Running from Romeo
Page 38
“You can’t ask him nicely to move out?”
“No. I don’t think that would help the situation.” He says calmly.
I caress the side of his face, gently touching his light stubble. He leans over and kisses me softly on my lips. Suddenly his hand is in my hair as he deepens the kiss. He stops kissing me and I look steadily at him. Gently stroking my face, we stare into each other’s eyes.
“You are beautiful, Emilia.” He whispers.
I blink up at him, feeling lost in the moment.
“Beautiful and exhausted.” He smiles. “Long day?”
“Long week.” I smile, slightly.
Wrapping his arms around me, he pulls me into a comfortable embrace. He kisses me gently on the lips and as I close my eyes, I fall into a soothing, sweet slumber.
28
IT’S AFTER NINE O’CLOCK in the morning when Logan leaves and I head out the front door for a run. I’m anxious to hit the pavement since I skipped my run yesterday. Running always helps clear my mind. As I listen to Ellie Goulding’s “Lights,” I make my way down the street and towards the ocean.
My mind reflects on the previous night. The surprise romantic and private dinner was beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. It’s unfortunate the almost perfect evening was spoiled by Sebastian and Seraphina. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Logan that upset. Why did Sebastian say he was going to stay out for the night and then return relatively early? It seems odd to me.
The thing that troubles me the most is that Logan and Sebastian were once close friends and shared the same passion for partying and pleasure. Did Logan act just like Sebastian just a short time ago? Sebastian is such an asshole. It’s hard for me to believe.
Logan also mentioned us being together after graduation. It’s just been two months since we met and I can’t even figure out our Thanksgiving plans. Of course I want us to work but thinking about us seven months from now is a bit overwhelming to me.
I decide the impending Thanksgiving Break is just what we both need. Some time to get away and clear our heads. I know I need some time to think without having Logan, Sebastian, or anyone for that matter influence my introspection. As much as Logan wants to get together over break, I think it will be beneficial for him to have some alone time as well.
As I make my way back to the house, I feel a sense of relief. Logan and I just started dating at the beginning of the school year but we’ve become so close in such a short time. I know it will be difficult for me to be apart from him, but at the same time I know that it’s what we need.
Bryn is sitting in the kitchen when I walk into the house. I pull out my earplugs as she skips towards me and quickly squeezes me in a tight hug.
“I’ve missed you. I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since Friday night.” She beams at me.
“I’ve missed you too, Bryn. You want a water?” I ask as I turn towards the fridge.
“No, thanks. So, tell me what happened to you Friday night? I know Logan showed up because I saw you two leave together. Everything is okay?” She says as she sits back down on one of the barstools.
I take a sip of water. “Yes. Everything was fine. Well everything was sort of fine but it’s fine now.” I take a seat on the stool next to her.
“Okay. You’ve lost me. What happened? And even more importantly did you finally get some rest?”
“Yes. We cleared the air and you’ll be happy to know I slept for more than a couple of hours. I’m so sorry about last week. Did you get some sleep or did Josh keep you busy?” I smile, knowingly at her.
“A little of both.” She giggles. “But please stop apologizing for that…you are my closest and dearest friend. I am here for you and I will always be here for you. Got it?”
I lean towards her and give her a quick hug. “Got it and you know it goes both ways.”
She smiles sweetly at me. “So what’s all this everything was sort of fine business?”
“When he got to Tonic, Tyler was hitting on me.”
Her eyes are wide. “Now it makes some sense.”
“What?”
“He left a couple messages for you on the home phone. He didn’t say much…just that he was trying to reach you and he asked you to call him.”
“Oh.” I whisper.
“I can’t believe he did that. How did I miss it? Well, actually you don’t have to answer that. I’m sure my state of mind or lack of had something to do with that. So, tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. He just sort of grabbed me and started kissing me.” My voice is low. “I tried to push him away and I told him to stop but he wouldn’t listen.”
“What a jerk. I can’t believe Tyler would do that.” Bryn snaps.
“Well, not to defend him but he was pretty wasted.” I shrug.
“Yes, don’t defend him. That’s just not cool. I know he has a major crush on you but he thinks that’s going to score him some points?” She says sarcastically.
I sigh. “Maybe I should have been more up front with him. I thought he knew I only think of him as a friend. You know?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s not your fault. He should have figured that out on his own without you telling him.”
“I guess.”
“So, what happened when Logan showed up? He must have been pissed.” She says, excitedly.
I nod. “He just told him to get his hands off of me. Luckily Tyler backed right off otherwise, Logan probably would have beat the shit out of him.”
“I’m sure.” Bryn pauses for a moment. “Are you going to call Tyler?”
“No. I’ll talk to him but I’m not going to go out of my way. I’m mad at him myself.”
“I can’t say I blame you.”
“How was the rest of your night? You swearing off tequila permanently?” I smile, slightly at her.
She laughs. “Yes, it was quite a night. After we almost face planted in the bathroom I started drinking water. I think that was my saving grace. I thought I’d see you yesterday.”
“Well, I went to work and then Logan surprised me. He picked me up from work and we had dinner at Bouchon.”
“Very nice. Then what did you two do?” She smiles at me, purposely.
“Not what you’re hinting at.” I giggle. “We got kind of interrupted.”
“What? So you were going to?” She says breathlessly.
“I don’t know for sure. It’s not like I decided, ‘okay, this is it.’ But we had a really romantic dinner and then we went back to his place.”
“In Montecito?” Bryn can’t contain her excitement. She sits at the edge of her stool, staring at me intently.
“No. The one here.”
“Oh. I think I can guess where this is headed. Your interruption was his lovely roomie?”
I nod. “Sebastian, Seraphina and some other girl.”
“Awkward.” She sighs. “Why did Logan take you there in the first place?”
“Sebastian said he was going to be out for the night. I was actually happy to go there because I was curious if the place even existed.” I laugh.
“What’s his place like?” Bryn asks as she moves towards the refrigerator to grab herself a drink. She opens the door. “You want another water or anything?”
“No. I’m good.”
Bryn takes a diet coke, opens it and sits back down across from me.
“It’s big, very open. It reminds me of a museum…not warm and cozy that’s for sure.” I pause, trying to picture it in my head. “Big leather couches, white walls. Oh, it does have an amazing view of the ocean.”
“Sounds like your typical bachelor pad. Well, typical if your filthy rich.” She takes a sip of her soda.
“Exactly.” I giggle.
“You think you’ll take him up on his offer and go to New York? If you need a friend to join you on their family’s private jet, I’m more than willing to sacrifice my Thanksgiving plans.” She smiles.
“Maybe another time I’ll take him up on h
is offer but not now. It’s too soon. I really think I need some time to sort of reflect on my own.”
“You have to do what feels right. If you don’t think you should take your best friend on a trip to New York. I totally won’t hold it against you.” She cracks up at her own joke.
I laugh with her or maybe at her. “I love when you crack yourself up.”
Suddenly the phone rings.
“I bet I can guess who that will be.” Bryn smirks. “You want me to get it?”
“No. I don’t want it to be weird between us. I might as well get it over with.”
I pick up the phone.
“Hello.”
“Oh, hey, Emilia. It’s Tyler.” He sounds a bit nervous.
“Hey, Tyler.” I mutter as I walk into the living room.
“I just wanted to tell you I’m really sorry about what happened on Friday. I was pretty wasted and I’m sorry I…”
“It’s okay, Tyler. You know I like you only as a friend. You’re a good friend.”
“I was hoping we could be more than good friends, but I know now you don’t want that. I swear to you it will never happen again. Well, unless you want it to happen.”
I smile. Even after the awkwardness of that night, he still holds onto some hope that some day I’ll change my mind and like him more than as just a friend. I can’t help but find his sentiment sweet. Logan, on the other hand, would be less than thrilled to hear his optimism. I decide it’s best to not respond to his charming but unwanted desire.
“I appreciate you apologizing. You know I’m crazy about you but just not in that way. I’m one of your biggest fans.” I allude to his “fan club.”
“That means a lot to me. I hope you aren’t so mad at me that you won’t come watch me play anymore.”
“You can’t keep me from that. I love watching your band.”
“I’m sure Logan is pretty pissed at me.” He says indifferently.
“He’ll get over it.” I say, reassuringly to him although I have my doubts.
“So, you like him?” He asks. The conversation takes a slightly uncomfortable turn.
“Yes.” I know honesty is the best policy.
“He better treat you right. I probably shouldn’t say this but you know he has quite the reputation?” He says, antagonistically.
“You’re right you really shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why do you like the guy?”
“Okay, Tyler. I think that’s enough.” I say, irritated.
“I’m sorry, Emilia. I don’t mean to upset you. It’s only because I care about you and I don’t want you to get hurt by him.”
“Well thanks for your concern but I’m a big girl and I think I can handle this on my own.”
“Okay. If you ever want to talk or anything, you know I will always be here for you.”
“Sure, thanks. I’ve got to go now.”
“Oh, okay. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Tyler.” I hang up. I head back into the kitchen to put the phone back.
“He’s still hoping you’ll come around and declare your love for him, huh?” Bryn giggles.
“I guess.” I shrug.
“It was an awfully long apology.” She questions further.
“Yes. The apology part was fine but then he had the nerve to start lecturing me about Logan’s reputation and how I should be careful.” I roll my eyes.
“That’s out of line, not to mention annoying.”
“I agree.” I pause. “I just hope he isn’t right.”
“Oh, Emilia. We’ve been through this. Yes, Logan has a bad rep but that doesn’t mean people can’t change. He’s madly in love with you if you ask me and you with him.”
I giggle, nervously. “You might be right about me but I’m not so sure about his feelings.”
“You’re being silly. Let’s see, he can’t take his eyes off of you when you are in the same room, he wants you to fly to New York to stay with his family over break, he buys you this beautiful and thoughtful locket…no, you’re right it isn’t too obvious.” She laughs.
I shrug. “I don’t have anything to compare it to so I suppose it’s just hard for me to see the forest through the trees.”
“I know, Emilia. That’s why you should trust me…he’s crazy about you. You should tell him how you feel and then you’ll see.” She says in a matter of fact tone.
“I don’t want to freak him out.”
“Please trust me. You won’t freak him out. In fact, my guess is that he’s more sure about his feelings for you than you are for him.”
“What makes you say that?” I ask with confusion.
“Just a feeling I get.” She shrugs. “Maybe when you take part in some of your reflecting over break you’ll realize you two are meant for each other…or maybe not.” She teases.
“You think I should go to New York instead of staying in L.A. and try to figure things out, don’t you?”
She shrugs. “Let’s just say if I were in your shoes I’d be on that private jet in a heartbeat.”
I giggle. “That’s what I thought.”
IT’S ALREADY LATE AFTERNOON when I shower and change into my favorite pair of sweats. I start to think about my conversation with Tyler but I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. I really don’t want to think about it. Logan and I are really none of Tyler’s business and besides anything he has to say about the subject is no doubt unfairly biased.
I take a deep breath and try to focus on this week’s homework that’s due. I pull out my laptop and write a couple emails before I get to work.
From: Emilia King
Subject: Thanksgiving Break
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:34pm
To: Anthony King
Hi Dad,
I hope all is well. I can’t wait to see you next week.
Bryn and I don’t have classes on Wednesday so we plan on leaving here on Tuesday afternoon to avoid the holiday traffic. See you soon!
I love you,
Emilia
I hit “send”. And almost immediately get a reply.
__________
From: Anthony King
Subject: Thanksgiving Break
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:35pm
To: Emilia King
Hi Emilia,
Can’t wait to see you. Drive carefully.
Love you,
Dad
Then I decide to write Logan a quick email.
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Thank you
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:38pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
Dinner was exceptional last night but it always is when I’m with you. Thank you for dinner and a lovely weekend.
x,
Emilia
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Always my pleasure
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:41pm
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
Flattery will get you everywhere but you’ve already won me over from the first moment I saw you. So while I appreciate your praises; they are unnecessary. I’m happy you found dinner exceptional. Incidentally, I find everything about you exceptional. You are the most beautiful, intelligent, lovely woman I know.
xx,
Logan
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Just yours?
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:45pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
I know what you’re trying to do. Although I enjoy your methods of persuasion, I can’t accept your very generous offer. That’s why I won’t let your singing my praises go to my head.
xxx,
Emilia
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Speaking the truth
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:47pm
To: Emilia King
/>
Emilia,
Though I would like to persuade you to come to New York you are missing my sincerity. Everything I wrote is true.
If you can’t join me on our break, please stay with me on Saturday. I won’t see you all week. We can go to Montecito where I promise we will have no unwanted intrusions.
xxxx,
Logan
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Can’t wait
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012, 3:49pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
I look forward to spending the night with you without any interruptions. For my part, I promise not to black out on you.
xxxxx,
Emilia
__________
From: Logan Prescott
Subject: Promises
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012, 3:52pm
To: Emilia King
Emilia,
If you really can’t wait, I’d be more than willing to come and pay you a visit now.
You should think twice about making a promise that you might fail to keep. I don’t think you can really control your swooning habit. Do you?
You know I’ll always catch you when you fall.
xxxxxx,
Logan
__________
From: Emilia King
Subject: Willing and able arms
Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012, 3:55pm
To: Logan Prescott
Logan,
Although I’d love for you to come over, I have to finish a paper on “The Scarlet Letter” and start research on another paper.