by Andrea Thome
Laina had just gotten back in the rental car when her phone vibrated.
Jeremy: Are you going to be in LA this weekend? We should talk.
Laina was frozen, glad she hadn’t yet pulled out of her parking spot. She looked around to see if he was nearby. How did Jeremy know she was home? She shivered, unsettled by the unwelcome intrusion. She wouldn’t respond. He’d get the message. Jeremy wasn’t obtuse.
She buckled her belt and headed for the Pacific Coast Highway, hoping she’d be able to avoid the midday rush. Summer traffic near the beach was brutal, and it was nearly impossible to predict which lane to be in. If she chose the left lane, Laina risked getting stuck behind tourists trying to turn left into the already-stuffed beach parking lots. In the right lane, she’d need to be careful not to get whacked by a surfer hoisting a longboard overhead and hoping they could dash across four lanes of heavy traffic to get to the beach.
Laina knew this stretch of road, because she’d spent four years traveling back and forth on it to a private high school in Santa Monica. She’d graduated from the school’s visual arts program and had seriously contemplated a career as an artist. It was only when her mother had come to her suggesting she explore food as art that she’d wavered. Laina had grown up in California, and she’d known she was ready for something very different. New York City fit the bill, so three weeks after she’d graduated, she’d moved across the country and had never looked back.
She’d decided to rent a Jeep while she was in town, after a peek at the forecast told her that the weather was going to be perfectly pleasant. Although, up the coast, the temperature rarely deviated from the seventies during summer days anyway. It tended to be cool in the mornings and evenings near the coast, but nothing a light sweater couldn’t take care of. Laina smiled, picturing Logan in the passenger seat next to her. She’d been thinking about him the entire morning, and part of her wished he could have come home with her for the entire trip. He had officially possessed her thoughts, and, as if he’d known she was thinking about him, her phone buzzed again in the cup holder. She tensed up, hoping it wasn’t Jeremy. When she slowed at the next light, she glanced at the home screen on her phone.
Logan: Do I need a tux for this weekend?
Laina smiled, relieved. Instead of texting him back, she plugged in her earbuds so she could hear over the wind and dialed his number.
He answered on the first ring. “I know I should let it ring a few times, so I don’t seem anxious, but who are we kidding? I’m going to devour you when I see you.”
Laina covered her mouth, laughing in delight. “Well, hello to you too! Sorry it’s so loud. I have the top down, and I’m actually making decent time, so it might be hard to hear me.”
Logan stuttered. “Wait—top down? What now?”
Laina rolled her eyes, still laughing. “Ha-ha. To answer your question, you can absolutely wear a tux, but a nice suit is totally fine too. I’m wearing a long dress, but it’s pretty simple. Go with whatever is comfortable.”
Logan scoffed. “I’m at the men’s store now, and let me tell you . . . none of this stuff is comfortable. But I’ll figure it out.” She heard him cover the phone with his hand and muffle something to the salesperson. “They want me to ask you what
color you’re wearing. Can I guess first?”
“Yes, I’m wearing black. Listen, these kinds of events are out of my comfort zone too, so I’m not going to stretch myself too much. Don’t worry, though: I’ll bring the heat.” She smiled, excited to have the chance to dress up for Logan. She’d packed a few other special pieces of clothing too, just in case.
“Oh, I’m not worried one little bit. You could throw a belt around your chef’s jacket and look hotter than anyone else who’ll show up. I’m proud to have you on my arm. At least for the weekend.”
“We’ll see if we can’t come up with something a little longer term if you can behave yourself.” Laina loved flirting with him.
Logan didn’t hesitate. “Forget it. I’ll take one weekend of misbehavior over a lifetime of goody-goody anytime. So prepare yourself. We’re going for it, baby.”
They said goodbye, and Laina returned her attention to the road. After a while, she made a left, heading down into the seaside community where her parents had moved ten years before. When she’d lived at home, they’d had a place closer to Santa Monica, but after she’d left for culinary school, her parents had decided they wanted a quieter life, still near the shore. Their current house came with a beach key, which provided access to a private cove popular with surfers because of its relative inaccessibility to the general public. It was impossible to reach when the tides were high, unless you walked down a long and guarded hidden forest pathway with four different locked gates along the way. Having a beach key had been known to raise property values in the neighborhood by up to $250,000. You weren’t paying for the key. You were paying for access.
Laina’s parents had a very unique setup. Their expansive property trailed down through a couple of acres’ worth of impressive gardens, spilling out into the bottom of the path that led directly to the beach, so her father had commissioned a small private shack to be built near the path, making it easy to grab his board on the way down for his morning surf. Laina’s parents were the picture of health, the youngest- looking sixtysomethings she’d ever known.
Her father had spent his early life as a studio executive, and had done very well for himself. Her mother had always been interested in health and spirituality, and she had rubbed off on her husband during the course of their marriage. Laina’s father committed fully to the lifestyle after they’d adopted Laina all those years ago. They were well connected within the community, and after kicking around the idea of building the wellness center for a long time, they’d finally decided to make the dream a reality a couple of years ago.
They’d purchased a large plot of land up in the nearby mountains, and with the help of some investors, built what was being called the most luxurious facility of its kind in the country. It would house everything from chiropractors to yoga instructors, to a third-generation practitioner of acupuncture who her mother had worked with for years. The cream of the wellness crop would all be working under one roof, or series of roofs, since the property was made up of a cluster of individual cabins and work spaces, tied together by the gardens, lotus pond, and labyrinth at the center.
Laina had consulted on the menus for the two restaurants. Both were vegan, but one only served breakfast and lunch, while the other was a more formal fine-dining venue.
She couldn’t wait to get a look at what her parents’ final selections would be, hoping they’d show her the menus before the event.
Laina parked in the circle driveway and hopped out of the Jeep, stretching her arms in the air, happy to be home. The front door swung open wide, and her parents rushed out with a flurry of hugs, kisses, and endearments. Laina loved how her mother smelled, like the jasmine essential oil she knew she dabbed on her wrists and neck every morning, and her father’s smiling eyes brought tears to Laina’s own.
“Mom, Dad. Oh, it’s so great to be home. You two look amazing, and of course your flowers are stunning.”
Serena and Bo Ming’s home was a neighborhood showpiece, and that was saying something in an enclave packed with celebrities. They’d planted thick bushes of white hydrangea that stood poking out of the split-rail fence that bordered the front of their property. The home itself was composed of a combination of mixed materials, the majority of the structure built with distressed barn wood in rustic red, accented with fieldstone. There were plenty of windows too, welcoming the California sunshine into every room.
Her father reached into the back of the Jeep and removed Laina’s suitcase, carrying it through the open front door and into the foyer, while Laina and her mother followed him, arm in arm.
“So how was your travel, darling? You look very well.” Her mother stopped and turned to study Laina. “Colorado certainly seems to agree with you.
Your aura is the most beautiful shade of pink!”
That caught her dad’s attention. “Serena, that means she’s in love. Even I know that much.” Her father set the suitcase at the base of the stairs and turned to look at his daughter. “Yes, I can see it too. Something’s different about you since the last time we saw you. You seem lighter. Does it have anything to do with this friend who’s joining you this weekend?”
Serena smiled. “Yes, I was curious about that too, but let’s let her get settled, Bo. We can talk more at lunch, if Laina wants to.”
“I already knew to resist your uncanny psychic ability was futile. I’ll fill you guys in, I promise. Do you mind if I grab a quick shower first? I’d like to scrub LAX off of me. I’ll be down in thirty minutes to join you by the pool.” She turned to her father. “Were you still planning to surf tonight? I’d love to go with you.”
Bo smiled, nodding his head. “I never miss a day, and I’d love to surf with my girl. Already went out this morning, and the waves were good. I’ll dig out your summer wet suit and have it standing by when you’re ready to escape our questioning. Here, let me take your things out to the guest house. We thought you’d be more comfortable out there this time, since you’re having company. Not that we’re assuming anything.”
Laina spent the next twenty minutes standing under a hot stream of water. She was glad to be home, but her mind kept revisiting the text from Jeremy. How did he know she was in Southern California? Did that mean that he was here too? The last thing she wanted was for Jeremy and Logan to cross paths. This weekend, or ever. She’d told Logan what she’d thought he needed to know, only leaving out the details that she didn’t consider pertinent to her story with Patrick. Or at least she’d managed to rationalize it that way. But she couldn’t go back now and reopen that can of worms. Things were going so well, she just wanted to bask in the glow of these firsts with him.
Laina plugged her phone in to charge, put on a bathing suit and cover-up, and headed back outside to the pool.
One would have thought that Oprah was coming to lunch looking at the spread Serena Ming had prepared for her daughter. (Oprah had been to lunch at their home, incidentally. Several times.) There was a platter of fresh fruits, likely plucked straight out of the garden that morning, along with other colorful dishes overflowing with avocado, quinoa, and at least two different kinds of salads.
“Mom, geez. Do you think I haven’t been eating? This all looks amazing.” Laina took a few mulberries from a small ceramic bowl, popping them into her mouth one at a time. “I forgot about the mulberry tree. I’d love to have this garden at my house, but most of this stuff wouldn’t grow at altitude the way it thrives here.” Her parents had avocado and banana trees, along with oranges, apricots, peaches, and over a dozen different kinds of lettuces and vegetables. Another perk of living in the Golden State.
They sat down to lunch, chatting about Laina’s opening and her life in Aspen. She told them a little bit about the camp out, the part about her having been asked to cook the meal and how the money went to charity. She decided to share with them a little bit about Logan too.
“So, my friend who’s coming. Obviously, my pink aura or whatever gave it away. We are dating, but it’s new. I’ve known him for about a year, and our friends have been trying to set us up, but for whatever reason, this just felt like the right time to give it a try.”
Bo reached for the pitcher of lemon water, pouring his daughter a glass before speaking. “What does this young man do?”
Laina smiled. “Logan. His name is Logan, and he works with my friends over at Walland House. You met them when you were in Aspen last summer. Garrett and Willow? Actually, Willow is Logan’s sister. He owns the horse ranch next door to Walland House, so he leads rides and helps with other special outdoor activities they do.”
Serena’s fork was suspended midair. “Wait a minute. Is this the brother who saved Willow’s life? The Ranger? You told us about that when we met her. Didn’t he donate an organ or something?”
Laina nodded. “He did. And speaking of donating things, I guess I should tell you something else. I know you guys are open-minded, so this shouldn’t be a big deal, but it does speak to his incredible character. It’s one of the things that made me finally decide to open my heart to him.” Laina looked at her parents, smiling. “He’s helping two friends of ours, Vivian and Sienna. They want to start a family, and Logan has agreed to be their sperm donor.”
Bo Ming sat back in his chair. “Well. This fellow certainly sounds . . . interesting. Are these ladies good friends of his? That’s not a decision a person comes to lightly.”
Laina shook her head. “They weren’t particularly close, but you’ll see when you meet Logan. It’s his nature. He’s a giver, and he acts with his heart, not his head. I thought that’s what you guys always encourage me to do more of?”
Bo wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Oh yes, we do want that. I think it’s wonderful what Logan’s doing. You just don’t hear that every day.”
Laina looked at her mother, who had been silently listening. “Mom, what do you think?”
Selena looked thoughtful. “I’m just wondering what you think? Really? Do you want children someday, Laina? And if so, if you have them with Logan, which I know is jumping ahead a bit, how would this child fit into the picture? Is Logan doing this because he doesn’t want children of his own?”
Laina sighed. “We haven’t gotten that far. All I know is that I am at the point in my life where I’m finally choosing to be with a person whose first inclination is to help others. Not hurt them. So I’m taking a leap. Everything else will work itself out in due time.”
Serena could see her daughter had given it a lot of thought, so she knew not to push. Besides, there was another issue to discuss. “Laina, Dad and I got a phone call last week, and we wanted to talk to you about it.” Bo nodded to his wife, encouraging her to go on.
“Honey, Patrick’s brother, Jeremy, called us, and told us what had happened. We can’t imagine how painful that must have been for you. Jeremy said that he’s reached out to you but that he hasn’t heard back. Laina, he really is trying to make things right. He’s in San Diego this weekend with the band, and he heard about our gala. Now that you’ve told us about Logan, we see it’s not appropriate to invite him, which is what we were going to suggest, but do you think you could take an hour or so while you’re here to get closure with him? Hearing where you’re at with this new relationship, I think it could be a good thing.”
Laina was flabbergasted. She’d shared with her parents the reasons she’d left Patrick last year, because she’d come home to stay with them for a week right after they’d broken up and Laina had needed her mom’s ear. They knew everything, which was why it surprised Laina that they thought Jeremy worthy of a second chance. But then again, her parents believed everyone deserved one. Something about clearing Karma. Laina couldn’t believe he’d reached out to her folks. That was just like him. Jeremy would do anything to get his way, which made him a liability.
Laina knew there was only one way to put Jeremy behind her. She excused herself, thanking her parents for lunch, and retreated to the guest house to find her phone.
Laina: I’ll meet you. Saturday. Come to my parents’ house. One hour, and this ends.
Jeremy: I’ll be there. Thank you, Laina.
Laina: I’m with someone. Don’t get the wrong idea.
Jeremy: See you Saturday.
Laina couldn’t shake feeling that agreeing to see him again was a huge mistake.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Logan: Landed safe. Walking into baggage claim now. Call you from the cab.
Laina: Look to your right.
It took a moment for the words to register, but when they did, Logan’s head snapped up, and Laina watched as his eyes scanned the crowd. When he found her, Logan dropped the two carry-on bags he’d been holding onto the floor on either side of him and walked toward Laina with purpose. H
e never slowed, wrapping her in his arms and lowering his face to hers, their lips meeting in a hungry crush. The airport noise faded away, and they were lost in each other, people and luggage carts forgotten. After some immeasurable length of time, Laina finally regained her composure.
“Well, more of that please.” She kissed him again to punctuate. “But first, you’d better grab those bags you left back there. This is LAX. You don’t want them to grow legs.”
Logan retreated to grab his things and walked back toward her. “This is all I’ve got.” He held up the garment bag in one hand and a small duffel in the other. “Monkey suit in here, and beauty products in this one.”
Laina laughed, taking the garment bag from him so they could hold hands on the way out of the sliding doors. It felt so natural to be with him, and his hand fit so perfectly in hers. She loved how he rubbed the palm of her hand with his thumb as they walked, sending a shiver through her. They’d been texting often over the past couple of days and in the later hours of the evenings. Some of the interactions had started to get a little suggestive. Laina had reread the texts from the night before while she’d been waiting for Logan’s plane to land, blushing as she scrolled through their last conversation.
Laina: What are you wearing?
Logan: Isn’t that a question I should be asking?
Laina: Sometimes I give “nontraditional” a try.
Logan: Well, I’m currently wearing only my sheets. I’m in bed for the night.
Laina: Somehow I knew you’d be a birthday- suit sleeper.
Logan: Well, to be fair, my onesie and nightcap are at the dry cleaner.
Laina: LOL. God, what a visual.
Logan: :)
Laina: So, are you going to bring any pajamas with you this weekend? My parents have this idea that you’re going to be bunking with me in the guest house. Don’t worry. There’s a pullout sofa.
