“Chloe, tell me. I want to know.” I narrow my eyes at her.
Chloe glances at Bryn, who shrugs her shoulders, and continues. “She thinks Logan is wasting his time with you. He’s only after one thing and once he gets it he’ll be begging her to take him back.”
“See, Emilia? She’s full of it.” Bryn bumps her side into mine. “They never went out in the first place and somehow in her sick head she thinks he’s going to be begging her to take him back. She’s fucking deranged.”
“I’m sorry I brought her up.” Chloe says, sadly.
“No. It’s fine. You didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. Honestly, I hope she doesn’t find out about the ring.” I sigh.
“Hate to be the bearer of bad news, Em. But that’s quite a sparkler and it won’t go unnoticed. Besides, you already know, firsthand, how everyone is obsessed with the two of you. You’re the campus’ hottest topic.” Bryn tosses her empty water bottle in the recycle bin.
“Great.” I pause and then add. “You know what this means, right, Bryn?” I arch a brow and ask in a conspiratorial tone.
Bryn beams. “That’s my girl! One wrong move and she gets a fucking cunt punt.”
“Exactly.” I smile.
“Brilliant. Count me in!” Chloe adds as we all burst into a fit of laughter.
DETECTIVE FERNANDEZ IS WALKING OUT the back door of the store when I’m heading into work. We both smile and say a quick hello as we pass. Despite my curiosity on her early morning visit, I refrain from asking her because it’s obvious she has no time to chat by the way she rushes by me. My eyes follow her as she climbs into the car with Detective Rooney in the driver’s seat.
“Hi, Emilia.” Rosemary calls out from the front of the store when she hears me shut the back door.
“Hey, Rosemary.” I smile as I approach her. “What’s going on?” I ask, referring to the police just leaving the store, but she misses my point.
“Not much. Sam is out surfing…I’m pretty sure he was meeting Logan so it’s just me and you, kid.” She quickly glances up from the pile of paperwork and various invoices she’s looking through at the front desk.
I lean against the counter. “Can I help you with that? Math isn’t really my thing, but if you hand me a calculator I’m sure I can help.”
“No, thanks. I’m good…just about done. I hate doing the accounting, but if I leave it up to Sam it won’t get done for weeks.” She makes a few notations on an invoice and then her attention shifts.
Her lips slowly curl up into a mega-watt smile. “Sweet Jesus, Emilia. Why didn’t you say something when you walked in?” She takes my hand in hers and leans over the counter to get a better look at my gift from Logan.
“It’s not what you think, Rosemary.” I smile.
She gazes up at me. “I think it’s a gorgeous diamond ring…you two, aren’t?”
“No. It’s a promise ring.” I explain and hope I’m not in for the same earlier grief I got from Bryn and Chloe.
“Hm.” Rosemary stares at me then moves around the counter. “You know what I think?”
“Oh, Rosemary. I got an earful from Bryn and another girlfriend all morning long. I would tell you if I was engaged. You know that, don’t you? You’d be one of the first to know.”
She pulls me into her arms and gives me a quick hug. “I know that, honey. I’m just thrilled things are going so great with Logan.” She picks up my hand again and looks at my ring. “It’s gorgeous. I was just going to say I think he’s madly in love with you to give you a ring like this.” She sighs.
“It is pretty. He gave it to me on Valentine’s.” I smile at her. “I can’t tell you what a relief it is you aren’t giving me a hard time about it.”
She laughs. “You must have really gotten an earful this morning. But that’s what friends are for. They were happy for you, right?”
“Oh, sure. They just enjoyed teasing me about whether it was an engagement ring or a promise ring.” I shrug.
“I can understand that.” She smiles. “But I won’t even go there since I know that subject has been exhausted. When I said I think he’s madly in love with you to give you a ring that wasn’t everything I was going to say. I think, is a bit of an understatement, obviously he is madly in love with you. But what I was trying to say is by giving you a ring like this I think his intentions are clear.”
“I thought you said you weren’t going to go there?” I raise a brow at her.
She laughs. “I said I wouldn’t debate with you whether or not it’s an engagement ring or a promise ring. But I do think he’s giving you this ring because he’s telling you he sees his future is with you. Right?”
“Yes, do you think I was wrong to accept it?” I wonder if she thinks I’m being too hasty.
“No, honey. But it’s quite a turnaround from our last discussion about whether or not you could forget. We talked about love being an endless act of forgiveness and you told me you could forgive, you just weren’t sure you could forget.”
I laugh. “Good point. But didn’t you also tell me when you find the person you want to be with if you still find you want to be with that person despite whatever problems you might have had in the past…that it’s true love?”
She smiles. “That’s true. I guess I gave you some good advice then. Well, the bottom line is you’re happy. Right?”
I nod and smile at her.
“I’d be happy too, with a ring like that.” She laughs at her own joke and I can’t help but laugh along with her.
She moves back behind the counter and gathers the paperwork together. I know our discussion is over, but I’m still curious about the police being here when I arrived this morning.
“So, why was the detective here this morning?” I ask as I start to straighten a nearby shelf of shorts.
“I didn’t tell you already?” She asks at the same time she accidentally drops some of the papers from her hands.
“Uh-uh.” I say, bending over to help her pick up the invoices.
“They know who broke into the store.” She says as we both stand back up, facing each other.
“Oh? Did they make an arrest?” I ask, wondering if the cigarette ashes led them to the burglar.
“Well, it’s a bit more complicated.” She says and I know immediately Logan and I were right about our earlier suspicions.
“The boy almost overdosed. He was in the hospital and now he’s in rehab. Can you believe that? It’s so sad. Addiction is truly a tragic thing.”
I think of Sebastian and wonder if rehab will help him. I really hope for his sake it does. I suppose it’s a step in the right direction that he’s even there especially since I wasn’t so sure he’d actually go to rehab.
“Emilia, what’s wrong?” Rosemary stares at me.
“His name is Sebastian.” I say because I don’t even need to ask.
“Yes. Do you know him?” She asks.
I don’t even know where to start.
“Yes. He’s a friend of Logan’s. Well, actually they used to be friends. It’s good he’s in rehab. He obviously needs help.”
“They aren’t friends anymore?” I can see Rosemary trying to connect the dots.
“No. It’s a bit complicated. They were friends and roommates up until about a month or so ago. Well, their friendship was already a bit strained before they had a falling out.”
“Hm. Let me take a guess. Did this falling out have something to do with you?” She puts her pile of papers back on the counter and then looks towards the front door. “Boy, I’m glad it’s a slow morning otherwise I’d have to lock the front door and put up the closed sign so we could talk.” She laughs.
“I know you have work to do. Maybe we should talk about this all later?” I shrug.
“No way. Let’s talk now. I finished the accounting and we have no customers. It’s the perfect time to talk plus I’m curious about this boy. I’m surprised he and Logan were friends.”
“They had some things
in common…they both liked to party…a lot.” I say.
“Ah. I get the picture. And, they are no longer friends because Logan figured out if he wanted to have a future with you, he needed to put an end to his partying. He made a wise choice in more ways than one.”
“Well, you don’t quite have the whole picture. There was also a girl in the middle of it all…our future hung in the balance…not just because of Sebastian, but because of her as well.” I say, quickly.
She sighs. “I don’t need all the details, Emilia. But it sounds like the bottom line is and the most important thing is Logan chose you over them and that lifestyle. And, thank God because I know neither one of us would want to see Logan in a similar predicament as his former friend.”
“You’re right. I won’t get into it all, but basically he fell off the wagon the night of his birthday.” I take a deep breath and continue. “I had never seen him like that…I was completely devastated. Logan broke my heart, but I know it would break my heart to see him the way Sebastian is now.” I feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
“Oh, honey.” She grabs my hands. “He’s figured out what’s important to him and to his future…all you have to do is look at this.” She lifts my hand up with the diamond band. “Just look at this and be reassured. Okay, sweetheart?”
I don’t know why, but my tears won’t stop running down my face.
“Does Logan know how much you worry about him?” Rosemary asks and then the answer hits me.
I wipe my cheeks and swallow. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I started crying about this. I’m fine…we’re fine.”
Rosemary squeezes my hands. “Don’t be ridiculous! I totally understand and it’s perfectly natural that you worry about him. Addiction is a disease, Emilia. I’ve told you many times…I’m here for you.”
“Thank you.” I pull her in my arms and hug her tight.
“My pleasure, honey.” She pauses then leans back and takes my hands in hers again. “But does Logan know you worry about him?”
“A little. He told me basically what you said…he knows he was throwing his life away and he didn’t care about his future until…”
“Until he met you.” Rosemary finishes my sentence and tears swim in her eyes. “Now, you’re making me cry.” She muses as the front door opens and our first customers enter the store.
Rosemary gives me a quick hug and quickly pulls herself together.
“I’m glad we talked.” She winks at me.
“Me too. By the way, did the police say Sebastian is responsible for all the burglaries?” I say, softly.
“I just know our store and the other one that was broken into. It sounded like he’s guilty of all of them, but the detective didn’t say. She just made a reference to always knowing it’s an addict when nothing is stolen but cash or whatever drugs they can find. I guess they found some prescriptions were missing from some of the houses.”
“Oh.” I make a mental note to see if any of my medications were taken. It’s something I wouldn’t notice since I refuse to take them. “And, how does that all work…does he get arrested after he gets out of rehab? I think I’d definitely stay there to avoid jail.”
“Well, I kind of doubt he’s going to jail. I know we’re not pressing charges and I’m pretty certain the other storeowners aren’t either. I can’t speak for the other owners, but Sam and I feel bad for the guy. We’d rather him get himself cleaned up then have his life completely ruined.”
“Sebastian is lucky you feel that way…hopefully he realizes it and doesn’t still completely ruin his life.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I KNOW I’M SAFE TO WALK HOME after finding out Sebastian is not only behind the rash of burglaries, but he’s also in rehab. When I check the clock, it’s after six just as Sam heads in the front door to pick up Rosemary. I’m about to walk out the back door when Logan grabs me around my waist.
“Hi there, beautiful.” Logan’s arms pull me tight against him. He leans forwards as his lips find mine.
“Hi.” I breathe under his mouth. “This is a nice surprise.”
He leans back and gazes down at me. “You weren’t planning on walking home by yourself in the dark…were you?”
“Um. Maybe. Well, yes, actually.” I stammer.
He frowns. “Emilia, I told you it’s not a good idea to go wandering around by yourself, especially at night.”
I laugh. “I’m not wandering. I was going to take about a five-minute walk home. I love your concern, but it’s so not a big deal.”
“Do I need to remind you that someone was following you?” He asks as he takes my hands in his.
Then I realize maybe he hasn’t heard about Sebastian. It amazes me he could spend the day with Sam and this topic never comes up. I know men don’t talk to each other about their feelings, but what do they talk about when they are out floating in the water for hours on end?
“You surfed with Sam today, right?” I ask, gazing up at him. He looks at me confused, no doubt, wondering where I’m going with this.
“Yes. Why?” He asks.
“I’m curious. What do you guys talk about when you’re out there in the water for all that time?” I ask as he slides his hand around my waist and we start to walk.
“Mostly the waves…you know Sam. He eats, breathes and sleeps the surf so that’s pretty much all he talks about. Of course, he once in a while asks me about my girl, but that’s about it.”
“I like you calling me your girl.” I smile, sweetly at him.
He returns my smile. “Can I buy my girl something to eat? Are you hungry?”
“No, thanks. I had a late lunch with Rosemary unless you want to grab a bite.”
“Sam and I ate some fish tacos at Shoreline a little while ago. I was thinking of you…we haven’t been there in a while.”
“Shoreline Café…I remember a certain waitress having quite a thing for you. I’m sure she was happy to see you there with no girl.” I tease.
“Well, I’m not sure about that since I only have a thing for you, babe. Do you want to go to my place or yours?” He asks as we walk together down State Street and then turn the corner to the residential area.
“Mine…I told Bryn and Chloe I’d hang with them for a little while and then we can go to your place, but I have to warn you I actually need a little bit of sleep. I have to meet Coach Walker at the track early in the morning.”
“I think we should be able to manage that. So, how was your day with Rosemary? I’m sure all you two talked about was the surf, right?” He chuckles at his own joke.
I laugh with him. “It was fine…pretty quiet. Incidentally, she liked this lovely gift you gave me.” I hold up my hand.
“Ah. What did she have to say about that?” He asks. I can’t help, but wonder if he has some sort of a spidey sense and knows that we discussed his past.
“She says you’re a lucky guy.” I giggle.
He laughs as he suddenly grabs me and kisses me tenderly on my lips.
“I agree with Rosemary.” He gazes at me as he pulls me tight against him. “But I’d like to be even luckier.” He leans down and then runs his nose against mine.
“Ha. It didn’t take you long to start trying to convince me.” I kiss him briefly on the lips then take his hand in mine, pulling him with me as I walk. I glance at him and he looks amused.
“You do realize you’re breaking my heart, right?” He stares at me, his expression is unreadable. I stop and turn towards him. Taking his hands, I put them on my waist and then reach my hands around his neck.
“Aw. Now, you’re not playing fair.” I reach up and touch his face. “What happened to taking our time?”
But his mood shifts to something more serious. “Taking our time? I think I said something about not needing more time to figure out we’re perfect together. Besides, you didn’t say anything about playing fair.” He says, softly. “Look, you told me I need to be sure about wanting to spend my future with you. Isn’t that
right?”
I nod.
“Well, I am sure. In fact, I’ve never been more certain of anything in my entire life. I know you’re reluctant and I said we’d take one step at a time because the last thing I want you to do is to run. But that being said, I do want you to know, without a shadow of a doubt; I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I take a deep breath and exhale, slowly. “I love that you’re so passionate about our future together. I hope you know I want my future to be with you, too. But I also hope you mean it when you say we’ll take one step at time because I do think that’s what we need to do. If you can promise me that, I promise you I won’t run and I’ll stay here in Santa Barbara after graduation to be with you…as long as you still want me to do that.” I murmur.
I wonder for a moment how I will break this news to Bryn, but I push the thought to the back of my mind. I still have a few months to figure everything out.
“Of course, I still want you to stay here.” He pulls me into his arms and kisses me passionately.
We are in our own world, but when some students walk by, making their way to a party or bar, they applaud and whistle at us, bringing us back to the here and now.
We both laugh as Logan takes my hands in his and we approach our driveway.
“It was the irresistible temptation of spending time in our hotel beds that got you to want to stay in Santa Barbara with me, right?” He laughs.
“Surely, I don’t know what you mean.” I smile at him and arch a brow.
“I’m pretty sure you know exactly what I mean. And, when you come with me back to my place later I’ll show you.”
“Ah. Are you trying to lure me to your place under false pretenses again?” I bite my lower lip to stifle a laugh.
“Oh, no…no false pretenses.” He grabs me around my waist just as we approach the front door and kisses me, deeply.
THERE’S AN INTENSE GAME OF BEER PONG going on between Bryn, Chloe, Josh and Tyler when we walk in the house. The music is so loud they don’t hear us when we walk in the room. The boys are on one side of the table, the girls on the other side and, by the way Bryn flails the ping-pong ball, not even remotely landing near the table, it’s obvious the girls aren’t winning.
Waiting for Romeo Page 26
