by Calia Read
Moments later, he walks out in the henley, and I can tell he loves the fabric by the way he keeps rubbing the sleeve. There’s three-piece suit Étienne and now henley Étienne. I can’t decide which I like better. I just know I want them both.
“Can I help you with anything?” the saleswoman tentatively asks.
Swiftly, I tug the tags off the jeans and shirt Étienne’s wearing, then turn to the saleswoman and hand her the tags. “We’ll take what he’s wearing, and what’s in his dressing room.”
It only takes us a couple of minutes to check out with Étienne eyeing the debit card machine while I sign my name on the pen pad. I take his hand and drag him out of the store before he can ask any questions about the device.
As we walk through the mall, I glance at Étienne from the corner of my eye and can’t help but notice the ends of Étienne’s hair grazing his neck. “You might want to consider getting your hair trimmed.”
“Okay. Do you have a valet?”
“No,” I draw out slowly. “I do not have a valet. I have a hairdresser.”
Just then, a shopper bumps into Étienne. “Sir, where are your manners?”
The man turns and shoots Étienne a dirty look before he resumes walking. The woman he’s walking with grabs his arm and immediately begins speaking in his ear, shooting furtive looks over her shoulder at Étienne every few seconds.
Groaning, I drop my face into my palms and drag my hands through my hair. When I raise my head, I find Étienne staring at me.
“What’s the matter?”
“You’re going to get us killed if you shout at every person in this mall who rudely bumps into you, cuts in line, or steals the parking spot you’re waiting for.” I place a hand on one broad shoulder. “I’m going to let you in on a big secret about this time: most people give zero fucks. It’s survival of the fittest.”
“From what you’re tellin’ me, I’m gatherin’ I didn’t do the right thing by voicin’ my opinion? However, that man’s behavior was highly imprudent.”
Étienne can argue circles around me. I take a deep breath and tell myself to shut up. “You know, if you’re in the present day for a while, you might want to consider being a lawyer.”
“Nonsense,” Étienne replies. He continues scowling as he scans the crowds. Even dressed in modern-day clothes, Étienne manages to stand out like a sore thumb. His height doesn’t help. Tall people are the lighthouses of society. It’s also in the way he holds himself. The very confidence that could get him into a fight is his number one appeal.
“If you think that dude was a dickwad, you should be here for Black Friday.”
“What is Black Friday? My God, is that a plague?”
Slapping my palm against my forehead, I groan. “There is so much we need to cover in such little time.”
“There will never be enough time in the world for me to understand bad manners,” Étienne says.
“Join the club, but before you go on another tirade, I wanted to talk to you about the condo in my brother’s building that’s available for subletting.”
Étienne’s brows slash low. “Your parents are uncomfortable with me in their home.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a conversation with them since we talked to them yesterday.” That’s the honest truth. I know it had to happen sooner than later, and I was positive they were less than pleased to have Étienne in their home even though they offered. But my dad went to work, and my mom was out of the house when Étienne and I left to go shopping. I had a feeling we were all avoiding each other until the tension cleared. But I don’t know how many more awkward dinners I can bear.
There’s already so much we have to deal with. I just want to separate one stressor from the other, and then we can give our attention to each situation.
“If the place is available, think of how nice it’d be to have our own privacy. And you wouldn’t have to put on a show for anyone. You could learn the ins and outs of this time while doing your research.” My eyes widen hopefully. “What do you say?”
“I say yes.” Étienne gives me a forced crooked grin. But as it’s only his second day in a new era, I’ll take it.
They say there’s no rest for the wicked.
The same can also be said for control freaks. They can’t be stationary to save their lives. On day three of being in the present day, I can tell Étienne struggles immensely from his lack of routine. Every day, in his era, he would wake up, drink his coffee, and work ten or twelve hours, making sure to keep a close eye on every facet of his company. With that gone, so was a part of himself. He’s like a caged animal, and I had to keep him busy. When he was idle, I could tell his mind would veer to the past, his life, and what was passing him by.
Étienne steps out of my car and whistles as he cranes his neck to look at the building. I walk around the car to meet him. “I know you’ve seen tall buildings before.”
“Of course. I simply didn’t expect the condo to be such a structure.”
The last time I was here, I remember thinking how this area would be nice to explore with the coffee and retail shops nearby, but I was so focused on going back to Étienne. Now that he’s here, I can’t help and want to do just that. Why waste a perfectly good opportunity when it’s right in front of me?
“They’re nice inside, and Ian says this guy’s pretty cool. I don’t know what his place looks like, but it’s temporary, you know?” I sneak a look at Étienne as we walk toward the front door.
Étienne nods. He’s too busy absorbing his surroundings. Not surprising since Ian’s condo is downtown. Traffic’s busier; businesses are closer together. A woman walks past us, steering a double stroller with one handle while she holds her phone in the opposite hand and has a conversation with someone about a playdate.
With one dismissive look, a college girl talking to her friend dodges the mom and keeps talking, making sure to gesticulate with her hands. “She was out of line, and she knows it. Liam and I had only been broken up for, like, a week before she hooked up with him. Like, who does that?”
“She’s totally crazy,” her friend says.
“Absolutely. I just can’t. I’m done. I’m totally done with her.”
As they drift farther down the sidewalk, Étienne watches them go and shakes his head as though he can’t believe what he saw and heard.
I press the apartment buzzer and 613. Seconds later, a voice comes over the speaker. “I’ll let you in.”
The lobby is just as I remembered it. Sterile with a hint of modern, and floors so polished you can nearly see your reflection in them.
Étienne looks around with confusion.
“What are you thinking about over there?” I ask as we head toward the elevators.
He tucks his hands into his pockets. “I’ve never seen this type of décor before. It’s quite barren in here.”
Reaching out, I press the up button and wait beside Étienne. “That’s the aesthetic of the design, I guess.”
The elevator dings, and the doors part in the middle. Once inside, Étienne glances at me. “What’s his name?”
I purse my lips for a second. “Joe, Joseph? I can’t remember. I just know it starts with a J.”
“Remind me never to go into business with you,” Étienne replies dryly.
We get off on the sixth floor, and even though it feels as though it’s been a while since I’ve been to Ian’s condo, it actually hasn’t. I find my way to Ian’s condo and remember he said the guy’s condo is the one across from his. I point at the closed door.
“This is it.”
I knock three times and rock back on my heels. Étienne leans against the wall and inspects the hall with interest as the door opens. A guy appears in the doorway and looks me up and down with interest. I don’t care. I just need a temporary apartment.
“Hey, Joel Galison.”
“Serene.”
He crosses his arms and grins. “Ian didn’t tell me his sister was so gorgeous.”
Almo
st immediately, Étienne stands to his full height and stands next to me. When Joel sees Étienne, his eyes widen. “Oh, hey.”
Étienne arches a brow and holds out his hand. “Étienne Lacroix, Serene’s fiancé. A pleasure.”
Awkwardly, Joel clears his throat while I fight my grin. He welcomes us inside. With his hand splayed on my lower back, Étienne follows me.
Joel’s condo is an exact replica of Ian’s but just flipped around. A brown L-shaped suede couch shoved against one wall, and the opposite wall has a flat screen mounted. Beneath it, are medium-sized bookshelves packed to the hilt with DVDs and Xbox One games. Dear God, that’s the last thing Étienne needs to see. I just finished explaining everything Netflix and Hulu can do. Do I want to explain Xbox One?
Hell no.
Already, I can see him eyeing the gaming console with renewed interest.
“Your brother didn’t give me much information. Just that you were in between places.”
I turn and look at Joel. “We’ll be wed soon, and we’re undecided on where to live,” Étienne chimes in.
Joel frowns. “So you’ll be staying here, too? Ian didn’t tell me that.”
“He lives in Charleston, but he’ll be going back and forth,” I quickly interject.
Something tells me that’s the best answer. Étienne seems to scare the shit out of Joel, and he elicits that reaction from most people. You don’t know whether to fear him or hate him.
“Oh, okay. Well”—Joel gestures to the space—“this is it. There are three bedrooms. Two bathrooms. You know the drill. You’re welcome to look around if you want.”
My eyes scan every square inch of the living room and dining space while Étienne stands in front of the large window in the dining space and looks at the cars and people moving below. Anywhere he can look outside seems to be his favorite spot. Maybe it’s peaceful for him and gives him a chance to process his thoughts. I don’t know. Either way, I’m nosy as hell and walk down the hall while Joel stands in the kitchen, debating whether to start a conversation with Étienne.
Probably best he doesn’t. Étienne is liable to blurt he’s from the past, scare Joel off, and then we’ll lose the chance to have our own temporary place.
The first spare bedroom has a futon and a lone dresser. The second bedroom has a computer desk, framed degrees hanging above the computer, and some boxes stacked in the corner.
I can’t help but peek into the master bedroom. There’s a king bed with blue sheets and a plaid comforter. A huge TV that’s almost bigger than the flat screen in the living room stands on the dresser. A few personal items are on the nightstand, but that’s it. I’m convinced this Joel guy comes home, eats, maybe games, and then sleeps. And that’s it.
I walk back toward the living room. Will it be weird to sleep in another person’s bed while he’s gone? Yes. As weird as sleeping in a different era in a home you’ve never been in? Not even close.
In the living room, I see Joel and Étienne are in the same places as when I left them. Étienne turns my way and gives me an expectant look. I smile at him before I focus on Joel. “My brother mentioned you’re going to Europe soon?” I say.
“Munich, to be exact. My job and I couldn’t pass it up.”
“Very nice. When will you be leaving?”
“March 25th.”
“Oh.” It’s impossible to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
“I take it that’s not the answer you wanted to hear?”
“Honestly, if you gave me a choice, I’d move in now,” I reply.
Joel smiles. “I can move some things around and be out of here ASAP if you really need me to. All I need is a security deposit.”
“Absolutely. I can pay now.”
As I fish for my checkbook, I can feel the intensity of Étienne’s frown. He hates not having his typical funds at his disposal. But right now, there’s not much he can do. It’s either not pay and go back to my parents’ home or pay and have some privacy while we search for answers.
Étienne abandons his spot at the window and stands next to me. He watches me intently as I write the check. Gently, I tear it from the checkbook and hand it to Joel. He looks it over once before he folds it in half.
A deep sense of satisfaction settles over me.
In three days’ time, we found ourselves a temporary living situation. It was one thing to cross off my list.
We agree that we’ll move into the condo within two days, and before he hands over the keys, I’ll sign the sublease agreement. Before we leave, I give him my phone number, and Étienne practically snarls the entire time. In fact, he remains cross during the whole exchange. His eyes fixate on the check I wrote Joel that is now folded up on the kitchen counter. Then a light bulb goes off in my head as to why he’s so disgruntled.
Finally, we make it out of the condo. The two of us are quiet as we walk down the hallway. Étienne’s has clenched his jaw and pressed his lips in a narrow line. I bet he’s grinding his teeth, too.
As we wait for the elevator, I turn to Étienne. He’s flexing his neck as though he’s gearing up to say something. I beat him to the punch and point a finger at him. “Don’t even say it.”
Crossing his arms over his massive chest, he frowns. “I cannot pay for a single thing. Do you expect me to be okay with that?”
“No, but while you’re here, it’s probably best to adapt to that. This isn’t your fault. You can’t open a checking account here and transfer money from your era,” I point out.
“I don’t want you takin’ care of me,” Étienne says.
“I’m not. This is a loan.”
“A loan?” he repeats.
“Yes. And if we go back to your era, you can pay me back.”
Rubbing the stubble along his jawline, Étienne looks at me from the corner of his eye. “This is quite possibly the most unorthodox loan I’ve ever agreed to.”
I give him a cheesy wink. “Let’s call it a Serene Loan.”
Étienne shakes his head and fights a smile.
“Now that that’s established, are you excited about the condo?” I ask.
“I suppose so. Although I’m uncertain about Mr. Galison. Another gentleman with ill-mannered behavior.”
I smirk. “Jealous?”
He scoffs. “You heard him before he realized I was there.”
“I did.” The elevator dings, but I ignore it and wrap my arms around Étienne’s waist, tilting my head back to look him in the eye. “It’s okay, though. I like it when you get all jealous and go alpha. Makes me want to jump your fucking bones,” I say with a smile.
“My little sister, ladies and gentlemen,” a voice says.
Turning, I see Ian with his computer bag, a stack of mail in his hands, and his eyes wide as saucers as he stares between Étienne and me.
My cheeks turn red as I glance at Étienne. He gives me a curious look.
“Hey, bro!” I say with false enthusiasm. “What are the chances of you being here?”
“Well, I live here. And don’t change the subject. I heard everything you said, you little pervert.” Ian turns his attention to Étienne. “I’m Ian, Serene’s older brother.”
“Étienne, Serene’s embarrassed fiancé.”
That reply draws a smile from my brother and causes hope to blossom in my chest. When it comes to Étienne, my family has felt nothing but suspicion, and I can’t say that I blame them. But out of everyone in my family, Ian will be the one to give Étienne a chance. He’s the Nathalie Lacroix of the Hambleton family.
They clasp hands, continuing to assess each other. I stand there, hoping this goes well.
“You’ve caused quite a stir in our family,” Ian says.
“I’m certain I have. I realize everyone was unprepared by my arrival,” Étienne replies.
“Just a bit. It’s all good, though. Things were getting a bit boring around here.” My brother looks back and forth between us. “What did you think of the condo?”
I breathe a sig
h of relief that he’s changed the subject. “It’s available. So we’re taking it.”
Ian smiles. “And you don’t mind living across from your brother for the next six months?”
I hesitate to answer because if Étienne and I have any say, we’ll be gone before the six months is up. But then I’ll be gone from my family again. And everything seems to be going so well. I push the thought of leaving my family behind and focus on the now. Shrugging, I feign indifference. “It’ll do, I suppose.”
Ian glances at Étienne. “And you? What did you think of the place?”
“I want to be near Serene.”
Silence.
If Ian’s waiting for Étienne to elaborate, he should forget about that. I know this is only day three, but I’m not optimistic about him changing his blunt personality for this time. He’s too stubborn for that.
“Okay,” Ian draws out. “Are you sure, though? I mean, I’ve lived with her for years and that”—he flings a hand in my direction—“is not always a pretty picture. I grew up with her. I know what she looks like in the morning after zero sleep. Or when she was a teenager and would get food stuck in her braces.”
Ian begins to sift through the stack of mail in his hands when Étienne blurts, “What are braces?”
Slowly, Ian turns. “Dude. You don’t know what braces are?”
The hallway becomes so quiet I swear you can hear a cricket chirp. The seconds tick by before I break out into false laughter and gently shove at Étienne’s shoulder. He gives me a blank look filled with panic. He knows he fucked up, but he doesn’t know why. And that’s why I’m so fiercely protective of this man.
I continue laughing as I face Ian. “This one. He can be a real riot.” Wrapping my arm around Étienne’s shoulder, I lean into him. “He was kidding. Of course, he knows what braces are. He just has deadpan humor. Gotta love it.”
Étienne slowly nods and says in the most monotone voice possible, “I love jokin’.”
“Right,” Ian draws out. “Anyway, I was just thinking that since the family hasn’t gotten together in a long time, why don’t we all have dinner?”
