I grin innocently. “We’re looking at the flora and fauna, of course.”
“There’s no way we’re going to Glacier just so you can see the flora and fauna!” She laughs, attempting to swat my arm. I intercept the move and grab her hand, gently circling my fingers around her delicate wrist.
“Since when did you get so demanding?” I tease.
“Since…” She screws up her face in thought. “Well, since I became Cinderella. That’s what it feels like — going from sweeping floors to riding in limos.”
She laughs self-consciously, and the sunny sound fills the limo.
I flutter my eyelashes at her and make a ridiculous kissing face. “With Prince Charming?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that part.” Her eyes flicker to my hand — still locked on her wrist — and she shoots me a wicked smile. “Where do you think we can find a Prince Charming to save me from the villain holding me captive?”
“Villain?” I yelp in mock-outrage. “How dare you!”
I release her wrist and tickle her side. She shrieks and scoots away from me, down the bench seat. But, just then, the limo starts moving and her eyes go wide as she loses her balance. She topples over the side of the seat, landing in a heap on the floor.
The smile drops off my face as I hold out my hand to help her up, but she collapses into laughter. I snort and burst into laughter too. When we finally catch our breath, we call a truce.
“Want to put on some music?” My face hurts from smiling.
Stefi nods and I hand her an aux cord. She plugs her phone in and frowns as she scrolls through her playlists.
“What do you want to listen to?” Her eyes are wide and questioning.
I half-smile at her sincere expression. The more I get to know Stefi, the more I want to know her. Despite her every emotion and feeling being clear as day in her expressions, there’s something about her that leaves me curious. I want to know more about who she is as a person — what makes her laugh, cry, smile, sing at the top of her lungs. “Play me your favorite song.”
“Okay,” she says shyly and squints at the screen again.
Moments later, the sound of a guitar strumming a beautiful melody carries over the speakers.
A very familiar melody.
I raise my eyebrows. “Robbie Cohen?”
“I love his music.” Stefi looks at me with a shy smile. “Everyone does. Do you not?”
“Oh, it's not that. It’s just... I know him.”
Stefi’s mouth drops open. “You know him?”
“He’s good friends with my brother. He actually played at a party we threw a couple of months ago.”
Stefi’s hands fly to her cheeks and she squeals. “Are you serious?!”
Her enthusiasm is contagious. I’m laughing again just watching the happy emotions fly across her face.
She shakes her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you know Robbie freaking Cohen.”
“He’s a good dude.” I shrug, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. Stefi seems so excited about Robbie, so awe-struck. But to me, he’s just a regular guy. Weird that someone I was kicking out of my mom-crashed house party a few weeks ago is my new friend’s idol. To me, he’s just Rob. The same way that the famous Kade Monroe is just Dad.
“He’s playing in Edendale in a couple of weeks,” Stefi says, showing me an article about the concert. “Sold out show. It was impossible to get tickets, apparently. It must be so amazing to have him play at your backyard parties.”
Stefi laughs, the sound a twinkle. Through the windows of the limo, beautiful mountain scenery flies past, but I’m way more interested in watching her. As she speaks, she shifts in her seat, waving her hands animatedly.
I shoot her a bashful smile. “Perks of having a famous dad?”
“That’s a pretty sweet perk, I’d say.”
She smiles at me and there isn’t even a hint of malice or ill-intent in her eyes. She just seems genuinely curious to learn about my life, about me. No strings attached. It’s a refreshing change from my friends back home.
I puff out my chest. “Just wait until you see what I have planned for today. It’s even better than Robbie Cohen.”
She rolls her eyes. “I wish you’d tell me. I have a feeling that we’re not going on a nature walk to check out the ecosystem.”
“That would be correct.”
As if on cue, Arnold lowers the privacy partition that separates the main cab of the limo from the driver’s seat. “Cooper, we’re five minutes away.”
“Thank you, captain.” I give him a salute.
Excited, I turn to Stefi to finally let her in on my little secret. But, she’s looking out the window — at a massive sign that reads “Glacier Skydiving.”
Arnold pulls off the main road and Stefi’s head swivels back towards me. Her hazel eyes are wide, and her face is distinctly white. She looks at me like a woman possessed and we hold eye contact for a long moment.
“No,” she breathes.
I keep my eyes on hers and grab her hand. “Yes.”
“No.”
The word is on repeat on Stefi’s lips as we meet with our skydiving instructors, take our safety briefing, and sign our waivers. She says it as we change into our gear and collect our goggles. She even says it as we head to the runway.
I watch her carefully the entire time, waiting for her to turn back, to insist that she can’t do this. I would never force her into anything, and, of course, if she wants to leave, we’ll leave. But even as she says no, her left hand signs the waiver, she pays close attention in our training, and she changes into her suit for jumping.
I eventually realize what’s going on — she wants to do this.
She just needs to believe in herself.
Finally, we’re standing on the runway, about to board our plane. My stomach is doing flips and somersaults but I’d imagine that she’s ten times more nervous than I am. I reach out and squeeze her hand, repeating the words for what feels like the fiftieth time that hour. “You can do this. And if you don’t want to, just say the word and we’ll go.”
“No,” she says robotically.
I squeeze her hand again, pulling gently so she faces me. Her face is white as a sheet, and her eyes are wide and scared. Even so, I swear I see a hint of determination. I let go of her hand and place my palms on her cheeks, gently cupping her face as I look her in the eye.
“What do you want to do, Stefi?” I ask quietly. “We can leave, or we can jump. Whatever you want. No pressure, okay?”
Her eyes remain on mine as she shifts from foot to foot. Her expression is slightly pained and I notice that she’s rubbing the pad of her thumb along her fingernails. Does she want to turn back?
Finally, her expression calms.
A whisper of a smile plays on her lips.
“You want to jump, Stef?” I ask, my voice low.
She holds my gaze for a beat and then smiles. Her hazel eyes are soft, trusting. “N… yes.”
My heart leaps and I punch the air in excitement. “I’ll be right next to you.”
A look of determination blooms on Stefi’s face. Her eyes harden, her mouth sets in a line, and, instead of looking scared, she appears resolute. “We’re doing this.”
“That’s right,” I say, feeling more excited than I’ve felt in a long time. “We can and we will.”
Stefi bites her lip and then steps back out of my hands. She nods at me firmly and turns on her heel. With a confident, determined stride, she marches towards the plane — the first to board.
I’ve never been so proud.
15
Stefi
AAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!
It’s almost impossible to breathe as I plunge into the mountainous abyss. The wind whips my cheeks and blows my hair backwards. My stomach is in my throat and my eyes water. My scream is a high-pitched, guttural noise that would surely deafen if we were on stable ground.
Instead, I’m in a glorious, terrifying, exhilarating free fall.
Far, far below me, the ground is a beautiful swirl of greens, whites and browns. We’re barreling closer to the surface by the second. I’m too scared to cry, too scared to laugh, too scared to focus on anything.
But, I don’t close my eyes. I refuse to close my eyes.
I take it all in, let the adrenaline in my body give way to exhilaration.
I’m vaguely aware of another whoop, another shout, from somewhere in the vicinity. In a corner of my mind, I realize that this must be Cooper. He jumped right after me. I figured that if I didn’t go first, I’d lose my nerve.
“You okay?” My skydiving instructor yells from behind me. Shocking that he’s able to hear with the commotion I’m making.
“N… yes!” I scream in response.
And then it hits me: I am okay.
In fact, I’m more than okay. I’ve never felt so alive, so free, so weightless…
I inhale a raspy breath and throw my arms wide. “WOOOOOOOOOOO!”
This is the craziest thing I’ve ever done. And I love it.
Too soon, however, the instructor deploys the parachute. Our rapid descent towards the jagged peaks of Glacier slows immediately and we right ourselves. We float gently towards the ground and, as I look over the stunning mountain landscape, I start to giggle. Soon, this giggle grows into uncontrollable laughter. I must sound insane to the instructor but I don’t feel the least bit embarrassed or worried.
Instead, I feel elated. And proud.
I did it, I went skydiving.
Cooper believed that I could. He made me believe in myself.
And he was right.
The instructor directs us into a beautiful green meadow between mountain peaks. As soon as my feet touch the ground, I crane my head to the sky to watch Cooper. He and the instructor land easily, seamlessly, like it’s second nature to him. I suppose that he’s probably gone skydiving a few times in his life.
“Stef!” He sounds as excited as I feel. Once he’s unhooked, he runs towards me and tackles me in a massive hug. “You did it! How do you feel?”
I’m shaking all over, my teeth clattering lightly together. Cooper’s arms are warm and comforting on my clammy skin. I cannot believe that I just jumped out of a plane. A freakin’ plane. With only a parachute and a lone instructor.
My stomach lurches and I clamp a hand over my mouth.
I’m going to be sick.
Without attempting a response, I sprint for the bushes on the edge of the meadow. I make it just in time to vomit on the shrubs. My head spins wildly and I suck in deep breaths of oxygen. It takes me a moment to register that I’m not alone. A strong, warm hand gently rubs my back and a low voice whispers that I’ll be okay.
I flush with embarrassment and drop to the ground, a safe distance from the bushes.
When Cooper speaks, his voice is heavy with remorse. “I am so, so sorry, Stefi. Did you hate it? I feel horrible, I should never have persuaded you to—”
“I loved it,” I cut him off and then dive towards the bushes again. He keeps his hand on my back as I’m sick.
“What?” His voice rises half an octave, shocked.
I pause for a moment to catch my breath. My stomach is starting to settle and I gingerly try to stand straight. Cooper offers me a supportive arm, which I gladly accept.
“I loved it,” I repeat weakly. “It was amazing, Cooper. Thank you.”
His worried eyes travel over my face. I must look awful — white and green and clammy. But, he places a comforting hand on my cheek before glancing towards the bushes. “It doesn’t seem like you loved it.”
“I did.” I nod firmly. “Believe me. I had no idea how much I needed to do something like that. It was incredible in every way. I just have a weak stomach, that’s all.”
Cooper searches my face again, concerned. It occurs to me that I just puked in front of the famous Cooper Monroe — one of Hollywood’s teen heartthrobs. The son of a movie star billionaire and a Fortune 500 CEO. A part of me knows that I should be mortified beyond belief. That I should go home with my tail between my legs.
But, looking at Cooper and knowing who he is, all I can feel is relief. I’m so grateful that he’s here, that we did this together.
I venture a smile, my stomach finally back to normal.
Cooper’s face relaxes. “Well, at least now you can write about your life-changing skydiving experience in your college essay. Right?”
His eyes twinkle and my heart skips. It’s probably just because I’m thinking of skydiving.
“Absolutely.” I squeeze his arm towards me to keep my balance. Or so I tell myself.
“Maybe you should leave out the puking part, though.” He laughs before wrapping his arm securely around my shoulders. His touch feels safe, reassuring.
I lean into him.
“Now, come on, sicky. Let’s find you some ginger ale.”
16
Stefi
June rolls into July, and the days become one long, hot, hazy blur of happiness. I love my routine at Legacy Inn, and I’ve found my footing remarkably easily. I spend my mornings cleaning and restocking supplies in the penthouse and, after my shift, I hang out with Cooper and we make lunch. I usually spend my afternoons studying or helping in the penthouse, where needed. In the evenings, I hang out with the Edendale High students.
I’ve gotten close with Anaya, Bree and Kiara. A few afternoons, Anaya has even convinced me to take a break from studying and come to the beach. She works there as a swim instructor, and it’s easy enough to stay focused while she does her classes. As a result of the time spent in the sunshine, my pale skin is now tinged reddish-pink — like I’m permanently blushing.
Which, given how the summer’s going, is pretty fitting.
At times, I find myself getting worried that I’m falling behind in my extra studies and SAT prep. But, I’m trying to take a page out of Cooper’s book. I admire the way he can just live in the moment. Especially seeing as Mrs. Higgins thinks I could benefit from living this way, too. With all of the exciting experiences Cooper is showing me, I’m bound to complete a brand-new, glowing essay soon.
Any day now.
Not today, though.
Today, I’m parked on the beach next to Anaya, slurping iced coffee and listening to an adorable story about the road trip she took with her new boyfriend, Wes. Her face glows with happiness as she talks, her brown eyes shining brightly.
“You’re, like, a walking poster for ‘Reasons to Have a Boyfriend,’” I say with a laugh.
She kicks a little sand at me. “I recommend it. You should get one.”
I gesture around the beach. “Where?”
Anaya eyes the clusters of cozy, beachwear-clad families, and holds up her hands. “Fine! You win.” She laughs, and then raises her eyebrows. “But, what about that celebrity you’re working for?”
I almost choke on my iced coffee, staring at her in bewilderment. “Kade Monroe?”
“Yeah, get in there!”
“He’s a little old for me.” I laugh.
She eyes me devilishly. “But, I hear his son is cute. And our age.”
“Very cute,” I agree with a shy nod. “Too cute for his own good. And certainly not interested in me.”
“I’ll bet he is,” she counters, the picture of confidence.
My work phone buzzes, and I reach for it gratefully. My cheeks are burning hotter by the moment, and I doubt I could blame my blush on the sunshine. I’ve never been good at these types of conversations. I don’t have many girlfriends in Edendale that I feel comfortable sharing stories of my crushes with.
I flip open my phone and check the text — from Cooper, of course.
Cooper: Prison break tonight. Meet me at 7pm in the back parking lot?
My heart flutters involuntarily. Another mystery outing with Cooper? I smile at my phone and my fingers fly over the keys as I answer his text. I try to ignore the questioning look in Anaya’s eyes as she watches me.
Stefi: What
does one usually wear for a prison break?
Cooper: Clothes, usually.
Stefi: That’s going to be a tough one for you. Think you’ll manage to find a shirt?
Cooper: Stop objectifying me and my body.
I snort loudly, unable to stop myself, and cover my mouth in embarrassment. But, I can’t help it. Laughter bubbles within me, and I feel giddy. Meanwhile, Anaya stares at me with a knowing smirk.
“Any chance you’re going to tell me what that’s all about?” She teases, pointing at my phone.
“Nope.” I bite my lip to hold back a smile.
I stare at the water, my stomach twisting with excitement. Judging by Cooper’s ideas and suggestions lately, tonight’s sure to be a lot of fun. What exactly does he have planned this time?
17
Stefi
Tonight is a big night for another reason — Legacy Inn is throwing a garden party, and my friends are all going. Kiara, Bree, Anaya and I have attended a couple of these garden parties over the summer, though it’s becoming more and more rare for the four of us to attend together. Tonight is the first party where I’ll be the one missing.
I join them in getting ready in Bree’s loft room, but my mind is distracted. All I can think about is the exciting evening Cooper has planned.
They ask me, over and over again, why I’m missing the party, but all I can offer is a flimsy excuse. I still don’t know how to explain my friendship with Cooper, why I’ve been spending so much time with him. I could pretend that it’s because I’m concerned about the paparazzi, but I know my friends wouldn’t go around talking about us. If I’m being honest, I worry that hearing of our friendship will lead to a ton of questions… some of which I don’t feel prepared to answer.
Finally, all dressed up, the girls set off for the Garden Party. I wave them off and then rush back to my cabin to get ready.
My heart pounds as I flip through my closet. This is the first time that I’ll be seeing Cooper in the evening and I have no idea what to wear. He’s only seen me out of my ugly work uniform once — when we went to Glacier. And, knowing that we were visiting a National Park, I’d just worn jeans and sneakers.
The Complete Legacy Inn Collection: Four Sweet YA Romances Page 39