by E. L. Todd
“A few years.”
“Where did you meet?”
“In college.”
His eyes narrowed. “So you aren’t a freshman?”
Alexandra felt cornered. “No.”
“Did you transfer, then?”
“Uh, kinda…”
Gabe smiled. “I think I’m missing something here.”
Alexandra felt a strand of hair in her fingertips. It was soft and silky, soothing her. She always touched her hair when she was nervous. She hoped no one else noticed. “I already graduated.”
His eyes widened. “What? How old are you?”
“Twenty two.”
“What did you get your degree in?”
“Nursing,” she said simply.
He leaned back in his chair, confusion in his eyes. “So why are you getting a degree in English, something that will probably never be lucrative?”
Now they were in bad territory. “I—I don’t want to talk about it.” She averted her gaze and opened the textbook, flipping to a random page.
Gabe continued to stare at her. “I think there’s more to you than what’s on the surface. As your friend, I can’t deny my curiosity. I wonder what demons you’re leaving behind. But I also understand that you came to a new place to start over, make a new life. And I’ll respect that.” He opened his textbook then highlighted a sentence, dropping the subject.
Alexandra looked up at him, surprised she was let off the hook so easily. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
He didn’t pull his gaze away from the text. “I’m an open book, Alex. I don’t keep secrets from my friends.”
Alexandra was surprised by how quickly she was accepted by the three friends she made. “You guys are the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she blurted.
He smiled. “Well, Martha is close with Lana and Hannah’s moms, so naturally, they loved you immediately. And I’m friends with whoever my friends are friends with. Your aunt was your ticket.”
“My aunt is awesome. I’m just surprised she’s so revered by the town.”
He finally looked at her. “I’m starting to think you don’t know your aunt very well.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
He closed his book. “Savannah has become more of a tourist location every year. The farmland is being stripped for hotels, restaurants, casinos, anything but plots of land. When the state came to Martha and offered to buy her land, and for a huge price by the way, she said no. No one would have judged her for being a sell out, but she didn’t give in. She still works the fields even though she’s fifty. She has our respect.”
“Wow.” Alexandra looked across the library, not staring at anything in particular. “She’s a badass.”
Gabe chuckled. “You could say that.” He rested his elbows on the table. “Since you are from Atlanta, why did you come to Savannah instead?”
Alexandra fidgeted with her hands.
“Oh sorry,” Gabe said immediately. “The question was innocent. I swear.”
She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Maybe you would feel more comfortable if you asked me a personal question.”
“I feel bad asking for information without giving any in return.”
“Don’t,” he said. “I understand.”
“Well, what’s your story? Did you have a bad breakup?”
He sighed. “In fact, yes I did. She ripped my heart out.”
Alexandra saw the pain around his eyes. The lines around his mouth were tight, like he was grimacing. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It’s been a while now.” He cleared his throat. “She was my high school girlfriend, and my first. I thought she was the one. The only reason why I went to college was so I could marry her and support her. She had other plans…”
“That doesn’t sound good,” she whispered.
“She was more interested in other men. Let’s put it that way.”
Automatically, Alexandra placed her hand on top of his. “I’m sorry, Gabe. But she’s stupid. You’re obviously a great guy.”
He smiled at her. “That’s what I’ve been saying.” He pulled his hand away. “So, what do you do for fun?”
She shrugged. “I read a lot.”
“Sounds fascinating,” he said with a laugh.
“I know I’m lame.”
“I didn’t say that,” he said quickly. “But do you have any hobbies?”
“Not really,” she said. “Like I said, I’m pretty boring.”
“You should try running. It will help clear your head. And the pastures are beautiful. It would be a lovely sight.”
“Well, I wake up at five every day to help in the fields. I couldn’t imagine running too.”
“You help your aunt?” he asked in surprise.
“She threw out her back so she’s struggling.”
“Oh,” Gabe said. “I’m sorry about that. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” she said with a smile. She opened her laptop and checked her email. When she saw a message from the hospital, she clicked on it immediately. When she read through the lines, she realized she had been selected for the position. “Gabe, can I borrow your phone?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have one?”
“Uh, it’s a long story.” Actually, it wasn’t that complicated, but she didn’t want to discuss it.
He took it out of his pocket. “Knock yourself out.”
She dialed the number. On the third ring, a woman answered. “Dina from ER.”
“I’m calling back about a position I was selected for. I’m Alexandra Wade.”
“Oh yes,” she said. “I was surprised to see that you were applying for the position with your credentials.”
Alexandra was mute, letting the silence drag on. “I’m just looking for something less stressful.”
“Well, we shall see you on Wednesdays, then.”
“What?” Alexandra blurted.
“Your shift is on Wednesday.”
Alexandra was confused. “I assumed it was a full time position.”
“Actually, it’s per-diem. You work four times a month.” She paused for a moment. “Did you still want it, Ms. Wade?”
Alexandra needed a full time job so she could get her own place, but a part time job was better than no job at the moment. “Of course.”
“Do you have scrubs?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll see you then, Ms. Wade.”
“Thank you.” Alexandra hung up then handed over the phone.
Gabe stared at her. “Did you just get a job?”
She sighed. “It’s part time. I thought it was full time.”
“Are you working as a nurse? What else would you need scrubs for?”
“Uh, no. It’s for a tech position.”
Gabe nodded but he still looked confused. “Okay…”
“I need to find a full time job so I can move out of my aunt’s place. I feel like I’m eating all her food.”
He smiled. “I’m sure she likes having you.”
“I still dropped in with no announcement. I feel totally guilty.”
“We all fall down and need someone to help us back on our feet. There’s no reason to be ashamed.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
He looked at the time. “I should get to class. We are going to Rob’s Bar and Grill later if you want to come.”
“Well, Lana is my ride so I don’t have much of a choice.”
Gabe laughed. “I’ll see you then, Alex."
9
Alexandra ran into Hannah when her last class was over. “Hey.” She tucked her hair behind her ear then held the strap of her purse.
Hannah looked at her legs. “I love your shorts. They make you look so tan.”
Alexandra laughed. “It’s because they’re white. Believe me, I’m pretty pale.”
“Where do you shop?” she asked. “You always have cute clothes.”
“Well, I got most of
my stuff in New York. I just went to the sales.”
“I’m a thrifty shopper too,” Hannah said. “The cheaper, the better. Especially since I go through clothes so quickly.”
“So, how are your classes?”
She shrugged. “They are pretty easy. But my exercise physiology course is a little difficult. I have to actually read the book.” She rolled her eyes “Talk about blah.”
Alexandra chuckled.
“And don’t get me started on physics…kill me now.”
“I didn’t care for it much either. When I got a B, I was ecstatic.”
“When did you take physics?” She eyed her suspiciously.
“Uh…” Alexandra felt stupid for blurting that out. But Gabe would probably tell them she already had a degree in nursing. “I took it in New York.”
“For what?”
“I just had to take it…” She was about to ask another question when Alexandra changed the subject. “Seen any cute guys?”
Her eyes widened. “A few…but I still haven’t decided which one I want. I’ll get a better look at the cornfield party.”
“Do a lot of people go to it?”
“Pretty much every college student.”
They left the campus and walked down the street, heading to downtown Savannah. The sidewalk was crammed with people like it usually was. When they walked inside the restaurant, people were hanging out at the tables, drinking beer and watching the TV. Everyone looked Alexandra’s age, college students who finished class for the day.
Gabe and Lana were already sitting in a booth.
“How was class?” Lana asked when they sat down.
“Boring,” Hannah said. “But Alex just told me she took physics.”
Gabe said nothing, holding his beer in his hand.
Alexandra felt awkward. “It was a long time ago…”
Lana looked at her. “You must be super smart.”
Gabe leaned forward. “Alex got a job today.”
Alexandra smiled at him, glad he changed the subject.
“Doing what?” Lana asked.
“I’m a tech at a hospital,” Alexandra answered.
“Cool,” Hannah said.
“Yeah.” Alexandra stood up. “I’m going to get something at the bar.”
“Bring me a Miller Light,” Hannah said.
“Okay,” Alexandra said over her shoulder. When she walked toward the front, she spotted someone familiar. The curve of his shoulders was familiar and the dark hair caught her eye. She couldn’t see his face, but she was certain it was Blaise. She took a seat at the bar then glanced at the booth.
At the same moment, Blaise scanned the room and locked his gaze with hers. A smile appeared on his face, showing his perfect teeth. His eyes lit up simultaneously. Alexandra tried to look away but she couldn’t. Her gaze was transfixed.
Blaise was sitting with two guys in the booth, and he moved out of the seat and walked toward her. Alexandra immediately felt her heart race as he approached her. Her palms became sweaty, and all logical thought disappeared. She was suddenly aware of her hands. She touched her hair then her neck, unsure what to do.
He put his hand on the bar and looked at her, his smile still evident. “Alexandra.”
“Blaise.” A smile stretched her lips. When she heard his voice, her anxiety diminished.
“Do you mind?” He nodded to the empty seat next to her.
“No.”
He sat down then turned to her. “What brings you here?”
“My friends and I came by after class.”
“You have friends?”
“Why is that surprising?”
“You find company quick.”
“That’s because I’m pleasant company,” she said.
“That’s debatable,” he teased.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I didn’t have to help you this morning.”
“And it would have been appreciated if you didn’t. You destroy everything, remember?” His smile was wider than it was a second before.
“You have a point.”
“I’m just teasing. I prefer the pleasant company.”
The bartender placed two drinks on the counter.
Blaise eyed it. “Thirsty?”
“This one is for my friend.” She nodded to her them at the table. They weren’t paying attention to her, lost in their conversation.
Blaise studied them. “Is it for Gabe?” He eyes weren’t as bright as they were a moment before. Alexandra noticed the sudden change.
“For Hannah, actually.”
He nodded.
“You know them?”
He chuckled. “Everyone knows everyone around here.”
“I’m starting to realize that.”
Blaise nodded to the bartender and ordered a beer. He drank half of it with a single gulp.
“Now look who’s thirsty,” she teased.
“Beer is my water.”
“That doesn’t sound healthy.”
His fingers wrapped around the cool glass. Alexandra noticed how large his hands were. A single one could completely cover her stomach. If he grabbed her by the ribs, he could crush her. She studied the callous on his fingers, noting the hard patches of skin. It was obvious he used his hands everyday.
“So, how were your classes today?” he asked.
She shrugged. “They were okay.”
“What’s your major?”
“English.”
“Are you a writer?” He drank from his glass while he studied her face.
“No.”
“Do you want to be a teacher?”
She glared at him. “There are other things you can do besides writing and teaching.”
He smiled. “Like what?”
“Research.”
Blaise rolled his eyes. “Name one more.”
She drank from her glass, taking a longer drink than normal.
“That’s what I thought,” he said with a smile.
“Well, not all of us inherit lucrative businesses.”
“You say that like it’s a blessing.”
“Isn’t it?” she asked.
He turned his gaze away. “I can’t say that I’m not grateful, but it’s not as glamorous as everyone thinks.”
Alexandra studied him for a moment, noting the change in his eyes. They seemed darker, more ominous. “Why do you dislike it?”
He played with the coaster on the table. “Well, everyone is waiting for me to mess up. I’m the youngest cotton grower in the state. There’s more pressure. I have to delegate other people, hire and fire them. And I have to watch my money, making sure no one is taking more than they should. I’m always looking over my shoulder, trying to protect my back because no one else is watching it. It’s difficult having something everyone else wants.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It sounds like you don’t have any passion for it.”
“I can’t say that I do.”
“Then why do you do it, Blaise?”
“It’s a long story…”
“I don’t have anywhere to be.”
He smiled. “My parents passed away, leaving me and my brother as the heirs of the fields. My brother is lazy and doesn’t do anything for the business. He literally takes his paycheck and that’s it. My uncle is upset he didn’t get it since he’s the next of kin. I always have to deal with his taunts. And I’ve never wanted to be a farmer.”
“What did you want to do?”
He shook his head, staring at the counter. “It’s stupid.”
“I doubt it.”
Blaise drank from his glass again. “I wanted to be a lawyer.”
“Why is that stupid?” She smiled at him, admiring the shyness behind that confident exterior.
“I have an empire in my hands. Why throw that away for more work and less pay?”
“Money isn’t the most important thing in the world.”
“I couldn’t agree more. But family is.”
“
Now I’m not following,” she said.
He sighed. “I’m not sure why I’m telling you this…”
She turned away, feeling like she had overstepped her boundary. “Life is too short to live for someone else. If you want to do something else with your life, you should just do it. Who cares what other people think?”
He looked at her. “You really believe that?”
“Of course I do.”
“Well, it’s not that simple.” He watched the TV before he turned back to her. “So what’s your plan in life?”
She cringed. “I don’t even know what I’m eating for dinner.”
He laughed. “Just tell me what you have so far.”
“Get a job, move out, and finish school.”
“That sounds like a good plan,” he said.
Alexandra crossed her legs then uncrossed them, unsure what to do with herself.
“And what is your passion?”
“Uh…I don’t know.”
He nudged her gently. “Come on. I told you mine.”
She smiled. “I’ve always wanted to help people.”
“In what way?”
Alexandra thought to herself for a second. “In every way.”
“Maybe you should go into healthcare instead.”
She didn’t have a response to that.
“Are you looking for writing jobs?”
“No,” she said. “Actually, I found a job working as a tech in a hospital.”
He nodded. “At least you could help people there.”
“Yeah,” she said. “But it’s per diem.”
“I have no idea what that means,” he said.
“Basically, I work four times a month. It’s not enough for me to move out. But I was desperate so I took it.”
“I can give you a job.”
She laughed loudly. “You want me to destroy your fields too?”
Blaise smiled. “I have a secretary position. You could handle all the finances, the bookkeeping, payroll, all that boring stuff.”
“If I owned a business, I would do that myself so no one could screw me over.”
“Good point,” he said. “But I trust you, Alexandra.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough. And if you’re Martha’s niece, I have a feeling you’re pretty great.”
“How do you know her?” she asked.
“Her husband and my dad were really good friends. They always gave each other advice about growing cotton. They were both killed by the drunk driver.”
