side. “No … it’s just that I can finally see you. Which means I can breathe better.” He leaned close to the screen. “I need you like air, Bailey.”
She felt his compliment to the depths of her soul. “I needed that right now.”
“Then that makes us even.” He leaned back and grinned. “So what’s on your mind tonight, pretty girl?”
“You.” She smiled. This probably wasn’t the time to get into it, how she had been touched by Cody’s efforts at Lyle and Brandon’s strong faith in the world of moviemaking. Even Andi’s ability to come back to God after living so very much against Him. Meanwhile, she couldn’t figure out a way to stand up to her director long enough to get her Bible study going again. She leaned her elbows on the desk, her face closer to the screen. “I wish I could crawl through this thing and be with you. I could use a long talk on your balcony.”
“Hmmm.” He straightened, and his eyes lit up. “Hey, I have an idea. We can’t be on my balcony … not tonight, anyway. But how about you take your laptop to the Empire State Building. I’ll call ahead and talk to Joey, and you can meet up with him. He’ll take you to the 103rd floor … and we can Skype from there.”
“What?” Was he always going to be like this? One crazy idea after another? She had figured it would be a night of turning in early, but in light of his suggestion she felt newly invigorated. “Would that work?”
“Sure.” He gave her a satisfied grin. “I already called and asked. Joey told me they have wi-fi throughout the building — even the top floor.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. Then he held it up for the camera. “See? This is the code. I’ll text it to you, and we’ll be all set.”
“So … like what? Just take a cab there and tell them Brandon Paul sent me.”
“Bailey, really?” He looked wounded, but she could see he was only teasing her. “I have a car waiting for you downstairs. It’s just a matter of saying yes.”
“You’re not going to pop out from the other room, are you?” She was always on her guard with him now. He loved surprising her. Tonight’s idea was just one more example.
“No.” He laughed, almost like he wished he could. “But I’d love to Skype with you from the Empire State Building. Like, for an hour or so.”
Bailey thought about it for a few more seconds. She had nothing else to do, no show until tomorrow night. Finally she shrugged. “Okay … but it might not work. I mean, you might not be able to see the view through the computer camera.”
He held her eyes for a long time. “Oh, I’ll be able to see the view, alright.” His eyes couldn’t hide the way he felt about her, how he was completely and utterly smitten in her presence. “I’ll see it the same way I can see it now.”
“You’re crazy.” She giggled, basking under his compliment. “Okay, then. I’ll sign on again in fifteen minutes or so.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
New York was still warm during the days, but the nights were cooling again. She slipped into a lightweight navy cardigan, grabbed her things, and explained to Bob and Betty that Brandon had arranged a ride for her. They laughed at his spontaneity and fifteen minutes later she was riding up the elevator to the 103rd floor. “That Brandon … he’s got it bad for you.” The man grinned at her. “I ain’t never heard o’ no one doing something like this.”
“I know … skyping from the 103rd floor of the Empire State Building.”
Joey smiled again. “Yeah … that.”
She stepped off the elevator and, like before, Joey stayed for security reasons, anchored to his spot near the door. He motioned to the left. “You might want to walk that way. The best service is on the other side of the observation deck.”
Bailey thanked him and began walking to the left, heading the direction Joey told her to go. She got a few yards out of view when she heard someone walking in the shadows, coming toward her. But before she could scream for Joey she saw his face.
“Hi.” Brandon stepped out into the dimly lit deck area where Bailey had been walking. He gave an easy shrug, his eyes locked on hers. “I didn’t feel like skyping, really. Not