by Chloe Morgan
Then, the two of us silently walked out to my front door.
“I had a good time tonight,” I said.
“It’s so good to see you, Nia,” he said.
I looked up into his eyes and felt my knees grow a little weaker.
“Do you work tomorrow?” he asked.
“I do. Yes,” I said.
“Well, why don’t I come by the shop tomorrow? And I promise to buy something, just so your boss won’t get upset.”
“Tanner can suck it,” I said.
He chuckled, and I met the sound with a smile.
“See you tomorrow? Or, at least sometime soon?” he asked.
I opened my apartment door and ushered him out.
“Sounds good,” I said.
Then, I watched him walk all the way down the stairs before he turned around, looking over his shoulder. Our eyes met one last time before he opened the door at the bottom of the steps, letting himself out. But when he left, I didn’t breathe a sigh of relief like I thought I would.
I held my breath, hoping he meant what he said about stopping by tomorrow.
Chapter 9
Gram
I woke up in my hotel suite and stretched my limbs. Even though I’d taken a shower after I came back in last night, I still smelled her on my upper lip, against my chest. Her perfume seemed lodged in the crook of my neck. I lay there reminiscing on the night I’d spent with Nia before I slipped out of bed. I reached for my robe and my cell phone as I walked out of the bedroom, tossing the soft microfiber over my shoulders. The ocean was calling my name. The waves beckoned to me.
Like the sound of Nia’s voice.
I threw the balcony double doors opened and stepped out. I drew in the salted air through my nostrils and heaved a comforted sigh. Part of me wished Nia would have let me stay, but I understood why she didn’t want me to. And it wasn’t my place to make a scene about it. It wasn’t my place to demand of her something she didn’t want.
I just hoped she wouldn’t mind me stopping by the shop again.
I punched in Vince’s number and gave him a call. I knew he’d chew my ass off for it, but I wanted to see how things were going and how the company was holding up.
I also wanted to tell him about Nia.
“You know, I almost didn’t pick up,” Vince said.
“And yet, here you are,” I said, grinning.
“How’s Palm Beach?” he asked.
“Sunny and tropical. How’s the company?”
“The financial equivalent.”
“So, things are going well?”
“Yes, Gram. Things are going well, you workaholic,” he said.
“That’s not the only reason why I called you,” I said.
He paused. “What’s up?”
“You’ll never guess who lives down here.”
Another pause. “She doesn’t.”
“Yes, she does. I saw Nia working in a trinket shop I stopped by yesterday. She’s down here, Vince. She lives in Palm Beach. What are the odds?”
“Gram, be very careful. You weren’t in a good place after she turned you and college down. Plus, she might have it out for you for what you did.”
“She told me she wasn’t upset about that,” I said.
“At you coming back and trying to convince her to go to college? Or the other thing?” he asked.
I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Look, you tried before. Which is fine. It’s all good. But it’s too late now. Don’t go opening up drama on your relaxing vacation, you nut,” Vince said.
“Are you sure things are going…”
“Damn it, Gram. Do I have to change my number? Yes, the company is fine. Stop worrying about it and enjoy yourself down there. For once, would you just listen to me?” he asked.
“I listen to you all the time,” I said.
He scoffed. “Hardly, and you know it. Don’t think I don’t know you’re always double-checking after my work.”
“That’s my job as CEO.”
“You wait until I pull off HR’s requirements about what your job really is. Then, you’re really going to have it out for me,” he said.
“I hear you grinning,” I said.
“Good. Because I am. Go enjoy yourself, Gram. Stop calling me. I’m serious. I’ll stop picking up.”
“You won’t,” I said.
“I’ll… pick up and hang up on you. Immediately.”
I chuckled. “I’ll talk with you soon.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Yes, I will. Time to go enjoy the sun. Talk soon, Vince.”
“Gram, sto—!”
I hung up the phone before he could get another word in edgewise. I drew in one last breath before I stepped back into the hotel suite and got changed. I walked down to the beach and let the cool ocean waves pepper my shins. I dug my toes into the sand and slipped my hands into my pockets as I looked out over the ocean’s horizon.
And all I could think about was Nia.
I knew I had to see her again. I knew I had to talk with her about what happened between us. Things had flowed so easily, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t hidden resentment still there. I rocked on my feet. Forward and backward. Forward and backward. I reminisced on memories. On the many days I walked her home from school, whispering to her how I’d get her out of that place someday.
I had to see her again. I had to know.
I had to ask her the question that had spiraled in my mind every night for years whenever I lay down in bed at night.
Chapter 10
Nia
I scrubbed the dishes I had used to cook my lunch when a knock came at my door. I whipped my head over to the door as my heart slammed against my chest. The knock sounded again, and part of me hoped it was Gram coming back to see me, to talk with me about what had happened between us a couple days ago.
But part of me hoped it wasn’t him at all.
Part of me hoped I didn’t see him again while he was on vacation.
I put the dishes down and walked over to the door. I wiped at my forehead, feeling sweat trickling down the nape of my neck. I opened the door and saw Mandy standing there, smiling at me with a slushie in her hand.
“Figured you could use one of these on one of the hottest summer days on record,” she said.
“You’re a saint. Thank you,” I breathed.
I stepped off to the side and let her in before I closed the door behind her.
“So, you have today off. Right? Buttface McGrossPants hasn’t called you in?” Mandy asked.
I almost choked on my slushie. “What did you just call Tanner?”
“Buttface McGrossPants. I came up with it after drinking wine alone last night. Since someone ended up working late.”
“You can blame that on McGrossPants,” I said, grinning.
“So, want to have a girls’ day?”
“When the hell have you ever had to ask me that question?”
“Never. But I figured there’s a first time for everything,” she said, smiling.
“And speaking of first times…”
“Oh, do you already have a saucy story to tell me?” she asked.
“Let me get into another change of clothes that doesn’t stink of the shrimp I just ate, and I’ll fill you in.”
I quickly got changed into a little sundress and a bikini underneath. I brushed my hair out before wetting it a bit, letting it wave itself up like it did naturally. I slapped on some mascara and a bit of lip gloss, then grabbed my slushie and slipped on my flip-flops.
I walked back out to Mandy, and the two of us ventured out into Palm Beach, riding around in her beat-up convertible with the top down and the sun pouring over our shoulders.
“So, what’s this fun story you have for me?” Mandy asked.
“An old friend from my hometown came here yesterday,” I said.
“An old friend?” she asked.
“Yes, an old friend. His name’s Gram. Grew up just one s
treet down from me.”
“A male friend?”
“Yes, Mandy. I do have those, you know.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that… I don’t hear you talk much about your childhood growing up. If ever. So, it’s odd for me to hear you talk about it now,” she said.
“Well, the past needs to stay in the past where it belongs. But he came into town and walked into the shop the other day. It was a shock to my system, seeing as I hadn’t seen him in years.”
“How did the reunion go? Was it nice?”
“It was. We talked for a little while. We made Tanner jealous, which was a bonus. He came by and picked me up afterward and we went out for dinner—”
“Hold on, hold on, hold on. You just nonchalantly throw out there that you had dinner with some guy and you expect me not to probe you completely about it?” she asked.
“It wasn’t anything like that. It wasn’t a date.”
“Did you go back to his place?”
“Actually, I invited him over to show him my place. The two of us growing up had all these dreams for our lives. How we’d get out of Texas and make something of—”
“I didn’t know you were from Texas,” she said.
“Did the accent not give it away?” I asked as we pulled up to a stoplight.
“I mean, I figured it was the country. But your accent is very light for being from Texas,” she said.
“Well, yes. I’m originally from Texas. From a town I’ll never speak of because it was bullshit growing up there. Gram was—”
“Oooh, Gram. I like that name. That’s a strong name,” she said.
“Will you stop interrupting me so I can finish this story?” I asked.
“Depends. Does it end on a good note? Or did you show him around your place before kicking him out without getting something in return?”
I rolled my eyes. “We’re just friends, Mandy. That’s it.”
“And even friends can have benefits,” she said, grinning.
“Look, I might have had feelings for this guy when I was—”
“And the story gets juicier!”
“Mandy, would you hush?” I exclaimed.
She threw her head back and laughed.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But you tease me all the time for shit I get myself into, and I never get to hear about your shit. So, excuse me for enjoying it,” Mandy said.
She pulled us up into a parking space across the street from an entry ramp to the beach.
“I knew I wore my bikini for a reason,” I said, smiling.
“I’ve got suntan lotion in the back we can use once you finish your story,” Mandy said.
“There’s no fun ending to this one. Gram is just a friend, and that was how he stayed when we were younger. Nothing ever came of our relationship.”
“And nothing came of it after the date?”
I didn’t want to tell her the story any longer. I didn’t know why the hell I’d brought it up in the first place. Nothing ever came of anything between us when we were kids, and nothing would happen now. I knew that keeping Gram at bay was the only thing I could do at this point, especially after everything that had happened between us.
I didn’t hate him for it. But I didn’t have to like him for it, either.
“No. Nothing happened after the date,” I said.
“Well, that’s a shame. You really need to get laid,” Mandy said.
“What?”
“You’re wound way too tight. And you know McGrossPants can smell it on you,” she said.
“What? You think me getting laid is going to somehow get Tanner off my trail?”
“I mean, I bet it was a hoot to see him jealous of some guy that randomly dropped in on you, right?”
I grinned. “It wasn’t half-bad, I have to say.”
“Well, whatever makes you happy is fine by me.”
“Do you know what would make me really happy?” I asked.
“Suntan lotion, laying out on blankets, and endless slushies?” she asked.
“See? You know more about me than you let on.”
“Yeah, well. It would be nice to know about your past. You know, so I could know why you became the beautiful person you are today,” she said.
“Eh, maybe someday. But not today. Today’s a good day, and I don’t want to ruin it.”
“You make it seem like talking about yourself would ruin something,” she said.
I knew she didn’t understand it. And I didn’t expect her to. But so long as I could put her off on wanting to know more about my past, I’d do it.
Because I sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it anymore than I had to.
“Come on, let’s get our things,” I said.
Then, I slipped out of the car before she could carry the conversation any further.
Chapter 11
Gram
I had Al pull me up to the trinket shop. I wasn’t able to get by her work the day after our date, and I hoped she wouldn’t be upset with me. I had spent it checking up on my company and trying not to keep too closely of a tab on her. I didn’t want her to feel as if I was stalking her, nor did I want her to feel pressured into anything. Part of me wanted to just head straight to her apartment to see if she was there, but I wasn’t sure how that would turn out. I had six weeks to see her. Six weeks to straighten this out. So, I gave it a couple of days since we’d first encountered each other before I had Al drive me back to the trinket shop. No use in overwhelming her after such a long time apart.
And Tanner was at the curb just as I stepped out.
“Nia isn’t here,” he said.
I looked up, finding myself face-to-face with a man who looked two ticks shy of irate.
“Well, do you know when she’s working next?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that I don’t want you coming into my shop again,” Tanner said.
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s your decision regarding your shop, but will you at least let Nia know I came by looking for her?”
“No, because she wants nothing to do with you.”
I paused. “Oh, really. Is that so?”
“Yes. She told me with her own mouth.”
“That’s usually what people use to say things,” I said.
“Cut the shit. I don’t care who you are or where you came from, but you’re not welcome at this shop any longer. Don’t come around here harassing my employees. Especially when they don’t want to see you.”
My nostrils flared as I closed the door behind me. My shoulders rolled back as I locked my eyes onto the worthless little man in front of me. I walked toward him, backing him all the way up to his shop door before I cocked my head and glared into his eyes.
“You have no idea who I am, nor do you have any idea what I’ve been through. What I’m capable of. The history I have with your employee Nia. Now, it is your right not to serve me, but you will not attempt to convince me that she told the likes of you that she didn’t want to see me. Because out of all the people in this world that have experienced parts of her, I’ve experienced the most. The best. The worst of her life. I’m not looking for your approval, nor am I looking for your attitude. So, the next time you decide to open your mouth about Nia, I suggest you do it with grace and honor. Because that’s what she deserves.”
I hovered over the man, shadowing him with my darkness. I felt anger pooling in my stomach. My fists ached to plunge into the man’s gut. He cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders back, posturing uneventfully.
“If you show up to my shop again, I’m calling the cops,” Tanner said.
“I really hope that’s a promise,” I sneered.
I backed away from him and slid my hands down my shirt. I drew in a deep breath and turned my back on the pathetic man. I slipped into the car and told Al to take me back to Nia’s. And I left that trinket shop without ever once looking back.
I didn’t even have to get out of the car before Nia came down the stai
rs and out the door to greet me. Had she been watching out for me? Did she feel my presence coming? Because every interaction we had felt like we had never skipped a beat. It felt like when we were kids again, me walking to pick her up and her coming out right on schedule.
It felt like the rhythm was ingrained into us, even though she had no clue I was coming.
And the smile on her face brightened my world.
Chapter 12
Nia
“Gram! What are you doing here?”
I saw him step out of his car, and I bolted for him. For some reason, I’d had a tug in my gut upstairs to peek out the window. And when I did, I’d seen Gram’s car pull up. In sync, just like we always were as kids. As teenagers.
As young adults.
I threw my arms around him, and he picked me up. He swung me around, a habit he had developed back in high school. I giggled into his neck as he set me down onto my feet, and he held me for a few seconds longer.
“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to ask you something,” he said.
I pulled back and looked up into his eyes.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Are you free tonight? Because I’d really like to take you to dinner again.”
I smiled and nodded, as if something else was in control. I knew I was playing in a dangerous web, but I really wanted to spend time with him. He’d been on my mind ever since the weekend. And even though he hadn’t come by the shop on Monday, it didn’t matter. I still missed him. I still wanted to see him while he was in town. I kept telling myself it was only a vacation. That he wasn’t there for long. That he’d leave eventually, again, and there was nothing I could do about it.
But as he ushered me into his car and whisked me away to a wonderful restaurant, all those thoughts fell from my mind.
If this was all I could have of Gram now, I wouldn’t shove it off to the side.
“So, what is the deal with your boss? He seems kind of…”