Mosaic (Dragonfly #4)

by Leigh Talbert Moore

  “I’m sorry?” The young woman arched her brow as if she were suddenly impatient, as if helping visitors wasn’t her job.

  “I’m here to see Julian LaSalle or Kyser?”

  “Hmm…” She looked down at the calendar on her desk then back up at me. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Kyser has a meeting in ten minutes. If he’s not expecting you, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait.”

  “It’s okay,” I said with a sweet smile. “We’re old friends. I’ll just say hello if he has a prior commitment.”

  “I’ll let him know you’re here.” Then she used her pen to point past me. “If you’ll just sit over there and wait.”

  I definitely did not like the new help. Still, I thanked her and walked over to the small sitting area. I’d been in this spot before waiting on his dad. It reminded me of my ride in the elevator with Will, and my nose curled. Not pleasant memories.

  Pulling out my phone, I shot him a text. You’re more guarded than the Queen of England.

  My phone buzzed right away. Are you in the office?

  Yes.

  At once, a door behind the receptionist’s desk opened, and I looked up to see what could’ve been a younger, slightly darker version of Bill Kyser. He wore gray slacks, a white dress shirt, and even a tie, although it was loose and his top button was open. He was gorgeous.

  “Anna?” He smiled, and I had to swallow the butterflies that had swarmed in my stomach and lodged in my throat. That had just spent the night with me?

  “Hey,” I managed to answer as I walked to where he stood waiting. “I thought you might be hungry.”

  He reached out for my arm, escorting me into a large, bright office. It had the same huge windows as Mr. Kyser’s, but broad tables covered in architectural drawings took up the majority of the space. In the back corner was a model of one the Phoenician complexes.

  “This is really nice.” I walked to one of the windows and looked out at the crystal blue waves stretching out to the horizon.

  “They put me in Mom’s old office.” He came and stood beside me. “It’s better for looking at plans and drawing. Better light.”

  I looked up at him. “You’re so official now. Do you like it?”

  He did a little laugh and looked away, rubbing his eyebrow with his thumb. “I do.” Those blue eyes cut to me, and I felt a little wobbly inside. “I know, it’s kind of weird, but I really do like it.”

  “I don’t think it’s weird at all.” I didn’t tell him his mother had loved it too. Maybe one day she would tell him that, if she hadn’t already. “Are these some of your projects?”

  “Yeah, you can take a look.” I set the basket on the floor and walked over to one of the tables. It was all lines and angles. “Most of this is done on the computer now, but I guess I’m a little old school. I visualize better if I start on a canvass. You can see the three-dimensional version on my computer, though. It even shows the building finished.”

  He left me to go to his desk, but I stayed by the drawing table. I didn’t understand any of it, but my eyes were caught by a scrap of paper peeking out from one of the plans. It was another of his sheets of doodles, his old brainstorming device. Small, in one of the corners was a girl’s profile he’d sketched. It had crazy-curly hair, and my lips pressed into a smile. It was me, and a hopeful tingle stirred in my stomach.

  “Want to see?” He looked up from his large computer, and I walked to where he was leaning over the keyboard, moving the mouse. “It’s something we’re going to propose for down in Jamaica or the Bahamas, similar to a Sandals-type resort. He clicked on various screens. “It’s modeled after an old property Dad visited a while back.”

  The computer animation showed the rollout of a tiki-style resort complex, with infinity pools, a golf course, and a spa. Paths and waterfalls running down the natural landscape surrounded it all. I remembered the descriptions of Tengo Sol in his mother’s journal.

  “It looks gorgeous.” All of this was amazing and very impressive.

  He was so different standing in front of me. He was a businessman now, but at the same time, the loose tie and dark hair pushed behind his ears, the little doodles that helped him think, the sketch of my profile—all of it said he was still the boy I’d fallen in love with.

  We were quiet for few moments. I was unsure what to say, but he glanced across the room. “Did you bring a picnic basket?”

  “Oh! Yeah.” I walked over and picked it up, carrying it back to his desk. I lifted one side of the lid. “It’s just sandwiches. I threw in some Funyuns and two Cokes. Nothing major.”

  “Funyuns?” He shot me a pure Julian lady-killer smile. “You know I can’t resist a Funyun.”

  I started to laugh. “They give you bad breath… I’m not sure why I packed them.”

  “If I make you eat some, too, you’ll never know.”

  We were being so formal. All I wanted to do was pull him to me and kiss him like last night, but a brief rap on his door broke the moment. What happened next stomped on it.

  “Come in?” Julian called, and Will sauntered into the room.

  “You ready to talk tikis?” He was studying a packet in his hand, but when he looked up and saw me, he lowered it. “I didn’t see you had a visitor. It’s… Anna?”

  Was he actually going to pretend he didn’t know me?

  “Yes,” Julian straightened. “You remember Anna. She’s just back from London. She did a year abroad with the BBC.”

  His lip curled in disgust. So not surprising. “And she came back?”

  “This is where I live, after all.” I answered, not appreciating the third person.

  After nine months of covering world news in a foreign country, it was going to take more than Will Kyser to throw me.

  “Lucky you.” His dismissive tone was so irritating, I blurted my news without thinking.

  “Although they did offer me a full-time position if I stayed.” I slid my hand over the handle of the picnic basket as if my announcement was no big deal. “I’d start as a junior reporter in the world news HQ. I’ve got a few weeks to decide.”

  The first thing I noticed was Julian’s posture change. He straightened away from his desk, slipping his hands into his back pockets.

  The second thing I noticed was a real smile creeping across Will’s face. It made me slightly nauseated. “Well, that is good news. I’m sure you’re going to tell them yes. How could you not?”

  Somehow it felt like my brag had completely backfired. “I’d have to live in London, and I’m not sure if I want to move there permanently.”

  “But you are interested in being a journalist. Isn’t that why you were always here talking to my father?” God, I hated Will.

  “Yes. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

  “Then naturally, working at the BBC would be your dream job. It’s like getting an offer from the New York Times, if that lousy rag were still worth anything.”

  I couldn’t decide which of his comments angered me more. “Whatever I decide, it’s really none of your business.”

  Grasping the handle of the picnic basket, I lifted it off Julian’s desk and moved quickly toward the door. Julian was right behind me.

  “Hey, wait a second.” His voice was quiet, and he glanced back at Will before pulling me out into the reception area and closing the door. “I do have a meeting scheduled with him right now. I’m sorry about the picnic.”

  “It’s okay. I should’ve checked with you first.” Everything in me felt flustered and mixed up. Stupid Will. He’d said all the things I knew were true in his typical evil fashion. As if my golden opportunity were the best thing to ever happen to him!

  “Hey.” He caught my hand, and gave me a little grin. “What’s going on under all those curls?”

  It was a question he’d asked me so many times. In the past I’d taken it for granted, but now I thought I might cry. “Your older brother is the worst.”

  He laughed, and no Armani suit, fancy office, none of it could chang
e the fact that in that moment, he was still my Julian. “Don’t I know it. Still, he has a few good points—”

  “He does not.”

  “When it comes to business. You didn’t let me finish.”

  “He’s an evil jerk, and I hate him.”

  Julian laughed more, and I started to leave again. But he caught my waist. “Can I take you to dinner? Make it up to you?”

  My irritation melted away. “Sure. I’d love that.”

  He released me and turned to the door. “I’ll pick you up at your parents house. Seven?”

  I nodded, and he disappeared into his office. I stood for a moment staring at the closed door. All my emotions were a conflicted mess in my chest. I wished he would’ve kissed me just then. In the past, it seemed he was always stealing kisses.

  Taking a deep breath, I turned slowly into an annoyed glare coming from the little blonde behind the desk. A light bulb went on over my head, and I realized she had a crush on him. Of course she did! Who wouldn’t?

  “Thanks again,” I said, giving her a sweet smile. Then I headed for the elevator.

  Anna’s Private Blog: Moment of Weakness

  Mom was thrilled when I told her Julian was picking me up for dinner. I wished I’d asked for more information before I stormed out of his office in a twist. Standing in front of my closet, I had no idea whether to go formal or casual…

  A year ago, I’d have grabbed jeans and a tank or a light summer dress. Now he had an office. He wore expensive suits, and I assumed he was paid very well. It was strange not to know how to dress for a date with Julian.

  I’m standing in front of my closet clueless. I texted him.

  Are you searching for treasure?

  I’m searching for clothes. Where are we going?

  Cosmo’s? Or if you like, Cobalt catered Lucy’s wedding. You pick.

  Chewing my lip, I thought about the two upscale restaurants on East End Beach. I’d never been to either. Cosmo’s sounds good.

  You didn’t like the food at Lucy’s wedding?

  I snorted a laugh. You saw me eating it.

  You’re right. We need our own place. Cosmo’s it is. On my way.

  For a moment, I stared at my phone face reading the words “our own place” over and over. That sounded very promising. Then I realized if he were on his way, he’d be here in less than twenty minutes. Snatching a red dress off one of my hangers, I dashed across the hall to finish my hair and makeup.

  I was just stepping into my tan wedge heels when I heard voices downstairs.

  “It has been too long since we’ve seen you.” My mom’s voice was animated as always talking to Julian. “When was the last time? Lucy’s wedding?”

  “I think it was.” Julian’s voice was noticeably less flirty than it used to be. I kind of hated that, but with a sigh, I realized it meant we were growing up.

  My eyes were made up in smoky browns, so I smoothed beige lipstick over my lips and did a little turn in front of the mirror. The red knit dress I wore was narrow at the waist and then flared out to my knees. The top scooped in from my shoulders, showing them off and making them look slightly broader. It was a very flattering silhouette. My hair was smoothed, and with a strand of costume pearls around my neck, I felt very sophisticated. Picking up my phone, I headed down to meet my date.

  His back was to the stairs as I descended, but I noticed he was in tan slacks and a navy short-sleeved polo. It was casual, but still went with what I was wearing. My mom, did a small gasp.

  “Oh, look at you two!” Her voice caused Julian to turn, and the change in his eyes when he saw me made my stomach tingle.

  He might not make comments anymore, but I could see he still thought them. With a grin, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You look very handsome.”

  His gaze made my legs feel weak.

  “I can’t get over how grown up you both are,” Mom continued, her hands clasped. “It seems like just the other day you were going to one of those fall dances. How many of those did y’all go to together?”

  I managed to break away and hug her. “Two. We went to two fall dances together and prom.”

  “Well, you were very formal for prom, that’s true.”

  “We won’t be too late, will we?” I glanced back at Julian, and he seemed to come back from wherever his mind had gone.

  “I don’t know. We can do whatever you want.”

  Mom jumped right in. “Stay out as long as you need. You guys are adults now.”

  My eyebrows rose, but Julian caught my hand, and we left the house. The silver BMW was sitting in my driveway, and I thought about Will and his nastiness. I wondered how Julian had made it through the hostility. Now it seemed they were actual business partners, and the whole “bastard half-brother” outburst was forgotten.

  “You look really beautiful.” Julian’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Your mom’s right. A lot has changed since high school.”

  I put my hand over his, and my thoughts drifted to sleeping in his arms last night. “A lot has stayed the same, too.”

  “I hope you like this place. It’s the first time I’ve been able to afford to take you to a fancy restaurant.”

  Looking up at his profile, I couldn’t help being impressed by the man he was becoming. He eased into the Kyser lifestyle so seamlessly. “I never cared about those things with you.”

  “I did.” His voice was quiet, and in that moment, it seemed his mood shifted. “For you.”

  Cosmo’s Restaurant was on the canal, and it was closer to the Kyser mansion than to my house. While it was more high-end, it still had a relaxed feel. The hostess showed us to our table, and Julian ordered a bottle of wine. I studied the menu, trying to decide if I wanted Asian or American cuisine.

  “If you miss New Orleans, they have a Muffaletta pasta. They also have a sushi menu.” He held the menu in such a way that I couldn’t see his face. It felt strange that he mentioned New Orleans and sushi, since it was the source of our first big disagreement, but I let it go. I hadn’t eaten much sushi when I lived here, after all.

  “I’m really curious about the banana-leaf wrapped fish.”

  He closed the menu and placed it on the table with a grin. “Get it, then, Banana-Face.”

  I couldn’t stop a snortle. “What are you getting?”

  “Tournadoes.”

  That caught my eye, and I read the description of grilled tenderloin stuffed with feta and served with polenta and asparagus. “That sounds delicious.”

  “I’ll let you try it.”

  The waiter came and took our order and menus leaving us facing each other, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what to say. We were out of context here, and my visit to his office, the encounter with Will had stirred up all my former insecurities.

  “Your office is really nice.” I took a sip of wine, feeling like that was a dumb thing to say.

  He didn’t respond at first, touching the base of his wine glass as if he were thinking. “It took a month for me to feel comfortable in it. My creativity was seriously stumped.”

  “So you left SCAD then?”

  “Yeah.” His blue eyes flickered up to mine. “It was the right time, and I was ready to get started.”

  Nodding, I fiddled with the cloth napkin in my lap. “I think that’s okay. If it was what you really wanted, why wait? And you said you really like it.”

  He nodded, but I could tell he had withdrawn. I couldn’t be certain of his normal demeanor now, but something had changed from before. It was as if something were on his mind, and he almost seemed a little sad.

  “So everybody knows now?” I asked, and he frowned up at me. “That you’re Mr. Kyser’s son?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “I really missed a lot last year.”

  “It wasn’t that big of a deal. I mean, he didn’t do an announcement party or anything. It just sort of trickled out.” His eyes were back on his flatware. I watched him straighten his knife. “Most people already knew or a
t least suspected anyway.”

  I didn’t really want to bring up a bad subject, but I was very curious. “How did you manage to get Will to be so nice to you? He acted like you were a regular business partner today in your office.”

  “I guess it’s like I said, he’s not such a bad guy. And he has a lot of contacts in the business world.” He took a sip of his wine, but I couldn’t let that pass.

  “I can’t agree with that first part. Has he really changed so much since last Thanksgiving?”

  Julian shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s never said anything more to me about that, and Brad’s right. He’s been at it longer than us. He’s a good member of the team.”

  It troubled me to hear him defending his evil older brother, but I decided not to press it.

  “I’d rather talk about you.” His eyes flickered up, and he smiled.

  He was still holding something back, and I chewed the inside of my lip before conceding. “Okay. What do you want to know?”

  I didn’t like the question. It was so reminiscent of our old argument, and after last night, I didn’t want us to go backwards.

  Julian didn’t seem to notice. “You said today they offered you a job? In London?”

  “They did.” I exhaled and took a sip of my wine.

  He waited a few moments, but I didn’t say more.

  “Do you want to take it?”

  We were at dinner together, we’d slept together. It had felt like we were making progress back to how we used to be, and now here we were, right back to the things that were trying to pull as apart.

  Still, I had to answer truthfully. I’d always done my best to be honest with him. “I don’t know. It’s a neat opportunity…”

  “Neat?” He glanced up at me, and my sadness intensified.

  “Okay, it’s an amazing opportunity.” I sighed, looking down at my plate. “It’s just not here.”

  The waiter appeared at that point and placed two small salads in front of each of us. He held the pepper grinder, but I shook my head. Julian asked for a few cranks. We were alone again, but I’d lost my appetite.

  I picked up my small fork and turned the dark green and purple leaves over, stirring the tomato in the light vinaigrette. Julian took a bite of his, but he didn’t look up at me. We were both sitting here, in front of the enormous mountain of a problem I’d always known was coming.