by Nina Lane
“No, I’m a transfer, from community college. Just arrived last semester,” Chris said. “I love it so far. Technically, I’m only a junior, even though you and I are the same age.”
“You’re lucky. I’d love to have another year here,” Annie said, looking around at the busy sidewalk jammed with students. She glanced at her watch, realizing she had class in fifteen minutes.
“Am I boring you already?” he said, noticing her time check he supposed.
“Oh, no. It’s just that I have class in a few minutes. I’m sorry,” she said, taking another sip from the coffee cup before reaching for her backpack.
“That’s fine. Do you mind if I walk you there?” Chris said, jumping up and pulling her chair out from the table as she stood. In doing so, his hand lightly brushed her shoulder, sending a chill down her spine. What he did to her, she thought smiling, and he’s a gentleman at that. Nobody had ever rushed to pull out her chair before.
“Thanks. Sure, I’d like that,” she said.
“After you,” Chris said, and she could feel his warm hand at the small of her back as she made her way to the sidewalk.
Annie weaved her way through the throng of students on the sidewalk, many of them yelling “hello” and “welcome back” to Annie. When the walkway thinned out, Chris was able to walk beside her. As their arms brushed, she glanced over at him.
“Sorry,” she said, embarrassed by the feelings she was having at their slightest touch.
“I like bumping into you, Annie,” Chris said. They reached her lecture hall, and she was stalling not wanting to say goodbye when out of nowhere a kid on a skateboard appeared, almost knocking Annie over. If Chris hadn’t grabbed her and yanked her out of the way she would’ve been hurt.
“Asshole!” he yelled at the kid who didn’t stop.
Annie was shaken, but she wasn’t sure if it was due more to the near miss, or Chris’ arms around her.
“Wow, that was close,” he said, his arm still wrapped around her shoulder. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, thanks to you,” Annie said. “I owe you one.”
Chris smiled brightly. “Guess this means I can ask you out?” he said. “Can you owe me a date, gorgeous?”
As the clock on the university’s tower struck the hour, Annie reluctantly pulled away from the warmth of his embrace. She grabbed a piece of paper out of the front pocket of her backpack and scribbled her phone number on it.
“I’d love to go on a date,” she said, handing him the piece of paper, shocked again by the jolt she felt as their hands touched.
“I’ll call you later,” Chris said, and winked at her. Annie blushed, her heart beating furiously as she hurried inside. Even though they’d just met, and had only shared a quick cup of coffee together, Annie felt a connection to Chris. Enough of a connection that thoughts of him distracted her during classes the rest of the day.
* * *
Later that night, she was back at the Theta house chatting with Robin in their spacious room: the best one of course, reserved every year for the president and vice president. The house mom Madge, dressed in her usual flowered dress and pearls, knocked on the already open door. Madge had been the house mom for so long, she was a legend. She also was tough, running a tight ship, especially when it came to college boys courting her girls.
“There’s a boy outside to see you,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “He’s cute, honey, but be sure you teach him the rules. He seems, well, over-eager.”
Robin started laughing as Annie blushed and pushed past Madge and hurried down the stairs. Chris was standing in the foyer of the house, his back to the stairs. He wore a long sleeved white shirt and khaki pants, a much dressier look than earlier today when they’d met.
“Hey,” Annie said as she reached the bottom of the steps. She tucked her hair behind her ears, suddenly self-conscious that she was wearing only her favorite sweat pants and a plain white T-shirt. Chris turned around, his arms holding a bunch of white daisies tied with a yellow bow.
“Hi, beautiful. These are for you,” he said, handing her the flowers. They stood close together, separated only by the bundle of flowers, and she could feel his breath on her cheek as he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you,” Annie said, realizing this was the very first time a man had brought her flowers. Sure, she’d received corsages for prom dates and homecoming dances, but a whole bouquet, never. But she needed to act as if she always welcomed flower-bearing men to the lobby of the sorority house after-hours. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and inhaled the flower scent.
“Annie, outside please,” Madge said as she walked down the stairs. “Young men are not allowed in the house after ten on school nights. There are other rules, too, young man that Annie will be happy to explain. I’ll take those and put them in water for you.”
As Madge and Annie’s flowers headed toward the kitchen, Chris whispered, “Sorry, didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”
“You didn’t, but we do need to go outside,” Annie said, nodding toward the door. She felt Chris’ hand on the small of her back, the touch of his fingers through her T-shirt sent waves of delight through her body and her heart pounded as she opened the front door.
Outside the bright full moon cast long shadows across the green lawn in front of the sorority house. A steady line of students jogged past them on the sidewalk. Annie wished she could lean her entire body back onto Chris’, and almost did before she caught herself. The attraction between them was so raw, pulsing through the warm evening air. She knew she should head back inside, that Madge would be waiting for her, but she didn’t want Chris to leave.
“Do you want to go grab a drink or something?” he said, looking down into her eyes.
She had a lot to do. Classes had just started, and rush was in three weeks. But none of that mattered at the moment. On impulse, she grabbed his hand and pulled him behind her to the side of the house, to a tiny alcove where the sorority sisters’ closet smokers met after chapter meetings.
Her back was against the rough red brick wall of the sorority house, her heart pounding in her chest as Chris placed a hand on either side of her face, gently tilting it up towards his.
“I know this sounds crazy, Annie, but we’re meant to be together. I knew it from the moment I saw you on TV,” Chris said, as pulses of electricity shot through her. She was dizzy, thankful for the wall behind her as Chris leaned forward and kissed her lips. Her body was alive, suddenly needing more than just friendship with a guy. It was as if a switch had flipped deep inside her.
She looked into his eyes and saw the same need. “Wow,” she managed. Her breath was ragged.
“Wow,” he said, mirroring her thought. “Do you want to come over to my place?”
“I don’t even know you yet,” Annie said, her logical brain trying to take over, take charge. “And it’s already late.”
“True. So tomorrow night?” Chris asked. He brushed a strand of hair from Annie’s face, and she decided it was the most sensual thing a man had ever done to her. And that, she realized, was pathetic. She needed to live a little. She was a senior in college. And with that thought, she decided.
“Yes, I’d like that,” she said.
TODAY
Ralph’s Parking Lot
LAGUNA BEACH
Annie realized her phone was ringing. She looked at the screen. It was Hank. She wasn’t ready to talk to him, she couldn’t tell him what had happened. Not yet. She also realized Hank would keep calling until she answered.
Maybe seeing Chris was all a bad dream, a nightmare?
“Hi,” she said, trying to calm her voice and add some spunk at the same time. “What’s up?” She looked in the rearview mirror and saw shoppers walking in and out of the grocery store, just like it was a normal day. Well, it was a normal day for all of them but it had stopped being a normal day for her the minute she spotted Chris across the store and sprinted for her car. She pulled on the
mirror to check out her reflection. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face drained of color except for the freckles doting her nose.
“Hey honey, sorry, I forgot to add milk to the list. We’re all out and you know how Noah gets,” Hank said, referring to their oldest, their nine-year-old son, and his milk obsession. “Am I catching you too late?”
“No, no problem. I’m still in the parking lot. I’ll just go back in and grab it. Anything else?” Annie said, pivoting the mirror so she could scan the parking lot again.
“Nope that’s it. You feeling ok?” Hank said, solicitous as always, more so since her pregnancy had been confirmed.
“Sure. Yep. Everything is fine,” Annie said, swallowing hard. “See you back at home.”
“You’re sure you’re ok,” Hank said. “You sound funny, strange.”
“I love you, Hank. I’ll be back soon,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. She loved Hank and the family they’d created together. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt them.
“I love you, too, babe,” Hank said as he hung up.
Annie dropped her phone to her lap and squeezed the steering wheel with both hands. Chris would not ruin her life in Laguna Beach. Of course he’d found her, she’d known he would some day. She was living in the place she grew up, the only hometown she’d ever known. But she would be fine, they all would be. She had Hank by her side, and as always, her mom, Clare. If Madison was too busy to return her call, Annie knew her mom wouldn’t be. But first, she would go back inside the grocery store and get milk for Noah and the rest of her shopping list. Checking the rear-view and side mirrors one last time for any signs of Chris, and seeing none, Annie opened the door of the van.
CHAPTER FOUR
TEN YEARS EARLIER
IRVINE
As she walked out of the lecture hall after her first class of the day, Annie saw Chris standing in the shade of an oak tree and a rush of excitement zipped through her as she watched him. She could tell he was searching the crowd for her, and she noticed he had another bouquet of flowers in his arms. This one, yellow daisies and double the size of the last. She had no idea what she would do with them during her next two classes, although Chris didn’t seem to mind walking around with bunches of flowers in his arms.
She felt his eyes lock on hers and saw his smile broaden as he waved at her and made his way through the crowd to her. He wore a bright blue T-shirt, the same color as his eyes.
“Hey gorgeous,” he said, and she felt her cheeks flush as he pulled her in for a one-arm hug. He dipped his head, his lips inches from her own, teasing her as her breath caught in her throat. She heard the flowers drop to the ground and felt his other hand on the back of her neck, the scent of his musky, distinctive cologne flooding her senses. As her eyes closed and he brushed his lips against hers, she melted into him.
“Well, hey look at Annie!” a male voice said and Annie’s eyes flew open, embarrassed as she pushed away from Chris.
“Hey Donny,” she said as she turned to look at him, flustered, but smiling at the president of the top fraternity. He was a bulky, football player, a good-looking guy who had been her friend since freshman year. But only a friend. Self-consciously, Annie wiped her lips.
“And who are you?” Donny asked, looking at Chris as he approached. Donny was sizing him up, Annie knew. Donny acted like an older brother to Annie, and had since they’d met, whether Annie wanted him to or not.
Chris’ eyes had narrowed and he kept his hand at the small of her back, a gesture Annie thought was cute, if a little possessive.
“I’m Chris Clark. Who are you?” Chris said, his voice icy, his eyes darkening.
“Donny, and Annie is like a sister to me,” Donny said, extending his hand for a shake. “Are you in a frat? I haven’t seen you around.”
“No. I’m new. A transfer,” Chris said, his tone warming a bit as he bent and picked up the flowers. “Imagine how lucky I was to meet someone as beautiful as Annie on the first day of class. And she’s a celebrity, too.”
Annie beamed as Donny looked between the two of them. “Hey Annie, I need to talk to you. Greek stuff. Can I walk you to your next class?”
“Sure,” Annie said. “Chris, I’ll see you tonight, right?”
“I can walk with you guys, I’m going that way,” Chris said.
“What way, mate?” Donny said. Annie watched as the two men locked eyes.
“Never mind,” Chris said, finally. “Annie, I’ll take the flowers and bring them to you tonight.” He leaned over and kissed Annie on the cheek.
“Thanks so much,” she said, as Chris walked away.
Donny and Annie walked to her next class in amiable silence. It was another beautiful day, of course. The sun was shining and Annie was bursting with happiness. She couldn’t stop smiling nor could she believe her luck, meeting a guy who made her heart soar.
“Dude isn’t for you,” Donny said, locking arms with Annie.
“Oh come on, Donny. I just met him. You just met him. We’re having our first date tonight. How can you say that?” Annie said as she stopped walking, looking up into his eyes.
“There’s just something off. I mean, what do you even know about him?” Donny said. “I’ve got a bunch of guys I can set you up with if you’re looking for someone to go out with, all vetted by yours truly.”
“We’ve tried that,” Annie said, thinking back to a series of bad dates, one worse than the other. The guy who passed out midway through dinner. The one who attacked her in the backseat of his car, sloppy wet kisses mixed with bourbon. And the guy who . . . . well, she’d blocked out the rest or had tried to, at least.
“You’re just picky,” Donny said, teasing her. “Which is why I don’t get that dude.”
Annie was flustered. How could she explain her attraction to Chris when she couldn’t explain it herself? It was chemistry, it was fun, exciting and new. And it was none of Donny’s business, actually, she realized. She hadn’t gone over to Chris’ apartment the night before. She didn’t understand what had set off alarms for Donny about Chris, but it was probably just because he wasn’t a frat guy, she realized.
“Look, I know you mean well, and I value your opinion,” she said, resuming their walk so she could get to class. “But you’re wrong this time. You’re just wary about Chris because you don’t know him yet. Trust me, he’s great. You’re overly protective. Here’s my building. See ya later.”
“Whatever, Annie,” Donny said as they parted ways. Her next two classes sailed by and Annie found herself increasingly excited about seeing Chris that night. As she walked back to her house, daydreaming about what she would wear that night, her phone lit up with a text. It was from Chris.
He wrote: Hi beautiful. Can’t wait for tonight. You should wear that green dress, the one you wore on the show. Loved it.
Annie laughed. She wrote: That dress is long gone. I’ll surprise you.
Annie looked up to cross the street, jumping back on the curb to avoid being run over by a speeding bicyclist. Her heart thumped at the close call as she made it across the street.
She looked at her phone. Chris’ text read: Be careful, sweetie. The world is a dangerous place. I’ll be by to pick you up at 7 p.m.
Annie shrugged at the coincidence of his text warning her to be careful after she’d nearly been run over by a cyclist. She looked around, just in case he was somewhere near her, watching over her, but she seemed to be alone on the sidewalk. She texted: See you then and walked the rest of the short distance to the Theta house, trying to shake something nagging at the back of her mind.
* * *
The doorbell to the sorority house rang at seven p.m. and Annie was waiting in the foyer. Madge had told Annie she’d open the door, and then call for her like a proper young lady. Annie had laughed and told Madge to go read another Southern romance, shooing the house mom away to her room.
“Don’t wait up,” Annie had said as Madge shook her head in defeat.
Now, as she pulled th
e door open, Annie felt a rush of excitement as Chris appeared, wearing a blue sport coat, a crisp white shirt and khaki pants. She wore a light green shift dress, as similar to the green dress he’d remembered from the TV show as she could find in her closet.
Annie smiled as Chris said, “You look beautiful. Ready to go?”
“More than ready,” Annie answered and he slipped his hand into hers as they walked down the sidewalk. “Where are we headed?”
“That, my dear, is a surprise. Here’s my car. Nothing fancy, but, it gets me around,” Chris said, opening the door to a late model pale green Honda Civic that had seen better days.
As she slid into the passenger’s seat Annie smelled French fries and something else she couldn’t put her finger on, but those scents were quickly replaced by Chris’ cologne as he climbed in behind the wheel and they were off.
“We’re heading toward the coast I see,” Annie said, noting the scenery change as large homes began to dot the hillside as they drove. “And toward my hometown.”
Chris smiled. “I always dreamed of being in Laguna Beach at night, with you, Annie from Laguna Nights. Hope it’s ok with you.”
Annie thought it was cute, his love of the show, and his thoughtfulness, always asking her opinion, or her approval. He was so old fashioned, Annie realized. “Yes, that’s great. I was home all summer, but it’s different once the crowds leave. Things slow down, or they used to, before Laguna Nights made it such a popular tourist destination.”
Chris pulled into the valet parking lot of Las Brisas, an elegant Mexican restaurant with a patio that hugged the coast, and one of the first fine-dining restaurants in the village. The sunset would be gorgeous, Annie knew. Chris flashed her a smile as he handed his car keys to the valet, escorting her into the restaurant, his hand at the small of her back.
“My parents told me this was where all the celebrities would dine when they came down from LA back in the seventies,” Annie said, admiring the fish in the large fish tank near the host stand. “When I was growing up, there would be limos lined up bumper to bumper in the parking lot.”
