“Hope?” he called out gently, reaching out to brush his fingertips against the soft skin of her cheek. Turning to the nurse who stood at the doorway, a tray with breakfast food and a thick milkshake like drink positioned before her, he frowned slightly. “Can you give me a minute?”
Nodding briskly, the middle aged woman stepped back into the hallway, leaving the meal cart in the room as she shut the door behind her. Running his fingers through his dark hair, the young man glanced around the room before grabbing one of the chairs that rested nearby. Pulling it up to the sterile hospital-esque bed, he sighed as he plopped down against the blue material tiredly.
Leaning forward, he gingerly ran his hand down the woman’s slender lower arm before intertwining his long fingers with hers. He allowed his gaze to drift up to the blonde hair that floated over the white pillow, smiling as his baby blues crossed over the rose colored lips that he’d kissed so many times before. Her eyelids were closed against reality, the bright green eyes that punctuated her features seemingly occupied by a distorted world of dreams and broken expectations. Expectations, he thought bitterly. That was what had landed her here in the first place. Looking at her now, he saw the pain she had gone through, the insecurities that had consumed her from the inside out. He just wished he’d seen it earlier, wished he could have done something to stop her veritable self-destruction. Everyone had reassured him it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t rid himself of the biting guilt that plagued him. Would this all have happened if he had never brought her into his world?
Blinking back tears, he softly called out her name once more in an attempt to rouse her, “Hope…it’s time to wake up.”
The young woman stirred slightly, tightening her grip on the hand still intertwined with her own as she mumbled to no one in particular. “Mm…what time is it?” she inquired, her voice still heavy with sleep.
“It’s seven o’clock…” the dark haired man supplied, standing up to place a gentle kiss on the woman’s forehead. As he pulled away, the rosy lips drew into a smile and her eyes fluttered open, squinting slightly against the light that pierced her system.
Rubbing her free hand tiredly over her face, Hope groaned. “It’s early,” she muttered, opening her eyes and focusing on the man before her.
His heart melted as their gaze met and a pair of hypnotizing eyes pierced his soul. Those eyes, those startling orbs of green had pierced every memory he had of the woman lying in front of him. He smiled as he remembered the first time they’d met, and how he’d been unable to get her, or her brilliant green eyes, out of his head.
****
Loosening his tie slightly, the dark haired young man stood on the edge of the dance floor, watching his cousin Katie partake in the first dance of the evening with her husband Jacob. He smiled as he watched them glide easily across the floor in each other’s arms, the loving glances they shared proof enough that they were meant to be together. The wedding had been a beautiful one, he thought, but watching the nuptials had been strange at the same time. It was odd seeing Katie get married, especially since she was just two months older than himself.
Lost in his thoughts, he hardly noticed the young woman in front of him step back slightly as she peered intently through the lens of the camera she held in her hand. As she moved to get the shot she was aiming for, she unknowingly backed into the dark haired man behind her, causing her to stumble slightly. Turning around quickly, she reached out and slipped her fingers around JC’s arm to steady herself before speaking.
“I am so sorry,” she apologized deftly, her cheeks swiftly turning a poignant shade of pink as she locked eyes with the dark haired man before her. “I was…uh…just trying to get a picture of their first dance and I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
JC just nodded, his every thought captivated by those startling green eyes that seemed to pierce his soul.
“I’m such a klutz, seriously…again, I’m really sorry.” she apologized, jolting JC back to the situation at hand.
Shrugging, he shot her a grin, “It’s okay…don’t worry about it,” he assured. Pointing at the camera she clutched, he spoke again, “So you’re the photographer Katie was raving about.”
A bright smile slid across her flushed features as she nodded quickly, “Yep…I’m the photographer…although I don’t really know if I’m worth raving about.”
“Well I haven’t seen your work, but I’ll take my cousin’s word for it until I get the opportunity to view your photos myself.”
“Katie’s your cousin?” she inquired, then laughed slightly as she explained herself. “I…uh…well, she never mentioned that you were related to her.”
“She’s probably just ashamed to be a branch on the same family tree.” JC joked easily, chuckling as he extended his hand to the blonde in front of him. “Anyways, I’m JC.”
Reaching out and grasping the strong hand in front of her, the woman smiled graciously. “I’m Hope…nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” JC stated with a wink. “So, how do you know Katie?”
“Roommates.” Hope supplied, before clarifying, “In college.”
“Right. I assume that’s where you studied photography?” he questioned, glancing pointedly at the camera she still clutched.
“Yeah…I majored in photography and minored in art history.” Hope explained with a shrug, glancing over her shoulder at the couple on the dance floor as the song began winding down. “I’m really sorry again for bumping into you like that…but, well…I need to get some more shots of their first dance before the song ends…” she trailed off, shifting awkwardly as she gestured towards the bride and groom.
Nodding in understanding, JC smiled. “No problem about running into me, it was a pleasure meeting you.”
“Same here.” Hope replied with an easy grin, turning back to the dance floor.
JC stood watching the young woman as she angled herself accordingly, snapping several photographs of the happy couple as their first dance as husband and wife concluded. There was something about her, a spark in those piercing eyes that had captured his interest in the short conversation they’d had just moments before. As the notes of the ballad drifted off into the night air, JC continued to observe as Hope’s camera flashed one last time and she started back into the sea of guests. “Hope!” he called out quickly, his own voice taking him by surprise as it exploded from his lips.
Those mesmerizing green orbs rested upon him once more as she turned her head in the direction of his voice. He spoke to her again, “Save a dance for me?”
Her lips drew into a brilliant smile as she nodded just once, then disappeared into the crowd that littered the candle lit reception hall.
****
Refocusing on the present, JC turned to the nurse who had re-entered the room just moments before. Rising from his chair, he moved towards her, a friendly smile dancing across his chiseled features, “I’ll stay with her for breakfast, if that’s okay.”
Glancing past the dark haired man, the older woman fixed her gaze upon the sleepy looking Hope as she waited for some sort of affirmation. Nodding her head, Hope spoke, “I’d like him to stay.”
“Alright.” the nurse stated, striding towards the door that would lead her back into the hall. “Hope knows the rules about meals…just put the tray back on the cart and set it outside the door when she’s finished. I’ll be by later to pick it up.”
The door shut with a click behind the nurse as JC turned back to Hope, breakfast tray in hand as he made his way towards the bed. “Bossy isn’t she?” the blonde woman joked half-heartedly as she pulled the bedside tabletop over her lap and propped herself upright with the mound of pillows.
JC murmured his agreement as he carefully placed the tray full of food onto the tabletop, noticing Hope eye the glass of thick liquid with disgust. Settling back down into the chair as his girlfriend slowly picked up her utensils, JC’s thoughts meandered back in time as he recalled that night, and the dance they never got to share. He’d left the wedding reception wondering if he’d ever get the chance to talk to Hope again, when only a few days later, opportunity knocked on his door.
****
Pushing his sunglasses up onto the top of his head, JC entered Johnny’s Orlando office and made his way purposefully to the marble topped desk that rested in the center of the reception area. “Good morning Elizabeth,” he greeted, shooting a charming smile at the petite secretary seated behind the enormous piece of furniture.
“Hello JC, how are you?” she inquired pleasantly, returning his smile with one of her own.
“Tired,” he stated with a slight laugh. “Am I late?”
Glancing over at the clock JC had gestured to, Elizabeth shook her head, “Right on time. The other guys are in the second conference room on the left, and Johnny should be with you all shortly.”
“Thanks,” he returned, then started down the hallway towards the large conference room where their meeting would be held. Entering the room, he was met with the sight of all four of his group mates seated around the lengthy oak table, each looking as tired as he felt. Choosing a seat next to Justin, he plopped down comfortably against the plush black leather before speaking, “Morning.”
Justin grunted in response, not bothering to lift his head from where it rested on his arms atop the table’s glossy wooden surface. JC chuckled slightly and opened his mouth to respond when the heavy glass door opened up and their manager, Johnny Wright entered the room.
“Morning guys.” Johnny greeted, pulling out a chair as the tired men before him sat up straight and attempted to focus. “Not enough shut eye on the bus home last night?” he teased, glancing around at the five bleary eyed faces that stared blankly back at him.
“You try sleeping with Joey snoring in your ear.” Chris snorted, rubbing a hand over his crop of raven colored hair.
“Chris, you’re not even on the same bus as Joey.” Johnny pointed out.
“My point exactly. When you snore so loud that someone on the bus in front of you has trouble sleeping, it’s time to get something adjusted, am I right?” Chris joked.
“Could you really hear me on your bus?” Joey inquired, glancing down the table at Chris, Justin, and JC.
The three men burst into laughter as Joey shrugged, “What?”
Lance rolled his eyes slightly and spoke up, “Joey, they’re just messing with you…they can’t hear you on their bus. I, on the other hand, can hear you. Buy some of those Breathe Right strips or something man…your snoring is just…loud.”
“Sorry…” the Italian offered as Johnny smiled and began speaking once more.
“Well I’m sure you all want to get some rest, so I’ll try and keep this short. We’re slated to present the representatives from the Arnold Palmer Hospital with a check tonight. However, Jeff’s wife went into labor this morning therefore making him unable to be there to take photos…” their manager explained, “So, I called this meeting to see what you five wanted to do about the check presentation.”
“Well do we have to have our own photographer there? What about the press, could we just get by with using their photographs?” Lance questioned.
Johnny shook his head, “The press isn’t scheduled to be at this particular check presentation. It’s just up to you guys as to whether or not you’d like the pictures to appear on your website.”
The five guys glanced around the table at each other before Justin turned back to Johnny, “Well it’s kind of short notice isn’t it? I mean, finding a photographer now would end up costing us a ton of money unnecessarily, right? So…I guess if that’s the case, I could live without the pictures up on the web…”
JC’s blue eyes were contemplative as he thought about Hope, the blonde he’d literally bumped into at his cousin Katie’s wedding. She was a photographer…a good one. He’d seen the pictures she’d taken at the recent nuptials and had been seriously impressed at her talent in capturing each moment in a unique way. Certainty coating his tone, he spoke, “Well, if you guys would like someone there, I know a photographer that would probably be able to help us out.”
“Go on…” Johnny stated as all the guys looked to JC with interest.
“Her name’s Hope and she was the photographer at my cousin’s wedding. I saw the pictures and she’s amazing.”
“Well I don’t know if amazing is what we really need for these particular photos, but if you think she’d be willing to help us out with such short notice, that’s fine with me. What do ya’ll think about JC giving Hope a call?”
“Sounds good to me…” all four young men murmured in agreement.
“Alright, it’s settled then, give her a call and see if she can be there at 7:30. If it works for her, let me know and I’ll take care of the rest.” Johnny finished before dismissing the group with a wave of his hand. “I’ll see you guys tonight, get some sleep, okay?”
****
“…get some sleep okay?” Hope’s voice rang through JC’s memories, pulling him out of the haze and retuning him to the present.
“Huh?” he replied, running a hand over his face as though doing so would rub away the weariness that blanketed him.
Taking a small bite of yogurt, Hope swallowed before repeating herself. “I just said you look really tired…maybe you should go home for awhile and get some sleep.”
“I’ll be fine.” JC insisted with a firm nod.
“Jayce…please. You’ve been here all night…just go home and shower, take a nap. For me?” she pressed, starting to move the yogurt around her plate absently with the spoon she held gingerly in her hand.
JC cast his sapphire eyes down and quietly observed Hope’s methodical movements, quiet as he considered agreeing to her plea. After a few moments, he relented with a small nod. “Okay, I’ll go home and get some rest after you finish your breakfast.”
Once again eyeing the glass of thick liquid with detest, the blonde took another bite of yogurt before setting her spoon down and reaching out for JC’s hand. “It’s a deal…”
****
“It’s a deal,” Hope’s voice trickled through the phone line, causing a smile to ignite upon JC’s sculpted features.
“Great. Listen, I’m really sorry about calling on such short notice and everything but we just found out this morning that Jeff…our regular photographer…couldn’t make it.” JC apologized as he walked through the kitchen of his Orlando home.
“No…no. Don’t apologize, it’s really not a problem. It’d be my pleasure,” she insisted.
“Alright…well, I’ll let Johnny know and he’ll call you with the directions and any other information he deems necessary.”
“Okay…I should be home most of the afternoon, but if not, I’ll have my cell phone on.” Hope replied, “Did Katie give you that number too?”
Glancing down at the piece of paper he still held loosely in his hand, JC spoke, “Yep, got it.”
“Well…I guess I’ll just see you later tonight. Thanks again for thinking of me JC.”
JC grinned broadly as her words hit his ears, “No problem. Oh…and Hope?”
“Yep?”
“You never saved me a dance.”
“Excuse me?”
With a laugh, JC clarified, “At the wedding…you disappeared and I never got the dance you were supposed to save for me.”
A nervous giggle drifted over the line as Hope spoke, “Oh…well, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to dance with me anyways. I’m clumsy enough without music…but you already know that.”
JC chuckled as he remembered how flustered she had been after their slight collision at the reception, “Regardless, you owe me.”
“I know. That’s why I’m helping you out tonight.” Hope pointed out, humor evident in her tone. “Good-bye JC.”
The dial tone met his ears before he could make a witty remark of his own, and he shook his head as he clicked the phone off as well. Staring at the receiver in his hand, a smile gracing his handsome face, he spoke softly, “See ya later Hope.”
****