Your Love Is Standing Next To Me

Chapter 12 - Dancing shoes

- Heyyyyy!!! How are you?! Oh my God, I'm so happy we meet again! I told you he would take you with him!!!
That high pinched voice again.
- Lauraaaaaa!
I hugged the tall blonde, faking an I'm-not-tired-at-all-after-a-12-hour-flight face.
-Ooohhh... I missed you so much my little princess.
Princess?! She must be very happy to see me.
-We HAVE TO talk! About everything! It was so hard to convince Miles to let me come here alone...
Of course she was happy. But she had been in this huge unknown city named LA for a couple weeks and needed a friendly face, someone to make her feel like home.
-Let's go to my place first. Alex suggested, spoiling Laura's excitement.
-Ok... But we'll meet later, ok?
-Sure, Laura.

***

Alex's apartment was huge. I couldn't help but let out a quiet "wooooow" while entering it.
- It's not that big, so... Anyway, I'm driving you in a moment to your hotel.
- Hotel? I was confused.
- Yeah... There's one on the other street, not very far.
- But... Al... I... You know... I'm nothing like you...
- What do you mean? he giggled.
How could I explain him I didn't have enough money to stay in a hotel for a month?
- Well... I... I don't have the means... You know?
- Money?! It's not a problem, dear! You just... You make me laugh! Just choose a place, a hotel, a restaurant and.... I'll take care of everything! Ok, this if you don't want to reside in my guest room all this time!
He wanted to make it sound like a joke, but I liked it more than the idea of staying alone in a hotel room.
- Why not? I asked.
- Why not what?
- Why can't I stay in the guest room?
His face lightened suddenly.
- Are you serious?
- Why not? It's not like we don't stay together all the time!
- I guarantee you that my bed is waaaaaay more comfortable than a hotel bed.
I didn't know if he was talking about the bed from the guest room or about his, but opening that subject would ruin our mature conversation.
He was so happy. All of a sudden, he kissed me with passion.
- Thank you! he whispered.
- For what?
- For making me happy. There were so little chances that you'd want to stay here with me that...
Now it was me who jumped in his arms and kissed him rather brutally.

***

- Marie, I'm so happy you could make it! Laura cried when she saw me.
Alex had given me a lift and there I was, in front of the theater.
- So... How is my American girl doing? I was really curious.
- Oh, I'm fine. Sometimes a little bored... Miles stays all day in the studio, composing and recording and mixing and mastering and I've got no idea what he says... He doesn't let me go out alone very often... But I love him!
- Of course you do!
- C'mon! Enough about me! Tell me more about you and Alex! How is your relationship going?
- Oh, amazing! Everything is perfect! And I think my presence here today is a consequence of how much he loves me, right?
- And... which hotel did you choose?
- Hotel? Why would I choose one?
- Wait a sec... Where do you intend to stay?
- At Al's place. Why?
- OH MINE! You accepted?!
- Yeah, of course! Why wouldn't I do that?
- I don't know... I'm staying at Miles's place too... Needless to say it's amazing!
- I can only imagine...

***

- How was your afternoon? Al asked me.
- I walked all the time with Laura. Trying to get used to the city, you know...
- You see, it's somehow dangerous to walk alone in the city... Just you and her... Two beautiful girls in an unknown city...
- Ok, Al, I can take care of myself!
- I know, I know! I was just saying that you should avoid taking shortcuts and dark streets and... Going alone to clubs isn't such a great idea...
I could see how awkward it was for him to talk to me about that.
- It's ok, Alex! I promise! By the way, how was your day in the studio?
- Huh, we didn't do much, you know, just talking and... I showed the guys my ideas... It's not that easy making an album you should bear that in mind!
- Of course it will come a day when I want to make one myself! I was being sarcastic.
- My little sarcastic girl! If that day will come, I promise you'll have all my support!

***

- I'm sorry but I assumed you are tired and I didn't make any restaurant reservation...
- No, it's ok. Chinese food is very good!
I extracted carefully a noodle out of the white box and tried to catch it with my mouth.
- Anyways, we should celebrate somehow!
- Celebrate what?
- The safe arrival to LA?
- Ok... How?
- I don't know... I'll put some music on first and then...
It took him a couple of minutes to decide which vinyl to play and he eventually chose The White Album.
- Excellent choice, sir! I tried my best to sound British.
- The Beatles! You like them? he asked pointing to the pickup.
- The Beatles?! Is there anyone in this world who doesn't like them?!
Alex got off his chair and invited me to dance.
- No, I can't dance...
- Liar! Remember that particular night, right?
- Ok, then I need my dancing shoes!
I pointed to my pink slippers while trying to look as disappointed as I could.
- No problem!
He took my slippers off and tickled my toes. I couldn't help but stand up and accept the prince's invitation.
We started to waltz across the room, completely out of sync with the music.