She smiled impishly. “You’re not that far off.”
Fuck, yes. I knew it.
“Well, my mother blamed my behavior back then on her working too much and leaving me alone a lot,” she said. “She doesn’t understand that it probably would have happened either way. Parents think they can control everything, but if someone wants to experiment, they’re going to.”
“I hear you.”
And I’d love to experiment with you.
So much right now.
She ran her hand through the sand. “But no more crazy alter egos for me.”
“Good.”
“Only the phone-sex line.”
“Say what?”
“I’m kidding!” She laughed. “The look on your face was priceless, though.”
“Shit. I was about to ask you for the number. My whole weekend would’ve been mapped out. Way to disappoint.”
She chuckled and finished off the last of her macchiato. “Well, now that we’ve confessed our darkest secrets, it’s probably time for you to take me back.”
“Five more minutes?”
She hesitated. “Okay.”
“I feel this pressure now to get in as much as I can in the short amount of time we have left.”
Raven giggled. “Ask me something, then.”
I wanted to know everything about her. Every damn thing.
“What’s your favorite place in the world?”
“I haven’t been to too many places outside Florida.”
Nice, Gavin. Not everyone has the means to travel, you dumbass.
But then she smiled. “My favorite place is probably this little resort about five hours north in St. Augustine. We never had a lot of money growing up, but my mother would save up all year, and we’d stay at this place for, like, four days every off-season. They called it a resort, but it looks like a motel.” She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, for the money, it was nice. They had a pool and a mini-golf course, and it was within walking distance of the beach. It wasn’t much, but it was our vacation, our escape from reality for a few days. We got to know the owners, and every year they’d expect us. It wasn’t that far away from home, but I’d pretend it was. And it didn’t matter. It felt a world away from our troubles. We did that trip up until I was about fifteen. I looked forward to it all year.”
“Why did you stop going?”
She shrugged. “I got older, started getting jobs. Life got in the way, I guess. But I miss it.”
This little motel had clearly brought her so much joy. I wanted to get in my car and drive her there right now. A scenario began unfolding in my head… We’d shack up at this place for days, away from everything else.
She turned to me. “What about you?”
Still immersed in my fantasy, I said, “Hmm?”
“What’s your favorite place in the world?”
I took a second, then said, “South Bank in London—people-watching by the river is a close second to this spot right here. This is my actual favorite place.”
Especially at this moment.
“Here? Really? In the whole world?”
“Travel is overrated. The best places are those where you find peace.”
“Yeah. That makes sense.” She smiled.
That smile did things to me. Someone needed to smack the smitten out of me right the fuck now.
I looked down at her fitted white pants, covered in dirt marks. Even though she looked sexy as hell, I had to ask. “Why the hell does my mother insist on the staff wearing all white?”
“You’ll have to ask her, although I like to think of it as practice for my future nursing career.”
“I guess that’s one way to look at it. It kind of freaks me out. It’s like you’re all part of some cult.” I chuckled.
“I wonder what she’d do if I showed up in black. She’d shun me.” She snapped her fingers jokingly. “Oh wait…”
Except I wasn’t laughing now. I felt horrible that she knew exactly how my mother felt about her.
“I’m sorry she’s such a bitch, Raven.”
“It’s not your fault.” She looked out at the ocean, then promptly changed the subject. “You must be excited to go to Connecticut in the fall.”
“At this very moment, thanks to you, I’m in absolutely no rush to leave this spot, let alone Palm Beach.”
She blushed. “You’re funny.”
“You’re fucking beautiful.” That just came out. “I’m sorry if that was too forward. But it’s true,” I said.
“No.” Her cheeks turned pink. “Thank you.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
She pushed some hair behind her ear. “No.”
“I want to take you out.”
She looked down at her empty cup. “I don’t think so.”
Ouch. “Can I ask why?”
“It’s not that I’m not interested, but…you’re leaving in the fall, so I’m not sure it makes sense to start anything up. Then there’s the bigger issue of your mother. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I get it.” I nodded. “I understand.”
Holy shit. I wasn’t used to rejection. I couldn’t remember the last time a girl had said no to me. I swear to God, my dick just stiffened. What was it about the chase that was so damn arousing? I had to find another way…
“Can we hang out as friends, then?”
She grinned skeptically. “Friends?”
“There’s this improv club near where you live. I wanted to go check it out this weekend. Would you want to go with me?”
“Venturing to the other side of the bridge, eh?” she teased. “What would Mother think?”
“Will you come with me, wiseass?”
“Seriously, what if your mom finds out?”
“She won’t. She doesn’t really question where I go. I’ll just tell her I’m going to meet a friend. And thanks to your rejection, that won’t be a lie, right?”
Raven blinked for a while before she finally answered, “Okay. Yeah.”
My heart sped up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah...to the improv club as friends,” she clarified.
“Cool.”
Jesus. I wanted to taste her lips so bad. They were so naturally red. She wasn’t even wearing lipstick. This “friends” thing was going to be painful. But I’d take it.
My five minutes expired. We drove back to the house, and she returned to her spot in the garden. I entered my number into her phone and sent myself a text so I’d have her digits.
“Does Saturday night work?”
She looked up to think for a moment then said, “Yes. That should work.”
“Should I pick you up at your house?”
“Actually, I’d prefer my mother not know. So, if it’s okay, I’ll meet you there.”
“Whatever you want.”
I was going to have to wait until Saturday to spend time with her again. I knew my mother would be around the rest of the week, making it impossible to interact with Raven. That bummed me out.
Even though I needed to leave and let her work, I stared down at my shoes instead. I was totally and utterly addicted.
“So, I know I can’t talk to you while you’re working, because I don’t want to get you in trouble. But I refuse to let days go by again without communicating. Can you text while you’re at work?”
She frowned. “No. Staff isn’t allowed to use phones during work hours unless we leave the house on an errand. I normally don’t have mine on me. I only snuck it today because I knew your mother was out. Typically, we have to keep our phones in the drawer in the kitchen.”
Miserable.
Scratching my chin, I tried to think outside the box. “Okay. Here’s what we’re gonna do. If we can’t talk or text, I’m going to communicate with you another way.”
“Telepathy?” She laughed.
“No.”
“What, then?”
“If you hear me playing music out loud, listen. You’ll know it’s for you.”
“Oh my God.” She blushed. “You’re crazy.”
“Maybe.” I winked.
I walked back into the house feeling exhilarated. My expectations hadn’t gotten the message that Saturday night was just a “friendly” outing and not a date. My blood was pumping. It felt like I could have run a marathon. Maybe I needed to do a few laps in the pool, take a cold shower—something. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this jazzed about anything.
Never.
I’d never felt this way about a girl.
Considering the situation, that was fucked up.
***
Later that afternoon, after my mother returned from the club, I was hanging out in my room when I heard her scolding Raven for something stupid—some item got put in the wrong closet, hand towels where the bath towels were supposed to go or some shit. Anyway, it was dumb, and my mother’s reaction was completely uncalled for.
Taking out my iPod, I immediately went in search of a song for the occasion. I downloaded one with just the message I wanted to convey.
As I blasted, “Evil Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra from the speaker in my room, I wondered how long it would take before Raven heard it. If my mother noticed it first, so be it.
CHAPTER FOUR
* * *
RAVEN
“I can’t believe I’m contributing to this,” Marni said as we drove down Military Trail.
I ended up having to tell her about my non-date with Gavin because I needed her to drive me to the improv club. She wasn’t buying what I was trying to sell her, though. The truth was, when Gavin asked me out, I’d panicked. After our talk by the water, I’d realized how fast I could fall for him and how dangerous that was. Whether we really could be just friends remained to be seen. The summer was long.
“You expect me to believe that Gavin has no expectations here? Why would a guy like that, who could have any girl he wants, spend a Saturday night on a platonic date? I’m calling bullshit.”
“Maybe he just wants to hang out with me. I don’t know. He seems to think I’m down to earth.”
“He thinks you’re down to fuck.”
That made me laugh, although it really wasn’t funny. I didn’t have time to argue with her further, because when we pulled into the parking lot, Gavin was leaning against his car as we drove up beside him.
“Hey, Gavin,” I said as I exited Marni’s Kia.
Butterflies swarmed in my stomach as I noticed how good he looked. It was cooler out tonight, so he’d worn the black leather jacket he’d had on when I first met him. He looked like the sexy Londoner he was.
He reached into the open car window to offer Marni his hand. “I’m Gavin, and you’re…”
“Watching you.”
He brought his hand back. “Okay, then.”
Marni then took off like a bat out of hell, leaving exhaust in her wake.
“You mind telling me why your friend wants to kill me?”
God, that was embarrassing.
“She’s just…skeptical.”
“Are you sure she’s not into you herself?”
Marni hadn’t ever come out to me, but she never mentioned guys, either.
“She doesn’t like me like that.”
He cocked a brow. “You sure?”
“She’s one of my oldest friends! She thinks you’re playing games with me, that you’re pretending to take me out as a friend just to get into my pants, because you think I’m some easy broad from across the bridge.”
“Okay, first off…if I were ever in your pants, it would be because you put me there. So it wouldn’t be a one-way street. If you don’t want anything to happen, it won’t. You said you wanted to be friends, and that’s what we are.”
“I’m sorry she was rude.”
“I can take it. It just sucks that she’s so negative. But I’m up for the challenge of proving her wrong.” He motioned toward the door. “Shall we go inside?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah.”
The club was dark and crowded, with scattered, small cocktail tables and a stage area with a spotlight. The stage was currently empty, except for a sign that read, Open Mic Night.
“What does open mic night mean?” I asked.
“It means anyone who wants to can do improv. I signed us up for a slot.”
A slot?
“Hold up. What? I thought we were going to watch a show.”
“No. We’re going to perform. Together.”
A rush of panic ran through me. “What? No, I can’t—”
“Sure, you can.”
“No. I can’t! I’ll fuck up. I’ll freeze. I’ve never done anything remotely like that before.”
“It doesn’t matter if you fuck up. In fact, that’s what makes it even funnier sometimes. Even if you screw up, someone will come in to save you. The audience actually likes it when people mess up. They like to chime in and change the direction of the skit.”
My palms were sweaty. “I can’t believe I’m letting you do this to me.”
“Well, that’s something I hope I get to hear again someday.” He laughed. “Oh my God. Your face. I’m just kidding, Raven. Now you’re thinking you should have listened to Marni.”
“Gavin…” I blew out a breath. “You’re something else. You know that?”
He winked. “You have no idea.”
Over the next half hour, we watched a couple of performances. The people were really good, and it only made me more anxious. I knew in the end this was my choice. But despite my nerves, I didn’t want to back out. I just hoped the anxiety didn’t kill me.
When they called our names, Gavin waggled his brows. “It’s showtime.” He grabbed my hand.
My stomach was in knots, and my knees trembled as we took the stage. The audience cheered. The lighting made it difficult to see their faces, which I was thankful for.
Gavin took a microphone and handed me one. Then he just started. He held his hand out to me.
Gavin: Hi, I’m Tom.
We shook.
Oh God. Make up a name.
Raven: I’m…Lola.
Gavin: Have we met before?
Raven: Um…I would hope so. I’m your wife.
Gavin: Oh. Crap. That’s right. Sorry. I didn’t recognize you with all that green shit on your face.
Way to stump me.
Raven: I don’t have anything on my face. This is just my skin.
The audience laughed.
I didn’t think it was that funny. Maybe this was how it worked? Somehow everything is funny because it’s one big clusterfuck?
Gavin: I married the Grinch?
Raven: Apparently!
Gavin: I’m very uncomfortable right now.
Raven: I’m making you nervous?
Gavin: It’s not you, actually. I have…gas.
More laughter.
Raven: That’s so sexy. Tell me more.
Gavin: Do you have something I could take for it?
Raven: No. You’ll have to go to the store.
Gavin: Okay. Be right back.
Gavin pretended to go away, and then returned.
Gavin: Baby, I’m back!
Raven: Did you have any luck?
Gavin: I got you these chocolate-covered strawberries. Because we were fighting. I think we should make up.
Raven: We weren’t fighting! You had gas.
Gavin: Oh, I must have forgotten. Anyway, have some!
I pretended to take a strawberry and put it in my mouth. Then I had the bright idea to act like I was choking on it.
Raven: Oh my God. These are horrible! What did you put in them?
Gavin: Okay. Promise not to get mad?
Raven: What did you do?
Gavin: That’s not chocolate.
The audience roared.
Raven: It’s poop?
Gavin: No, not poop.
Raven: What is it, then?
Gavin: I forget what the guy said it’s made out of, but it’s supposed to be
an aphrodisiac.
Raven: You went to get Gas-X and came back with strawberries that taste like shit that are allegedly an aphrodisiac? Why?
Gavin: You really want to know?
Raven: Yes.
Gavin: It’s because I’m horny. And I’m pretty sure this dry spell is the entire reason for not only my gas, but all of our other problems, including your green skin.
Raven: There’s nothing wrong with my skin!
Gavin: I’m sure Shrek would agree.
I decided to start making frog sounds.
Gavin: Well, this explains it! You’re a frog?
Raven: No. I just swallowed one.
Gavin: At least you’re swallowing something. Is this why you won’t sleep with me? You’ve been messing around with frogs?
Raven: No, I’m just not attracted to you anymore. (More frog sounds.)
Gavin: Is there someone else?
Raven: Now you’re turning green. It must be jealousy.
He looked down at his arms.
Gavin: Holy shit. I am. What have you done to me?
The ridiculous skit went on for about fifteen minutes. But as I settled into it, I knew Gavin had my back, that he’d save me if I blanked out. Luckily, he never had to.
After our performance, we stayed to watch a few others before opting to leave.
A brisk evening breeze blew my hair around as we exited the club.
Adrenaline still ran through my veins. “That was so freaking cool.”
“See! I told you.”
“I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”
“You’re a natural.”
Nudging him with my arm, I said, “I bet you say that to all the girls you take to improv.”
“Actually, I’ve never taken anyone with me before.”
I stopped in front of his car. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve only ever done it alone, performed with strangers.”
“Well, I’m glad you made me come.”
The Day He Came Back Page 4