Fool for Love (Believe #2)

by Karen Ferry

  “What else have you learned since coming to New York City?” he asks me, all serious.

  I purse my lips.

  “Well…” I hesitate, but then take a deep breath. “Americans have a tendency to be completely over-the-top and dramatic.”

  He blinks and then throws his head back, laughing heartily, and I giggle.

  “Sorry, but it’s true,” I mutter after we’ve settled down.

  “You’re right, though,” he concedes, still chuckling. I turn my head to the cab driver when I hear a muttered, “Uh, yeah, she is.” His laughing eyes meet mine in the rear view mirror, and I blush slightly, a bit embarrassed that I completely forgot that this stranger can hear everything that we say.

  “What else?” Garrett continues, his voice filled with amusement, and I turn my attention back to him.

  “Hmm…Well, you’re loud. Very opinionated; and while you revel in the saying of ‘freedom of speech’, you should probably hold your tongues sometimes and acknowledge that a difference of opinion is more than acceptable. It’s to be respected.” I scoot closer to him and lower my voice. “But, most of all, I’ve learned that you’re a very warm and welcoming people in the ways that matter the most.”

  His eyes warm when I squeeze his hand in mine, and I lean away from him. My smile leaves my lips, and I find the courage to ask him the burning question in my mind.

  “Does it bother you that I’m also into girls?”

  He shakes his head immediately.

  “I told you the day we met, Suzy – your sexuality doesn’t matter to me. Your personality, the way your inner light shines through your eyes, and how you see the world – how you see me.” He takes a shaky breath, and my heart feels fit to burst. “Forget the labels that society seems to be so fucking good at setting up, and just continue being you – a smart woman who isn’t afraid to show her feelings. Then you’ll find your happily-ever-after one day. The only thing that matters to me is that, right at this moment, you’re mine. What matters is that for the time being, you’re with me…”

  My heart plummets to the ground when I realise that Garrett still seems to see our relationship as temporary, despite everything he’s said and done today, but I try to hide it from him.

  “Hey,” he murmurs softly when I look away from him. I only give him a nod and keep my eyes on my knees, not seeing anything.

  “Hey,” he repeats, leaning towards me to cradle my face in his right hand. He presses against my chin, gently tilting my head upwards, and I clench my teeth in order to keep the threatening tears at bay.

  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

  “Suzy,” he sighs. “I’m…”

  “Don’t say you’re sorry, Garrett, please,” I interrupt him as I try to sniffle as discreetly as I can. “I hate that word, sorry; people tend to use it as an excuse to say hurtful things.”

  “If you hadn’t interrupted me, you’d know that I wasn’t about to say that,” he admonishes me. There’s an edge to his voice that makes me raise my chin defiantly.

  “Now, are you going to listen?” he asks me. I nod, keeping my rising temper at bay.

  Temper before tears is always preferable.

  “I’m fourteen years older than you, Suzy; I don’t know what you see in me, but all I know is that I need you. No, I crave you, and I want to be near your light all the time. Even so…” He lowers his voice. “I’m preparing myself for the day you’ll leave me.”

  My eyes widen at the absurdity of his words.

  “There’s still so much you don’t know about me – about my past, but – let’s not think about that now.” His lips form a crooked smile, but it can’t wash away the lingering sadness in his beautiful brown eyes.

  “Garrett, I –”

  “We’re here,” he interrupts me as the cab comes to a stop.

  I curse when he opens the door, but hurry to go after him. He’s keeping the door open for me, and a small part of me loves that he can also be a gentleman. But I don’t have time for such lingering thoughts right now.

  “You can’t just say all those things and then leave it at that,” I whisper-hiss as he takes my hand firmly in his. “Garrett!”

  He stops and I jerk slightly from the hold he still has on me. He leans down, and I open my mouth to ask what he’s up to, but there’s no time. His lips meet mine in a toe-curling, honest-to-goodness, swoony kiss – lots of nips of his teeth and his tongue dancing with mine – and I moan into his mouth and grab onto the lapels of his coat when my knees begin to feel like jelly.

  The kiss starts off hard, passionate and relentless, but begins to soften ever so slowly after some time. On a low growl, he caresses the nape of my neck, and a delicious shiver courses through my body and cover me in tingles from head to toes.

  When his lips still but rest on mine, I open my eyes slowly.

  “I love your kisses.” His voice has taken on that husky, sexy tone that’s all Garrett. “I think I could lose myself in them for all eternity.”

  Oh…my…god. Swoon!

  “You really shouldn’t kiss me like that just before I’m about to meet your parents,” I whisper. He smirks and then steps away from me, his eyes lingering on my, no doubt, swollen lips.

  “I like this look on you,” he murmurs, his eyes burning bright with desire. “It shows everyone we meet that you’re taken. That you’re mine.”

  A small gasp escapes me, and I feel like my world is tipped on its axis from his possessive claim.

  Wow. Guess American/Italian men are my kryptonite.

  His eyes turn serious, and without another word, he begins to lead the way, me stumbling behind him. When I notice the house in front of us, I have to stop and simply take in its beauty. The town house is built in red bricks, and it must be around 6 stories high. There are six windows facing the streets, and they are huge, with black frames, letting in plenty of light.

  “Wow,” I breathe. “Jeg ville ønske, Emma var her nu…”

  “Sorry?” Garrett’s puzzled voice grabs my attention, and I turn my head to him, puzzled by his question.

  “Was that Danish?” he goes on. I blink.

  “Oh, gosh!” I laugh and shake my head at my own silliness. “Did I say that out loud?” I scrunch my face at him.

  He nods, a bemused smile lighting up his face.

  “I’m sorry,” I continue. “I was just thinking that I wish my best friend, Emma, could see this.”

  I take a look around at the neighbourhood. We’re on 65th street, between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, and I shake my head at the splendour around me. This is one exclusive part of Manhattan, and I feel a bit out of place here.

  “Your language sounds…difficult,” Garrett goes on. I nod in thought.

  “It probably is.”

  “Sounds like a challenge. You’ll have to teach me a couple of words and phrases.”

  I raise my head to take in his thoughtful look.

  “Would you like to learn?”

  “Yes. I would.”

  I don’t know if he’s serious, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Garrett, it’s that he means every word that he says.

  “Alright, then.”

  “Come on.” He holds out his hand for me to take. “My parents’s home is at the top, and we best get a move on. They’re expecting us, and tardiness is frowned upon in my family.”

  “Uh-oh,” I mumble as I take his proffered hand and we walk the six steps up to the front door. “I’m always either way too early or too late for appointments.”

  He chuckles and opens the door for me to go first. I enter the hallway and take in the vast space. It’s bright, sleek, but with lots of antique furniture scattered here and there. We walk to the very end and enter the elevator, and Garrett hits the button to take us up to the sixth floor.

  He gives me a small smile but keeps silent as we ride all the way up to the top. When the elevator gives off a soft ‘ping’ as the doors open, I’m attacked by yet another wave of butterflies
in my stomach.

  “Have you told your parents about me?” I ask Garrett in a low voice. We walk to the end of the hall and stop at a huge, mahogany-coloured front door.

  “Only that you started out as my roommate but have turned into something…more,” he murmurs as he knocks on the door.

  “Right,” I whisper and then straighten my back and keep my head high.

  Here goes nothing.

  The door opens, and a tall, slim woman with sun kissed skin and large, almond shaped eyes smiles wide when she sees us.

  “Garrett!” she exclaims, stepping forward to give him a kiss on each cheek. I lose his hand when he hugs her, and I try my best to keep from fidgeting.

  “Mama,” he answers softly before he kisses her forehead. Then he turns to me. “I’d like you to meet Suzy Christensen.”

  Her warm smile greets me, instantly making me feel more at ease, and she reaches for my hand.

  “Hello, Suzy, I’m Sophia. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Her smile is contagious, and I feel more reassured by it as we shake hands.

  “Likewise.”

  She releases my hand and steps back. She opens her mouth as if to say more, but we’re interrupted by a loud bark. Before I know it, Rufus tears towards us. I bend down in my knees to ruffle his ears, and I laugh when he tries to welcome me with sloppy, doggy kisses.

  “Rufus, sit,” Garrett’s booming voice commands. With lots of whining and grumbling, the dog does as his master says. Sophia laughs and I look at her as I straighten back up.

  “Good boy,” Garrett praises him and rubs his fur. After the dog’s had his fill of attention, he stands up and trots into the apartment, tail wagging.

  “A dog is always a great ice breaker,” Sophia says. I nod at her.

  “Come in, come in,” she laughs, waving her hand at us. Garrett chuckles beside me and lets me enter first.

  “Where’s dad?” he asks Sophia, as he unbuttons his coat. I do the same and hand it to him when he makes to take it from me.

  “He’s in his study, but I’m sure he’ll be out soon.” She turns a worried look in my direction, but it’s only brief. “I’m glad that you came home, Garrett, but why do I get a feeling that this is more than a simple visit to your parents?”

  She raises an eyebrow at him, and I have to smile at the stern ‘I’m your mother’ kind of look she gives him.

  “Why don’t we go to the drawing room first?” he hedges, taking my hand again. I take heart in the gentle squeeze of his fingers.

  The intimacy between us doesn’t go unnoticed, and Sophia beams at us.

  “Alright.”

  She leads us down a narrow hallway filled with pictures on the walls, and I wish that I could stop to examine them further. Then I’m reminded of the reason we’re here, and my good mood vanishes again.

  The drawing room is very bright, bathed in sunlight from the tall windows on the opposite end of us. There is a dove-grey couch situated in the middle of the room, covered in soft pastel-coloured cushions and throws, and an unlit fireplace at the wall to our right; a dog bed is situated in front of it where Rufus is lying, tongue lolling, and more frames with photos are placed on the wide mantel at the top.

  “Please take a seat while I fetch the coffee,” Sophia tells me softly, touching my arm. I smile in thanks.

  She leaves us alone and I breathe a deep sigh as I sit down on the couch.

  It’s just as comfy as it looks, and I imagine this is a room that’s used often. Garrett sits down beside me, never letting go of my hand.

  “Don’t you think we should talk with your dad in his study?” I ask him, sitting up straighter.

  He snorts. “My mom might look all sweet, but she’s a tough bird; there’s nothing we can’t say in front of her.”

  “I heard that,” Sophia’s voice breaks our privacy, and I stiffen. “Please don’t call me a ‘bird’, Garrett,” she scolds him as she returns to us. She sets down the tray with coffee and cups on the table in front of us. “I don’t go around cooing like a dove, now do I?”

  She winks at me when I can’t keep my laugh from breaking free, and I’m able to relax a bit for the first time.

  Garrett chuckles beside me as he reaches for the coffee pot.

  “Sorry, Mama. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Bene.” She sits down on an armchair that matches the couch opposite.

  “So, Suzy…” she starts and turns her eyes to me. “Garrett tells me that you’re from Denmark?”

  I nod and take the coffee cup Garrett hands me.

  “Yes. I live in Copenhagen.”

  Her smile is friendly but slightly puzzled.

  “What makes a young woman suddenly uproot herself and travel so far away from home?” she asks me.

  “Well…” I hesitate, not sure how much to say, so I go with the simplest explanation. “I’ve always wanted to travel, especially to New York City. I thought it best to do it now, before I settle down for good.”

  She nods and takes the coffee from Garrett.

  “Very sensible of you. Young women these days always seem to be in such a rush, not taking their time to explore the world or themselves. So…”

  She takes a sip of her coffee, and I do the same, waiting with bated breath for this awkward inquisition to end.

  “Do you plan on staying here forever?” she asks me next. I tense when Garrett places an arm around my shoulders.

  “I…I’m not sure,” I stammer and place my cup carefully on the table before meeting her calculating gaze. “It depends on many things, I guess.”

  She nods, and her eyes turn kind.

  “You’re still very young,” she muses. “I’m sure there are many things to consider.”

  “Mama, don’t you think we should get dad?” Garrett interrupts us and stands up. He takes a couple of steps in the direction of the door, but stops when the sound of purposeful strides draws nearer. A middle-aged man with full, grey hair enters the room.

  “No need, I’m here,” he smiles as Garrett goes towards him. The warm embrace between them makes me smile, until my gaze falls on Sophia and I notice the sadness in hers.

  I break free when Garrett moves away, turning in my direction, and I stand up to greet his father. He doesn’t look as demanding as I’d pictured him, but that might have to do with the fact that he’s wearing black jeans and a blue sweater, giving off a very homey feel.

  “You must be Suzy,” he says kindly, the corners of his eyes crinkling just the way his son’s do as he smiles politely at me.

  I nod as we shake hands.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Thompson.”

  “Please, call me Robert.”

  “Alright then – Robert.” I smile at him and a moment of silence falls on us all. I don’t know whether I should keep standing or sit down, but Garrett ends up deciding for me when he walks back to me and takes my hand, nudging me down on the couch close beside him.

  “Despite the circumstances of your visit, it’s great to meet you,” Robert then says, as he sits down on a chair next to Sophia. She turns in her seat and narrows her eyes at him.

  “What’s going on?” she asks him.

  He frowns at her.

  “After you’d talked with Garrett earlier, he called my cell and explained things to me. I’m not sure that you should be present to hear this,” he mutters. When she crosses her arms, a stubborn set to her mouth, he relents on a sigh.

  He looks at me as he points at his wife.

  “She’s got a temper, this one. Forty years of marriage, and I’m still surprised every time she refuses to do as she’s told.”

  “Excuse me?” Sophia protests. There’s a twinkle in her eyes when her husband looks teasingly at her. “I think that fact is part of the reason why you love me.”

  “Ah, yes. You’re right.”

  I can’t help but laugh, and Garrett’s amused chuckle next to me makes me feel more at ease.

  “Alright, you two, enough,” Garre
tt grumbles. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

  Robert’s calculating gaze meets mine. Dread settles in my stomach, and I’m not sure I can keep the turmoil I feel inside hidden from him. I’ve always been like an open book, or so I’ve been told. I can’t keep my feelings locked away from the people I’m with.

  He leans forward in his seat.

  “Suzy, like I said, Garrett has already told me what happened this afternoon, but I’d like to hear the story from you as well. I know we don’t really know each other –”

  “Yet,” Sophia butts in, beaming at me.

  Robert looks back at her and smiles gently before he turns his attention back to me.

  “Yet,” he agrees. “But do you think you can do that?”

  I take a deep breath and nod as I let it out.

  “Alright. Please begin when you’re ready.”

  Garrett tucks me close to his side, giving me the strength I need in order to get this over and done with. Yet, my body can’t relax fully while I recount the almost-assault I became a victim to earlier.

  It seems so long ago already, even though it’s only been a couple of hours.

  However, as I relay the events, the nausea of feeling his hands on my breast hits me again – the way he was breathing hard, his sick arousal boring into my back…

  The only thing that keeps the tears at bay is Sophia who starts to curse wildly in Italian when I reach the point when he licked my neck. Her anger on my behalf warms my heart.

  The dam breaks, however, when she gets up to sit down beside me and takes my hand.

  “Ah, cara, don’t cry,” she coos at me and wraps her arms around me. She rocks me gently from side to side, such a motherly act that I can’t remember my own mother ever doing, and I cry harder because of this very fact.

  “It’s over, sweetness,” she whispers.

  I nod against her chest.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think I had any more tears inside me,” I hiccup.

  She shushes me.

  “Nonsense, child. You don’t ever apologise for something like this.”

  I sniffle some more and gratefully take the handkerchief she gives me.

  “Garrett, calm down,” Robert says. I look up to find Garrett pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. The muscles in his arms flex, and my eyes notice his balled fists.