“He said Wednesday, but you know how long that drive is.”
“Oh, man, no lie.” She shook her blond mane. “Still, I’m glad we did it. It was so cute reuniting you two. I swear, I almost cried.”
“Thanks,” I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Glad I’m a soap opera now.”
“More like a free romance. First you’re all mopey, dragging around campus like you lost everything to the hurricane. Then Brad and I swoop in like superheroes to produce the sweetest reunion scene this side of a Nicholas Sparks movie!”
“Jeez, Rachel.” Catching my hair in my hand, I propped my elbow on the doorframe, holding it in a tight bun at the base of my neck. “I do not feel patronized at all right now.”
She laughed. “Are you kidding? After that display of passion, we couldn’t get to the hotel quick enough. Old, practically married couples like us live for that shit.”
“Don’t be gross.” I snorted, and cut my eyes at her.
She started laughing, and so did I. We almost couldn’t stop for a minute.
“I think we’ve been in school too long,” I finally said, when I could breathe again.
“Definitely.” She took a deep breath and drummed her fingers on the wheel. “I’m planning to spend some part of every single day walking on the beach.”
“God, I miss it so much.” Propping my feet on the dash, the breeze fluttered my loose skirt around my knees.
“Hey, I don’t know if I’ve said it a thousand times yet, but I really love being roomies.” She gave me a quick, warm smile. “I’ll be sorry to see you go.”
I looked down and smiled before glancing up. “Don’t rent out my room so fast—I don’t have anything yet.”
“Oh, please. If there’s anything you’ve always been good at, it’s school.”
“I think that’s a compliment?”
“Of course it is! And your personal life’s coming around.”
“Maybe one day I’ll be as perfect as you and Brad.”
“Hmm… I’ll give you another twenty years.”
I shook my head, and the rest of the ride was spent singing too loudly along with the radio or brainstorming Christmas get-togethers with friends we hadn’t seen since July.
We agreed Thanksgiving was simply too quick to try for anything meaningful. Rachel, being the career party-planner promised to make something happen. Before long we were entering the lowlands of Fairview and taking the turn toward my parents’ home.
A quick goodnight, a promise to get together before time to head back to New Orleans, and I was dashing inside. Mom and Dad were waiting, ready to hug me too long and too hard and hear everything about college life, as if I hadn’t been calling them regularly every week since I left.
Dad ran over to Scoops to grab hamburgers for dinner, and after we’d all eaten and Mom asked her five thousand questions, I climbed the familiar old stairs up to my equally familiar old bedroom.
Dropping my suitcase and bag on the floor, I sat on the bed and looked around. The walls were still painted a pale shade of pink, and my bedroom furniture somehow seemed smaller than it had when I left. My twin bed rattled when I sat on it. Mr. Bear was still in the corner, and I exhaled a smile, remembering how I’d used him to comfort me those miserable nights when Julian and I had broken up last spring.
My eyes traveled next to the dark window. The one leading out to that wonderful, old tree that so many nights had held the boy of my dreams sitting out there, smiling and waiting for me to let him in. I stood with a sigh and walked over to it. For a moment, I leaned my head against the glass and looked down the dark street to where his car would be parked. Tonight it was just an empty space.
With a sigh, I straightened up and went to my bathroom to wash my face. I couldn’t help thinking how nothing seemed to change here. Back in my room, cleaned, scrubbed and ready for bed, I pushed the covers aside and slid beneath my old sheets, cuddling my pillow to my cheek. I was in my usual little sleep-shirt, and I wished so hard Julian was driving in tonight instead of tomorrow.
I dug out my phone and shot him a quick text. Made it home. In my bed. Staring at the window.
Dropping my head on my arm, I waited, thinking of the last time we’d been here together. It was the night before I’d left for New Orleans, and I’d barely slept for holding onto him all night, trying not to cry. My phone buzzed.
Where’s that bear? I’ve got my eye on that guy.
That made me giggle. He’s in the corner, but he’s giving me a look.
His ass is grass if I catch him in bed with you again.
Speaking of, your tree seems very lonely tonight. It misses your ass.
One semester in the Crescent City, and already swearing like a river rat.
I was talking about that little donkey you used to ride around.
I’ve traded that guy in for a real car.
I shook my head and laughed through the pain. How much longer?
Not much. Get some sleep and try to dream about me.
I always do that.
Love you, Banana Face.
Back to the nicknames. I’m definitely home now.
See you soon.
I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. Then I hopped up and walked over to the window, raising it just a little bit. The noise of frogs singing in the cool night drifted in, and I dropped onto my knees to look out at the dark, starry sky. November here was always a mixture of cool and the occasional, odd 80-degree week, but tonight was perfect. I was home, and I could feel my muscles starting to relax. Only one thing missing.
I pushed off the windowsill and walked back to my bed. Mr. Bear got a passing glance before I climbed in, curling into the warmth of my soft blankets. I was asleep before I knew what happened.
I know this, because I woke with a start to arms sliding around my waist, and a warm body curling in behind me. Flipping over fast, I pressed my mouth against Julian’s to muffle my squeal. His lips curled in a smile over mine, and he rolled me onto my back for a better kiss. My entire body vibrated with happiness.
“What are you doing here?” I managed a whisper that was almost a shriek.
“I was on the road when you texted.” He kissed my nose and warmth bubbled in my chest, right at my heart.
“Texting and driving is bad bad bad, Julian!” I kissed his cheek.
“Then stop texting me when I’m driving.” He kissed my ear, and I couldn’t help a laugh.
“I never seem to know what you’re doing these days.” His mouth moved along the line of my jaw and then down to my neck as bliss surged through my insides. My arms were around him, and I squeezed. “Ugh! I’m so happy to see you! How did you get away so soon?”
“Finished earlier than I thought. I was already packed, so I just hopped in the car and drove.” Propping on his elbows, he smoothed his hands on either side of my face. “I’m happy to see you, too.”
I reached up to place my palms on his warm cheeks, and for just a moment, we looked into each other’s eyes. Home. The word sounded like music in my head. Everything was right now.
He broke the spell by leaning forward and kissing me quickly. “Gotta jet. It’s almost dawn.”
“Julian! You just got here!”
Laughing, he pulled me against his chest and gave me a long squeeze. “And I couldn’t pass through Fairview without stopping to see you, but your dad’ll kick my ass if he catches us.”
My lip poked out. “But we haven’t even… you know.”
A little spark hit his eye. “We haven’t what?”
His sly grin was too sexy, and I was smiling too big. “We haven’t said a proper hello.”
Both of his hands caught my cheeks, and he kissed me so hard, it stole my breath. My eyes were still closed when he rested his forehead against mine. “You are seriously irresistible.”
“You’re seriously a tease.”
“You’re right.” He reached back and pulled off the tee he was wearing, causing my jaw to drop. “Screw it. I’m n
ot leaving you. We’ll deal with it if your parents catch us.”
He leaned in and pressed his mouth against my neck, working his way lower as his hands rose under my nightshirt. My heart rate rose right along with them.
“You’re wearing my favorite PJs.” His voice was hot against my skin.
“It’s just a shirt…” Breathless, I couldn’t help checking the window, where sure enough, orange light was warming the darkness. My hands slid down his bare back, and he covered my mouth again with his. It was so good, for a moment, I was lost in sensation.
But he was right. “Mm—you’ve got to go now.”
“What!” Pushing me back on the bed, he moved down to my waist. “Who’s being the tease now?”
“Ooh, heck!” I groaned as he pushed my shirt up and kissed a line to my navel. “Julian…” His lips moved lower, and I wanted to die. “That feels so good, and you’re right. It’s morning. You’ve got to get out of here!”
“I’ll be fast.” He kissed my lower stomach, then he laughed, a swirl of warm breath against my ultra-sensitive skin. “I’m only nineteen—give me five minutes.”
“Julian!” I laughed, and he slanted a grin up at me.
“Not cool?”
“Are you going to start being one of those boyfriends?”
One last kiss, and he sat up. “No.” He stood and scooped his shirt off the floor, jerking it over his head as he went.
I was up, pulling my shirt down as I followed him to the window.
“I’m staying out on Hammond Island with Dad this week.” Catching my waist he pulled me to him for one last hug before he went through the window. I caught his chin and kissed him again. “I’m about to crash, but I’ll call you this afternoon.”
“Are you okay to drive? You won’t fall asleep?”
“Yeah, just no texting.”
“I’m sure if you wanted to go down and crash on the couch, Mom and Dad wouldn’t mind…”
“And then I’d have to be up in an hour.” He was out the window, pulling my hand to his lips for one more kiss. “I’ll be okay to get to Dad’s.”
“Can’t wait to see you again. And get that proper hello.”
I watched as he went down the tree, and when he got to the bottom he looked up with a smile. “See you in a few.”
I leaned my head against my hand and reached down to him. He held his hand back before taking off in a jog to his waiting car. I stayed in that spot until I couldn’t see him anymore, then I stood with a sigh and went back to my bed.
Confident I’d never get back to sleep after that, I lay on my back and closed my eyes, replaying all of the sensations of his surprise visit over in my mind. Next thing I knew it was broad daylight—I was waking up.
* * *
Thanksgiving with my parents meant heading to Navarre to spend the afternoon with Nana. Julian tagged along, and while it still bothered me that he wasn’t spending the day with his mom, I was so happy to have him with us. Mom was equally thrilled.
“Julian, I want to hear all about your latest project.” She smiled as she blobbed a spoonful of dressing on his plate. “Especially the part about when we can display it at the Performing Arts Association.”
He just laughed, but I jumped in. “Oh, Mom, you should see the paintings he’s done. They’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“Do you have any pictures we could see?” Nana was equally excited about Julian’s art, and though she’d never say it, I was pretty sure she preferred him to the boy with the boat. “I’ve always loved local art in this area. It’s so unique and vibrant.”
“I think you love anything that has the ocean as its subject,” I teased hugging my grandmother’s waist.
“It’s true.” She kissed my head. “I’m a bona fide beach bum.”
“Make that two of us.” Dad was cutting the turkey as we all stood around waiting for our slices. “Anna, how are you taking it? You’re the only one not near the coast now.”
I got my slices of turkey and headed to my seat at the table. “You know, it’s almost like I am near the water. I’ve got the river so close to our duplex, and there’s Lake Ponchartrain. I can go there and watch the sailboats.”
Julian followed me over to the table and sat, grabbing a roll for each of us from the basket in the center. “We should get the surfboards out.”
He gave me a wink, and I smiled, remembering all those days last year when he taught me to surf. It was really hot. Me in my bikini, him with his arms around me all day. We were seriously not together then, or I’d never have learned anything.
Mom cut through my steamy memories. “Come on now, Julian,” she grabbed a roll as she sat in front of us. “Tell me what you’re working on. What do you think of your art professors? Is there anything they can teach you?”
“Here she goes again!” I stuffed a piece of roll in my mouth. “You should’ve heard her cross-examining me last night.”
Julian laughed. “I’m sure there’s lots they could teach me, but…”
“But?” Mom leaned forward to catch his eye.
“Anna hasn’t told you.” He sat back and put down his fork. “I’m taking a break from art classes.”
Mom’s shocked expression I was sure mirrored exactly how Brad, Rachel, and I must’ve looked when he told us. “You… wait.” She shook her head. “If you’re taking a break from art… are you still enrolled at SCAD?”
“Oh, yes, I’m definitely still enrolled.” He seemed more comfortable talking about it now than he had in September. It was probably having a semester behind him, and from what I’d gathered, a pretty successful one. “The first week of classes, I looked at all the different options, and well, I just decided to expand my realm of possibilities.”
He gave me a wink, and I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Mom’s eyes moved from him to me and then back. “What does that mean?”
“He’s taking architecture classes now, Mom. Julian’s thinking about working with…” Crap! I’d almost said working with his dad, which my parents still didn’t know about. “With Mr. Kyser. Remember how encouraging he always was to Julian?”
I didn’t think it was possible for Mom’s eyebrows to go any higher, but they did. “You’re working with Bill Kyser? In development?”
Julian shifted in his chair. “I just asked if he might be willing to let me intern in his office over the break. We haven’t really committed to anything, but I think he’s open to the idea.”
“Julian, that’s amazing!” Mom’s shock morphed into excited pride. “Working with Bill Kyser, why… that could open doors that I can’t even imagine!”
Dad clapped Julian’s shoulder before he sat down. “What does it feel like to live a charmed life?”
He looked down. “Exhausting. And really stressful.”
“The flip-side of being given amazing opportunities is getting to live up to them, yes?” Mom’s voice was warm and soothing.
“Anna-Banana’s getting a little taste of that as well, yeah?” Dad was cutting his turkey, and I just rolled my eyes. “Here we go again!”
Nana was with us at last, giving me an encouraging look. “It’s time to go around and say what we’re all thankful for.”
We covered the usual bases, being with family, being healthy, having good food and good friends. Then Mom launched into a discussion of funding for art education in schools, and Nan followed up with the issues of conservation and working with turtle habitats. It was each of their favorite “causes,” and I’d been routinely recruited to help with both through the years.
My favorite had been the spring break I’d spent with Nana in Navarre helping with “Share the Beach” when I was only a sophomore.
Baby turtles hatch from their eggs in the early morning light, and they’re all alone, left to race into the ocean to survive. The only problem is all the seagulls, pelicans, and other birds hanging out, waiting to gobble them up as soon as their tiny dark brown bodies appear on the sugar-white
sands from South County through the panhandle of Florida.
“Share the Beach” volunteers all lined the small ditch we’d dug from the nest to the Gulf. All they had to do was scamper to survival, and all we had to do was not touch them or interfere any more than we’d already done.
“Hey,” Julian’s voice was low and soft by my ear, pulling me back from the memory. “You ready to jet?”
I blinked up at his crystal blue eyes—almost the same color as those waters we all loved—then I glanced around the table. Nana, Mom, and Dad were splitting a bottle of wine, and they seemed to be pretty embroiled in some new political discussion.
“Julian and I were going to walk down by the surf,” I interjected.
They all took a breath and looked up at us. Dad was the first one to speak.
“I think that’s a great idea! We should all go.” He rose and dropped his napkin on the table. I bit the side of my mouth and glanced at Julian.
He only shrugged. “It’s a family walk, then!”
I caught his hand knowing very well that was not what he had in mind. Outside in the cool air on the crisp white sand and gorgeous turquoise waters, it was hard to think that anything could go wrong here. Mom, Dad, and Nana walked ahead still talking about whatever new problem needed to be solved.
Julian and I hung back, keeping close enough to the shore that our feet were wet and he decided to cuff the bottom of his jeans. The wind pushed his dark hair around his face, but it just sent mine flying in all directions.
“I feel like all we do is talk about me and my change of plans these days. Tell me about Loyola. What’s happening with your cool project?”
Our fingers were laced, and with my other hand, I caught my curls in a knot by my neck. “It really is cool, even though all we’ve done is the planning part. Next semester is when we’ll set up our interviews, do some ‘man on the street’ stuff, really get out there.”
He smiled. “Algiers sounds like a neat place to research.”
“Just like everywhere else in the city, it’s got some really rough spots.”
“Keep out of those when you’re ‘on the street.’”
I laughed and nodded. “Don’t worry.”
Mosaic (Dragonfly #4) Page 8