Ignoring her, he pulled out his phone. “I don’t know you can use that word like…” He shook his head. “No. Definitely not used that way.”
Pushing her blankets aside, she stood and stretched. “Okay. Well, I want you to go back to bed. In a few hours, maybe, I will call you.”
“Nope.” He threw himself on her bed. “I don’t want to miss the fun.” He folded his hands under his head.
Nora pulled the covers over him and smoothed his long hair away from his face.“Go to sleep. Just for a little while.”
Leaning forward, he kissed her quickly. “You sure?”
“I’ll see you in a bit.” She grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt from her dresser and followed Cai and Seok out of the room.
“I’m just going to throw these into the bathroom.” Hurrying down the hall, she put her clothes on the sink and came back. “So you’re mine today?” she asked the waiting guys, accepting her coffee from Seok.
“We are. What will you do with us?”
Hmm. Staring out the window, she smiled. “Could we go to Mount Charlotte? It’s only a mile up. We could be back after lunch.”
“You want to go on a hike?” Cai glanced at Seok. “You don’t want to, I don’t know, go shopping?”
Shopping wasn’t on her radar. “Nope.”
“Birthday hike.” Seok grabbed her, spinning her around the kitchen. “You got it.” He held onto her, waiting until her body stopped listing from side to side.
“When do we leave?”
“As soon as you’re dressed. We let you sleep late.” It was nearly ten.
“Why’d you even bring me downstairs!” she called over her shoulder as she charged back through the house. “Chop chop! I want ass-in-seats in fifteen minutes!”
“She’s a demanding little thing on her birthday, isn’t she?” Seok told Cai, but she couldn’t hear how he replied.
This was what it was like to have a real birthday. She ran up the stairs and into the bathroom, brushing her teeth, washing her face and braiding her hair so it rested over one shoulder.
As she leaned over the sink, checking her reflection, she startled. Her eyes were sparkling. She’d heard people describe sparkling eyes, but she’d never seen them on herself. Usually she looked tired, or… regular. But now, she looked happy. Excited. Her cheeks were pink and her mouth turned up, ready to smile. She put her hands to her cheeks. She was jumpy and energized, and completely unlike herself.
She was the girl she always wanted to be.
Before she went back downstairs, she checked on Matisse. Still on his back, one hand hanging off the bed, and the other covering his eyes, he was fast asleep.
Dead to the world. She crept inside and scribbled a quick note to him, propping it on the pillow.
Cai and Seok waited at the bottom of the stairs. They smiled up at her, and for a moment, she had a flash of herself descending to them like it was the prom, or her wedding.
Whoa. She needed to redirect her thoughts.
“Have either of you been hiking at Mount Charlotte before?” she asked when they were all in the car and Seok had pulled out of the driveway.
He shook his head, but Cai nodded. “We bring the kids up there in the summer. I’ve camped there a few times. Have you?”
“Once. In elementary school. We had a field trip. Hiked to the top, had lunch, walked down the access road. It was beautiful. I’ve wanted to go back forever. I remember I could see the lake, and all the way to the Adirondacks.”
“Should we grab some snacks for the way?” Seok asked.
“I’m good. But probably water. I forgot to look for water bottles.”
Cai rummaged at his feet before handing back a bottle. “I was on it.”
“Then we’re good!”
They were well out of town now, and on either side of them stretched grassy fields. The sun was shining so brightly it felt like summer. Nora hoped there would still be enough foliage left to see some color when she got to the top, but she didn’t really care. In the fall, after the leaves fell, the far off mountains took on purple hues which were just as pretty.
“Tally-Ho,” she read. A giant iron horse stood guard in front of a run-down building proudly declaring itself the Tally-Ho Hotel.
“We’re almost there,” Seok chuckled, and then glanced to the side when Cai nudged him. “Oh. Ha!” He snorted.
She laughed at Seok’s snort, and Cai laughed at her laugh. If Nora had come across three people as goofily happy as they were, she would not have held back any eye-rolls. But she loved that she was the goofy one today. She got to laugh and she had nothing to do, nothing to worry about, except enjoy her birthday. A distant memory of a past birthday threatened, but she shoved it away. She didn’t want it tainting her best day.
They pulled into a small parking lot at the base of Mount Charlotte. The leaves were mostly gone, but where they were a few trees hung onto their colorful foliage. With the sun shining, the air was warm and dry.
“I’m ready.” She pushed her sleeves above her elbows and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. Bouncing on her toes, she waited for the guys to get their packs on.
There were two signs pointing toward the mountain trail: easy, difficult. She didn’t even pause, heading toward the side that said, difficult.
“Are you sure you want to go this way?” Seok asked, jogging to catch up.
“Yes. The easy way is the road.”
“It’s better to come down the road. The trail can get muddy, and it’s pretty steep. They don’t want you stepping off the trail and ruining all the flora, so it’s best to take the road down.” Cai adjusted the straps on his backpack, tilting his head to look up at the mountain.
God, he was beautiful. The sun reflected off his hair so she could see all the shades of gold. There were strands nearly white, and those so deep a gold they were almost brown. She touched his hair, running her fingers through the longer strands and cupping his neck. He turned and smiled at her, his golden eyes crinkling at the sides.
“Thank you,” she whispered, standing on tiptoe to kiss his chin. It was as far as she could reach without him bending down to her. She should have known it wouldn’t be enough for him, because he dipped down again, this time making sure to catch her lips.
“You’re welcome.”
Reaching for Seok, who’d walked a little ways ahead, she snagged his hand and pulled him to a stop. When his fingers entwined with hers, she lifted it to her mouth, kissing it. “Thank you, Seok.”
He held onto her hand, pressing it against his heart. Bowing his head, he stared at her with dark intense eyes. “My pleasure.” He glanced over at Cai. “Since you are the last person who was here as an adult, you lead the way.”
In return, Cai saluted him. The hike was quiet. At first, the trail meandered along the base of the mountain. It crossed the access road, and went through a campground shuttered for the season. Soon though, the pitch increased. Panting, her lungs and calves burning, she lunged from one rock to another.
“I don’t remember it being so steep!”
“Need a hand?” A long-fingered hand appeared in front of her face. She followed the line of his arm up to Seok’s chest and then to his face. He was smiling widely, his posture courtly.
“Yes.” She pushed off the rock and then the next. Now and again, Seok would turn around when the steps between each rock were longer than her stride. At one point, Cai pushed her butt, while Seok dragged her forward. It was inelegant, at best, but she didn’t care. She had Cai’s hands on her butt, and Seok tucking her hand under his arm. Quite a few girls in the world would envy her position. So what if she was, maybe, not having as much trouble as she looked. She got to hold their hands and feel them touch her body.
Wicked. But completely worth it.
The trail narrowed and flattened out, and the sun shone brighter. They emerged from the woods into a large grassy area: the top. Seok and Cai dropped their bags at a pic
nic table, pulling out their waters, but she went right to the look-out where the rocks jutted out, The land, from Vermont to Lake Champlain, and into New York state were patchworks of green and brown, and the roads, small blue rivers bisecting the fields. She could turn, 180 degrees, and see miles away.
“This was a good idea,” Seok said from behind her. He pulled her into his chest, resting his head on hers like he did. His arms crossed in front of her chest, keeping her close to him. “But I don’t like you standing so close to the edge.”
Eep. She hadn’t looked down, but his words made her glance directly in front of her. The rocks gave way to a steep drop off. A wave of vertigo made her knees weak and she grasped Seok’s arms hard. Suddenly, she thought about Tilly falling to her death, and morbidly wondered if a fall from this height would kill her.
Always, doom and gloom. Be grateful you’re alive to see this. You almost weren’t.
Cai’s warmth came next to her. Peering over the edge, he shuddered. “Nope. Too close. Back it up.”
Seok chuckled, his voice vibrating through her body before he stepped back, and then back again.
They stood in silence, all of them taking in the view until Seok asked, “How long do we stare at the mountains?”
Good question. Turning in Seok’s arm, she said, “We can be done. Are you ready to head down?” As the words left her mouth, a shrill ringing sounded. She stared at Seok and Cai, waiting for them to answer.
“It’s your phone, nae sereang,” Seok told her politely.
“Mine?” She remembered the phone Dr. Murray had given her and stuffed in her backpack this morning. “Shit.” She pulled off her backpack, digging through the front pouch. “Shit shit shit. Hello?”
“Nora? Hi. It’s Daniel. I’m sorry to bother you on your birthday, but I need you to come in for an interview. A colleague of mine is here from VMI and I want him present for the next part of your interview.”
“I’m actually on the top of Mount Charlotte,” she answered, glad for an excuse. “Tomorrow?”
“Nope. He’s here only one day before he heads back to Virginia. I need you as soon as you can get here. We’ll wait.”
“But Dr. Murray…” Cai and Seok's faces had darkened when they heard who she was speaking to. “I have plans today.”
“I’m sorry, Nora. I know it’s your birthday. I wouldn’t have asked you, but this was a surprise visit. I only learned this morning. Please?”
He didn’t demand she come. He didn’t remind her she was contractually obligated to participate whenever he wanted her. But she had no choice. Together, Cai and Seok walked toward the picnic table and put on their backpacks.
“Okay, Dr. Murray. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Nora.”
I’m sorry,” she apologized to the guys.
Seok shrugged. “It’s okay. We still have the walk down.”
But Nora’s earlier mood was gone. She remembered what Jessica said at her last interview; her next appointment would include questions about her relationships. And she wasn’t ready to talk to anybody about it. It wasn’t because she was ashamed, though she’d be lying if she wasn’t nervous about how others would view her. It certainly helped that the last few weeks she’d been persona non grata everywhere she went. She’d had a taste of what shunning was like.
Her biggest worry though, wasn’t how much further she could fall in public opinion, but about the guys. Cai worked with young people. Ryan wanted to be a lawyer. Apollo would be a physical therapist. If people viewed them as morally reprehensible, what would it mean for their careers? In all honesty, she didn’t think Matisse would care, and Seok was an island unto himself. He cared about his friends and Nora. He didn’t seem to care about anyone else, but that could change if his business was impacted by their relationship.
“Have you guys told anyone about us?” she asked.
“No.” Cai answered first. “I don’t know exactly what I’d say if someone asked me. Or if it’s anyone’s business but ours.”
Seok shook his head. “I don’t talk to anyone about anything personal outside of our circle. It’s no one else’s business.” He turned around, walking backward so he could watch Nora. “Why?
“I’m afraid Dr. Murray will ask me about my relationship.”
“Let him.” Shrugging, he cut a look at Cai. “Eventually, Nora, it’s going to come out. We’re going to have to deal with it.”
“But not necessarily right this minute,” Cai interjected. “Not at the same time she’s already dealing with the shooting fall-out.”
“If I lied to him…” She hesitated. “It wouldn’t be because I was ashamed.” She met their gazes and saw understanding, and in Cai’s face, relief.
“I am worried about how it could impact me, professionally,” he allowed. “Yet, I wouldn’t change it. I want to be with you, Nora.” He made sure he had her complete attention before continuing. “I’m…" Glancing at Seok, he began again, “I’m falling in love with you. I’m in it for the long-haul.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered when he kissed her.
Lips tickled her neck, and the heat of Seok’s body crowded her from behind. “If we’re making declarations, then let me make mine as well. I love you, Nora.” His breath tickled her ear, the words so low she didn’t think even Cai heard them.
Cai’s lips left Nora’s, allowing her to turn into Seok’s embrace, but she tightened her grip and reached to hold them to her. Their heads bowed into her neck, one on each shoulder as they held onto each other.
“This is the best birthday.”
Both of them nodded, and took her hands, tugging her to walk again. They continued in silence with only the distant sound of traffic and the occasional call of a crow. Their car was the only one in the dirt parking lot.
“Hungry?” Seok asked as he pulled out of the lot onto the main road.
“No.” Her mind raced ahead of her, working out what she should expect from this interview with Dr. Murray. “What university is VMI?”
“I don’t know,” Seok answered.
Cai took out his phone. “Virginia Military Institute,” he read. “Why?”
“Dr. Murray told me the interviewer was from VMI. I’ve been trying to figure out what the letters stood for.” She paused. “I didn’t realize military institutes did research. I thought they were mostly officer training places. Map reading, and, I don’t know, The Art of War.”
Seok snorted, but Cai answered thoughtfully, “I didn’t know they did either. I think we should come with you.”
“You can’t come in the interview with me, Cai.”
“But we could wait.”
Seok nodded his head.
“It takes a really long time. My first interview lasted almost four hours. Oh no!”
Cai whipped around in the seat, looking at her. “What?!”
“What time are our dinner reservations? What time is it now?”
He clenched his teeth. “Crap, Honora. You scared me.”
“Sorry, but I don’t want to miss it. Are either of you wearing a watch? That way I can just take off if they aren’t finishing in time?”
Seok fiddled with something and then reached back, handing her a giant man-watch. The inside of the band was warm from his skin when she put it around her wrist. It was more like a bangle than a watch, sliding up and down her arm. She liked having something of his on her body; the idea of looking at it and thinking of Seok during the interview comforted her.
The traffic was stop-and-go the closer they got to the college, and her nervousness morphed to nausea. Seok pulled into the parking lot behind Converse Hall and turned around. “I’m coming in. I’ll be in and out the rest of the day. We’ll be back to pick you up at five. Want us to bring you some lunch?”
Her stomach was a jumbled mess; she couldn’t eat if she wanted to. She shook her head. “No, thanks.”
Seok and Cai opened their doors
, waiting for her to get out. She slid across the seat, standing and stretching and unconsciously rubbing her stomach.
“How about some ginger ale?” Cai asked, watching her.
“Yes, please.”
The first floor of Converse was busy, students were rushing to offices and classrooms, chatting noisily. In a darkened corner, Cai found the ancient soda machine and fed it a few dollars before returning to her with a green can. Popping the top, she sipped it quickly. “Thank you.” The warm fizzy bubbles soothed her belly.
“What are you going to do while I’m in there?”
Seok shrugged, looking over at Cai. “We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about us. We can always run home and come back.”
A door slammed behind them. Nerves frayed, she jumped, turning instinctively. A boy, baseball cap pulled low over his brows, walked out of the stairwell.
“Tyler!” Cai called out.
He jumped, body tense, and his face when he glanced up, was sweaty, and pale.
“Hey.” She stepped forward, grasping his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Fine.” Without meeting her eyes, he took off his hat and rubbed the back of his hand across his forehead. “Hey man,” he greeted Cai. “What’s up?”
“Dropping Nora off. You eat yet?”
Face paling a little more, he shook his head quickly. “Nope.”
“Great. Seok and I will treat you, come on.”
Immediately, Cai took on the social worker role, setting Tyler at ease. Ish. Still, there was an unfamiliar tension around him. It was strange the way he wouldn’t meet her glance, eyes landing everywhere else. When Cai moved closer, clapping him on the shoulder affectionately, he flinched.
Weird.
“Did you have an interview?” she asked. It certainly was the source of her anxiety.
“It wasn’t bad.” His tone was off, everything about him was off. But she didn’t push. She met Cai’s stare; he noticed the same thing. Perhaps he’d get the truth from Tyler.
“Okay.” She’d leave them to it. “So, I’m going to go.”
“Good luck,” Seok said after hugging her. “Remember, we’ll be back.” One last kiss from Cai, and she needed to go.
Finding Nora Page 12