by Brenda Drake
Every time someone’s glass emptied, Joost refilled it. Daisy nursed hers. She wasn’t much of a drinker. Sure, she’d have a beer or some wine now and then, but nothing excessive. Not like Joost. He swayed on his feet as he went over to fill Agnes’s glass.
“Agnes and I go way back,” Joost said, sloshing a little bit of wine over the rim of her glass. “Being the only child there aren’t many kids my age in my parents’ circle. Agnes here keeps me company. We’ve become great friends.”
“Ja,” Agnes said. “We have good times.” The more Agnes drank, the more her accent came out.
Joost tried to sit down on the footstool in front of Agnes but slipped. He caught the armrest on her chair before he could fall. Some wine spilled out and sprinkled the floor.
“Sacrilege,” he said, rubbing the spill with his shoe as if it would clean up the red liquid. Instead, it made a red smear across the tiles. “Wasting wine is such a sin, isn’t it?”
Okay. That’s enough. Daisy’s heart hurt for Joost. Underneath his joking and drinking, there was a lot of pain. She wondered what had happened to make him that way. There were hints that his parents didn’t make time for him. Could that be it? Whatever it was, she wanted to help him.
Daisy tapped her nails on her glass.
Andrei sipped his wine, listening to Agnes as she described the snow conditions there and that people were able to ski yearlong on its glacier.
She tapped harder.
When he hadn’t taken the cue, she cleared her throat. Andrei and Agnes glanced over at her. Joost was busy dancing to the elevator music lightly playing through the overhead speakers.
“I’m getting bored,” Andrei said, finally catching on. He stretched his arms over his head.
Agnes looked like he’d just slapped her.
“No, no.” He lowered his arms. “I don’t mean you are. Boring, that is. Just thought we could do something else.” He turned on his smoldering look and it totally worked on Agnes.
A sweet smile pressed on her lips. “What would you like to do?”
Not that. Daisy didn’t like what the smile was suggesting.
“I know,” Daisy said a little too loud that her voice echoed across the pool. “I could give you each a tarot reading.”
“That’s a great idea,” Andrei said.
“You’re a tarot reader?” Agnes looked suspiciously at her.
“Not really. Just dabbling in it.”
“I’d like one,” Joost said. Daisy moved her legs out of the way right before he plopped down at the end of the chaise. “Read mine.”
That was easy.
Daisy swung her legs over the side of the lounge, removed her deck from her purse, and slipped the cards out. After shuffling them, she fanned the cards out on the cushion.
“Okay, pick one,” she said.
He examined the cards. “Just one?”
“For now.”
He drew a card and flipped it over. It was the Hermit card, not the Death card. Something was wrong. He was the firstborn son. The only child. She snatched up the cards and reshuffled them.
“What are you doing?” Joost asked.
“Something went wrong.” She fanned the cards out again. “Okay, pick again.”
He picked up a card and turned it over. The Hermit card.
“Should I pick more than one?” Joost took a sip of his wine. “Don’t you need more to do a reading?”
“No. My readings only require one card. I can tell you a lot about the one you drew.” And she could. Visions came with the cards, and she saw him. Alone. Isolated. Just like the Hermit.
“A lot is going on in your life,” she said. “Many changes. And you feel alone. Isolated from your parents. You feel something is missing. You miss someone. Someone you wish were here, sharing in all your achievements.”
Joost sobered, looking as though he’d seen a ghost, or possibly another drop of wine hit the floor. “How did you do that? You’re right. I do wish he were here.”
“A boyfriend?” Agnes asked the question Daisy was about to ask.
“No, not a boyfriend.” He grabbed his necklace. It had a thick chain and two glass beads strung through it. One was black, the other white.
“Who then?” Daisy pressed.
“My brother. He died when we were seven. I threw a ball, and it went into the street. He didn’t look—” His voice cracked, and tears formed in his eyes. He looked away to compose himself. “We were twins. If he were alive, we’d be going off to university together. The black pearl represents me. The white one him.”
A twin. Joost pulled the Hermit card twice. Never the Death card. He wasn’t cursed.
A thought came to her. “Who was born first?”
“He was. By three minutes.”
That was it. Joost’s brother received the curse.
There was still one curse left in the world. And she now knew who carried it. Niels Beringer. Their last stop. Paris, France.
But she couldn’t leave Joost the way he was. He was lost. Alone. It had to feel bad. Hopeless. “I learned another trick,” she said.
Andrei stood, shaking his head at her. “It’s getting late.”
“Oooh…I love tricks,” Agnes shrilled. “Is it magic?”
Joost’s eyes were stuck on the card. Probably still processing the information Daisy revealed about him.
“Yes, it’s magic.” Before Andrei could stop her, she touched the card with her fingertips, her infinity scar heating, then glowing blue. The card shot up in the air, broke into two, spun, and tapped back together. Her vision went blurry as she watched it drop onto the table.
All Daisy’s energy whooshed out of her like a blast of wind blowing out a candle, and she grabbed the armrest of the chaise to steady herself. It sucked getting sick, but it was worth reversing Joost’s fate.
“That’s brilliant!” Agnes clapped.
Joost snapped out of his trance. “How’d you do it?” He picked up the card and studied it, flipping it over.
Agnes bounced at the edge of her seat. “Do mine.”
“That’s enough. She was only set up for one.” Andrei gathered up the tarot cards, glancing over at her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just need a sec.” But she was anything but fine. Her insides felt like a semi had run over them, then backed up and ran over them again.
“I’m going to get some water.” Andrei headed for the door.
Joost stretched up to his full height and pushed his pant legs down. “So, where’s this awful music coming from.”
“There’s a player behind the pool counter,” Agnes said, joining him.
“The speakers are only in here?” A devious smile crept over Joost’s lips.
“Yes,” she said. “Why?”
He grasped her hand. “Well, show me where it is. I’ve had enough of this elevator rubbish.”
Andrei passed them, carrying two small cups. “Here, drink this.” He handed Daisy one.
She took it and chugged the water.
“And this.” He passed her the other cup, and she downed it, too.
Static replaced the overhead music.
“Thanks.” Feeling less shaky, she released the armrest.
He crouched in front of her and rested his arms on his knees, his eyes surveying her face. “Joost isn’t the one, huh?”
“No. It’s that boy in Paris.” She stacked the cups on top of each.
Imagine Dragons played over the pool atrium.
Andrei wrapped his hands around hers. “How about we don’t think about fates and curses tonight, okay? We have tonight. Let’s have some fun.”
Chapter Twelve
Andrei
Joost and Agnes danced around the pool. Andrei played babysitter. He was sure one or both would fall in. Daisy was quiet, sitting on the chaise lounge. It was apparent by the look on her face she was processing things. After corralling Joost and Agnes to an area that was a safe distance from the pool, he went over to Daisy.
She tilted her head up and peeked through her bangs at him. “Sorry. I’m not much fun, am I? I’m just anxious to go find Niels. End the curse.”
“I get it. But our train doesn’t leave until tomorrow.”
For tonight, he just wanted to be normal. Wanted to hold her in his arms. Wanted to tell her that he cared for her more than just a friend. He wanted, no, needed her to want him in that way, too.
“What about a dance?” He held his hand out to her.
She hesitated before grasping it. He towed her to her feet, wrapped his arm around her back, and kept a hold of her right hand.
“What about your boyfriend?” Her eyes slid over to Joost and Agnes sloppy dancing. “Oh, and girlfriend.”
He laughed. She was so jealous. “I only have eyes for you,” he said.
“That’s so cheesy.”
“You love it.”
“Maybe.” She puckered her lips trying to keep from smiling.
He took that as a challenge as he swayed her to the music. “Have I mentioned how hot you look tonight?”
She released her smile then. “I think you did earlier.”
“Well, I haven’t said it enough then.” He brought his mouth close to her ear. “You’re beautiful.”
She leaned back to look him in the eyes. “Thank you.”
He lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers, pulling her tighter against his body. She shuddered in his arms, which only excited him more. Her lips parted, inviting his tongue. Their kiss deepened, and he was lost in her. It was as if they were alone, their surroundings fading around them. Her palm pressed against his cheek, her touch gentle and warm. He ran his hand down her back and over her curves.
Pushing him away, Daisy took several steps back. “Oh wow. That…that was intense.” She was breathless.
“It was amazing,” he added.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“So why did you push me away?” He took her hands in his and tugged her back to him. “What’s going on?”
“It’s just. I don’t know.”
“Too much, too soon?”
“I think so…” Her voice fell to a whisper.
He kneaded her fingers. “Slow is good. I’m in no rush.”
Her face brightened. “Really?”
“Really.”
What did he just agree to? The pressure in his pants told him he didn’t want to wait. But her bright-hazel eyes full of admiration, spoke to him. He’d wait for her as long as it took. He hugged her, nuzzling his nose into her neck. Her perfume a soft, floral scent.
God. She smells good.
“I don’t want anyone but you,” he said. And he meant it. In the past, he might have said that to win a girl over. But not Daisy. With her, it was real.
I’m so screwed. Why did I say that? I’m going to scare her off.
She untwined her fingers from his. “What does that mean?”
“Uh.” What did that mean? Shit. Did he want that? He did. Of course, he did. “I guess a relationship?”
She blurted out a laugh.
He blinked.
Her smile slipped from her face. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah, I am.” He didn’t like where this was going.
“Oh.” She glanced over at Agnes and Joost. They were too busy trying to get a lifesaver off the wall to notice them.
“Daisy?” He grasped her hands again.
She looked at him. “I’m sorry. You just took me by surprise. Can we not define anything right now? I mean, obviously, I want you. I just think it’s a little too fast.”
“You want me?” He released a long breath. That was a relief. He could wait until she was on the same page as him.
“Yes.” She stared at their hands. “We’re just caught up, you know, in all this stuff. When we’re in our normal lives, it could be different. We could be different. I guess, what I mean is let’s wait and see. Give it time.”
He released her hands. She couldn’t look him in the eyes. Was she worried his feelings were hurt? Right then, he was numb. All the excitement he felt earlier was gone. But he didn’t want her to see that. Didn’t want to put any more strain on her. He forced his best smile and said, “Okay. We’ll wait and see.”
The night sure did take an unsuspected turn, and he wasn’t sure where he’d end up. Hopefully, wherever it was, his heart wouldn’t end up at the bottom of a ditch bludgeoned to death.
The sun peeked through the crack between the curtains. Andrei rolled out of bed, slipped on his tank top, and crept to the bathroom, trying not to wake Daisy asleep in the other bed. They were up late. His head felt like a lead weight on his shoulders and there was an annoying ringing in his ears.
He took a quick shower, brushed his hair and teeth, and dressed.
Daisy was still sleeping when he came out. He sat on the edge of his bed. Her auburn hair fanned across the white pillowcase. Without makeup, the freckles dusting her upturned nose were more visible. He liked them on her. There wasn’t anything he disliked about her.
He tapped her arm. “Daisy, wake up.”
She moaned. “Did I die?”
“No. You’re still alive. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be in pain.” He pushed himself off the bed, his head protesting the move, and grabbed a glass off the sink. “We have to get going, or we’ll miss our train.” The faucet gurgled before spitting out water into the glass.
He padded across the floor and reached the glass out to her. “Here drink. No tablets for your headache, but if you hydrate, you’ll feel better.”
“Thank you.” She looked under the covers and frowned. “Can you turn around, please?”
He faced the television. The springs in the bed squeaked a little as she got out of bed. Through the flat screen, he could see her every move—the outline of her curves. She wore a T-shirt and panties, and it took all his willpower not to turn around. The air adjusted behind him as she passed on her way to the bathroom and he tensed.
Eyes forward.
“I thought we could check out the village before we leave,” he said.
“Sounds good.” She closed the bathroom door.
After checking out of their hotel, Andrei and Daisy took a lazy stroll in the quaint Zermatt’s village. The sun was so bright. They bought cheap sunglasses at a tourist shop and grabbed takeaway coffees and sweet rolls at a small café. The town was made up of tall A-frame buildings with the Matterhorn towering above them. Though it was green down where they were, the mountains were covered in snow.
The windows displayed Swiss watches, porcelain collectibles, and Swarovski crystals. Daisy stopped at a display of a Christmas village.
“My gram has one of these,” she said.
He recalled the night before. Couldn’t forget what was said. Maybe it was the wine talking. Did she remember? He didn’t want to ask her. If she had forgotten, it was better left that way. Especially since she’d shot him down about the relationship thing.
Daisy pulled her gaze away from the window and directed her smile at him. The cheap mirror sunglasses made her look edgy. And he knew then, it wasn’t the wine talking last night. Somewhere along their journey, he’d fallen for her.
Or maybe he’d been falling all along. Back when their online chats started.
They glanced in windows as they made their way to the train station. His hand brushed hers, and she started. Many tourists were dressed in shorts and jackets. The weather was warm, but the breeze carried a chill. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted out of the bakery. Languages from around the world drifted by him.
With all the sights and people around, they reached the station before they knew it.
Daisy grasped the handle and pulled herself up on the first step, looking back at him. “It’s so sad we can’t stay longer. It seems we just get a little taste of every place.”
“One day, we’ll have to do a real tour of Europe.” Was he really making plans with her?
&nb
sp; “That would be nice,” she said and finished climbing the steps.
The train ride to Paris was a little under eight hours. Daisy rambled on about her family, school, and plans for her flower shop for the first half the trip. It didn’t suck, either. Usually, Andrei would get tired of a girl talking so much. Not Daisy. She made everything sound exciting.
The second half of the trip they read and watched movies on their phones until a voice came over the speakers announcing in several languages that the train would be arriving at the station in twenty minutes.
Daisy stretched her arms over her head. “When I get home, I’m going to sleep for a week straight. All this traveling is wiping me out.”
He imagined them lazing around together. It was a couple thing to do. This wondering if she remembered the relationship talk was nagging at his thoughts. He decided to put an end to his worrying.
“About last night—” he started and stopped.
What if she doesn’t remember? Then I’m off the hook.
Where did that thought come from? He didn’t want to be off the hook where she was concerned. Or maybe he did. It was all confusing.
She slid a look at him. “What about it?”
“We talked. Decided things.”
“Oh that,” she said.
He waited for her to say something more, but she just stared at him.
“Are we cool?”
The corner of her lips lifted slightly. “Yes, of course, we’re totally cool.”
“Okay, good.” He expected her to say more. But that was it.
The train approached the Paris-Gare de Lyon station. All he could see were poles and tracks, and then tall white buildings and pitched-roof houses before it stopped. They exited the sliding doors and followed the swarm of passengers.
The station was massive with high ceilings and wide hallways. There were shops, restaurants, and an enormous glass roof. Outside, he searched for a place to catch a taxi. The line for taxis was long, but Andrei didn’t mind. He listened to Daisy’s excitement at all the sights in Paris she would love to see.
Over her shoulder, he spotted them, searching the people exiting the door to the platform.
Ramon and Bart.