I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with your family.
xx,
Emilia
PS – You are quite the showoff. Is that from one of Shakespeare’s sonnets?
I send the email and power off my laptop. Picking up my phone, I try and fail several times to reach Logan. It's past midnight before I drift in and out of another restless night's sleep.
31
I CAN’T SLEEP. It’s early morning so it’s still too early to try and call Logan again. I wonder where he was last night when I tried calling him. It annoys me that he would text me to call him, call him any time; then he doesn’t answer. Maybe he was out with his old friends for another late night? I look on my phone but there are no new messages and no texts. I hope he’s at least replied to my email. Leaning off my bed, I grab my laptop from the floor and power it up and that’s when I realize I’m not alone.
“You trying to reach someone?” Logan smiles, slightly. Sitting in the small desk chair in the corner of my room, I wonder how long he’s been sitting there and how he got up here. I glance at the window.
As thoughts buzz inside my head, words fail me. I am speechless.
“You’re dad let me in…if that’s what your wondering. By the way, you’re right. He’s an amazing artist. When I got here he was out working in his studio so I got to see some of his work.”
“Oh.” I pause for a beat. “Did you come here because you’re mad at me?” I ask, not sure what to say.
“I think you’re the one who is mad at me. But no, that’s not why I’m here. I came because I missed you, more than you’ll ever know.”
“I missed you too.” I say, softly.
“When you didn’t want to come to New York I wanted to come and visit you. But I knew you wanted time with your dad and even if you didn’t want to admit it at the time, I knew you wanted to spend some time away from me. Then you wrote that you didn’t want me to stay away. You are one confusing woman but your emails gave me the impression that you’d like me to come, so here I am.” He smiles.
And that’s when I get my wits about me. I roll out of bed and practically throw myself at him. Falling into his lap, I wrap my arms around him and kiss him passionately. He returns the kiss; his mouth is hard and intense against mine.
He lifts me so that I’m straddling him and we are facing each other. Pulling back, he rests his forehead against mine.
“So you are or aren’t mad at me?” He whispers.
“I guess that depends.”
“On?”
“I think you probably have a good idea.” I say.
“It was a bunch of friends from different boarding schools and yes, Seraphina was there but only because she’s friends with a girlfriend of one of my friends. I didn’t invite her if that’s what you think.”
“And you still don’t have feelings for her?” I ask.
“No. You know that. It was never like that with her…ever.” He says with exasperation.
“But why didn’t you write you were out with her?”
“I wasn’t out with her, specifically. It was a large group of people. I barely saw her. If I had mentioned that she was there, would you have been more upset?”
“Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know. She gets under my skin. Wouldn’t you be bugged if I wrote that I was out with a group of people and one of them was Tyler?”
“Definitely, but that’s different. He made his intentions clear.”
“And she hasn’t?” I hiss.
“I didn’t know she was going to be there. It really wasn’t a big deal but that being said, I do understand why you’re annoyed and I’m sorry for that. Do you think you can forgive me?” He caresses my cheek, tenderly.
“Since you came all this way I think I can find it in my heart to forgive you.” I whisper and kiss him softly on his lips.
His hands slide under my shirt and he gently rubs my back as he pulls me closer to him.
“It’s good to see you, touch your skin. I missed everything about you.” He breathes as he trails soft kisses along my neck.
“Hmm.” He feels so good.
“I wish we could go somewhere.” He whispers in my ear.
“The beach?” I giggle. I know that’s not what he’s talking about but I can’t resist.
“Is there a private one around here?” He gazes into my eyes.
“Not that I’m aware of. So you’re here to stay?”
“Did you want me to fly back to New York?”
I laugh. “No, I just didn’t know if you were heading back to Santa Barbara.”
“I’ll stay tonight if your dad is okay with that. Then I was going to head back tomorrow to beat the traffic. Would you like to keep me company?”
“Yes.” I smile.
“This is the bedroom you grew up in?” He says as he surveys the room.
“Well, since I was twelve.”
“Your favorite color was blue?” He asks, referring to my pale blue walls and bedding.
“It still is. Blue, like the ocean. I find it very soothing. Speaking of the ocean, guess what?” I say, excitedly. Then before he can answer I quickly tell him.
“I surfed yesterday.” I smile, proudly.
“Well then, I’m even happier I’m here. I’m sure you had quite the fan club.”
I laugh. “Why do you always think I have so many admirers?”
“Because you do. You’re just not aware of it…just another quality about you to add to the long list of things that make you so irresistible.”
“There’s a long list?” I smile.
“Did I say long?” He teases.
I giggle.
“Did I mention I missed that too?
“You missed my giggle?” I ask, amused.
“I did.”
I scoot up closer on his lap, kissing around his ear and along his neck.
“Did you miss that?” I whisper.
“Hmm.”
Then I softly tug his hair at the back of his head with my hand and pull his mouth close to mind. I kiss him, gently on the lips.
“How about that? Did you miss that?”
“Hmm.”
I kiss him with more force, passionately, deeply. He moans into my mouth.
“You missed that too?” I breathe.
“Emilia, you aren’t making this easy.” He says, softly between kisses. “I want you, do you want to do this now?”
I pull back from him and look into his eyes.
“I didn’t think so.” He says matter-of-factly as he runs his thumb, gently across my bottom lip.
“I guess I got a little carried away.” I smile, slightly.
“Yes, well as much as I’d like for you to get a lot carried away I think we better go downstairs. I just got here and don’t want your dad kicking me out already.”
I giggle. “Good point.” I say as I quickly give him a kiss on the cheek and then climb up off of him.
“So, we’re headed to the beach?” He asks.
“Are you tired from the flight? You sure you want to go?”
“I flew three thousand miles to apply your lotion so yes, let’s go.” He smiles.
“I thought you came because you missed me?”
“That’s right, but mostly I missed your body.” He smirks.
“And here I thought you were only after me for my mind.” I giggle.
“Your mind too but mostly your body, now where’s that lotion?”
I can’t help but laugh.
AS THE THREE OF US head to the beach, I quickly send a text to Bryn. I need to let her know I’m driving back with Logan to Santa Barbara. I hope she’s not annoyed.
Immediately I get a text back from her.
I don’t know why but I’m suddenl
y feeling nervous about my second day of surfing in front of Logan. My dad has several extra boards so we each have one. Maybe I’ll just tea bag, I giggle to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Logan whispers.
“Just thinking about that one word you had me Google.”
“So, you don’t want to do this?”
“No. Just a little nervous.”
My dad overhears me. “Don’t be nervous, honey. You’re a natural.”
“A natural?” Logan smiles at me.
“That’s my dad’s way of encouraging me. He always tells me that I’m a natural at everything.” I giggle, nervously.
“You are.” My dad says, proudly.
Taking my hand, Logan smiles at me as we make our way to the beach. The beach is relatively empty. It’s “Black Friday” which is traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. I’m guessing most people are at the malls, trying to get good deals on the busiest shopping day of the year.
We paddle out into the water as we dive under the breaking waves to find a good spot. The water is cold, but it’s quite refreshing since the air is so warm.
“Don’t be nervous, baby.” Logan smiles at me.
I smile and nod back, trying to look calm, cool and collected even though I’m lacking in all of the above. With the ocean breeze spraying salty water against my face and the beauty of the nature that surrounds me, I slowly start to relax.
My dad and Logan ride a few waves while I just sit and wait. I’m actually quite impressed with Logan. He’s only been surfing for a short time, but you would never know by watching him. He’s actually quite a distraction, but that isn’t anything new. The water glistens off his perfectly fit body, it’s hard to focus on anything else.
Finally, I decide to go for it. I find the perfect small wave and start to paddle, paddle hard as I arch my back. The wave starts to catch my board and I pop up. It is exhilarating but I try and remain focused, remembering my dad’s many tips. I’m up but I stay low, crouching down towards the rear of the board. But when I see the nose of the board, moving out of the water, I move quickly to the front of the board. I don’t look down at the board but out towards the direction where I’m headed.
I am excited and quite pleased with myself as I glide along the wave closer to the shore. When I fall off the back of the board I quickly grab it and start to paddle back out.
“Way to go, honey.” My dad beams at me. “Now if you two don’t mind I’m going to head out further.”
“Sure, dad.” I smile.
Logan paddles over to me. “You never fail to impress, Miss King.”
“The feeling is mutual, Mr. Prescott.” I giggle.
WE ORDER PIZZA from Abbot’s Pizza Company for dinner. It’s my favorite pizza and whenever I’m home from college, I have to have it. The thing I love most about their pizza is its bagel crust.
I’m in the kitchen, making a salad to have with dinner, while Logan is upstairs in the shower. My dad walks in behind me with a lime from one of the trees in the backyard.
“You mind slicing this up?” He asks as he puts it on the cutting board by the cucumber that I’m chopping.
“Sure.” I smile.
“Three Coronas coming up.” He says as he moves towards the refrigerator.
“Sounds good.” I smile. I can hear the water running upstairs.
“He really makes you happy, doesn’t he?” My dad asks as he grabs the beer and moves to the counter beside me.
“Most of the time.” I tease.
“That’s how it always is, Emilia. Relationships are a lot of work. They aren’t always easy. There are happy times but then other times may not be so happy.”
“Have you been watching Dr. Phil?” I tease.
He laughs. “I know, you probably don’t like to talk about this stuff with me but I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am but.” I start to say but I can’t get the words out.
“You’re in love with him.” He says just as I hear the water turn off, upstairs.
I shrug, nervously.
“Oh, sweetie. What’s wrong?”
“I just don’t think he feels the same way about me.” I murmur.
“Believe me…he does.”
I look at him, incredulously.
“Lots of Dr. Phil.” He teases.
I giggle. My dad always knows how to make me feel more at ease.
“Seriously though, I was once a young guy, trust me, I can tell. Plus after seeing you surf today I’m sure he’s even more smitten.” He smiles and hands me an open beer with a lime stuck in the top.
I laugh. “I really doubt that…I don’t think he’s even more smitten after watching me on three-footers.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. Your form is good and that’s what matters most.”
At that moment, Logan enters the kitchen. My dad offers him a beer and Logan takes it from his hand.
“Thank you, Tony.”
“I’m just going to head upstairs and take a quick shower before the pizza gets here.” He says as he turns, leaving us alone.
I finish the salad and put it aside, taking a quick sip of beer.
Logan moves close to me, softly brushing the side of my cheek as I gaze up at him. His hair is still damp from the shower and when I wrap my arms around him I breathe in his heavenly scent. He kisses my forehead, sweetly.
“You do have good form, really good form, baby.” He says, softly. Oh no…how much did he hear?
I look up at him wide-eyed. “You heard us talking?”
“I only heard that…why?” He smiles.
I let out a breath, not realizing I was holding it. I’d be mortified if he heard us talking about me being in love with him.
“I think you’re hiding something from me.” He says, suspiciously.
I take another sip of beer and shake my head.
“I think that’s a yes.” He smirks.
“Are you hungry?”
“I believe you are deliberately avoiding my question.” He leans over, kissing me quickly on the lips.
“What question?” I tease.
I am literally saved by the bell. At that moment, the doorbell rings. The pizza is here. My dad quickly comes down the stairs. I can hear him in the near distance, talking to the delivery person.
“If you think that’s the end of this conversation, you are quite mistaken.” Logan raises an eyebrow as his lips twitch up into a slight smile.
“Oh?” I say, innocently. “You plan on torturing the truth out of me?”
“Whatever it takes, Miss King. You know how much I enjoy a good challenge.”
“And, I’m a good challenge?”
“The best.” He smiles.
MY NEXT DAY SURFING doesn’t go quite as well. Since it’s another spectacular morning, we decide to hit the surf one last time before we head back to Santa Barbara. The waves are a little bigger, but I’m determined to give it a try. I paddle hard on the first wave that I attempt to ride and begin to stand. But as quickly as I stand, I start to lose control and fall head first into the water. That’s the last thing I remember until I’m lying on the beach, looking up at Logan.
“Hi.” I smile slightly when I blink open my eyes.
“Emilia, are you okay?” Logan asks, his eyes wide with worry.
“I’m good.” I start to sit up, realizing there’s a large group of people watching me.
“Why don’t you lie back down? The ambulance should be here any minute.”
“What? No, honestly. I’m fine. I know you hate when I say that but really, I’m fine.”
“You got hit on the head with your board and you blacked-out. Let’s just get you checked out to be safe.”
“Where’s my dad?” I ask, sitting up and looking around.
“Here he comes now.” Logan motions in his direction. “He wanted to make sure the paramedics found us.”
“Oh.”
I sigh. “I can’t believe this.
”
“Yes, you are one accident prone girl.” He smiles.
“Please don’t say that in front of my dad.” I say, panicked.
“Emilia, I’m sure he’s well aware.”
“I never told him about passing out at the track. He worries about me enough as it is. Promise me you won’t mention it?”
“Sure, baby.” He smiles.
“Emilia, you’re up. Thank God.” My dad rushes to my side.
“Hi, dad. I’m good.” I smile, reassuringly at him.
There are two paramedics. Both of them kneel down in the sand beside me. After they check my eyes, ask me various questions and after much pleading on my part, they determine I don’t need to head to the hospital.
“You have to promise if you have a headache or feel dazed or vomit that you go immediately to the hospital. Okay?” The one, older paramedic asks.
“Definitely. Thank you.” I smile and stand.
My dad talks to the paramedics, while Logan wraps his arm around my waist.
“You promise me you’ll let me know if your head hurts or you feel funny?” Logan asks.
“Yes, but really I’m okay.”
“Nonetheless.”
“Yes, I promise. This is so embarrassing.” I roll my eyes at myself.
“You shouldn’t be embarrassed.”
“Really? People are staring.” I whisper.
“Just your usual flock of admirers and it was quite an impressive wipeout.” He leans down and kisses me quickly on the forehead.
“Really? Impressive?” I beam.
“Yes. I told you. You never fail to impress even when you’re wiping out.”
I giggle. “Somehow I find that hard to believe but thank you for the illusion.”
IT’S LATE AFTERNOON when Logan and I finally gather our bags together, leaving them at the front door. Suddenly, I feel an overwhelming sense of sadness at our impending departure. I never like saying goodbye, especially to my dad.
“I’m just going to put the bags out front and see if the car is here.” Logan says, leaving my dad and I alone to say our farewells. Did he say he was going to see if the car is here? What does that mean?
Running from Romeo Page 43