Suite Dreams

by Rachel Hawthorne

  A guy came and sat at our table. Mel mouthed Zach. I wondered how he felt watching Jude play—because he was really awesome. Or at least he sounded incredible to me.

  Before the last song, Boomer introduced the band members to the audience. He called Jude their guest drummer from Australia—which got a round of cheers. Jude stood up and bowed. He pointed his sticks at me, grinned, and winked.

  I waved, feeling as though I was special because of the attention he was showering on me.

  When the last song finished, Zach got up to help the band get their equipment off the stage. I sat at the table while Mel went to get sodas for everyone. Since Zach took over the putting away of the drums, Jude was the first to return to the table.

  His eyes capturing mine, he bent down, swooping toward me, and I thought, Omigod! He’s going to kiss me! A real kiss this time.

  But at the last second he veered off and just bussed my cheek before dropping into the chair beside me, everything done in one smooth move. I wondered if he played in a band in Australia, if he had groupies that he was accustomed to kissing like that.

  Part of me was disappointed that it hadn’t been a real kiss, part of me was glad. If he ever did really kiss me, I didn’t want it to be quick. Or in a room filled with screaming, temporarily insane people. And why was I even thinking of him really kissing me?

  I still kind of had a boyfriend. Did it make me slutty to think about kissing another guy so soon after not officially breaking up with Rick?

  I certainly couldn’t accuse Jude of not talking. No, he definitely wasn’t the strong, silent type. He was the fun-loving, life-is-all-about-having-a-good-time guy.

  “You were really good,” I told him, leaning near so he could hear me. “Are you part of a band back home?”

  “Just me and my mates goofing around, you know? Never really played a gig like this. Just the talent show at school. That sort of thing.”

  “You looked like a real pro up there.”

  “I will admit that I have some moves.”

  Mel brought the drinks over just as the rest of the band was joining us. “Once a waitress, always a waitress,” she joked, as everyone took a glass.

  Boomer leaned down and planted a kiss on her mouth that had me growing warm. Then he sat and gave his attention to Jude. “Seriously, dude, thanks for helping out tonight.”

  “No problem.”

  The next band got set up and then music filled the club again. Jude grabbed my hand. “Come on!”

  He pulled me to my feet before I could protest.

  “Where are we going? What—”

  “We’re gonna dance!”

  He led me to what passed for the dance area—a narrow strip of flooring where the tables had been pushed back.

  “Uh, I don’t know how,” I confessed.

  “You were dancing on the chair,” he leaned in and yelled in my ear.

  I shook my head. I didn’t think it was possible for the music to be any louder. “No, that was just wiggling!”

  “It’s perfect.”

  Then he was bobbing, dancing around, the whole time his eyes locked on mine. I realized that even if I looked spastic, which I probably did—thank goodness there were no mirrors hanging around so I could confirm that suspicion—he wouldn’t notice because he was concentrating on my gaze, his eyes holding mine as though we were the only two in the place.

  I’d had zero dates in high school. Being with Rick was the sum total of my dating experience, and I wasn’t certain I could say we’d ever actually had a date. We’d just started…hanging out together. Going to the library to study, snuggling on the couch, and watching TV. We’d fallen into habits. I wasn’t sure we’d ever fallen in love.

  Tonight with Jude wasn’t a date. Not in anyone’s wildest imagination would it be viewed as a date. We were both here because circumstances had brought us together. Still, I was having a great time—dancing for the first time with a guy. And because it was Jude, who had such a positive outlook on life, I wasn’t even self-conscious about my moves—once I got into them anyway. Being with Jude was just fun—it didn’t seem so complicated like everything with Rick.

  I was having so much fun that I really didn’t want the night to end.

  But it did end. At two o’clock the last band finished playing and the club closed down.

  We were outside, saying good-bye, when Mel said, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. We’ve got appointments at the spa tomorrow.”

  Oh, gosh, I’d forgotten all about her wanting to do that. I looked at Jude, then looked at Mel.

  “What’s this?” Jude asked.

  “The ski resort has this to-die-for spa,” Mel said. “Alyssa and I have appointments tomorrow for the royal treatment.”

  “Actually, I don’t think tomorrow is going to work for me. Jude doesn’t know anyone—”

  “He can come with us,” Mel said.

  Jude and I both released a burst of laughter at the same time. I couldn’t see him with a mud-pack on his face.

  He caught his breath first and said, “You want me to get a manicure? No thank you.”

  “A massage and facial, then,” Mel said.

  “That sounds even worse,” Jude said.

  “You ski?” Boomer asked.

  “No,” Jude said, “but I’d like to give it a try.”

  “You can hang out on the slopes with me.”

  “Sounds great,” Jude said. “So we’re all set then?”

  His gaze had zeroed in on me. I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

  “All right. We’ll pick you up tomorrow,” Mel said. “Do you want a ride home tonight?”

  “I’d just as soon walk if you don’t mind,” Jude said to me.

  “I don’t mind.” The truth was that I needed a little time to come down from the energetic high I was on.

  It had started to snow again, huge flakes that floated slowly to the ground. As Jude and I walked along, the streetlights illuminated them and then they disappeared into the darkness.

  “Gawd, it’s cold!” Jude exclaimed.

  Laughing, I said, “You’re such a wuss.”

  I slipped my arm through his, pressing our shoulders close, to create a little friction, a little warmth. And even with the thick coats between us, I felt a zing.

  “Well, that helps, a little, I guess,” Jude said. “Is it always this cold?”

  “Not always. Sometimes it’s colder.”

  We trudged on in silence for a little while, before I said, “I’m really sorry you had to work tonight.”

  “Not a problem at all.”

  “But you’re on vacation.”

  “No, I’m on holiday, with very little money in my pockets, and it worked out grand because Paul hired me to work tomorrow night as well. Actually, as long as I’m here. I get a meal and a share of the tips. Besides, what else have I got to do?”

  “You’re kidding! Paul hired you?”

  “Yeah. I thought he seemed like a decent enough bloke. Told him I had to work the same schedule as you, though. Since you’re my tour guide and all.”

  I was feeling like I’d done a pretty decent job today, and tonight.

  Still I was feeling a little unsure about things, afraid I was slipping into a complicated situation like I’d had with Rick.

  “You know, you don’t have to do everything with me,” I said awkwardly. “I mean, I can give you my cell phone number and then you can just call me when you need to get into the dorm and I could come down and let you in.”

  “What if you’re out?”

  “With classes starting Monday, believe me, I won’t be out.”

  “Probably not a bad idea to get your number, but as long as you’re not tired of me, I’d just as soon hang out with you.”

  “I’m not tired of you at all. I just wanted you to know you had options.”

  “Now I know.”

  He grinned at me as though I was silly for even suggesting that he needed options.

  Since it was so late when
we got back to the dorm, I just unlocked the door and went in, with Jude close on my heels.

  As inconspicuously as possible, I shoved him back onto the porch and closed the door in his face. Susan, the dorm monitor, was sitting on the couch in the living room watching The Holiday. It was like her favorite movie. But still, who watches a movie at this insane time of night? She looked over her shoulder at me. She had messy black hair that never laid in the same direction so it always looked as though she’d just crawled out of bed.

  “Hi, Susan,” I said really loudly, hoping Jude would hear and understand what was going on.

  “Hey,” she said. “You’re out late.”

  “Went to a club, listened to a band.” Not that it’s any of your business, I thought.

  “What band?”

  “Several actually. It was open-mike night.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “It was.”

  She gave a little laugh. “That’s out of character for you, isn’t it?”

  “What can I say? I’m living wild during the break.”

  “Did you want to watch the movie with me? It’s only about fifteen minutes in. I can start it over.”

  “No, thanks, I’m just going to bed. Night.”

  I started for the stairs, but took a detour by the door—

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I just wanted to make sure I locked it.”

  “It locks automatically.”

  “Oh, right. I forgot.” How was I going to get a message to Jude?

  “Were you drinking?” she asked suspiciously.

  “What? No. Good night.” I hurried up the stairs to the second floor and walked down the hallway to the window that overlooked the front yard. I unlocked it, lifted it up, and stuck my head out the window. “Jude! Jude!”

  I tried to use a quiet yelling voice. I didn’t know if he’d hear.

  Then he was standing on the walkway, looking up at me. I motioned for him to go around to the side of the house.

  He nodded and took off. I closed the window and rushed up to my floor. I opened the door to my suite. It was dark. I assumed Stephanie was already asleep.

  I went into my room, opened the window, and looked out. Jude was standing beside a large tree. Its branches had kept me awake many a windy night when they scraped against the window.

  “Can you climb the tree?” I whispered down.

  He gave me a thumbs-up. I watched as he removed his gloves and tucked them inside his jacket. I had my doubts. He was wearing boots…

  He sat on the ground, pulled them and his socks off, and stuffed them inside his zippered jacket. Then he jumped and grabbed the lowest branch and swung his legs up.

  My breath caught as I watched him making his way up the tree. What if he fell? The jig would be up, as they say, because I’d have to get Susan to take him to the emergency room. I couldn’t imagine him not being seriously injured if he lost his hold.

  He got closer and closer, until he was almost eye-level with me. I heard the awful sound of a branch cracking.

  Holding my breath, I watched as he leaped across, his arms, head, and chest coming through the window, the rest of him dangling. I lurched forward, grabbed his jacket, and hauled him in.

  He landed on the floor with a thud. His momentum threw me off balance, and I landed on top of him. We were both laughing, more with relief than from anything funny, I think.

  “Haven’t we done this before?” he joked.

  “Not exactly,” I said. I knew I should get off him. But I seemed unable to move. Maybe because he’d slipped his hand beneath my jacket.

  “Oh, it’s warm in there. I think I have frostbite on my fingers and toes.”

  “I don’t think they were exposed long enough for that.”

  “I had fun tonight,” he said quietly.

  “Me too.” I forced my breathing to slow. “We probably should check your fingers and toes, though. If you hurt yourself you might not have felt it.”

  “Right.” He moved his hands from beneath my jacket and I scrambled off him.

  “Is that blood?” I asked, taking his hand.

  “Looks like. I must have scraped it on the bark. I probably got blood on your white shirt.”

  “That doesn’t matter. Let’s go into the bathroom and take a look.”

  I made him sit on the edge of the tub. I ran hot water and had him put his feet in.

  “Oh, that’s nice,” he said.

  “There is nothing worse than cold feet.” I dampened a washcloth and gently wiped his hand. “Doesn’t look bad. I can’t believe Susan was up.”

  I spread some antibacterial salve over the scrape.

  “She’s the wicked witch of the dorm, right?”

  I peered up at him. His eyes were so green. And he was watching me, not looking at his wound.

  “She’s not that bad. She’s just a stickler about the rules. Sorry you had to come in through the window.”

  “Not a problem. It was an adventuresome way to get in, wasn’t it?”

  “You like adventure.”

  “It’s in my blood.”

  “Really?” I thought for a moment. “Australia was a prison colony or something like that, right? A couple of hundred years ago?”

  “Yeah. Early part of the nineteenth century. The British sent convicts over.”

  “So were your ancestors convicts?”

  He nodded. “My mum is into genealogy. She traced our origins and discovered that our first Australian ancestor was indeed a thief.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Yeah. Apparently, he stole a good many ladies’ hearts.” He winked at me.

  I laughed. “Do you take anything seriously?”

  “As little as possible. Life is too short for serious.” He leaned toward me and skimmed his fingers along my cheek. “Although I think there are some things worth getting serious over.”

  My heart did a little stutter. I’d just ended one relationship—well, kind of. Was I ready to jump into another? Should I jump into another?

  “You know we should probably get to bed,” I stammered.

  His gaze intensified.

  “I mean, I’ll get to bed, you’ll get to couch,” I clarified.

  I scrambled up. “I have some bandages if you want to put them over the scrape.”

  “It’ll be fine.” He pulled his feet out of the tub and wrapped them in a towel. “Maybe I should consider going to the spa.”

  I glanced at him and smiled. “You really don’t strike me as the spa type.”

  He dropped the towel into the hamper. “What about your feet?” he asked quietly. “Are they hurting?”

  “Yeah, they are. How’d you know?”

  “’Cause I saw how hard you worked tonight. I know you’re getting that massage tomorrow, but if you like I can rub them now.”

  My breath hitched with the thought.

  “A girl can never get her feet rubbed too much, but you don’t have to—”

  “I want to. I wouldn’t have offered otherwise. I owe you a lot,” he said. “It’s a small way to pay you back.”

  Payback. Why was I disappointed? Why was I wanting his reason to be more personal?

  Still, the truth was any reason for a foot rub was good enough for me.

  “Okay. Yeah. Sure. Just for a minute. But I think I’ll change out of my work clothes first.”

  “Sure. I’ll meet you on the couch.”

  He walked out of the room. A hot Aussie was going to rub my feet. All right!

  Not giving him a chance to change his mind, I quickly undressed and threw on sweats, washed my feet, and put on some socks.

  Jude was already sitting on the couch when I went into the living room. I was suddenly experiencing a touch of nervousness.

  “Do you want anything to eat or drink?”

  “No.” He patted the seat cushion. “Just sit down.” He patted his thighs. “Put your feet here.”

  “Okay.” Sitting and twisti
ng around, with my back against the side of the couch, I put my thick socked feet on his lap.

  He didn’t waste any time. He started rubbing my feet, and I released a little moan. “That feels good.” I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was watching my face, not my feet. “Shouldn’t you be tired?”

  “I s’pose, except that it’s daytime in Australia.”

  “Your schedule must really be messed up.”

  “Not too bad. I’ve never needed much sleep. And so far, I’ve never been hit with jet lag when I travel.”

  I picked up one of the decorative pillows from the floor, put it in my lap, and started picking at a loose thread. “Would you like to, uh, date someone while you’re here? I mean, I could probably set you up with someone.” I wasn’t sure who, but surely I could find someone.

  When he didn’t say anything, I lifted my gaze to his.

  “Not really, no.”

  I felt a sense of relief—and panic, because he was studying me so intently.

  He continued, “It’s probably not such a good idea for me to get involved with someone, since I’m not here very long. Besides, I’d rather just hang out with you.”

  My heart sank a bit. Had I been misreading him this whole time?

  “But—” I stopped.

  “But?” he prodded.

  “I’m not going to have a lot of time when classes start.”

  His hands stilled and my feet had an absurd desire to wiggle and regain his attention. “I have fun with you, so whatever time you have that’s fine with me.”

  “I don’t know if I’ve met anyone like you before.”

  “I should think not. As far as I know, I don’t have a twin.”

  I pulled back my feet and scooted toward the center of the couch. “I really had fun tonight.”

  “I did too.” Reaching out, he tucked my hair behind my ear, then brought it forward again. “I don’t think I’ve seen eyes as blue as yours. They’re almost violet.”

  “My dad calls them Elizabeth Taylor eyes. It’s not a very common shade of blue apparently.”

  “They’re gorgeous.” His gaze dropped to my lips.

  And what could I say about them? Nothing except that they were tingling in anticipation.