We continued talking and eating, we finished up, she cleaned off the table and came back with a half full bottle of wine. She poured me my second glass, which was now officially the most alcohol I had ever consumed in my life. She sat down quite close to me on the sofa, her fragrance was very understated, but intoxicating. She had a powder fresh scent and even though it was very subtle, I couldn't help but be drawn to her. The more you gazed at Alexis, the more her facial features hypnotized you. The jet black straight hair, the light green eyes, the high cheek bones all gave her a gorgeous, but unusual look.
I could tell the wine had loosened Alexis up a bit, in fact after almost finishing my second glass, I had a slight warm, relaxed feeling.
As we were sitting there talking she raised her left arm up on the back of the sofa, her hand coming to rest behind my head. I pretended not to notice, truthfully though my heart was beating a mile a minute. Then without warning, I felt her fingers grazing the back of my neck, ever so lightly.
"Brian, can I ask you a question ?", she whispered softly.
"Sure, I guess so.", I answered.
She took another sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving mine.
"Do you find me attractive at all ?", she asked.
"Uh….you're kidding right ? Alexis, you're gorgeous, but you don't need me to tell you that.", I responded.
She looked down into her wine glass for a second, a slight smile crossing her face, then back into my eyes.
"Then why haven't you made a pass at me yet ?", she asked, her fingers still stroking my neck lightly.
"Well first you're my agent, I'm not sure that's even something that's acceptable. Then, after Courtney, I just don't know if I could fall for someone again, then lose them for some reason or another.", I answered.
"As far as me being your agent, that in no way conflicts with a personal relationship between us. But I have never lost anyone I cared for that deeply, so I wouldn't understand those feelings. I like you Brian, I find you extremely attractive. I absolutely adore your personality, you're so kind and giving. I don't trust men Brian, not at all, but somehow you transcend that. I really feel you would never honestly hurt me.", she responded.
"Thank you Alexis, I really don't know what to say to that right now.", I replied.
"It's ok, maybe you need some time, I can respect that.", she stated, pulling her arm back from around me.
"Maybe, I better go now. It's been a long day.", I told her.
"Thanks for a nice evening Brian.", she whispered, hugging me gently.
She let me out, locking the door behind me. As I walked down to my own unit I was wondering, did I just make a mistake ? I did think highly of Alexis, she was extremely smart, elegant, very sexy, why did I just walk away ? I didn't sleep well that night, I tossed and turned for hours. I spent most of the day Sunday working on the foundation papers I had, I was due back at the attorney's the following week, to draw up the legal papers. I was still stuck on a name, I didn't want it to be just The Brian Stevens Foundation, it just had an arrogant self serving sound to it. I had finished all of the papers, filed them away, and was watching TV later that afternoon. The night before Alexis kept running through my mind, did I make the right decision ?
The following week moved along quickly, I formally founded the foundation on Wednesday, only to learn I needed to form a board that would overlook both the donations and monies the fund would receive, but the disbursement of those funds as well. It was recommended that I have at least four other persons as well as myself included on the board, then eventually hire a full time director to manage the foundation once it became a full fledged entity. I immediately thought of asking Alexis, but I knew with her work load it might be a bit much. Josh already gave much of his time to his own charity, as well as his vast public appearances. I was beginning to think I may have gotten in over my head, perhaps I should have just chosen an existing program, donating my time and efforts to that. I decided to take a ride to Children's Hospital and speak to the administrator, perhaps he could help me with some of the details.
As I arrived at the hospital, I was told he was out to lunch, but would be back in less than an hour. Since I was already there, I decided to wait for him to return. Since I had a few minutes, I decided to return to the fourth floor, perhaps just take another look around. As I exited the elevator, I headed down to the nurse's station to make sure they were ok with me being there. I saw no one there, so I sat down for a minute waiting for someone to return.
Several minutes later, one of the nurses I had met on one of my visits with Bryan came strolling up to the circular desk area. She looked up from her clipboard, apparently recognizing me as well.
"Mr. Stevens , isn't it ?", she asked.
"Yes mam. I don't mean to be a bother, I am waiting for the hospital administrator, I thought I would just come up here and look around, if that's ok.", I replied.
"Of course it's ok. I heard you are starting a foundation for the kids on our floor, I think that's an absolutely incredible thing for you to do. You have a gift with children, Bryan never stopped talking about you.", she responded.
"How is he doing ?', I asked.
"Very well, he's back in school, in complete remission. In fact, I have him scheduled for a visit tomorrow at ten o'clock in the morning.", she answered.
"That's wonderful.", I replied, "You're Jenny right ?"
"Why yes I am, I am surprised you remembered.", she stated.
It was never hard remembering a pretty girl's name, although I wouldn't admit that. On top of that, Jenny appeared to be exceptional at her job, she was also wonderful with the kids, that was easy to see.
"Uh, Bryan kinda told me you were his girlfriend.", I laughed.
"Ooh that stinker, wait till I see him.", she giggled.
She walked back behind the desk, she was soon joined by two other nurses, they apparently had been making rounds. She introduced me to both of the nurses, they seem very nice as well. Jenny walked back from around the desk, to where I was sitting.
"I'm on my break, you want to go get a cup of coffee downstairs ?", she asked.
"Sure.", I answered, getting up and walking with her down the hall to the elevator.
We rode down the elevators, and made our way into the hospital cafeteria. She ordered a cup of coffee, and I got a large orange juice. I paid the cashier, we went to a small table for two and sat down. She seemed to know just about everyone she came into contact with, we drew a lot of stares. We talked about the foundation, the troubles I was encountering getting it off the ground. Without any hesitation Jenny quickly offered to do anything she could to help out. I told her I would definitely take her up on her offer when it was time to delegate responsibilities. With her break about over, I offered to walk her back up to her station on the fourth floor. As we were waiting for the elevator, Jenny turned to me, a serious look on her face.
"Why did you choose the children's oncology unit here for your foundation ?", she asked.
"Well, first off, I fell in love with Bryan, I so admired his courage. And I lost my girlfriend and best friend to cancer less than a year ago.", I replied.
"Oh, I am so sorry, I had no idea.", she said, softly touching my arm.
The elevator doors opened, we stepped inside, and she pressed the button for the fourth floor. As the doors closed, Jenny turned to me again.
"What was her name ? Your girlfriend ?", she asked.
"Courtney" , I replied, "Courtney Timmons."
The doors opened and we walked toward her station, neither of us knowing what to say. As we reached the station, she turned to me and thanked me for the coffee, saying that she had enjoyed the break. As I turned to go to the administrator's office, she called out after me.
"Hey maybe you could use Courtney's name as part of the foundation.", she said, loudly.