Like a Dream Come True

Sitting at her desk, Lianna felt like she was going to jump out of her skin if she didn’t talk to someone soon. She had tried to reach Joseph on the home phone and his cell, but he wasn’t answering. Most likely, he was still asleep. After all, it was only 8:45. She tried to think of whom else she could call. It was too early in California to call her family. Madison was already at her own job, and her boss hated when she received personal calls during work hours. There was only one other person Lianna could think of.

“Hi, Eddie?” Lianna asked with some confusion. He was obviously out of breath; she hoped she hadn’t interrupted him during a private moment alone, or worse yet, a private moment with someone else. “Um, is this a bad time?”

“Lianna, no,” Eddie laughed, his breathing beginning to even out. “I’m in the middle of Central Park. I was just going for a run. How are you doing?”

Letting out a sigh, Lianna giggled with embarrassment. “I’m good,” she said. “I just… well, I just had something awesome happen, and I wanted to tell someone.”

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Eddie asked without any insult in his voice.

“Sleeping still,” Lianna said.

“Well, then,” Eddie told her. “Fire away. I’d love to hear some good news.”

Biting her lip, Lianna smiled to herself. “I just got offered a job at the firm where I’ve been interning this summer,” she said. “I was hoping this would happen, but you never know in business. But the president called me into his office today and offered me a position as a junior project manager starting in September.”

“That’s fantastic!” Eddie replied with enthusiasm. “Congratulations! But from what you told me when I saw you a few weeks back, you’ve been busting your tail for that company for the last few months. Obviously, you earned the job offer.”

It meant a lot to Lianna that Eddie got how hard she had worked to get this position. “Well, I’m just really happy,” Lianna said. “I feel like this is a really big step in the start of my career.”

“Well, listen then,” Eddie replied. “Do you think I could take you out to lunch today, as a celebration? I mean, I don’t want to impede if Joseph is going to want to…”

“No,” Lianna told him. “Joseph’s due in the studio by noon, so we couldn’t do lunch.” Feeling a little guilty, as if she was making Joseph sound like a bad guy to Eddie, she felt the need to add something. “We’ll probably celebrate tonight or this weekend, when he’s less busy, you know.”

“Well, it can’t be easy being a rock star,” Eddie replied. “So, how does 1:00 sound? We can meet at that diner near the school, the one with the great pastrami sandwiches.”

“You are so not a native New Yorker,” Lianna joked. “Pastrami on rye in New York is like cheesesteaks in Philly. But no, that sounds great. And thanks, Eddie,” she added shyly.

“For what?” Eddie asked, obviously confused.

“Just for… being so excited for me.”

“That’s what friends do,” Eddie answered. “So I’ll see you at one then.”

“See you then.”

-----

Eddie was waiting at a table in the crowded diner when Lianna arrived. He gave her a big smile as she approached the table, and she noticed a small wrapped box on the table. “What on earth is that?” she asked as she approached.

“It’s a congratulatory gift, silly,” Eddie grinned. “I promise, it’s nothing much. To be truthful, I’m not exactly rolling in dough. But I hope you like it.”

Taking the gift, Lianna felt her cheeks heating. “You still shouldn’t have,” Lianna said as she opened the wrapping paper. “A travel mug!” she laughed with delight as she pulled out the shiny coffee cup. “This is so thoughtful! I am going to use this all the time. Thank you, Eddie.”

“You’re welcome,” Eddie grinned. “I’m glad you like it. But now I want to hear more about this job.”

As they ordered and ate, Lianna told Eddie about what her internship had encompassed and what sort of new challenges and responsibilities she would have to face with her new position. She then asked him about how his workshop was going and whether he was ready to start his Master’s program in education in fall. “I’m actually really happy about it,” Eddie told her. “It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s going to be so worth it when I get to step into a classroom that first time and help kids that the rest of society has given up on. But enough of that. You never told me what your boyfriend said about you getting the job. I bet he is really proud of you.”

Lianna felt uncomfortable suddenly, but she didn’t want Eddie to know that. “Actually, I wasn’t able to reach him yet,” she tried not to let her voice betray how upset she was about this fact. “But I’ll just tell him when he gets home tonight. I’m sure he’s going to be thrilled for me.”

“How could he not?” Eddie asked with a grin as he pushed his finished plate forward a bit. “So, I had a really nice time today. I hope we can hang out again sometime. I mean, I know you’re probably going to be really busy between work and Joseph, but I’d love to just have coffee or lunch again sometime, if you would like to, of course.”

“I would,” Lianna grinned at Eddie. “Next time, we’ll go to lunch as my treat. I never got to congratulate you on getting into graduate school. That’s no small accomplishment. Plus, what you’re going there to do, working with kids with social development issues, that’s such a great thing to do.”

“Well, thank you,” Eddie replied. “I’d love that. But I should let you go now. I don’t want you getting back to the office late from lunch the day they offer you a job. It just wouldn’t look good.”

Laughing, Lianna rose from her seat. “You’re probably right,” she agreed. “And thank you again so much for the mug. It really was an incredibly thoughtful gift, especially considering how addicted to caffeine I am.”

Smiling, Eddie led Lianna out of the diner and onto the sidewalk, where he gave her a friendly hug. “Well, congratulations once more. I’ll give you a call later in the week to set up time to get together again.”

“Absolutely,” Lianna said. “Bye.” And as she walked the few blocks back to her office, Lianna smiled to herself happily. That was all she had wanted, really. She had just wanted to have someone get excited for her about something that made her feel really good about herself. She was glad she had thought to call Eddie that morning.

-----

“Hey baby,” Joseph said as he entered the condo later that night. “What are you still doing up? It’s after midnight.”

Looking up from the television, Lianna tried to control her temper as she hit the off button on the remote. Obviously, Joseph hadn’t checked his messages all day, or he would know she had left a message saying she had exciting news and was going to wait up for him to come home. “I just have some good news that I wanted to share with you,” she said.

“So do I,” Joseph’s eyes were shining as he took a seat next to Lianna on the couch. “We got asked to do this major benefit concert on Jones Beach in a month. It’s going to be huge, like festival sized, but only three bands got asked.” He told her who the other two bands were. “You know, we’re popular, but those guys are all legendary,” Joseph was grinning ear to ear. “It just felt so awesome to be asked.”

“That’s great,” Lianna truly was excited for Joseph, although she was annoyed that he had railroaded her news. “So aren’t you going to ask me what my news is?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Joseph looked like he had forgotten Lianna had wanted to tell him something. He reached over and took her hand, looking into her eyes and smiling. “What happened to you today that was so exciting?”

“Well,” Lianna turned to face Joseph, her exhilaration overtaking any annoyance she had been feeling. “I got offered a job at the firm today. A junior project management role, starting in September. Isn’t that great?”

Giving her a small smile, Joseph nodded. “Well, yeah,” he said, taking Lianna by surprise. “I knew they were going to, though. I mean, you worked for them for free all summer – how could they not? But you’re not planning on taking it, are you?”

“Of course I am,” Lianna replied, in complete shock. “This is why I interned all summer, this is why I worked all those late nights, so that I could get a job in my field. Do you know how many people with marketing degrees that I graduated with are going to be doing administrative or even waitressing work this fall? I actually get to do what I went to school to do.”

“But you have years ahead of you to do that,” Joseph tried to explain his side. “And, really, I make mad money. You don’t have to worry about that. I was kind of hoping you would come out on tour with us for a couple weeks in September or October. I mean, I was only gone a month last time, but I really missed you.”

Looking at Joseph with wide eyes, Lianna couldn’t even comprehend the words that were coming out of his mouth. He had to be joking; he just had to be. But he wasn’t, and Lianna knew that. “I missed you incredibly when you were gone last time,” Lianna told Joseph. “But I can’t just spend my time following you around on tour. I have to make a life of my own.”

Reaching over, Joseph stroked Lianna’s face in a way that seemed entirely too patronizing. “Okay,” he smiled a little condescendingly. “I understand you need this to feel independent. It’s got to be a little strange for you, living off me entirely. But I just want you to know that if you change your mind, it doesn’t bother me. I just like having you around me.”

It took all Lianna’s strength not to slap Joseph at that moment. “Fine,” she said through clenched teeth, feeling too tired to argue just then. “I’m glad you understand that this is something I really WANT, something I WORKED FOR, something I’m GOOD at.” He had said none of these things, but she wanted to make this all clear to him. “And I’m glad you understand that I can’t just spend my time following you around from arena to arena, never creating anything that’s mine alone.”

Looking a bit confused by what Lianna had just said, Joseph smiled again. “Yeah, me too. And here, to say congratulations,” he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, sliding out a credit card. “I want you to go out and get yourself some clothes for your new job. Go crazy, don’t worry about what you spend.”

“Thanks,” Lianna looked at the credit card and felt tears prickling in her eyes. Joseph really didn’t get how impersonal and insulting an action that was.

“Well, I say we go upstairs right now,” Joseph leaned over and started nuzzling Lianna’s neck. “And I can let you know just how proud I am of you.”

“Sounds good,” Lianna told him, absently stroking his arm. This isn’t how this evening was supposed to have gone. Lianna had wanted excitement; she had wanted respect; and she had hoped, deep down, to even possibly hear the words she had been waiting five months to hear. Instead, she got sex and a credit card.

-----

“I am so proud of you!” Madison threw her arms around Lianna. It was Thursday night, and the girls had decided to meet up for dinner, since they saw each other so rarely nowadays. “God, junior project manager. That’s such a cool title. You sound like one of those power women in their restrictive suits, and their hair in tight buns, wearing glasses, who, like, lose it late one night and do the copy boy on the conference room table.”

“You watch far too much late night Cinemax,” Lianna laughed out loud as the girls sat down at the table. “Oh, we didn’t order this,” she said as the waiter brought over a bottle of champagne.

“Courtesy of the house,” the waiter told Lianna. “Mr. Rione, the manager, said to give Joey Hart’s girlfriend our best treatment.”

Groaning inwardly, Lianna forced herself to smile at the man. “Well, send Mr. Rione my thanks,” she told him. “I will never get used to that,” she grumbled to Madison once he had left the table.

“Oh yes,” Madison rolled her eyes. “You poor baby. Free Dom Perignon. However do you make it through a day? Anyway, was Joseph excited when you told him about the job? Did he give you something outrageously expensive to congratulate you?”

“He gave me his credit card,” Lianna said flatly, expecting Madison to be impressed by this. To her surprise – and pleasure – Madison was not impressed.

“How unbelievably offensive,” Madison replied with indignation. “Does he not get how uninvolved and slighting that is?”

Sighing, Lianna reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. “Thank you,” she gave Madison a big grin. “God, I thought I was the only one who would think that way. He told me to buy a new work wardrobe, after he told me he didn’t think I should take the job, so I could follow him around on tour instead.”

“You’re not serious,” Madison’s jaw dropped. “Lee, is this how he always acts? I mean, I know we don’t talk as much as we used to, but is Joseph always so… self-centered?”

She didn’t know why exactly, but Lianna felt an immediate need to defend Joseph. “I don’t think he’s self-centered,” she said. “I mean, he asked me to live with him, and he doesn’t expect me to pay for anything. He’s just… unaware, sometimes, of how people might take what he says. I mean, it’s understandable in a way, when you think about it. His days are spent with people telling him how great he is, how much they want to be near him, how he’s, like, this god of music.”

“So he expects you to think that way, too?” Madison asked incredulously. “Lee, you have to put your foot down. Paying for things, particularly when Joseph’s as rich as he is, isn’t exactly putting himself out there for you. You have to sit down and talk to him. He needs to understand where you’re coming from, that you’re not one of his fans or his flunkies, there to stroke his ego or any other part of him. You’re his girlfriend, and you guys are in a partnership.”

Biting her lip, Lianna felt a bit bruised by Madison’s words. She felt like her friend was putting down her relationship with Joseph. Sure, they had some problems, but Lianna didn’t really think that Joseph treated her with the type of disrespect Madison seemed to be talking about. “This isn’t a serious issue,” she said stubbornly. “We just have some things to work on. But we’re fine, really.”

“Do you love him?” Madison asked suddenly.

Blinking, Lianna didn’t know what to say. “Well, yes, I do.”

“Have you told him?” Madison looked at Lianna with suspicion, as if she already knew the answer to her question. “I mean, have you said it to him in so many words – Joseph, I love you?”

She didn’t know why, but Lianna began to feel the hint of tears in her eyes. “No, I haven’t actually said it-”

“Why not?” Madison demanded. “You’re in love. You are both adults. You live together. You’ve been together for nearly half a year. Why haven’t you told Joseph that you love him?”

Even though she willed herself not to, Lianna felt one lone tear roll down her cheek. “Because he hasn’t said it,” she whispered. “Because I don’t know if he loves me. Because I’m afraid that if I say it, and he doesn’t say it back, it could cause a problem in the relationship that’s unfixable, and I’ll lose him.”

“Sweety,” Madison reached over and used her thumb to gently clean the tear from Lianna’s cheek. “Lee, you already have a problem in your relationship. In the last five months, you went from this relaxed, secure, happy person to this… God, I hate to say it, but you’re like a shell of who you used to be. Lianna, you can’t lose yourself like that – not for any guy. Not for any person. No one is worth losing yourself over.” With that, Madison took the bottle of champagne and poured them both a glass. “But for tonight, let’s just enjoy the fruits of Joseph’s spoils and not talk about this anymore. I’m fairly sure that I’ve given you enough to think about.”

Smiling a little, Lianna nodded appreciatively to her friend. Madison had a way of coaxing the truth out of her that was oftentimes very annoying, but at that moment was exactly what Lianna had needed. Madison was right – Lianna had to talk to Joseph. She had to figure out where they stood. And she had to stop acting like a part of his life, rather than the center of her own.

-----

It never seemed like the right time for Lianna to talk to Joseph. For one thing, he seemed to be taking her job more seriously. He didn’t complain when she went home early because she was tired, but he was always excited when she could hang out. He stopped acting as if Lianna was a child that had to be indulged, and started acting like her work was important. “Maybe he just got it,” Lianna thought to herself happily. “Maybe he just figured it out. Maybe he saw how much he hurt me, and changed.”

Tavian’s birthday came the last week of August. Lianna, Joseph, Tavian and Madison planned to go out for dinner that night, meeting up at a trendy new restaurant that Joseph had heard good things about. The place was packed when they arrived that Friday night, but of course Joseph and his party were led to an excellent table immediately.

“Is that George Clooney?” Madison asked with wide eyes as she looked into the well dressed crowd. “You are so lucky it’s your birthday, Tavian, because any other night of the year, and I might just have to approach that man.”

“I love you, too,” Tavian said with a smirk. Lianna felt her stomach drop slightly at the words. Although she knew that Madison and Tavian had told each other their feelings outright over a month ago, it was hard to swallow that a couple she and Joseph introduced, that had met a couple months after she and Joseph got together, were so open in their expression of their emotions, while she still could not gather the courage to say the words.

“So, Tay,” Joseph interrupted her thoughts. “I got you guys on the list for the benefit show. It’s next Friday, and we go on around seven.” Turning to Lianna, he smiled. “We’re going to have to be there around two, for set up and rehearsal.”

“Well, then I can just go with Madison and Tavian, then,” Lianna told him. “If I work through lunch, I should be able to get out of work by 4:30. That should give me plenty of time, if I bring clothes to change into with me at work.”

Furrowing his eyebrows, Joseph looked confused. “I thought you would be coming with me, with us, with the band,” he told her. “Couldn’t you take off from work, or at least take a half day?”

“Joseph, I don’t actually start working there officially until Monday,” Lianna tried to explain. “I can’t exactly ask for time off my first week on the job. You have to understand that.”

Madison and Tavian were watching the exchange with nervous eyes. “Of course he understands,” Tavian interjected, giving Joseph a hard look. “Your job is important, and you can’t be expected to miss time right away. So you’ll come with us, and we’ll all be there by six. It’ll be fine.”

“It won’t be fine,” Joseph gave Tavian an annoyed look. “I am playing what is probably the biggest show of my career so far, and I don’t think it’s too much to ask that my girlfriend be with me to give me moral support before the show. God, Lianna, I have tried to be supportive with this job. I listened when Tay told me to start acting like it was something important-”

“Acting?” Lianna asked with astonishment. Her eyes moved to Tavian. “YOU told him to be more supportive?” Tavian dropped his eyes, and Lianna looked back at Joseph. “You still don’t believe my job is important, do you? You still think that it’s just some sort of hobby, and that I should be happy just being Joey Hart’s girlfriend. God, I can’t believe you!” Tears began streaming down Lianna’s face, tears of hurt and tears of anger. “I’m so stupid. I really thought you got it finally, but you are still so fucking self-centered!”

“I’m not self-centered,” Joseph shot back. “I’m realistic. My work brings in millions – do you get that? Millions. Yours brings in peanuts. I don’t mind paying for everything, but I would like to get some appreciation now and then, like having you be there to support me at the show.”

Taking a deep breath, Lianna stood up. “I was so wrong about you,” she said in a soft voice as she reached into her purse. “I convinced myself that you were unaffected, that ‘Joey Hart’ was just an image, that it wasn’t the real you. But I was wrong. You’re just a spoiled stuck-up celebrity who will put himself first in every situation. Here,” she thrust the condo key at him. “I don’t want this. I’ll get my stuff this weekend.”

“Lianna, don’t do this,” Joseph’s voice was hard. “You will regret this, I guarantee it.”

“I’m sorry I ruined your birthday, Tavian,” Lianna sniffled. “I have to go now. I’m just going to get a hotel for the night.”

“Like hell you are,” Madison said, rising from the table. “You’ll stay at my place. And I don’t want any argument.” Lianna nodded and started heading out of the restaurant as Madison turned towards Joseph. “She’s not the one that’s going to regret this. You are. Mark my words, you are losing the best thing that ever happened to you.” With that she leaned down and kissed Tavian’s cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow, baby.”

After Madison stormed off after Lianna, Tavian turned to Joseph. “Have you really become this much of an asshole?” he asked him, taking Joseph by obvious surprise. “Have you really changed that much since you lived with me? God, Joseph, what the fuck was that?”

“What?” Joseph looked pissed. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you three, but I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Studying Joseph silently for a moment, Tavian just shook his head. “If you really believe that,” he said sadly. “Then you really aren’t the same person I knew. The person I was roommates with, that I was friends with – fuck, that I was brothers with – would never treat a girl as sweet and caring as Lianna they way I just watched you treat her.” He rose and shook his head with disgust. “I have to go. I don’t even know what else to say to you right now.”

In stunned silence, Joseph watched Tavian leave the restaurant. He tried to figure out what the hell had just happened, but none of it made sense to him. “Penny for your thoughts,” a voice came from behind him.

“Frankie, what are you doing here?” Joseph asked as his manager took the seat across from him, which was previously occupied by Tavian.

“I was just having a drink,” Frankie said. “And I couldn’t help but overhear what just went down. Did Lianna just break up with you?”

“Oh, you must just be in heaven,” Joseph rolled his eyes. “You’re finally rid of the thing that is going to ruin Joey Hart’s reputation and simultaneously drag down all of Broken Dynamite. You know what, Frankie, give me one night before you start your gloating, okay? As a personal favor, please.”

Shaking her head, Frankie gave Joseph a sympathetic smile. “I know you – and most people, for that matter – think I’m a heartless bitch. And it’s a title I deserve most of the time. What you don’t get is that that is just who I have to be to make it in this industry, especially as a woman. Joey, you’re not just my client, you’re my friend. Yes, professionally, I didn’t think Lianna was good for your career, but personally, I had to admit that she made you happy. And as much as you might not believe it, I don’t like to see my friends unhappy.”

Looking at her for a moment, Joseph shrugged. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I had no right to jump to conclusions like that. I guess I’m just really upset.”

“Of course you are. I understand that. Do you want to talk about it?” Frankie asked, her eyebrows arched.

Smiling wryly, Joseph nodded. “Well, my best friend and my girlfriend just took off, so it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”

“Then talk,” Frankie said, leaning back in her chair and motioning to the waiter to bring a round of drinks over to the table.

-----

THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED THIS STORY. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE PUSHED THROUGH THE WRITER’S BLOCK I WAS HAVING, AND I LIKE THE DIRECTION I AM GOING IN. I GUESS THAT’S WHY I’M POSTING SO OFTEN! ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS. FIRST, ADAEE, I WASN’T INSULTED BY YOUR CRITICISM. LIKE I’VE SAID BEFORE, I APPRECIATE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM; IT’S JUST SOMETIMES HARD TO HEAR, BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT (AND THE TIME YOU TAKE TO POST IT). THE SAME GOES TO MISSHOLLIEMAE, ALTHOUGH I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE PREMATURE. I KNEW THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE THE CHAPTER WHERE LIANNA FINALLY REALLY STOOD UP TO JOSEPH; I JUST WANTED TO ESTABLISH A PATTERN FIRST. FINALLY, THANKS TO PAPERMIRACLE, DEBBIE, CU-KID, AND DARKDRAGON. I LEARN FROM CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, BUT PRAISE FEELS JUST OH SO GOOD. SO THANK YOU!