by it. She had to be so careful … so on her guard. Brandon had much more experience at this sort of thing, but now they both wanted to honor God with whatever this was between them. “We need to see the rest of the view.”
If he knew how caught up in the moment she was, he didn’t show it. He respected her decision to walk a little, and he allowed the conversation to lighten. They took turns pointing out landmarks — the Brooklyn Bridge and the financial district, the place where the Twin Towers had stood.
As they walked they talked about his current movie and his co-stars. “They’re hard to work with …” This was the first time Brandon had admitted anything other than joy and happiness about his life or his work or his feelings about the people around him. She was glad he trusted her enough to talk about it. “I’ve caught a few of them laughing about me … you know, my new faith.” He grinned in a way that said he wasn’t going to lose sleep over the fact. “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
“I get that feeling from a few of my castmates too. Like they think I’m judging them because of what I believe.”
“Do they know? That you’re a Christian?” Brandon stopped and leaned on the railing.
“Yes, they know.” Bailey had thought about it a little since the show had ended. She’d told Chrissy about how she’d prayed for the show to go well … and a few of the other girls had probably heard her. She talked about her faith like she breathed. It wasn’t something she thought about first. Bailey guessed the girls might’ve shared her comment with the guys who seemed to be whispering about her. “They already think I’m young … and that I only won my spot because of Unlocked. They know I don’t drink or pop pills. I’m pretty different, I guess.”
Brandon sighed. “You’d think that would be a good thing.” He shook his head. A slight bit of frustration worked its way into his tone. “I mean, I used to be out of control. Drinking … drugs,” a shadow of shame fell over his face, “doing things with girls … stuff I never should’ve done.” He worked the muscles in his jaw and looked out at the city for a long minute. “When I think about how I used to be it … it makes me sick.”
“But your peers had no problem with it.” Bailey’s voice was soft. She understood. “Funny how the world is, huh?”
“Yeah. Because they were doing the same things.” He shrugged again, and his expression relaxed. “The Bible talks about that too. ‘In this world you will have trouble …’”
“ ‘But be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.’ Exactly what I was thinking earlier tonight. Before the show.”
“The whole thing … the world …” He took her hands and drew her close once more. “That’s why I had to see you this weekend. I could take only so much on the set without feeling you in my arms, looking into your eyes. Not through a computer, but here. Like this … in person.”
Again Bailey wondered if he might kiss her. A part of her wanted him to, wanted it as badly as she wanted her next heartbeat. But she wasn’t ready to agree to a relationship with him, so that meant she had no right kissing him. However magical such a moment — here high above the city — might feel.
“What are you thinking?” Again he put his hand alongside her face, his touch feather light against her skin.
“About you …” She couldn’t break eye contact, couldn’t look away. Her heart beat so loudly within her she wondered if he could hear it.
“Mmm.” He came closer still, his face inches from hers. “That’s the most wonderful thing I’ve heard all night.”
She smiled, holding onto the moment. “Thank you … for bringing me here.”
“It’s the best night I’ve had since …” He looked like he might be racking his brain, going over every possible other night in his life. “Best night since I stood on the balcony of my house with this crazy beautiful girl and the stars dancing overhead … to the sound of the pounding surf.”
“You know …” Her voice was soft against his cheek. “You could be a poet … if the acting thing doesn’t work out.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” He leaned back, his