“I hope so!”
“Not reassuring,” she muttered under her breath and pulled out a faded denim halter dress that tied behind her neck. It was backless, so she couldn’t wear a bra. But she’d never been very well-endowed. Besides, it showed off her trim physique and hit mid-thigh. She stepped into strappy leather heels and dashed into the bathroom.
Sitting on the beach had fluffed out her hair, but thanks to the intense conditioning treatment she’d gotten at the salon in London, her formerly wild locks were gentle waves now. Not too bad, and worth every penny, she thought. Dusting powder on her nose, a smear of red lipstick on her mouth, she ran to the door and the two of them dashed out to her mother’s old Accord.
“Can you believe it?” Anna joked. “I finally graduated to an Accord!”
“What did you drive when we were in school?”
“I don’t think I drove anything when you were here, but I had Mom’s old Civic after you left.” She turned the car onto the main highway navigating the five turns it would take to get them to the high school gymnasium where the ice breaker reception was to be held. “Do you know who all’s coming?”
“Nope, but we’re about to find out.”
The two friends stepped out of the car and adjusted their clothes. Gabi was a little thicker than when they were in high school, but she still looked healthy and ready for fun.
“You look every bit the BBC broadcasting star you are.” Her friend teased. “I’ve gotten used to it, but you’re going to turn some heads tonight.”
“Stop.” She pinched Gabi’s arm, eliciting a loud Ouch! “You’re making me nervous, and it’s just the old gang.”
Inside, the gym was decorated in their senior prom theme, “A Night to Remember.” Gabi returned her pinch, causing Anna to squeal, then pulled her ear down. “Think that’s prophetic?”
“You’re doing it again,” Anna hissed, pinching her a second time.
“We’re both going to have bruises tomorrow if we keep this up.”
Rachel and Brad were the first to spot them. “ANNA!” Rachel’s voice seemed to echo through the aluminum building decorated with twinkle lights, fake columns, and arbors draped in white tulle.
Her senior-year bestie and former college roommate caught her in a laughing hug that spun her around. Then she threw an arm over Gabi’s shoulders. “Oh my god, I’m so glad to see you guys! How have you been?!”
“Great!” Gabi answered, looking around the room. “Was this the prom theme I missed?”
“Oh, please,” Rachel’s eyes rolled. “Don’t beat on that dead old horse any more. I’ve heard it for years how much that theme sucked.”
“No way! I was going to say the exact opposite! I would’ve killed for a night to remember when I was in high school.”
Rachel and Anna both laughed, and a huge man with two equally huge middle-school aged boys walked up. “Anna, Gabi, meet my guys—Brendan and Chad.”
“What does that make me?” Brad leaned over and pulled Anna into a hug. “Hey, girl. You look great. Seen my boy yet? Need me to call him?”
Anna felt her face get hot, but Rachel cut in. “Julian’s not coming tonight. You can relax.”
It wasn’t clear if Brad relaxed, but Anna sure did. She actually felt her entire body let go in those two sentences, and now she wanted Jules with her.
“Hi, Brendan, Chad.” Winking at Rachel she teased. “I see you finally got away from the B-names.”
“She just insisted on bucking the system,” Brad complained loudly.
“Please. I was so sick of that reign of B-terror. How corny can you get? Bryant, Brad, Brendan…”
The boys stood around with their hands in their pockets, and Anna grinned. Brad caught her buy the arm. “Let me buy you a drink!”
“What? I thought the whole party was catered…”
“He just loves saying that.” Rachel called after them.
Brad handed her a clear cup of wine, and Anna’s eyes landed on a huge guy she remembered very well. On his arm was a very elegant woman, clearly his wife, whose white smile was friendly and confident.
Jerking Brad’s arm down, she whispered in his ear. “Is that Montage?”
Brad’s head jerked up, and he shouted. “Hey, Mo! You made it!”
The big guy held up a hand before returning Scotty’s shake. Anna continued whispering. “Did he go pro after leaving State?”
“Hell no,” Brad laughed, his voice too loud. “Mo’s an econ professor at Northwestern in Chicago now. He’s one of our go-to guys when we have a question about business valuation or investment issues.”
“You’re kidding me!” She couldn’t help but laugh.
The next pair of shrieks Anna heard, were so familiar, she jumped around to see.
“Yes, we made it! Of course we did!” Lucy and Robert were shaking hands and hugging old friends. “We actually drove straight from Birmingham to this gymnasium, so I expect Meggie’s going to be screaming her head off in about five minutes.”
Anna rushed over to her, and they both squealed and hugged. “You look amazing!” Lucy cried, waking the sleeping infant in her arms. “My god, you are literally a supermodel! Look at your hair!”
The little body twisted in her mother’s arms, and Anna scooped her up. “Give me this baby!” Anna hugging her against her chest. “Who is this?”
Lucy smiled rubbing her little back. “This is Meggie, our newest. We sent all the boys to Dad’s place on Hammond Island.”
“All the boys?” Anna’s brow wrinkled.
“All three of them!” Her friend started to laugh, and Anna couldn’t help laughing, too.
“I can’t even imagine your dad with three grandsons. How is he? Grumpy? Sweet? Does he give them candy or scotch?”
“Scotch, of course!” Lucy cried. “Don’t you know that’s how all the men in my family are raised? Now where is my gorgeous niece I’ve only heard about?”
“Jules wasn’t feeling well tonight. I’m not sure why… maybe it’s that time of the month?” Meggie started to fuss, and Lucy pulled her out of her friend’s arms.
“Lord knows, I’m not looking forward to all that. Boys are much easier when it comes to puberty.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Anna pressed her lips together in disbelief.
“Hold that thought, I have to nurse her. Jack’s just parking the car—be sure and say hello.”
She had just finished her sentence and gone when her twin stepped into the crowded hall. Brad was right with him, handing him a drink and walking him around the room introducing old friends. He looked so good, relaxed and happy. Anna’s heart filled with joy, and when he saw her, his face broke into a smile.
Leaving Brad’s side, he crossed the room to where she stood. “Anna.” Their embrace was brief.
“Doctor Kyser, I presume,” she teased.
“You look amazing. Have you been in London all this time?”
“I have, and you’re still in Tennessee?”
“Nashville. You know Casey and I got married.”
“I didn’t! Congratulations!” She stepped forward and hugged him a little tighter this time. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I finally convinced her she couldn’t live without me.”
“Oh, please.”
He laughed, and nodded. “Honestly, I think she realized being my wife would make it easier for her to keep chasing that music career. Our schedules are both wild, but we make it work.”
Memories of Jack’s paternal grandmother filled her mind. She’d abandoned her husband and a very young Bill to pursue a singing career in Branson. It was funny how Jack had such similar tastes to both of his grandfathers.
“Is she still singing?”
“Yes, and I told her she could keep on singing as long as she wanted. That sealed the deal.”
“It sounds like you have the magic formula.”
“And you have cheekbones now.” He winked, and Anna flushed.
She immediately blinked back
up to face him. “Working in broadcasting tends to do that. Bye-bye, baby fat.”
“I can’t say I don’t miss those round cheeks, but you look great.”
Lucy returned, with Meggie on her chest, patting her little back. “I see you two found each other. Is Jack downplaying his role as adoring husband again?”
He stepped forward and took his niece out of her mother’s hands. “You’re not holding her right. I told you, that’s going to make her colicky.” He put the baby higher, over his shoulder and patted her little back as he walked away.
Anna and Lucy exchanged a glance and burst out laughing. “Does he do that all the time?”
“Oh, he’s impossible now that he’s got that M.D. behind his name. You should hear the discussions he and Rob have. I just go to the boys’ room and play CoalWorks. Now, when do I get to meet Julian’s gorgeous girl? I can’t believe you kept her a secret for so long. Lexy showed me her pictures, and she’s the most amazing combination of you two.”
“She really is. Let’s do lunch tomorrow?”
“Yes! I can’t wait to meet her.”
Anna felt a light grip on her arm, and turned to greet a face she knew all too well. “Summer.” Her smile fell a notch. “Hello.”
“Anna, would you mind if I spoke to you for just a minute. In private?” Her old nemesis turned friend turned whatever she was looked contrite for the first time in never.
“Sure.” Saying it, Anna could tell how much she’d changed. Not once had she felt insecure or unsure what to do that night. Fifteen years of taking care of herself and Jules had taught her a lot.
Outside in the dim courtyard filled with picnic tables, she couldn’t help remembering that fall night they’d all met out here. Jack had swept her away to a dreamy make-out session on a moonlit beach, and she’d left Julian behind, alone. Stupid girl.
“I’ve had this on my mind so long, and so many times I wanted to write to you and apologize.” Summer was pacing, wringing her hands. “I need to apologize. What I’m saying is, I want you to know how very sorry I am for what I did.”
Anna was baffled. “What in the world are you talking about? Whatever do you need to apologize for?”
Not a thing stood out in her mind… except that one incident senior year, but that had been so long ago. Surely, she wasn’t still hung up on it?
“What I did for Will. I never should have helped him, but I was still so bitter and jealous. Jack was still in love with you, and I just couldn’t take it. When he came to me… I wanted to hurt you.”
Anna’s brow creased more. “Are you talking about the spying? At the paper office? Seriously, forget it. I practically had until you brought it up again. I forgive you. Okay?”
Summer’s round eyes blinked up to Anna’s hazel ones. “No… I meant at Loyola.”
The patio was very quiet for a few moments. It was early spring, so the frogs were singing, but otherwise, the two women looked at each other in silence.
“What do you mean… at Loyola?” Anna’s breath hitched as certain shattered pieces slowly found their way back together.
“When Jack would meet you, the night he took you to diner, when you walked through the park. That day on his boat. Will would text me when he left the house and where to go. I’d just show up with my camera.”
A picnic table was close by, and Anna put her hand on the top, easing herself down. “You were spying on me? And taking pictures?”
Summer dropped her head, and Anna saw two tears fall. “I’m so sorry. I thought I was keeping you away from Jack. I never dreamed—”
“You were breaking up me and Julian.” Her limbs felt weak as she said the words. It all made sense now.
Yes, she’d told him what happened—when she’d finally worked up the courage or when she was finally with him again, but by that point he’d known about it for days if not weeks. He’d known since the moment it happened. He’d seen it with his own eyes… remembering his words caused Anna’s eyes to close briefly.
“So Will was sending Julian the photos as texts?” Did Julian know Will sent them? Could that have been why he defended him?
Summer shook her head. “I don’t know. All I know is I sent Will the pictures. That’s all I did, and I’m so ashamed.” She rubbed her forehead. “He said it should’ve been me with Jack. He said I was part of ‘the group,’ and I was more fit to take Casey’s place than you ever were. I was such an idiot, I believed him. I thought Jack would see it, too… until he moved to Nashville. Of course, he started dating her again. He never cared about me.”
Summer’s voice trailed off, and Anna stared at the brick-lined patio, processing. It all made sense now. Will’s Mardi Gras threat rang clear as a bell in her memory, and she should’ve known it wasn’t an empty promise. Distance alone would never have pulled Julian and her apart. Something more sinister was at work back then. The question was did it change anything?
“Can you ever forgive me?” Summer was waiting, with her hands still clasped, but she was the least of Anna’s concerns in that moment.
“I-I guess. I mean, I don’t know. I just… don’t know. But thank you for telling me. I appreciate your honesty.”
The woman nodded and turned to go back inside the gym, but Anna stopped her.
“You were wrong,” she said. “Jack was never in love with me. I was just a friend to him at a time when he really needed a friend. People tend to confuse the two emotions.”
I know I did, Anna thought. It was possible even he did.
Summer left, and Anna was alone in the courtyard. Rachel was quick to find her, looking back after their classmate as she walked out into the night. “Are you okay? Why are you out here by yourself?”
Blinking up, Anna wasn’t sure how to answer. She felt strangely numb. “Is Julian bringing Renee with him to any of these things?”
Rachel breathed a little laugh. “Why in the world would he do that? She’s not in our class.”
“I thought since they were dating when I left… they might still be together.”
Her friend’s brow lined. “What are you talking about? Julian never dated Renee after we graduated.”
Anna looked up at her confused. “Graduated college?”
“High school! Don’t you know anything? Renee started nursing school at the University of Sterling the year you left for London. Then she met some guy and they moved to Birmingham before the semester ended. I haven’t heard from her since.”
Anna’s mouth dropped open, but no words came out. She closed it, and tried to think. “That can’t be right.”
“Oh, it’s right. Trust me. I know.” She studied her friend’s bewildered expression. “Why are you asking me this?”
“When I came back… before I left for London again… Julian said they were together. He said he… Why would he say that if it wasn’t true?”
“Hang on.” Rachel sat at the table across from her. “When you came back from London the first time. After JYA? Julian told you he was with Renee?”
“Yes! Why would he do that if it weren’t true?” Her voice was rising in volume with her desperation. She had to know the answer to this question.
“Did he tell you that night we met at the bar?”
“No.” She remembered that night. She’d left, and he’d come after her. It had been… incredible. She was sure they would be together again after that night. Only they weren’t.
“When did he tell you then?” Rachel watched as her friend struggled with the memories. “Did he know about your job offer?”
The next day in the office, her brag to Will…
“He’d just found out.” And he’d begun acting strangely.
“Is it possible,” Rachel cleared her throat, and her voice grew serious. “Maybe he did it because he knew you’d take the job?”
Anna was on her feet in an instant, pacing the courtyard. Her stomach cramped like it hadn’t in years. “I have to go. Where is he now? Do you know where he is, Rachel?”
Sh
e jumped up, brow lined. “No. I mean, I don’t know, but Brad could find out, I’m sure.”
“I need Brad to find out. I need him to find out now, and I need you to text me as soon as you know.” She dashed into the gym with Rachel right behind her.
Anna’s heart beat so fast. She wasn’t sure what she was about to do, but fate had dropped a load of bombshells in her lap this evening, and she knew from covering world news, when that happened it was time to act fast.
Stopping before she got too far, Anna caught her friend’s arm. “Rachel. Please don’t tell Brad I wanted to know.”
“Got it.” Her old roommate dashed off in the direction of her husband.
Gabi was easily found, sitting with her drama club friends and laughing about the Fabulous Lady G, her high school persona in her short-lived music video career.
“It only failed because I can’t sing!” Gabi cried. “They found out I was lip syncing the whole time, and that was the end.”
Anna caught her eye, and quickly waved her over. “I’ve got to go. Now. Do you want to stay a little longer and catch a ride? Or do you want me to take you home now?”
Concern registered on Gabi’s face. “Is Jules okay?”
“Oh my god!” Anna clutched her forehead. “I told Jules I wouldn’t be too late.”
“What’s going on?”
“I just found out something… I have to talk to Julian now.”
“I’ll find a ride. You go.” Gabi turned her friend’s body toward the door and gave her a shove. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ve got it covered.”
“Thanks, Gab.”
Chapter 4
Present Day
Him
He’d spent the entire day in his office, staring out the window, contemplating the past. His desk phone had rung, but he hadn’t answered it. His smartphone buzzed, but he didn’t pick it up.
He had a daughter.
She was an artist and a writer, and she walked exactly like his mother.
Why didn’t he know this?
Even as he asked the question, he knew the answer. The night she left had been beaten into his memory with every strike of her fist against his chest. It burned across his cheek with the slap she’d given him. He’d stood there and let her, knowing everything he’d planted in her mind was a lie. His lie.
Mosaic (Dragonfly #4) Page 25
