by Autumn Reed
I climbed into bed and relished the feel of the soft sheets against my skin. As I stretched out, I was surprised by how tired I felt. Drifting off to sleep, the world became fuzzy in that gray area between waking and dreaming. Jessica? What was she doing with Knox? And why was Chase playing Monopoly with the Salvatore brothers?
* * *
Work the next day was dragging. I’d been stuck at my desk all morning, and I was practically falling asleep in my chair. So when Melissa popped her head into my cubicle, I sighed in relief. Even though she tended to talk my ear off, I was thankful for the distraction.
“Did you hear that Team Falcon got a new member?” Her excitement at sharing office gossip was obvious, her voice practically straining with glee. “It’s all the buzz because Kara is their first female member, and everyone assumed they’d stay an all-male team. Lucky girl. Falcon has the hottest guys after Team Jaguar, of course.”
The information took me by surprise. I had noticed that most of the teams appeared to be just one gender or the other. “Is it strange for a female to join a male team?”
Melissa moved closer and leaned against my desk. “Well, not strange exactly. It’s just that most teams stay either male or female. It’s easier that way, less drama.”
Knowing this was the perfect time to question Melissa more about the inner-workings at Zenith, I asked, “So how does the whole team system work exactly?”
“Well, I don’t have the whole system memorized, and it’s kind of complicated. But basically, teams can be created once at least three individuals get together and receive approval from the higher-ups to form a team. A team can be anywhere from three to ten people, but most of them stop at five to six members.”
“So Zenith lets its employees control who joins what team? Why don’t the directors just assign the teams?”
“I thought the same thing when I first started, but it makes sense once you observe how well the teams mesh together. Zenith likes to foster camaraderie among the team members. And from what I know, the directors believe that Zenith’s team system sets it apart from similar private security companies. Plus, there’s the whole youth development program.”
“The what?”
Melissa looked surprised by my question. “You didn’t know about that? It’s totally cool. You should ask Theo to tell you about it. He knows way more since he and the rest of his team are all former participants.”
I was interested and also a little annoyed by what Melissa told me. Sometimes it felt like I was pulling teeth to get personal information from the guys. Clearly the youth program was something they should have mentioned by now if Melissa assumed I knew all about it.
My phone buzzed quietly on my desk, alerting both me and Melissa of an incoming text message.
“Oooh, a text. Go ahead and check it; I don’t mind.”
Knowing I didn’t have a good excuse not to, I punched in my code and checked the message, holding the phone out of Melissa’s view.
Theo: In the 1600s, French noblemen used carousels to train for equestrian tournaments.
Me: Thanks for sharing?
Theo: You’re welcome for sharing. No equestrian tournaments (for now), but we’re going to the Boardwalk on Saturday, and I’m making you ride the carousel with me.
The Boardwalk? I’d heard it mentioned in passing, but I didn’t know much about the small Santa Cruz amusement park. And who did Theo mean by “we”? Just the two of us? Or were more of the guys joining us?
Me: Sounds like fun.
I put the phone in my purse and turned back to Melissa. She tapped her foot impatiently, an expectant expression on her face. “So? Who was it? Was it a boy? Come on, Haley. Don’t hold back.”
I laughed at her barrage of questions. “It was just Theo checking in.”
“Theo, huh?” Melissa’s smile grew, her white teeth shining. “Just how close are you two?”
Suddenly feeling nervous, I laughed again. “Oh, we’re just friends. He’s really fun to hang out with.”
“And he’s totally hot with that retro meets tattoos meets seriously well-dressed vibe. I think you two would be adorable together. And then you and Theo could double date with me and Chase. If he ever notices my existence, that is.”
Oh no. Please don’t ask me again to set you up with Chase.
Melissa’s office phone rang, saving me from further conversation about Theo and Chase. Whew.
“I need to get that. I have a copy job for you to do; I’ll e-mail the details.”
Relieved to escape from my cubicle and Melissa’s nosiness, I immediately headed toward the copy room, knowing I could check the assignment on my phone. As I passed multiple offices occupied by teams, I couldn’t help but wonder more about them. Melissa’s explanation of team formation gave me a little insight, but I still had so many questions.
While at the cabin, Knox told me that he, Ethan, and Chase worked in private security and did private investigation on the side. Was private investigation part of their job at Zenith? And if so, did other teams work on similar assignments?
I’d read everything I could get my hands on about Zenith’s mission, and nothing indicated that the company was involved in investigation as well as security. But why else would the team have been hired to track down my dad? There was no way that assignment could be qualified as private security. I knew I was missing information essential to piecing it all together. If all else failed, I could ask one of the guys. But I would rather discover the answers on my own; they didn’t need to know how curious I really was.
Glancing at my phone, I started to open my work email when I saw that there were two new messages. I checked my personal account first, hoping to see a response from Jessica.
My Elena,
It’s about time you got in touch! I was starting to think that you’d eloped to Vegas with a handsome stranger. But maybe you have . . . with one of the most attractive guys ever? I have to know more! The idea of you having a more exciting love life than me is altering my entire worldview.
Miss you too and I better hear from you again soon!
Your Caroline
Preoccupied with my thoughts and reading the assignment on my phone, I didn’t watch where I was going and almost collided head on with a girl a few inches taller than me with long blonde hair and impeccable makeup. She wore a tight patterned dress that was low cut and some of the tallest shoes I had ever seen. How does she walk?
“Excuse you. Watch where you’re going!” Her voice was snotty, and I was immediately taken aback by her attitude.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Who are you?”
“Haley.”
“Well, Haley, obviously you’re new around here, so I’ll let you off with just a warning this time. Stay out of my way.”
With that, she walked off, her heels clicking loudly on the floor. Although not every person I’d come in contact with at Zenith had been overly friendly, this was the first time someone was rude. Did I just meet my first mean girl?
Starry Night
I glanced over at Ethan, my heart beating a little faster at the sight of him. This would be my first time alone with him in weeks, and I felt like one of those glass globes that had been shaken, the snow fluttering throughout. My nervous excitement was to be expected; despite all that we had shared, there was still so much I didn’t know about him.
“So what’s the plan for tonight?”
Sitting behind the wheel of his white A6, Ethan focused on the road, cool and confident as we drove away from the Zenith office. Upbeat music played softly on the radio, interrupted only occasionally by commercials. I admired his business attire—khaki chinos, a blue and burnt-red gingham shirt in a large pattern, a brown belt and shoes, and of course, his trademark glasses. His chestnut hair was tousled as usual, and the light coming through the sunroof highlighted flecks of gold and auburn that I hadn’t noticed before.
“Dinner and stargazing. You like Mexican food, right?”
I cou
ld hardly contain my excitement and grinned widely. “Sounds perfect!”
After we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess led us through the building past couples, students out for a nice meal, and professionals catching a drink at happy hour. It was Thursday, and I could almost sense the excitement and anticipation for the impending weekend. Wearing a dark gray chambray dress, coral cardigan, and flats, I was glad that my outfit transitioned between work and play.
We were seated at one of a number of identical metal tables on the back patio. The small, round table barely accommodated our silverware and drinks, and it was nearly impossible to keep our legs from touching. Surrounded by brick walls, hanging plants lined the stair railing and upstairs balcony. From within the courtyard, the cloudless blue sky was awash with pastel colors.
“Two meals together in one week; I better back off before you try to run again.” Ethan smirked.
I rolled my eyes playfully. Earlier in the week, Ethan, Theo, and I grabbed a quick lunch near the office. The last time Ethan and I had eaten this many meals together was at the cabin in the woods when I first met him.
“Don’t worry, since I rarely see you at work, it shouldn’t be an issue.” I flipped the menu over. “You know, I’ve been wondering; how exactly does being a paramedic fit in with your private security job at Zenith?”
Ethan pushed up his glasses. “I’m the designated team medic, but really, it’s more of a side interest. Sure, it helps me with my role sometimes, and the company definitely sees it as an asset, but mainly I’m just another security guard for events.”
I nodded while Ethan sipped his drink. The tables around us were filling in, and I was grateful for our little table tucked away from the more crowded sections of the restaurant.
“Actually, I need to log some hours. With how crazy things have been lately, I’m getting behind on my annual requirements.” The guys always seemed busy, and I wondered if they ever truly took a break from work.
“What does that entail?”
I felt his leg brush against mine before resting there. Is he purposely touching me or is it just easier than running the risk of kicking me again? Or does he not even realize he’s doing it and thinks my leg is the table? Should I move? I sincerely hoped my face didn’t betray everything running through my mind.
“Basically volunteer for shifts riding on an ambulance and prove that I’m still competent to properly treat people en route to the hospital.”
“That sounds intense. And you like it?”
He smiled and I could hear the enthusiasm in his voice. “I love it.” He paused momentarily while the waiter set down our meals before leaving again. “Most calls are minor and routine, but some are incredibly interesting. It demands quick, on-the-spot decisions; someone’s life is in your hands.”
“What sparked your interest?”
He didn’t answer immediately, and I wondered if he was preoccupied with his meal or debating the best response. “My mom developed a serious health issue. I found that I liked helping people, doing what I could to make them better, to ease their pain.” His rich brown eyes held a look I hadn’t seen before.
“You certainly took good care of me.” I smiled reassuringly, afraid to ask about his mom’s prognosis. “So why not be a full-time paramedic?”
“And not get to work with the guys?” He took a bite of his meal, swallowing before speaking again. “Besides, for a paramedic, the pay is low and burnout is high. No thanks; I’ll stick to doing it on a volunteer basis.”
We finished eating, and Ethan paid for dinner despite my offer to split the check. I wasn’t surprised; no matter how many times I tried to contribute, the guys never let me pay for anything. An outsider might think this was a date, but I knew better.
All the guys were friendly, and the way several acted made me wonder if they were interested in me, but we were just friends. I kept reminding myself that was a good thing. I was only here temporarily and didn’t need to complicate the situation.
By the time we left the restaurant, the sun had set and the sky was growing darker. We quickly drove through downtown, accelerating to enter 680 North. With the city to our left and the mountains to our right, I wondered how long it would take to get far enough away from all the light pollution. I hoped we weren’t wasting our time driving to wherever it was we were going.
We exited the highway and headed east toward the mountains. The road narrowed to two lanes and became hilly as we approached a sign for a park with equestrian trails, picnic areas, and hiking paths. Just twenty minutes away from the city, I was surprised by how dark it had gotten and how remote it felt. Ethan pulled into a gravel parking lot before turning off the lights and switching off the ignition.
I shut the passenger door and looked around, noticing that there were only two other cars. “Have you been here before?”
Ethan grabbed a backpack from the trunk and slung it over his shoulder. “No; I searched online for the best stargazing spots in the area. People recommended going to one of the smaller valleys within the park, but I don’t think we’ll have to go too far.”
“Sounds good. Can I carry anything?”
“I’ve got it.” He glanced around, surveying the area. “Let’s head that way.”
As we walked across the parking lot, my eyes were still adjusting to the darkness when Ethan muttered a curse. I saw him fiddling with his phone and assumed he was trying to illuminate the path. Involuntarily, I reached out with my hand even though he was several feet away.
“No, don’t . . .” Before I could stop him, his phone lit up. But instead of the harsh white light I expected, it cast a reddish glow on the ground beneath him.
Surprised, I said, “How did you do that?”
He chuckled, his warm baritone voice carrying through the air. “It’s an astronomy flashlight app. You can add one to your phone too.”
“Really? In a pinch, I usually just put red plastic wrap over my flashlight and secure it with a rubber band.”
“Clever.”
We walked side-by-side along a dirt path nestled between large trees. The temperature had dropped a few degrees, but the evening was pleasant. Every so often I glanced toward the sky, excited for the chance to spread out under the stars twinkling through the branches.
Apart from our conversation, the area was quiet, our only company the crickets chirping in the grass beside us. Occasionally we heard cars in the distance, but we had yet to pass anyone else.
“What have you been up to outside of work?” Ethan asked.
“The usual: drawing, running, reading.”
“Read anything good lately?”
“Knox and Theo have quite the treasure trove of books. I’ve been on a classic adventure kick the past week with Mutiny on the Bounty, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Robinson Crusoe.”
“All excellent choices.” He paused. “Wait, did you say the past week? You read all three of those in one week, worked several days, and did whatever else you’ve been up to?”
I laughed. “That’s nothing; I once read all seven Harry Potter books in one week while still studying, eating, and sleeping as usual.” The statement was out of my mouth before I could stop myself, and I cringed at the admission. Ethan already knew my life had been mostly solitary, but now he would realize how much of a bookworm I truly was.
“You should talk to Jackson; he’s the only person I’ve met that might read as much as you. Do you have a favorite book?”
I groaned. “That’s such a hard question to answer. Do I pick a book that stuck with me or a book I would read over and over.” I was silent, considering. “Hmmm. If I had to choose one, I would pick . . . Argh. I can’t pick just one. Please don’t make me.” Ethan chuckled at my rambling response.
“How about you?”
“You might be surprised, but I would pick Peter Pan.”
I didn’t have a particular book in mind, but the story of a boy who refuses to grow up wasn’t necessarily my first guess. Granted, the novel
dealt with more serious, adult themes than the movie, but I was still surprised. Ethan intrigued me; the more I learned about him, the more I wanted to know.
We hadn’t walked far when the trees opened to reveal a small valley that seemed almost too good to be true. We veered off the dirt path, the tall grass brushing against my shins as we walked further into the valley.
Ethan handed me his phone, and I held the astronomy flashlight to illuminate the ground and backpack. He removed a plaid flannel blanket and spread it on the grass before extracting a leather binocular case. After he sat on the blanket, legs crossed before him, I bent my knees until I was sitting on top of my folded legs.
Looking up at the sky, I could clearly see the Big Dipper, part of the Ursa Major constellation. I inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of calm and home flood over me.
Ethan pointed to the sky before handing me the binoculars. “That’s the Little Dipper, right?”
“No, but close. That’s actually the head of Draco.” I shifted his arm so that he was pointing to the correct constellation. “That is the Little Dipper,” I said, returning the binoculars. “The last star that makes up the handle is Polaris, or the North Star.”
While Ethan peered through the binoculars, I angled myself to face the sky in the same direction as him. With my legs stretched out in front of me, I pressed my palms into the blanket behind me for support. Seated side-by-side in the same position, it became a sort of game—Ethan guessed the constellations like a child seeing shapes in the clouds, and then I explained what they actually were.
At some point, we leaned back on our elbows, simply admiring the sky. The ground was comfortable and the blanket soft; my hair hung behind me, brushing against the blanket. No more than a few feet apart from each other, there was a sort of magnetic tension in the air.
“Ethan . . .”
“Yeah?”
I hesitated, wondering if he would think my question was silly. “If you could have dinner with any person alive or dead, who would you choose?”
