Waiting for Romeo

by Diane Mannino

  “I think I know who’s winning.” I lean up and whisper in Logan’s ear.

  He nods and laughs.

  Chloe is the first to see us. “Heeeyyy, come and play.” She slurs.

  Bryn stumbles over and grabs my arm. “Yes. We need you, Emilia. We’re beating the shit out of the boys. Logan, you go and try and help them out. Lord, knows they can use it. Josh, isn’t that right?”

  “Yeah, you’re kicking my ass, Bryn.” He laughs.

  “See?” She pulls me towards her side with Chloe. “How about we play winners?” I glance at Logan, and wink, letting him know I have no intention of joining their competition. I know the girls’ team is a sinking ship and I have to run, early in the morning. A hangover is not an option.

  “Come on, Em. I know you just don’t want to play because you have to run in the morning. First of all, we’re winning and second of all, you can just power through a hangover. I’ve seen you do it before.” She giggles.

  “Sorry, Bryn. You two look like you have this game under control. I don’t want to mess you all up. Besides, you know I only play vodka pong.” I openly lie and hope she’s too drunk to call me on it.

  “Ooohhh. Let’s switch to vodka.” Chloe shouts above the music. “We’ve got this in the bag.”

  The boys just shake their heads and laugh, while Bryn looks like she’s carefully reviewing her options.

  “Nah. Let’s just stick to beer. Sorry, Em. We’ll play with vodka next time.” She says so apologetically that I pin my lips together to keep from laughing. If she only knew how ecstatic I am they aren’t switching to my supposed preferred drink of choice for their drinking game.

  I pout, slightly just so she thinks I’m a little disappointed. “No worries…count us in next time.” I say, walking backwards, making my way towards Logan. He takes my hand in his and we are just heading out of the kitchen when Chloe runs over to us and gives us both a big hug.

  She bounces back from us, excitedly and leans towards Logan. “Congratulations!” Chloe says, beaming at him.

  I know exactly what Chloe is referring to, but when I glance at Logan, who looks completely at a loss, I start to laugh.

  “Congratulations on your promise slash engagement!” She grabs both of our arms and bounces again.

  Logan looks amused. “Promise.” He says, slowly, carefully enunciating every letter, clearly for my benefit.

  I roll my eyes, shake my head, and smile back at him.

  Chloe looks at us both and giggles. “Well, like I told Emilia, either way I’m all for it!”

  Then from across the room Bryn shouts at her. “Chloe, get your little ass back over here!”

  Before Chloe turns from us, she flashes one more mega-watt smile and then heads to reconvene with Bryn in their inevitable defeat.

  “I like Chloe’s enthusiasm.” Logan says as we head up the stairs so I can grab my overnight bag with a few essentials.

  “You didn’t hear the half of it. This morning she was talking about setting a date and picking out gowns.” I laugh.

  “Hm. She’s enthusiastic and brilliant.” He grins.

  BY THE TIME WE GET TO LOGAN’S PLACE, it’s already after ten o’clock. We manage to escape the beer pong competition, but stop to grab a bite to eat at a café on State Street before making our way to his condo.

  “So, you prefer vodka pong?” Logan asks, as we sit, curled up on the couch, facing each other.

  I smile.

  “You know I think you’re a bit of a liar.” He teases.

  “Yes, well, like I said you’re rubbing off on me.” I pause a second. “You want to watch a movie or something?”

  “Or something.” He says, softly.

  I lean forward and kiss him, gently on the lips then gaze into his eyes. “Thank you.”

  “For?” He looks confused.

  I sit back against the couch and look at him. “For meeting me after work and taking me to dinner.” I smile, sweetly at him.

  “You know you never did answer my earlier question.” He drapes an arm around my shoulder.

  “Yes. I actually do prefer vodka over beer…might be fun to play margarita pong.” I slip my shoes off and tuck a foot underneath me.

  He shakes his head. “No…not that question. I meant earlier…when you were about to wander home. In. The. Dark. By. Yourself.” He says the last words, slowly, making his point.

  “Oh, right.” I smile. “I got totally side-tracked earlier…that’s why I was asking you all about what you guys talk about in the water when you’re out surfing for hours and hours. I was surprised Sam didn’t mention it. But you’re right…Sam eats, sleeps and breathes the surf so I can see why it might slip his mind.”

  “Are you going to tell me, baby? Or do I need to guess?” He looks amused.

  “Sorry…side-tracked again. When I got to work this morning the one detective…the woman…Detective Fernandez.” I pause and Logan nods for me to continue. “She was leaving the store when I got there. Rosemary said the police know it was definitely Sebastian who broke into the stores. She’s not a hundred percent sure about the other burglaries, but she’s pretty certain he was behind them as well.”

  “Well, our suspicions were right. God, he’s a fucking moron. The last time I heard from Seraphina, he was headed to rehab, but I suppose he’s in jail now.”

  Her name runs a chill down my spine, but I fight my overwhelming need to scowl at him and just nod.

  “No. He’s in rehab. Rosemary said she and Sam aren’t pressing charges and either are the other storeowners. She said they feel bad about him almost overdosing and they would rather him get help then have him go to jail.”

  “Sebastian is really lucky they aren’t pressing charges. I just hope he realizes that and gets himself together.” Logan murmurs more to himself than to me.

  “I agree.” I sigh.

  “And, so you thought it was a good idea to walk home by yourself because Sebastian is in rehab?” He asks, a bit sarcastically.

  “Why not? You’re worried about that person following me, right?” I stare at him.

  “Yes.” He looks like he wants to say more, but I quickly continue with my explanation.

  “Well, no one has followed me since then. Sebastian has had his share of troubles and I haven’t heard or seen him at all, so I think it’s safe to say he was the one following me that day. Now, that he’s in rehab and getting help for his issues…I’m certain I’m safe to take a short walk by myself without worrying. Don’t you?”

  “Maybe, but I would feel better if you didn’t walk by yourself, regardless of whether or not there is or isn’t an apparent threat. It’s not a good idea.” He says as he gently caresses the back of my neck with his thumb.

  I know he’s worried about me, but I decide to change tactics. “You know I love that you worry about me.” I lean closer towards him and reach my hand behind his neck, thrusting my fingers into his hair. My lips just barely touch his.

  “I think we’ve exhausted this topic for now, but don’t think I won’t keep bugging you about being safe.” His lips are warm against mine.

  Our kiss deepens as I lean against him and we fall back on to the sofa. One hand is at the back of my neck while the other is spread against the middle of my back, pulling me closer to him. His tongue caresses mine as his hand moves up my sweater and I savor the feel of his touch against my skin.

  I push against him as his hands wander over my waist and then up towards the hook at the back of my bra. He unhooks it with ease as we slide on to our sides, our mouths never parting. Pulling my sweater up, I’m startled when there’s a knock at the door, but Logan ignores it and continues kissing me.

  “Logan someone is at the door.” I breathe and think déjà vu, remembering the time his mom showed up while we were in bed in Montecito.

  And, just like the last time, Logan chooses to ignore the knocking. His lips move along my jaw as the knocking gets louder.

  “Maybe it’s your mom.” I whispe
r and I feel his smile against my neck.

  He stops to look at me. “Besides you, my parents are the only ones who know I live here. I talked to them this morning and they’re in New York…so let’s say we ignore it and head to bed.” There’s another knock.

  “I’d love to ignore it, but…” There’s another knock.

  He kisses me briefly, then leans on his side and pushes up from the couch. “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” He whispers.

  I smile at him as I sit up and watch him walk towards the door. Logan looks through the peephole and shakes his head. “Shit.” His voice is cold.

  He looks towards me and runs his hands through his hair. He looks pissed and I know immediately who is at the door as he turns the knob to open it.

  “Sorry to bother you, Logan, but it’s important.” I hear her say, softly.

  “Seraphina, what the fuck are you doing here?” Logan snaps.

  “Nice to see you too.” She glances over his shoulder and catches my eye. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had company.”

  “Fuck. Off. I’ve had enough of your bullshit. Don’t act like you’re stopping by and it’s something you do on a regular basis.” He starts to shut the door on her, but she stops it with the toe of her black patent leather boot.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I just need to tell you something. Logan, please. It’s important and then I promise I’ll leave and I won’t bother you again.”

  I roll my eyes to myself. Please.

  “I told you to stop calling me and I explained why. What makes you think coming to my place in the middle of the night is okay?” He snaps again.

  “Sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. I know you told me to stop calling you, but I thought I’d see you out tonight. I looked for you at all the bars and…” She continues, sounding desperate.

  “Get to the fucking point, Seraphina.”

  “May I come in?” She smiles, sweetly and I stare at her. I won’t let her get to me.

  “No.” Logan says firmly and I can tell by the look on Seraphina’s face that she’s shocked. Her face reddens and her eyes are wide. Good.

  “Whatever it is…you can tell me right here.” He’s annoyed.

  She huffs. “Sebastian has left rehab. He just up and left. No one knows where he is and I thought you’d want to know since you were once his best friend.”

  He sighs. “I’m sorry for him, but there’s nothing I can do. I’ve tried to help him before…he needs to want help and him bailing on rehab means he doesn’t want any.” He says in a matter of fact tone.

  “That’s it? That’s all you have to say.” She looks shocked again.

  “Look, what do you want from me?” He says, frustrated, angry. He takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. “I don’t wish him any ill will, my friendship with Sebastian is over. He’s burned me too many times than I can count…it’s in the past and I won’t let him…or you…for that matter, fuck my future.”

  “Oh my God, Logan. Since when did you turn into such a pussy?” She glances, overtly, over his shoulder at me. “Come to think of it, I know exactly when.”

  “Emilia has more class in her little finger than you do in your entire body so leave her the fuck out of this. We’re done. Do you hear me? I don’t want to hear from you again so don’t fucking call me or show up at my doorstep.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that…really. I’m just upset.” She sniffs.

  I can’t see from where I’m sitting but I think she’s actually crying. Oh, Lord.

  She continues. “I’m just upset and worried about Sebastian. We all used to be such good friends. This all sucks and I wish we could go back to how things were. That’s all.” She says, softly.

  “I feel bad about Sebastian too, but things aren’t going back to the way they were so you need to get over it. Move on.” His tone is calmer now.

  “Well, I hope we can still be friends. We’ve known each other for too long to just throw it all away. Right?” She says so soft and sweet it doesn’t even resemble her voice.

  I say a quick prayer in my head Logan doesn’t buy into her phony crap.

  “I don’t think so, Seraphina. I told you before you crossed the line and I meant it. There’s nothing you can say or do that will make me feel differently. Now, it’s late so good night.”

  I exhale. Thank God.

  “Okay. Good night. Maybe over time…you’ll see things differently.” Her voice trails off as he shuts the door.

  He sighs and turns, walking towards me. When he gets to the couch he takes my hand in his and pulls me up into his arms.

  “I told you we should have ignored the knocking.” He murmurs.

  I blink up at him. “I won’t argue with that.”

  “You’re not mad?” He asks.

  “Mad? No. Not at you. I’m a bit irritated. Your friends…or I guess…I should say your former friends continue to be quite a challenge. Do you really think she’ll ever leave you alone?”

  “Can we talk about it in bed?” He asks.

  “Um. No. I know you and your false pretenses. Besides, I certainly do not want to discuss her while we’re in bed together.” I huff.

  He resigns himself to sitting on the couch and I sit down beside him.

  “Emilia, what’s left to talk about? We’ve been over this and you just heard everything so you know I’ve told her to leave me…us alone. Right?” He sounds exasperated.

  “Why do you sound annoyed with me?” I ask, confused and a bit hurt.

  He sighs again. “I’m not annoyed with you…not at all. I’m just annoyed with her… with all of that.” He waves his hand in the air. “I just want to move on. I want us to move on and whenever we take a step forward…something happens and we take another step back.”

  “I see what you mean, but we’re moving forward. We’ve been moving forward in a big way. These little bumps are just that…little bumps. Do you really think these little problems will prevent us from having a future together?”

  “No. I hope not. The bottom line is I worry about losing you. Seraphina shows up at my door in the middle of the night and my first concern is that you’re going to run for the hills.”

  I smile. “And, did I run for the hills?”

  “You probably thought about it.” He takes my hands in his and strokes the top of it with his thumb.

  I laugh. “Nope. It didn’t even cross my mind. There are a few other things that crossed my mind when I saw her at the front door and I’m glad you didn’t let her in.” I say, quietly.

  He smiles, slightly. “I really wish you had done one of those other things.”

  “Where do you think Sebastian is? Do you think she’ll try and find him?” I stare at him.

  “I don’t know.” He frowns. “He’ll probably get into more trouble…a part of me cares, but there’s nothing I can do.”

  “Seraphina isn’t one to give up easily, it seems. She seemed very desperate…and not to mention very disappointed I was here.” I mutter.

  “Emilia, I swear to you she’s never been here before. You heard what I said. I have no idea how she knew I lived here. Look, I told you before I even answered the door that only you and my parents know I live here. You don’t believe me?” He says, frustrated.

  “I believe you. You know I don’t like her…I don’t trust her. I had a bad feeling about her from the moment I first met her so you have to understand where I’m coming from…she just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

  “I understand completely. You don’t even need to explain because she leaves a bad taste in my mouth too.” He draws me closer and runs his finger along my jaw. “But do you understand, I only want you and only you?”

  I nod and he kisses me softly on the lips.

  “Are we done talking so we can go to bed now?” His lips brush softly against my jaw and down my neck.

  I breathe. “Yes. I’d like you to get that bad taste out of my mouth.”

  He stops kissing me and gazes i
nto my eyes. “With pleasure.” He kisses me passionately. Then scooping me up in his arms, he carries me up the stairs and into his bedroom.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  I’M STILL SICK TO MY STOMACH AS I RUN, heading back towards home, after my training session with Coach Walker. I woke up feeling this way and I can’t seem to shake it for the life of me. It always helps when I run, but today that’s not enough. Seraphina’s words: Maybe over time…you’ll see things differently flashed in my head all night long and for the first time ever I didn’t sleep well with Logan. Well, the first time since we’ve gotten back together and actually attempted to sleep.

  There’s something about the way she said it and the way she looked at him. I don’t know if I’m overanalyzing, which I’ve been known to do in the past, or if there’s something more to it. I make a mental note to ask Chloe to pay extra close attention to what Seraphina says in class this week. Maybe she’ll say something to alleviate my worries? I think about that for a split second and realize how idiotic the thought is…really, Seraphina is going to say something to make me feel better? Ugh.

  I make my way around a corner and towards the street where Logan grabbed me from the back of the limousine not that long ago. I’m careful despite the fact that I’m not worried about my safety at the moment. My stomach is in knots over Seraphina as much as the thought irritates me that she’s once again getting under my skin. I glance in different directions down the street. No stalkers. No limousines.

  I know, of course, it’s not just her that’s bothering me. There’s the matter of Sebastian. It’s odd, how I’m not worried about myself. I don’t know why that is…because the thought of Sebastian possibly lurking out there to cause me some sort of harm would normally have me shaking like a leaf. Instead, I’m distressed about what this means for Logan.

  It makes me nervous. It makes me nervous for Logan. And, yet he only seems concerned about my safety. I decide I need to talk to him about being safe and not walking alone. The thought makes me smile to myself. I’m certain he’ll only laugh off my concerns, but then maybe we can strike a deal. I’ll be careful if he’s careful.