big, but couldn’t pull her eyes away from the beautiful twinkling floats. The day couldn’t have ended better, but then it did. The fireworks show started immediately after the parade, and it was spectacular. It was the perfect ending to the perfect day with her amazing new boyfriend. Ella felt like the luckiest girl on the planet.
When it was all over, Felix said they should stay put and wait for the crowds to disperse a little instead of trying to herd along with them to the exit. So they did. They moved off to the side of the passing crowds, and he leaned against a planter, pulling her up against him.
He leaned his forehead against hers and smiled. “You have fun today?”
She nodded, smiling big. “It was one of the best days of my life.”
“Really?” he asked, looking a bit surprised.
“Yes! Everything was as amazing as I imagined it would be.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her face against his big hard chest. “Even waiting in the long lines was so much fun because I got to spend all that time just talking to you.”
He rubbed her back and she felt him chuckle. “That’s exactly what I thought. When we first got here today, I thought I was gonna hate the waiting, but it was the best part because of you.”
She looked up at him and smiled, feeling all kinds of craz
iness inside her. Now she was the one a little surprised. “Really?”
“Really,” he said then kissed her so softly she closed her eyes and sighed. He held his lips against hers for moment without moving, almost as if he were holding his breath. “I love you,” he whispered. She opened her eyes wide and looked into his. “I hope that doesn’t freak you out, but I do. I’m fucking crazy about you.”
“Really?” she asked, her voice squeaking as she felt the warm tears fill her eyes.
He nodded, kissing her again quickly, and then hugged her tightly. “Yes, Ella,” he said against the side of her head. “I really, really love you.”
“I love you too,” she managed to say without her voice breaking.
He pulled away and looked at her, the surprise in his face overwhelming. “You don’t have to say that just because—”
“Oh my God, I’d never,” she said before he could even finish saying it. “What’s there not to love, Felix? You’re amazing. You have such a huge heart. You love me.” She felt her lip quiver. “And you make me feel like a princess. Of course I really love you.”
He kissed the tear that escaped her eye and pulled her up against his chest. “Jesus Christ, Ella,” he said, inhaling deeply, “can you feel my heart?” She nodded, knowing hers was pounding just as hard. “That’s what you do to me, baby.”
“My heart’s doing the exact same thing,” she said against his chest.
Ella didn’t want that moment to ever end, and it was as if he didn’t either because they stayed that way, neither one making an effort to pull apart, for a long time. Finally, after the crowds had thinned down to just a few stragglers walking down Main Street, they decided to start walking.
Felix held her balloon bouquet while Ella leaned into his other arm as he wrapped it around her and they headed to the exit. She’d always imagined that visiting Disneyland would be a magical experience, but never in a million years did she think it would be for this reason.