“Wow,” I said, amazed and rather proud of myself.
He flashed me a coy grin. “I’m pointing to the bruise.”
“That’s what my wow was referring to, you jerk!”
Alex’s forehead was covered in wrinkles. “What exactly were you two up to last night?”
“Long story. But believe me, he earned that.”
“Well, that’s a story I’d like to hear,” Alex said, yawning. “But right now I’m going to bed. I didn’t sleep all night, and I’m beat.” She stood up and stretched. “Good night, you two, and have fun with . . . whatever.” She grinned and sauntered off to her room, little pink hearts practically wafting out of her ears.
I gazed after her, even after she was out of sight. “I think you should collect a sample of her blood and run some drug tests,” I mumbled.
“Well,” Elyas said, “by the looks of her, maybe there is such a thing as Mr. Right.”
“At least for some people,” I said softly, sipping my coffee while lost in thought. Elyas started watching me again, so I downed the rest of my coffee in one gulp, set the cup on the table, and went to the bathroom to freshen up before I left.
I returned to the living room a few minutes later, looking better—though not much—and said good-bye to Elyas. The mountain of work in my room couldn’t wait any longer.
He sulked. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving.”
“Yes, it looks that way. See you, Elyas!” I waved and walked to the door.
“Wait,” he said, getting up. “I’ll drive you home.”
“That’s not necessary. The next bus will be here in ten minutes.”
“You’re passing up a drive in the Mustang for a city bus?”
“Not really,” I sighed. “But I’m starting to owe you gas money for all the driving.”
“I would never take money from you,” he said, trying to look me in the eye. He succeeded for several seconds, unfortunately.
“Let me guess,” I replied. “You would accept another form of payment.”
He seductively raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, was that an offer?”
“No, an observation.”
“Too bad,” he said, slowly coming toward the door.
I stepped back and crossed my arms in front of me.
“One might think you were afraid of me,” he said.
“Definitely not!”
“Are you sure?” he asked, coming closer.
I held my breath. “I’m not so sure,” I admitted.
“Why are you always backing away from me?”
“I’m not backing away.”
“Yes, you are.”
I shook my head, but he nodded. He came another inch closer, and I moved back.
“See?” he whispered.
“That doesn’t mean anything!”
He laughed softly. “Yes, it does. You’re afraid.”
“Am not.”
“Then stop backing up for once.” He looked deep into my eyes. I tensed and stood my ground as he closed the gap between us even more.
“You see?” I said.
“Hmm, maybe I was wrong,” he whispered, looking into my eyes intently. He bent down toward me. My heart responded faster than any other part of me, instantly racing. I regained control over my limbs just before his lips touched my cheek. I moved back from him and glared.
He was breathing hard but stood back up and looked at me. “At some point you ought to try being more trusting.” He grinned, grabbed his car keys, and held the door open for me. “Après vous, madame.”
I suppressed the urge to decapitate him and stepped past him out of the apartment. I had expected more sarcastic comments during the ride home, but Elyas withheld them. He acted like a human being.
A few blocks from my dorm, he slid a CD into the sound system. A song started playing, and Elyas put his hand back on the steering wheel with satisfaction.
I listened to the first bars, which didn’t strike me as Elyas’s taste at all. The song was familiar, though I couldn’t say where I knew it from at first. Once the unmistakable refrain started, it clicked . . .
“Cold as Ice” by Foreigner. Judging by the smirk on Elyas’s face, the song was about me. I had to grin, because this was totally typical of the jerk.
A few minutes later we turned onto the street in front of my dorm. I thanked him for the ride and got out.
In my room, I dove into my books and spent the rest of the morning, all of the afternoon, and much of the night reading. Now and again my thoughts wandered to other things, but I pushed those aside as best I could, focusing instead on what was important. I slogged on, fighting my way through articles and lecture notes, and managed to catch up on quite a bit of the material I had missed. It was another question whether everything would still be in my brain the next day, but I was optimistic.
I’d had the dorm room to myself all morning and afternoon, but Eva came back by dinnertime. She’d since gone to sleep, and her ever-present snoring proved counterproductive to my studying. That disruption was the end. It made no more sense to keep studying, so I closed my binders and books.
I shuffled, exhausted, into the bathroom and stepped into the shower. The stiff muscles in my neck enjoyed a little relaxation under the warm jets of water.
It was very late by the time I came back into the room, and I was in dire need of some sleep. Still, I sat down briefly at my computer and checked my e-mail, and I was in luck.
Dear Emely,
Well? How does a bewitching woman like you spend your Sunday night? If I know you a little, I’m guessing you’ve buried yourself neck-deep in books and haven’t taken a break in hours.
Did you at least make some headway, then?
I smiled at your theories about what I meant when I said I’d disappoint you. Your ideas are wrong—including your suspicion I have two heads!
But before you ask: no, I wouldn’t call myself ugly, if I can say that without sounding too full of myself.
What I was trying to get at was that you’ve surely formed an image of me. That’s normal; it happens automatically. What I’m afraid of is that I, the “real Luca,” won’t rise to the expectations of your “imagined Luca.”
I know you like my e-mails, but I wonder if you’d like me just as much if we were sitting face-to-face. Does that make sense?
Please don’t think I wouldn’t like to meet you. I would love nothing more than that. But I’d like to wait some. Or are you in a rush?
Have a good night! What a waste that you have to spend it alone. (And, no, that wasn’t a suggestive comment—just an observation. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way.)
Yours,
Luca
I didn’t hesitate, and wrote him back right away.
Hey Luca,
You’re right, unfortunately: my head is spinning from all the books I read today. At least I got a few things out of the way, though I didn’t manage to study at all yesterday. I’ve mentioned before how my best friend can be persistent when she’s obsessed. I’ll leave what happened to your imagination.
But you can’t believe how relieved I am. (And don’t think it would be a bad thing if you had two heads. There would be certain advantages to that—I’m sure!) Your reasons for not wanting to meet took a load off my mind. To be honest, I feel exactly the same way. So, yes, it totally makes sense.
And, no, I have nothing against putting off our face-to-face meeting. Actually—how would ten years be?
No matter when it happens, I can tell your fears are unfounded. Whoever—or whatever—you are, Luca, I’ve already found a spot in my heart for you. We have so many things in common, it’s almost scary—and though I hardly know you, I like you.
So please don’t worry your—as you so arrogantly admit—pretty little head over it. There’s no reason to worry.
/>
Now, my dear, one-headed Luca, I have to go to bed—alone, as you already observed. But I think I’ll survive.
You have a good night, too. Sleep tight!
Bye for now,
Emely
Later in bed, I was unable to fall asleep, though I was tired as a dog. Far too many thoughts undulated back and forth, and I couldn’t stop them.
First there was my parents’ accident, which I still hadn’t worked through completely. Then there was school, which demanded everything from me at the moment. There was Alex, who had finally gotten her kiss and was happily in love, on the threshold of a promising relationship. After all the failures she’d experienced, it delighted me to see her find someone like Sebastian.
Nor could I stop thinking about Luca’s e-mails—and the question of whether we would meet. Finally, there was last night, which haunted me. Everything we had talked about, our battle over the ice cream, and the incredible revelation that Elyas had been in love with me. The idea that things might have gone differently made my stomach feel weird.
Apart from my broken heart—could things have been that different? Elyas had gone to England a few months later. We probably would have broken up then anyway. Even if he hadn’t studied abroad, who knew if he might have dumped me for someone else? The fact that he had feelings for me didn’t mean his had been as strong as mine. Although he did say his had lasted for two years.
Still, I couldn’t imagine it.
And how would things proceed from here? Would anything change between us now that we knew what had really happened all those years ago?
I sighed. Whatever he may have felt for me before was irrelevant today. He said he liked stubborn cases, and it would be silly to assume he had a hidden agenda.
But did that change anything for me? I had hated Elyas all these years for the wrong reasons. Why hadn’t he just talked to me back then? Men were so incompetent when their damned pride was injured.
Something had changed for me. It was more a feeling than anything tangible.
I was still tossing and turning a half hour later, so I finally threw off the covers, grabbed my MP3 player, and stuck the earbuds in my ears, playing “Just for Tonight” by Ville Valo & Manna. I took slow, deep breaths and closed my eyes, trying to bring my brain to rest. Soon my cell phone vibrated. I knew who it was before looking.
Could he read minds or something? I sighed and picked up the phone.
DON’T ANSWER
I can’t sleep because of you. My whole bed smells like Emely. How am I supposed to sleep here?
EMELY
Obviously I’ll pay for the steam cleaning.
DON’T ANSWER
Don’t you dare! However, you may need to stop by in the next few days to refresh the scent.
EMELY
You’d love that, huh? That was a one-time mistake due solely to temporary indifference.
DON’T ANSWER
Don’t be that way! And why are you still awake? Shouldn’t you have been asleep for a long time by now?
EMELY
No idea. I’m tired, but I can’t sleep.
DON’T ANSWER
Just say the word and I’ll be at your door in ten minutes.
EMELY
I’ve got two words for you: no, thanks.
DON’T ANSWER
How can you always be so cold? I miss you. But you won’t believe me anyway. When will we see each other again?
EMELY
You’re right about that first point. As for seeing each other, I’m afraid it will happen all too soon.
DON’T ANSWER
I’ve put all my hope on that! It’s not easy planning my schedule so I’ll be home when you’re visiting my sister. What are you wearing?
EMELY
Night, Elyas.
DON’T ANSWER
Have I ever told you I think you’re really funny? I love your sense of humor.
EMELY
That’s exactly our problem, Elyas. You think I’m being funny when I’m dead serious.
DON’T ANSWER
See? You made me laugh again. You’re so funny!
DON’T ANSWER
Why aren’t you answering? Are you rolling your eyes?
EMELY
Yes.
DON’T ANSWER
Will you send a picture so I can see?
EMELY
No.
DON’T ANSWER
Should I send you a picture?
EMELY
No! Don’t you dare!
DON’T ANSWER
Ha ha, are you afraid I’ll send you a picture of my love python?
EMELY
For instance.
DON’T ANSWER
Well, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to keep using your imagination. Although I know you’re curious enough to open the picture anyway.
Sweet dreams.
Sleep tight, my angel.
A moment later the phone buzzed again, announcing the promised image’s arrival. My thumb hesitated for a couple of seconds on the button until I finally pressed it and opened it. It was dark, but the patterns were enough to make out Elyas’s face and his hand, which he was using to blow me a kiss.
CHAPTER 17
FOREPLAY
I sat with Alex in the student union on campus, watching all the goings-on. Alex lowered her head and whispered, “I feel so guilty. We’ve hardly seen each other lately.”
“Alex,” I said. “What kind of friend would I be if I held that against you?”
“Yeah, but still.”
“Not ‘still.’ You’re in love! It’s totally normal for you two to spend your days glued together, preferably alone.”
“But I feel so selfish.”
“Nonsense. You have my full understanding. Besides, I’ve been busy studying and catching up.”
“Then why do I feel like I’ve been neglecting you?”
“Because you’re silly?”
“Thanks a lot.”
I grinned. “I think it’s cute that you’re worried about this, but it’s unnecessary. You’re acting like we never see each other anymore. And that’s not true.”
“Ever since I moved to Berlin, we’ve done something together almost every day. Now that I’ve got Sebastian, what if you and I stop being friends?”
“You and I will never stop being friends! You even overdo it when you’re exaggerating!”
“I’m just afraid you feel neglected,” she said.
I patted her forearm. “I hereby swear and attest: I promise to notify you immediately the instant I feel the slightest twinge of neglect. Agreed?”
“I’m counting on it,” she said.
“Good. At the moment, ‘there’s nothing but green lights’ from me. Really.”
“OK,” she said. “Maybe we can do something together next weekend?”
“I’d love to. But, please, not just because you feel guilty.”
“Don’t be silly. I miss you. I miss Elyas, too, actually.” A traitorous spark that I didn’t like flashed in her eyes. “He asks me every day if you’re coming over.”
I sighed. Happily, I hadn’t run into Elyas since the movie night nearly two weeks ago. Although I wasn’t sure about the “happily” part. My mind was trying to pound “happy” into my heart, but when it came to Elyas, my mind and heart had major communication problems. Still, I had come to the decision that some distance couldn’t hurt. It couldn’t hurt me, at least.
“I know,” I answered. “He’s been sending me several text messages a day.”
“No kidding?” she said. “That’s cute.”
I snorted. “Well, you should read them.”
“Oh, Emely. Don’t be that way. Do you know what I think?”
I shru
gged.
“I think he likes you but is too proud to admit it.”
Alex never was good at reading guys’ intentions. It was hard to take my hyperactive best friend seriously sometimes, especially now that she lived in a world where there were only relationships as happy as hers.
“On the subject of liking,” Alex said. “How are things going with Luca?”
“Very well,” I said with a smile.
“When are you two meeting in person?”
Shit, why couldn’t she just leave that alone?
“Oh, well . . . um . . . i-in person,” I stammered, scratching my head.
“Yes, meeting in person,” she said. “That’s when real human beings stand close to each other in the same physical space and stop hiding like cowards behind their computers.”
“Smart-ass,” I said. “We vaguely set a meeting in . . . a few weeks.”
“What does ‘in a few weeks’ mean?”
“Well, a few weeks. Neither of us is in any rush.”
She was standing now, hands on her hips, wearing an expression I didn’t like one bit. “Emely, you know what I think about that!”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you’ve informed me several times.” Who did she think she was? My mother?
“Hey, what time is it?” she asked.
I pulled out my phone. “Almost 4:10.”
She slammed her hand over her mouth. “I was supposed to meet Sebastian in the parking lot ten minutes ago.”
“Chop-chop!” I said, hugging her good-bye. “Have fun!”
“I will! See you!” she called over her shoulder, already running toward the door with a lovey-dovey smile on her face. I watched her dash off, and then sighed. I’d like a Sebastian myself.
I turned toward the other exit with mixed feelings and started back toward the dorm. I knew Eva fairly well by this point, and there was always the potential for a touchy situation with her. So I was sure to prepare myself before I arrived. What I found in our room exceeded my worst expectations.
Eva sat enraptured on my bed, deep in conversation with none other than Elyas Schwarz and his charming smile.
What the hell?
“Finally, there you are, dearest,” Elyas said. “Eva and I were just talking about you.”
Cherry Red Summer (Emely and Elyas Book 1) Page 25