by Sonja Stone
I wonder if Nadia’s ever been to Bermuda, he thought, looking back up at the wall.
40
NADIA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
The morning of the Fall Formal, Nadia was full of nervous energy and unable to focus on homework. She paced the small bedroom until Libby threatened to move out, then sat on her bed and pretended to read a magazine. She was about to go for a run when Casey knocked on the door. “Jack’s here to see you.”
Nadia met him in the lobby.
“Noah and I rented a limo. We’ll meet you outside Hopi Hall at eighteen-hundred?” He flashed his brilliant smile and her stomach fluttered. “We’ll all ride together.”
“Sounds great.”
“I also wanted to give you these.” Jack handed her a small black box.
Nestled inside she found a pair of earrings: large, square-cut amethysts set in gold. The sun pouring through the skylight glinted off the stones and cast dancing prisms across the room. Except for a gold ring with a shaving of emerald she got for Christmas last year, Nadia had no real jewelry.
“They’re beautiful,” she said. But what does he expect in return? “I can’t accept these.” She held the open box toward him.
“I know, I know. It’s way too early in our relationship for jewelry, but I want you to have them. I promise, no strings attached.”
“Thank you.” Nadia’s cheeks warmed as she averted her eyes. Relationship? I like the sound of that.
“I’m glad you like them.” He kissed her cheek and turned toward the door. “I’ll see you soon.”
Nadia dressed for the dance like she dressed for any event—quickly. Libby took one look and said, “Absolutely not.”
“What’s the matter?” Nadia asked, turning toward the mirror. She wore a black satin dress, strappy heels and Jack’s earrings. She’d pulled her hair into a high bun.
“Sit down,” Libby ordered, pointing to Nadia’s desk chair. “Face me.”
Nadia did as she was told. Libby stood quietly, studying Nadia’s face, her hair. Nadia glanced down at her dress, then back up at her roommate, feeling childish in comparison. Libby’s gown had been custom made; the perfect shade of red for her creamy skin, the most flattering cut for her even proportions and long legs. The material shimmered slightly as she moved, catching the light.
Libby yanked out Nadia’s hairband. “Head between your knees and shake. All right, now flip your hair back.” She retrieved a makeup palette from the bathroom and applied eyeshadow and liner, then a sweep of mascara. She handed Nadia her lipgloss as she removed one of Jack’s earrings.
“No, I have to wear those!” Nadia said.
“They don’t go with this dress and you’re not wearing them. Gloss your lips.”
“They were a gift from my date, and I am wearing them.”
“It’s out of the question. You’ll wear these,” Libby said, handing Nadia a pair of gold drop earrings. “Jack will understand.”
“But—”
Libby held up her index finger. “I am going to the dance with Alan. Alan. I am in no mood to be trifled with.”
Nadia scowled at Libby as she exchanged her earrings.
“You’ll thank me later,” Libby said sweetly.
Twenty minutes later, Nadia trailed behind Libby as the girls walked toward Hopi Hall. Libby’s heels were two inches higher than Nadia’s, but her pace was as smooth as ever.
Jack waited by the limo door. “You’re not wearing your earrings?” He slipped Nadia’s corsage on her wrist.
“I wanted to, but Libby won the argument.” She touched her ears. “I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. You don’t want to get between a Southern belle and her idea of fashion.”
He laughed. “No worries. You look amazing.”
“And so do you.” Jack was more striking than usual in his black tuxedo. The other guys looked good too—it’s hard to look bad in a tux—but Jack looked like . . . well, James Bond.
They arrived at the Scottsdale Ritz-Carlton, where the sweet, heavy smell of mimosa trees hung thick in the air. Occasionally, far off in the distance, silent flashes of lightning seared through the sky, casting a dramatic backdrop for the sharp mountains.
Music filtered through the lobby and beckoned them to the back terrace. Thousands of tiny white lights glistened around the swimming pool. Jack took Nadia’s hand and immediately led her to the dance floor.
“No one’s dancing yet,” she said.
“I don’t care. I want to be close to you.” He pulled her in, his arms strong around her body. Her hands slid over his shoulders. Her legs felt weak as he murmured, “You look beautiful.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes.
I could stare at him for hours.
He moved his hand to the hollow at the back of her neck. His mouth hovered over hers. Softly, like a whisper, his lips brushed against her. Nadia sensed him hesitate for just a moment, then he kissed her again, harder this time, with a sudden force that seemed out of control. They breathed each other in; no one else existed. The kiss ended and Jack pulled her close again, their bodies pressed together as they moved as one. Nadia leaned against his chest, trying to catch her breath. Uh-oh.
The song finished and Nadia reluctantly followed Jack to their table.
Damon took her hand as she arrived. “Niyuri deserted me. An emergency involving a folded contact lens. Come dance with me.”
Jack grabbed Damon’s sleeve. “Let’s get some drinks instead.”
Damon dropped Nadia’s hand and smiled tightly at Jack. “Sure.”
Noah pushed past Nadia to reach Libby. “You look fantastic,” he said.
“Don’t mind me,” Nadia mumbled.
Libby’s face lit up. “Why, thank you Noah. My date didn’t say.”
Alan glanced at Libby. “Oh, yeah. You do look nice. And you know I would tell you if you did not.”
“You mind if we dance?” Noah asked Alan.
Alan shrugged. “I do not care. We only came together because she did not have a date.” He didn’t seem to notice Libby’s glare. A moment later, he cleared his throat and said, “Nadia, perhaps we should dance?”
“Oh.” She glanced toward the bar; Jack still waited in the queue. “Okay.”
He led her to a quiet spot and put one hand on her shoulder, one on her waist. He kept his distance, a foot of light shining between them. They swayed awkwardly to the music. Alan avoided her eyes.
I feel like I’m in junior high. “What’s up, Alan?” she asked, as the silence stretched into awkwardness.
He glanced at her. “You look particularly attractive this evening.”
“Thanks. You too.” Another minute passed. I guess an uncomfortable silence beats the usual barrage of insults.
Nadia scanned the crowd for Jack. She found him just as Jennifer, the beautiful blond from Noah’s team, pulled him to the dance floor. Great. Of all the girls for him to dance with.
Alan stopped swaying. “Do you mind if we do not finish the song?” Before she answered, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving her alone.
Why am I not surprised? Nadia shook her head and returned to their table. As she searched the floor for Jack and Jennifer, a waiter in a crisp white shirt and gold vest approached.
“Nadia Riley?”
He wore too much gel in his jet-black hair. His slippery eyes jumped around the table. He looked like the kind of guy she’d avoid at a party. “Yes,” she said.
He placed a stack of cocktail napkins beside her. “Inside the top napkin is a disc. When I walk away, put it in your purse. When you get to campus, drop it in the trashcan outside the girls’ dormitory. Tell no one.”
“What?” Nadia leaned toward him.
“Standard protocol. Think of it as a pop quiz,” he said, rearranging the tray of drinks Jack had brought.
My first dead drop! With a slight smile, she slipped the napkin into her purse.
I mean, seriously. Is this is the coolest school ever?
41<
br />
ALAN
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
At 2350, Alan stood in the shadow of the dojo, watching Jack and Nadia say goodnight. They kissed briefly and Jack started to leave. Nadia dumped the trash from her purse. Jack turned back toward her, probably to collect another kiss, but before he could, Nadia went inside. Alan narrowed his eyes as Jack reached into the trashcan. I really do have unfortunate timing.
For weeks Alan had followed Saba’s orders, made up excuses to spend time with Nadia. But lately, she spent more and more time with Jack. He could not compete with Jack. Not even Damon could compete with Jack. And Saba was not pleased. His latest reprimand had been delivered that afternoon.
Twelve hours earlier, Alan had driven to Tempe. He parked in front of a bookstore across from the metro station, where he found a semi-secluded pay phone.
“Shalom, my son. Tell me your progress.”
“I am not certain. I think I have become part of my team,” Alan answered in Hebrew. “But it is difficult to say.”
“What about the girl you mentioned?”
“It is not going as well as I would like.”
“Alan. I don’t understand the problem.”
“She is dating our team leader. He is a senior. I am not—”
“Do you know what women like?”
Alan rolled his eyes. “Not even a little.”
Saba chuckled. “Do something daring. Break the rules. A dramatic gesture to make her feel special.”
“Saba, I am not very good at breaking—”
“Enough. You were given choices, no? Tell me what they were.”
“I do not think—”
“What were they?”
Stop interrupting me! Alan sighed. “Train here, train in Tel Aviv, train nowhere.”
“And what did you choose?”
“Saba, I understand my choice.”
“No one forced this on you. I could have, but I did not. What was the only condition of your choice?”
Alan remained silent. Why would I answer? He will not let me finish my thought.
“If you had come here, I would tuck you under my wing. We could choose assignments tailored to your interests. You wanted to fly on your own. Now, you become a man.” His voice hardened. “You will stay the course. You will get close to this girl. You will become an agent of the CIA. And you will report everything back to Mossad.” The line went dead.
Alan’s hand shook as he replaced the receiver. His Saba had never hung up on him. He prayed it was a bad connection and not anger that ended the call.
Now, standing in the dark, Alan knew he must proceed with his mission. He pressed himself against the dojo wall as Jack jogged down the path.
Alan peeked into the girls’ lobby. Casey was not at her desk. He rushed down the hall to Nadia’s room, knocked softly and thrust his hands into his pockets. The folded note was pressed securely against his thigh. He only needed a minute alone in her room.
Nadia gasped when she saw him. She pulled him inside by his lapel. “Have you lost your mind? We’ll both be expelled.”
She was not exaggerating. The school allowed no unsupervised coed visits in the dorms. “I understand my visit is unorthodox.”
“What’s wrong? Where’s Libby?”
“Noah said he would walk her home. I think they are still down by the limo.”
“Then what are you doing here? You can’t wait for her.”
“I came to see you,” Alan said. “I owe you an apology.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The way I left you on the dance floor. I behaved badly. I—needed some air all of a sudden.” His cheeks warmed.
“Seriously? Of all the things you’ve said and done, that’s what you’re sorry for?”
His heart pounded. Its weight and size seemed to increase as it beat against his ribcage. What am I doing here? “I know I have been kind of a jerk—you do not have to nod, I just said I know.”
“Well it’s true. You can be fairly hostile,” Nadia said.
Alan opened his mouth and then closed it again. He looked down, sure he would see the lapel of his jacket thumping up and down with the rhythm of his heart beat. This is a mistake. His face burned hotter. He pulled at his bow tie. “I am sorry about the dance.”
“Have I done something? Is it because I needed extra help?”
He took a deep breath. “I find myself in an unusual situation. Though I cannot explain why, I seem to have developed feelings for you beyond friendship. I—I have a small crush on you.”
Nadia opened her mouth.
He raised his arms in front of his body like he was stopping traffic. “You do not have to say anything. I know you and Jack have a thing. He is obviously quite fond of you. I mean, I just saw him out front collecting your trash from the garbage can as a memento.”
“What?” Nadia narrowed her eyes.
“It is a crush.” Alan scratched at his neck. Keep talking. “The thing is, I have never really had a girlfriend, or even strong feelings for a girl, and I am not sure what is appropriate—”
“What did you say about the trash?”
“What?”
“The trash, Alan,” Nadia enunciated, drawing Alan’s eyes to her mouth.
“Oh yeah. It was strange to me, too.” Alan shrugged and forced himself to look away from her lips. “Are you okay? You look pale. Maybe you should splash some water on your face. I can wait here.” He sat on the edge of the closest bed and glanced at his watch.
“I—I don’t feel very well.”
“I am happy to wait while you get a drink.”
“Please, I need you to go.”
“Right.” He stood, eyes on the floor. “I am sorry. I should not have come. I made things worse.” And my mission failed.
Nadia sighed. “No, Alan. Thanks for the apology. Don’t worry about it—it’s fine.”
Alan offered a slight smile. “I will see you later.”
42
NADIA
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Although Libby had been asleep for hours, positively blissful after dancing with Noah most of the evening, Nadia didn’t even try to close her eyes. She listened to her roommate’s rhythmic breathing as she stared at the ceiling.
Why would Jack intercept my dead drop? Is he the double Alan heard about? Was I used as a messenger—a go-between for him and his handler? She scanned the dark corners of the room, as though answers were tucked away in the shadows. Maybe Jack didn’t take it. Maybe Alan made the whole thing up. Maybe Alan is the traitor. He’s deflecting suspicion. Nadia frowned. But he’s the one who told us about the double. Why would he do that? Unless it’s to throw us off track. Because why would a double agent report his own presence? It’s genius.
She shook her head. No, he wouldn’t try to frame Jack. He’d pick an easier target. Someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. So if Alan’s telling the truth, why did Jack take the package?
Then, all at once, it came to her.
Her assignment was to make the dead drop. Jack’s must’ve been to retrieve the dead drop. For all she knew, Libby and Damon had done the same thing. Nadia couldn’t ask them about it; she’d been specifically instructed not to tell anyone, and secrecy was part of the training. She definitely couldn’t ask Jack—he was her team leader. He’d be forced to give her a bad report for breaking confidentiality. She didn’t want to put him in that position. And suspecting Alan? As a double agent? She smiled to herself.
That’s probably why Jack was acting so weird when he dropped me off. They’d shared an amazing moment on the dance floor, but after dancing with Jennifer, he’d seemed distracted, distant the rest of the night. He was thinking about his assignment. It wasn’t about Jennifer at all. She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes.
Seriously, Nadia, chill. Not all guys lie and cheat.
The next morning, Nadia joined her team on the flagstone deck outside the dining hall.
“You’re late,” Libby said.
“Is anything wrong?”
“By like, two minutes. I’m fine,” Nadia reassured her. “That’s a little OCD even for you. Are you worried about something?” The pile of work she pulled from her backpack reminded her she hadn’t slept much.
“No, ma’am. I’m right as rain. Absolutely fine. Like sunshine on daisies,” Libby said quickly. “Just excited about Thanksgiving, I guess.”
Nadia studied Libby’s face, her plastic smile. “Glad to hear it.” Maybe she didn’t sleep well, either.
“Why are you talking so fast?” Alan asked.
“Hey,” Jack said, as he stepped onto the patio.
Nadia’s pulse quickened when he smiled. “Look.” She pulled on her earlobe. “Your earrings.” The memory of his kiss flooded her thoughts and her face warmed.
“They bring out the green in your eyes. I knew they would.” Jack sounded pleased.
“I hope you weren’t upset with me last night,” Libby said to Jack. “The earrings really are beautiful, but they weren’t right with her hairstyle. You understand.”
“I don’t, actually. But no, I wasn’t upset,” Jack answered.
“I’m glad to hear it. In retrospect, I might’ve been a bit pushy.” Libby smiled, then asked him, “What are your plans for Thanksgiving?”
“I’m driving home. San Diego.”
Nadia tried to hide her disappointment. She didn’t expect him to skip Thanksgiving with his family for some girl he just met, but she’d really hoped he’d be staying at school.
Jack continued, “I have to give Jennifer a ride. She lives less than an hour from me.” His eyes did not leave Nadia as he spoke.
“Oh,” Nadia said. Her heart sank as she pictured them on the dance floor. Maybe she is the reason his mood changed last night. “That’s nice of you.”
