by Vicky Savage
Dad gathers all the papers together. “I’d like to look these over tonight and think about it a little more. Also, I’d like to have a chat with Mrs. Colgate at your school.”
Uh oh. “Um, Dad wouldn’t you rather talk with the people at Oxford. They’ll probably know more about this than Mrs. Colgate.”
“Good idea. What’s the name of the person you spoke with?”
“Tell you what, why don’t I just get in touch with her tomorrow and set up a time for you two to speak?” Narowyn will know what to do.
“Okay. That will be fine. How about tomorrow evening? Oh, wait, Drew’ll be home from school tomorrow and we’re having dinner at Lisa’s. Better make it Tuesday. Are they ahead of us or behind us time-wise?” He looks to Asher.
“They’re five hours ahead of us, sir,” Asher says.
“All right. Tuesday morning then, Jade. See if that works.”
“Will do. Thanks, Dad.”
He gazes at me and shakes his head. “Hard to imagine my little girl being so far away.”
Asher flashes me an amused look.
“I know, Dad, hard to imagine. Sometimes I can’t believe it myself.”
TWENTY-FIVE
Asher and I spend the afternoon at the Ikea in New Haven picking out furniture, rugs, and other household items for his place. He’s talented at selecting furnishings, but after a few hours in the crowded, maze-like store, I’m feeling trapped in a bad rendition of No Exit.
“I gotta get out of here before I start hyperventilating,” I tell him. “Maybe you can come back tomorrow when I’m at school.”
“Just a couple more minutes. All I need is a coffee table, and I’m done.”
I plunk down on one of the sofas. “Okay, but hurry. I’ll wait here.”
He returns in ten minutes with his list of items. We make our way through the labyrinth of kitchen gadgets to an enormous warehouse filled with towering shelves of brown cardboard boxes.
“How’re you planning to get all this home? It’s not going to fit in my Kia,” I say.
“They’ll get it all together for me and deliver it for a small charge. Let’s go check out.”
Asher gives the cashier his list, and she efficiently enters everything into the computer and presents him with a total. He slides his Barclays card out of his wallet and swipes it through the terminal. The girl hands him a receipt and promises everything will be delivered tomorrow.
Once outside, I check my phone. Three missed calls from Liv. I punch redial.
“Where are you?” she squeals. “I have something humongous to tell you. You’re never going to believe it.”
“I’m with Ash. We just got out of Ikea. What is it?”
“Come to Ashley’s. I’ll tell you when you get here. And bring Mr. Steele along. I look really cute today.” She clicks off.
“You in the mood for ice cream?” I ask. “Liv wants us to join her. She says she has something big to tell me.”
“Sounds intriguing. Let’s go.”
Ashley’s Ice Cream is crammed with people when we arrive. A table full of teenage girls turns to gawk at Asher as we wedge our way inside. The smell of sugar and vanilla caresses my nose and reminds me of Sundays as a kid.
I crane my neck in search of Liv. “Ash, do you mind waiting in line while I find her? Oh, and if I’m not back in time, I’ll have a Coffee Oreo cone.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I spot Liv at a table in the rear of the store sitting with our friends Julie and Drake. She animatedly waves me across the room, but her face falls as I near the table. “Where’s the new boyfriend? I thought he was coming with you?”
I hug Julie and say “hi” to Drake. “He’s in line, and he’s not my boyfriend. We’re just friends,” I announce to the table.
“Better not say that, I might believe you and make my move,” Liv says.
“Be my guest. But I don’t think you’re his type.”
“Oh, I’m his type all right,” she says, “judging from the way he looked at me in those dresses yesterday. I felt the male pheromones pulsating from way across the room.”
Her unwavering self-confidence where matters of the opposite sex are concerned is enviable.
“Sit,” she commands. “You’re never going to believe what Julie’s mom told her.”
I slip into the empty chair between Julie and Drake. “What?”
Julie scoots in closer. “Mr. Nordgren got canned. He’s not coming back to school.”
“Really?” I fake a surprised expression. “That’s so weird. How did your mom find out?”
“She’s best friends with Connie Logan, the lady who handles personnel matters for the district.”
“What happened? Why’d they fire him?” I ask.
Julie shrugs. “They’re being really closed-lipped about it.”
Drake speaks up for the first time. “I heard he was having an affair with a junior.”
I roll my eyes. Drake’s one of those guys who thinks everything that happens on earth is in some way related to sex. Or maybe he just wishes it was.
“Oh yeah? What junior would that be?” I ask.
“I don’t know. That’s just what I heard,” he says defensively.
“Well, it’s more likely that he left for health reasons or something,” I say. “They have to be careful what they say about that.”
Liv peers over my shoulder and her face lights up with a rosy glow. She tosses her hair appealingly. That can only mean Asher’s standing behind me.
“Your Coffee Oreo cone,” he says, passing it to me.
“Thanks.” I glance up sheepishly. “Sorry I didn’t make it back.”
“Don’t mention it.” He takes a healthy bite of his Carmel Ripple.
“Ash, this is Julie and that’s Drake. Guys, this is my neighbor, Asher Steele.”
Julie shyly waggles two fingers. “Hi.”
Drake says “Yo.”
“Asher, come sit over here,” Liv coos at him.
“Sure.” He saunters over and glides into the chair next to hers.
She focuses all her attention on him as if they’re the only two at the table. Leaning in, she whispers something close to his ear. He responds in a low tone, effectively excluding the rest of us from the conversation.
“So, Liv tells me you’re going to Yale,” Julie says. “That’s so cool.”
“Uh, well, I haven’t made a final decision yet.” I glance cautiously at Liv, but she seems completely engrossed in Asher’s company. “I’m also considering Oxford University,” I add quietly.
“What!” Liv shrieks, obviously not so swept away by Asher’s charm as to prevent her from eavesdropping. “You’re thinking of going where?”
“Liv, calm down. I was going to talk to you about this when we were alone.”
“That’s totally not fair. I chose Trinity College, so we could be close to each other,” she complains.
“You chose Trinity because your mom went there,” I say. “Don’t make me feel guilty about this. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
“But you can’t move to England. We’ll never see each other.” She thrusts out her lower lip, her eyes wet bright. I sense show time coming on—probably more for Asher’s benefit than mine.
“Can we save the theatrics for later, please? My dad hasn’t even said yes. Anyway, I thought you’d be happy to have a friend to visit in Europe.”
The idea appeases her for a second. “It might be okay. I could see where Will and Kate live … but I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this sooner.” Clearly she’s ready to launch into one of her it’s all about me rants, but mercifully her phone rings.
“Oh, I have to take this,” she says checking the screen. “I’ll be right back.” She shoots me a stony medusa glare before scurrying out the back door.
Provided with the perfect opportunity for escape, I scoot out of my chair. “Tell Liv we had to go,” I say to Julie. “Asher needs to stop by the walk-in clinic for his medication
. It closes at five.”
Looking mildly surprised, Asher nods to Julie and Drake. “Nice to meet you.” He follows as I flee out the front entrance.
“The walk-in clinic?” he says once we’re alone.
“It’s all I could think of. We had to get out of there. Liv was about to cause one of her famous public scenes. You don’t want to get in the middle of one of those.”
“She does seem kind of high-strung.”
“That’s a gross understatement. Oh, and a little heads-up, she’s kind of into you, in case you hadn’t noticed. Just be careful. She can be a bit callous where men are concerned.”
“Thanks for the warning, but I don’t find her all that attractive.” We toss what’s left of our cones in a trash can and slide into the seats of my sweltering car. I crank up the AC.
“You expect me to believe that? Liv’s every school boy’s wet dream and everyone knows it, including her.”
“Well, I haven’t been a school boy for a while, and I tend to like women who run a little deeper.”
“She can be deep, once you get to know her.” I’m not sure why I’m defending her. “Don’t judge. She has a really good heart.”
He grins. “Hey, you trying to set me up or something?”
“No. And by no, I mean I don’t know. You could do worse.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
We make the short ride home in silence. I stop at the curb in front of Asher’s townhouse.
“I’m going to take a bath and relax for a while,” I say. “Do you want to come over later for dinner?”
“Yeah. We’re supposed to stick together, remember? I’ll get in touch with Narowyn about having someone call your dad on Tuesday.” He opens the passenger side door.
“Thanks, Ash. Oh, and ask her about Ralston, please. I’d like to know what’s happening with him.”
“Sure. Remember to lock your doors.” He thumps the car roof with his hand.
“Yes, sir.”
I park next to Dad’s car in the driveway.
“Jade, we’re in here,” he calls as I step through the front door.
He and his girlfriend, Lisa, are sitting on stools at the kitchen counter. She looks pretty in a turquoise and white wrap dress. Thoughts of Mom involuntarily float through my mind. I hope she’d be happy for Dad.
Dad’s pouring red wine into two stemmed glasses. “Hey, we’re thinking of going out for Italian tonight. Want to join us?”
“Thanks, but Asher’s coming over. We’ll probably just order pizza.”
“You two are spending an awful lot of time together,” he says. “Is he your new beau or something?”
“Nah. He just doesn’t know anybody else in town. I’m introducing him around a little. I think he kind of likes Liv.”
Dad rolls his eyes. “Heaven help him. Don’t forget I’m picking up Drew tomorrow around six. Dinner at Lisa’s at seven.”
“Oh yeah. Sounds good.”
“I heard about your acceptance to Oxford,” Lisa says. “Congratulations. That’s such an honor. You must be thrilled.”
I wish some of her enthusiasm would rub off on Dad. “It’ll be an amazing experience, if I get to go.”
Dad swirls the wine in his glass but doesn’t comment.
“Invite your new friend along for dinner tomorrow, if you like,” Lisa says. “It’s very casual.”
“Okay. I’ll ask him. I’m going to take a quick bath before he gets here. Have a nice dinner you guys.”
My phone rings as I’m pouring scented bubble bath into the stream of steaming tub water.
“Hey Liv. Sorry we had to leave so quickly today.”
“I can’t believe you just walked out on me.” Her voice is rich with righteous indignation. “I told you I wanted to talk.”
“Asher had some things to do before five. What can I say?”
“We need to discuss this Oxford thing now.”
“No, Liv. I’m taking a bath, I’m tired, and I don’t really need you yelling at me because I got this great opportunity.”
She humphs into the phone. “What are you doing tonight? Are you going out?”
“No. We’re staying in. Probably order pizza. School night, you know.”
“Who’s we?”
“Ash and me.”
Silence on the other end.
“Liv?”
“Were you serious when you said you’re not interested in him as a boyfriend?” The bite has vanished from her voice.
“Yes.”
“And you’re not just saying that because of that guy you’re stalking on the internet?”
“Liv! I’m not doing that anymore.” The reminder pricks my heart. “What’s your point?”
“Can I come over for pizza tonight?” Her tone shifts to one of conciliation. She’s obviously decided that seeing Asher is more important than being angry with me.
“Tell you what, you can come over and have pizza with us if you promise not to bring up the subject of Oxford.”
“But, Jade—”
“No buts. We’ll talk about it some other time. Not tonight.”
“Okay. So, what should I wear?”
“Seriously? It’s pizza on the couch. Later.” I click off.
I love Liv because of our long history, but sometimes she’s just so high school.
After I’m bathed and changed, I order a couple of pizzas for us. Ash arrives early and fills me in on his conversation with Narowyn.
“Everything’s all set for the call on Tuesday. She wants to handle it herself. She’ll use the polycom and ping it through a cell tower near Oxford. Just tell your dad that Mrs. Du Lac from Oxford Admissions will call at ten a.m. our time. She does a completely authentic British accent.”
“Well, let’s hope her powers of persuasion are as remarkable as her accent,” I say. “Did you ask her about Ralston?”
“Yep. She says they tested everything, and his primary and secondary memory components seem to be intact. But they’ve had no luck in finding new limbs. She went ahead and ordered a whole new shell.”
“A what?”
“A new body. A later model. Narowyn says they tried to get as close to his former appearance as possible, but he’s going to look different, Jade. There’s no way around that.”
I release a long breath, contemplating how weird that’s going to feel. “I’ll be okay. It’ll be like he had cosmetic surgery or something. I’m just glad he’s all right.”
Liv struts up my front steps right behind the pizza delivery guy. In her white halter top and short leather skirt, she’s dressed more for clubbing in Manhattan than TV night at the Becketts’. Her ice-blond hair has been flat-ironed to a perfect sheen.
She slides past the acne-faced delivery kid and into the living room. He’s so flummoxed by her startling appearance that he forgets to collect for the food, and I have to chase him down the sidewalk to pay.
Judging from the look on Asher’s face when I return, he appreciates Liv’s outfit nearly as much as the delivery guy did. We put the pizza boxes on the coffee table and pile our paper plates with the greasy wedges. I grab Diet Cokes for Asher and me, while Liv sneaks a little of Dad’s red wine. We settle in the living room for a Scandal marathon.
Brady Cat and I make ourselves comfortable on the couch. Ash and Liv sit side by side on the floor in front of us. I’m not sure how Liv is able to sit in that skirt without revealing all, but she manages. The two of them seem to have a nice rapport, and I feel good not having to worry about moving the conversation along … or participating at all, really. I feed tiny bites of sausage to a purring Brady.
At some point after the third episode, I doze off stretched out on the couch. When I open my eyes, Asher and Liv are sharing a rather vigorous kiss. Something thuds unpleasantly at the bottom of my stomach, and I’m not sure why. Does it remind me of the kiss Asher and I shared? Or is it Ryder’s warm mouth I’m thinking of? Asher opens his eyes and catches me staring. He pulls his lips away from
Liv’s.
“Well, look who’s up,” he says grinning.
“Hey.” Liv stands and smoothes down her skirt. “Asher’s going to show me his place. Is that okay? We didn’t want to wake you.”
“Uh, sure.” It feels weird, seeing them leave together, but I guess I kind of orchestrated this. “See you at school tomorrow, Liv. ‘Night, Ash.”
