Chapter 12

Friday came quickly.  Then again, Alexis had been beyond busy.  Now that her album was out, she was doing a LOT of press to promote it.  Every day it was something; radio interviews, television interviews, photo shoots and the list went on.  She LOVED it, but it was also exhausting. 

Thank GOD for Kenny. He kept her focused and moving.  He also kept her caffeinated.  In other words, he was a KING. 

“Where to next?” Alexis asked as she slipped into the passenger seat of his SUV.

It was Friday afternoon and Alexis had just finished up with a radio interview, her 3rd of the day.

“Your place…you have a date to get ready for, right?” Kenny said diverting his attention from the road briefly.

Alexis blushed and nodded.

“I do, but I have no idea what Josh has planned so I don’t really know what to get ready for.” Alexis replied.

Just then her phone dinged.  It was a text notification.

Josh: Hey Pretty Lady

Alexis smiled and started to type her reply.

Lexi: Hey

Josh:  Can you be ready at 5?

Lexi: I think that’s doable.  Where are you taking me?

Josh: Hmm.  Now where is the fun in that?

Lexi: Did you forget? I don’t like surprises

Josh: You’ll like this one

His grin was a mile wide.  If he was being honest, he was excited about his date with Alexis.  It had been quite a while since he’d put this much effort into wooing a girl.

Meanwhile, Alexis could only shake her head.

Lexi: Can I at least get a hint? I don’t want to be overdressed

His instinct was to comment, however, he quickly thought better of it.  Alexis was different.

Josh: Dress casual…and wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in

Alexis giggled and shook her head.  She had no idea what Josh was planning but he was definitely planning something.  That much was certain.

At 5:00 p.m. JC arrived at Alexis and Michelle’s condo to pick up Alexis.  He was on time for once.

The doorbell rang and Michelle opened the door to find JC standing on the other side.  He was dressed in a long sleeved, dark grey t-shirt, dark wash button-fly jeans and a baseball cap.

“You look ridiculous.” Michelle giggled.

“Gee thanks.” JC said smirking.

“What’s the look you’re going for here? Sleazy trucker?”

JC couldn’t help but laugh a little and shake his head.  Leave it to Michelle to say exactly what was on her mind. 

“Harsh! That was harsh Michelle!”

Michelle grinned.  She wasn’t done.

“Really, lose the hat.  You look silly.” Michelle giggled.

JC rolled his eyes a bit.  “It’s so I blend in…where I am taking Lexi is kinda public…and well…”

Michelle snorted.  “Oh Josh…I don’t know what’s more adorable…the fact that you think that hat is going to help OR the fact you think blending in is even a possibility.”

“Is it really that bad?” JC asked chuckling a bit.

Michelle nodded. “It’s pretty bad.”

He grinned then removed the hat and placed it on Michelle’s head.

“Eww! No!  I don’t even want to know where your sweaty head has been? Michelle squealed as she snatched the hat from her head.

JC made a face which made Michelle laugh more.

“Is Lexi ready?” He asked as half laughing, half smirking at her.

Michelle smiled. “C’mon in, I’ll go find out.”

JC stepped into the condo and took the opportunity to look around while Michelle went to get Alexis.  The condo wasn’t super big, but still seemed spacious.   Wood floors, granite counter tops.  A breakfast bar and open dining room/living room area.  He looked to the couch, and couldn’t help but smile just a bit as he remembered the night he’d spent on it.  Never, in his wildest dreams would he ever imagined this is where he would be after that night.

Not knowing what else to do JC shoved his hands in his pockets as he stood in the entryway.

Moments later Alexis walked into the room.  Immediately, JC sucked in a breath quietly.  Her dark hair fell in soft curls around her face and down around her shoulders.  She was dressed in a pair of skinny jeans that were intentionally distressed and torn down her legs.  Her top was a black, ruched and came off her shoulders then stopped just above her naval, exposing just a bit of skin at her waist.  On her feet, a pair of black and white Addidas sneakers.

“DAMN Mami!” JC said biting his lip suggestively.

Alexis snorted.  Meanwhile, Michelle had to fight not to roll her eyes and burst out laughing.

“Does that actually work on girls?” Alexis smirked.

JC didn’t know how to respond.

“Umm…”

Alexis could only shake her head and giggle.  “Well…just for the record…it doesn’t work on me.”

JC nodded.  “Got it.”

“Are you ready?” Alexis asked looking him over.

How he made casual look that good, she had no idea.  He oozed sex appeal.  Unfortunately, he knew it.

“Just waiting on you.” JC said smiling.

“What do I need to bring?” Alexis asked as she tried to remain calm.

She was not at all immune to the way he was looking at her.  For as long as she could remember she’d wished that he’d look that way at her.  Now that he was, she didn’t know how to react.  Not to mention the fact that she was still trying to convince herself it was real.

“Just you.  I’ve got this.” JC said smiling.

Smiling awkwardly Alexis grabbed her ID and a $20 from her wallet and retrieved her phone from her purse.  He said he had it covered but she wanted to be prepared just in case.

Alexis and JC were almost to the car when Michelle called out from the doorway.

“Hey Lex…remember the four things.” Michelle said laughing.

Alexis’s face paled momentarily but she quickly recovered.

“Have a good night Michelle.  Don’t wait it up.”

It wasn’t until they were in the car and headed out of the driveway that JC found the courage to speak.

“What are the four things?” JC asked as he shifted his gaze from the road to her.

Alexis really was gorgeous.  How he’d never noticed that before JC didn’t know but he definitely noticed now.

Alexis giggled and shook her head.  “It’s just something my Mom would say to the three of us whenever we left the house.”

“Oh?! So, what were they?”

Alexis laughed this time. “Trust me. You don’t want to know.”

JC grinned. “Sure, I do.”

Alexis blushed.  “Have fun. Drive careful. Be safe …”

“And the fourth?” JC asked grinning.

“Keep your pants zipped.”

JC laughed in surprise.  “Your mom did NOT say that.”

“Oh yes, she did, EVERY time.”

“I never heard her say that when I…” He trailed off.

He didn’t want to spoil the date by bringing up April.

Alexis nodded.  He didn’t have to finish the sentence.  She knew what he had been about to say.  However, she wasn’t about to let April ruin her evening.  Not this time.

Alexis managed a weak smile.  “Like I said, she said it every time we left the house from about the age of 13 on, so by the time we were allowed to date she didn’t have to say it anymore.  She would just hold up four fingers as we walked out the door.”

A memory flashed in JC’s brain and he found himself chuckling a bit. 

“Is that what THAT meant? I always wondered.”

He smiled and shook his head a bit.  An awkward pause followed.

“So…are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?’ Alexis asked breaking the silence.

“Nope.” JC said grinning.

“Not even a hint?!”

JC looked at her and smiled.  His eyes were smiling too and it made her a bit giddy, but she did her best to hide it.

“Nope. You’ll know soon enough, promise.”

Alexis nodded then tried to think of something more to say.  It wasn’t like her to be nervous but it was just what he did to her.  That, and she was still trying to decide if she could trust him again. 

“I hear your album is going well.” She said cracking a smile.

“Oh yeah? Where did you hear that?” He replied smiling back.

“People.”

“By “people” do you really mean Michelle?” JC teased.

Alexis nodded.  “Yes and no.  I’ve done several radio interviews.  I’ve been asked what it was like working with you a few times.”

JC looked to her.  A smile tugged at his lips but it was one of those sexy smiles that made your toes curl and shivers race down your spine.

“Oh?! And, what did you say?”

Alexis bit her lip and blushed a bit.  She hated that he made her blush so easily.

“Umm…I said that you were great to work with.  I said you were really talented and very professional.  I said that I would work with you again anytime.”

JC grinned more if it were possible.  “Hmm.  Is that so?”

Alexis smiled back.  “Yes, of course.  You were great.  You did an AMAZING job on the album.  I’d be a fool to pass up the chance to work with you again.”

JC chuckled a bit and nodded.  He wasn’t going to bring up the song.  Not yet.  They were on a date.  He wasn’t going to discuss work right then but it did give him hope.

Minutes later they were passing under a very familiar archway.  Alexis looked to JC, her green eyes wide.

“Disneyland?!”

JC grinned.  “Bingo!”

“Why here?” Alexis asked giggling.

JC pulled through to a private entrance and stopped in front of a valet.  He put the car in park then turned to look at Alexis before speaking.

“It’s where we met…well…sorta.”

Alexis’s eyes widened more, if possible, and her voice caught in her throat. 

***

August 1991- Magic Kingdom- Walt Disney World

“Hey man…I’m hungry.” JC said looking to his friends.

“Same…we should get something to eat.” His friend, Dale replied.

Before he knew what was happening JC was slamming into something and in the next moment a yelp and then a thud. 

“Ouch! Watch it!” squealed a female voice.

He looked down and there, on the ground, was a pretty, young brunette.  She was glaring up at him.  She was covered in what looked to be sauce from a turkey leg.  The empty wrapping stuck to her arm.

“I’m sorry…my friend wasn’t watching where he was going.” His friend, Tony said reaching down to help her up.

JC outstretched his hand as well.  Together the two men helped the girl to stand.

Cracking a tiny smile, the girl blew a piece of hair from her face then peeled the wrapper from her arm and clenched it into a ball.

“No sweat. Nothing seems broken and well…this place is super crowded today.”

“What’s your name?” Tony asked.

She smiled.  “Alexis, and yours?”

“I’m Tony.  This is Dale and the clumsy one is Josh…we call him JC.”

“Nice to meet you.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than a second brunette with the same piercing green eyes ran up to them.

“Oh my gosh, Lex…are you ok? I saw what happened.”

“I’m fine.  It was an accident. No harm done.” Alexis answered.

Then she nodded to the three men in front of her.

“Tony, Dale, Josh…this is my twin sister, April.”

“Nice to meet you.”

***

Alexis snapped herself from her thoughts.  That was then.  This was now.  However, she still couldn’t believe he was trying to recreate the day they’d met.

“That’s… uh…thoughtful.”

JC smiled.  “I’m tryin’.”

Alexis nodded and the door opened.  The valet offered his hand to help her out as JC opened the driver side.

“Are you sure about this? Don’t we need your shadow…or mine, or both?” Alexis said once they were both outside the car.

JC grinned. “Already taken care of.  They will meet us inside.”

Alexis smiled a bit.  “You’ve been planning this for a bit, haven’t you?”

“Maybe a day or two.”

“I’m impressed.” Alexis said nodding.

“That was the idea.” JC chuckled.

Without any hesitation JC reached out an took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.  A bolt of electricity shot through her arm and down her spine the moment his hand touched hers.  She inhaled sharply, praying he hadn’t heard it.

Alexis didn’t say a word as they approached the ticket booth. 

“Reservation under Chasez.” He told the ticket clerk.

She nodded and smiled.  That was the nice thing about Disney, none of the cast members EVER broke character regardless of whom was standing in front of them.

“Here you are sir.  The rest of your party is inside.” The clerk said as she pushed two tickets towards him.

JC shoved one in his back pocket and handed the other to Alexis.  She did the same. 

He took her hand again and started to guide her through the VIP entrance into the park.  They entered on Main Street, just next to the Fire Station.  Kenny and JC’s bodyguard; Dre were waiting just next the old fire engine.

“No Lonnie?” Alexis asked curiously.

JC smiled and shook his head.  “Not today.  Lonnie is technically Justin’s bodyguard.  Dre is mine…most of the time anyway.”

Alexis nodded.

“Where to first?” JC asked smiling at her.

“You’re asking me?”

JC nodded. “I am.  A gentleman always lets the lady choose.”

Alexis smirked.  “Are you saying you’re a gentleman?”

JC grinned and wiggled his eye-brows suggestively.  “When I want to be.”

“Are you flirting with me again Mr. Chasez?” Alexis teased.

“Indeed. I am Miss Moretti.”

Alexis giggled then took a moment to think about her options.  Truthfully, she hadn’t been to Disneyland in ages.

“Hmm…a Friday evening, in July, and it’s still early.  Fantasyland is still probably pretty packed.”

JC chuckled.  “Lex, did you forget? I’m pretty much a walking Fast Pass.  I think we’ll be ok.”

Alexis blushed. “Oh yeah.  Umm…ok…then, in that case…”It’s A Small World.”

He laughed.  “Really?”

Alexis swatted at him playfully and giggled.  “It’s a Moretti tradition.  We ALWAYS do “It’s A Small World” first…or as much as we can…sometimes the lines are ridiculous.”

He smiled and nodded then squeezed her hand gently. “It’s a Small World” it is.”

They walked hand in hand all the way down Main Street, through the castle and all the way into Fantasyland with Dre and Kenny trailing not far behind, but far enough that they weren’t intruding.

Alexis could not get over the way her hand felt in his.  His hands were strong, and his grip was firm but gentle. 

JC was thinking about the way her hand fit in his too.  Her hands were soft and just seemed to fit perfectly in his.

Sure enough, just as if it had been planned in advance, as soon as they approached the ride a Cast Member quickly moved them to the front of the line.  JC got into the boat first then helped Alexis to step in.

Kenny and Dre took the boat just behind them.  Around them, Alexis noticed a few people snapping photos but no one was able to get too close.

The boats floated into the tunnel as the light disappeared behind them.  At the moment, Alexis was sitting against one side of the boat and JC the other.  However, that didn’t last long.  JC took the darkened tunnel as an opportunity to scoot closer.  He scooted to the center of the boat then reached an arm out, placing it over her shoulder and pulling her into him.

With her this close JC could smell the fruity smell of her shampoo.  It was making him wild.  And, with the way they were sitting, his arm draped around her shoulders, he was close enough to kiss her.  He was surprised by how BADLY he wanted to kiss her.  If he was being honest, he’d wanted to kiss her since the night he’d taken her out, the night he’d found out the truth.

He held back.  As much as it was making him crazy, now wasn’t the right time.  However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t do other things.

Smiling to himself he brushed the hair from her neck, then leaned in close so he could whisper in her ear.

“Do you know how bad I want to kiss you right now?” He whispered.

The feel of his warm breath on her neck and the sound of his voice whispering in her ear sent shockwaves coursing through her.

Alexis swallowed hard then forced herself to speak.  She wanted him to kiss her but she wasn’t about to tell him that.  Not yet anyway.

“Mmm. How bad?” She whispered back.

He groaned, his voice low.  “SO Bad!”

“Not yet. You’ve got to earn it!” She replied playfully.

He moaned softly then buried his face in her neck. 

“You’re gonna make me beg, aren’t you?” He chuckled softly.

“Maybe.“ She teased quietly.

He grinned then whispered to her again.

“What about this? Is this allowed?” He asked softly before placing his lips on her neck.

She inhaled sharply and he chuckled in her ear.  The sensation of his lips on her neck was making it hard for her to think about much else.

She giggled a bit and tried to push him away as the boat started to float back into the light.

“Josh! Stop! I’m really ticklish there.”

“Oh, really? Well then…”

He kissed a trail across her shoulder and up her neck until his lips were hovering at her ear. 

“We’ll continue this later Pretty Lady.”

Alexis didn’t get a chance to respond.  The boat was now rounding a corner and floating up to the exit.  As soon as it stopped Josh was out of his seat, helping her up on to the dock. 

“Where to next?” He asked once they were out of the que.

Alexis shook her head.  “Nope.  It’s your turn to pick.”

“Says who?” JC chuckled.

“Me! I picked the first ride, now it’s your turn.”

JC smiled and shook his head.  She definitely wasn’t like ANY girl he’d ever dated before.  She kept him on his toes, that was for sure.

“My turn?! Hmm. Ok. Let’s see, we’re in Fantasy land, how about the Matterhorn?”

Alexis smiled and nodded.  “Sure.”

Once again, his hand found hers.  Alexis was beginning to really enjoy the way her hand fit in his, and it surprised her.  She’d always had feelings for Josh but never realized just how deep those feelings went, apparently deeper than she realized.

Soon they were at the front of the line for the Matterhorn with Kenny and Dre just a few groups behind them.

JC stepped into the car first, then scooted back and patted the seat in front of him, motioning for her to sit.

Alexis’s eyes widened a bit and he smiled.

“Get in.” He said grinning.

Alexis shook her head a bit and bit her lip.  He really was quite the flirt.

As soon as she settled herself in the seat in front of him, he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him.

“Much better.” He said burying his face in her neck again.

She felt him pressed against her back.  In fact, she felt ALL of him and she had to fight not to show how it was making her head spin.

“You think so?” She smirked as the car surged forward.

“I do.” He chuckled softly.

Alexis just shook her head an giggled a bit.  He was laying the charm on thick. 

After the Matterhorn JC led Alexis out into the park, making his way towards New Orleans Square.

“Where are we going?” Alexis asked curiously.

“It’s a surprise.” He said smiling down at her.

Alexis giggled. ‘We discussed this. I don’t like surprises.  Besides, you’ve already surprised me once today.  That’s enough.”

JC smiled at her, then pulled her around so that he was facing her.  They were standing in front of Snow White’s fountain, just adjacent the castle.

He dropped her hand, then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.  He rested his forehead against hers then dropped his voice to a whisper.

“Not true.  I’ve got eight years worth of missed birthdays and Christmas to make up for.”

Alexis shook her head fervently.  “Don’t Josh!  We’re having fun…don’t ruin it with promises you have no intention of keeping.”

His eyes flashed with surprise.  It was then, in that moment, that he realized just how deeply he’d hurt her by leaving.

“Is that honestly what you think?” He asked sadly.

“Honestly?!” Alexis replied.

“Please.” He replied, his head still resting against hers.

Alexis swallowed hard and nodded.  This was not going at all how she’s expected it to.  Truthfully, she thought they would go out, have a good time, satisfy the curiosity about one another and then move on.  She hadn’t expected that either of them would get emotionally invested, but, here they were.

“I don’t know what to think.”

He nodded, then cracked a smile “Guess I will have to work on that.”

Alexis smiled and nodded.  She could see that he was genuinely trying, or at least he appeared to be , she just hoped it wasn’t all an act.

Still smiling at her JC pulled away a bit and shoved his hand down into his pocket.  Once his hand was inside, he grabbed a handful of coins and held it out to her.

“Take one, make a wish.’ He sad his palm outstretched towards her.

Alexis giggled a bit then took a penny from his hand.  She closed her eyes briefly, took a breath and tossed her coin into the well.

When she opened her eyes again his lips were hovering over hers.  She opened her mouth to speak and he silenced her immediately, closing his lips over hers. 

It was a soft, tender kiss but brief and over much to soon.  She wanted more, and so did he.