by Deb Rotuno
“Um…dinner at Professor Bishop’s house,” I told him nervously.
“Fuck me. Will his daughter be there? ’Cause that girl is hot!”
Grinning, I nodded. “Yeah, she’s…”
“Uh-oh,” he sang. “Go get ’em, tiger.”
Rolling my eyes, I shot him a wave and walked back out. I dodged the same people on my way out as I had going in, but when I made it to the sidewalk, my nerves kicked up a notch. I was going to be at the same table as my boss, my teacher, and the girl of my dreams, not to mention others I didn’t know.
A little red car was sitting at the corner, and when I looked closer, I could see Dani waving at me from the driver’s seat. I slid into the passenger side, still trying to get a grip on my nerves.
“Aww,” she sighed, smirking at me when I glanced her way. Her hand tentatively reached up to touch my chin, turning my head a little. “The glasses are gone.”
Chuckling, I nodded as my face heated at the feel of her touch on my skin. “Yeah, contacts are easier. My sister used to get really frustrated with my lenses getting smudged and my fidgeting, so she made me get contacts before I left for Florida.”
What I didn’t say out loud was that Faith had tried so hard to help me prepare for college. She wanted me to be able to start over, be someone different—or at the very least learn to be me without being surrounded by guilt, bitterness, and rumors.
Dani eyed me for a beat more, only to smile and nod. She pulled her hand away and focused on driving. As we got farther from the school, I could see we were still working our way north up the beach. In order to distract myself from the glittering water, I looked to Dani.
“Should…um, should I have brought something?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “Nope, nothing. Trust me, Evan, there will be plenty.”
“Does your family do this a lot? Dinner together?”
The concept was strange to me. Tyler, Faith, and I had had to fend for ourselves due to my dad’s position at the hospital. He worked long hours and would be on call a lot, so sitting down at the same table was so rare that when it did happen, it was uncomfortable, and it usually ended up in some sort of disagreement—or really, he’d get pissed off at something I said or did. We’d had a woman come in occasionally to clean, but a home-cooked meal mostly consisted of frozen pizzas, boxed macaroni and cheese, or breakfast foods. Tyler and I got really good at omelets and pancakes, and Faith would bake cookies occasionally. But to sit down together—as a family—was a ridiculous idea, especially when I’d rather escape to my room.
“Yeah,” she answered, pulling to a stop at a light. “We try, anyway. My dad and Aunt Tessa are close—like you and Faith—which is why Wes and I argue like brother and sister.” She grinned at my laugh but went on. “Anyway, Aunt Tessa just turned over the coffee shop to Wes so she can travel when she wants or whatever, but she and Wes live in the guest house. My house is rarely empty. But with the start of my first year at Edgewater, my parents’ busy positions at the school, and Aunt Tessa’s recent trip, we haven’t really gotten together. Tonight is sort of a late birthday…thing.”
She sputtered that last part, her nose wrinkling a little, which made me narrow my eyes a bit.
“Whose birthday?” I asked, almost knowing the answer.
“Mine.” She grimaced, looking my way. “It was a two weeks ago—the first—but we were so busy and Aunt Tessa was in Europe, so I said to wait.”
“I really should’ve brought something, then,” I sighed, smirking at her happy laugh.
“Aw, don’t sweat it, Evan,” she said, poking my leg. “There won’t be presents—those are already done. Just my family stuffing their faces.”
Grinning, I nodded but gazed out the window at the scenery. The houses were getting bigger and farther apart, with longer, winding driveways. The trees were so old and thick, they blocked out the late-afternoon sun, making it feel later than it actually was, and the canopy of large, fat oaks, tall pines, and the occasional palm tree gave off the perfect tropical feel to everything. Aside from the heat and palms, the woodsy area reminded me a lot of home, even more so when she turned down one of the driveways. Like my house in Key Lake, hers sat on a large piece of property, surrounded by shade trees and green grass. While my house was a touch newer, more modern, hers reminded me of all the movies I’d seen about the South. It was white, with black shutters and a big front porch with a swing on one end. It felt warm and welcoming.
“Wow,” I whispered, smiling at Dani’s soft laugh. “This is beautiful.”
“Thanks. It’s been in the Bishop family for years.”
Nodding, I looked her way. “It reminds me of Forrest Gump.”
Her laugh was beautiful and perfect, and she was so gorgeous, my breathing faltered a bit, but she leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Thank you! Most say Gone with the Wind.”
My whole body froze at the feel of her lips on my skin. I wasn’t prepared for it and I didn’t want it to end, but I also didn’t know what it meant to her. When I turned to face her, we were eye-to-eye.
“Don’t be nervous, and don’t worry about not bringing anything,” she whispered, her brow furrowing a little. “I’m just happy you came.”
Smiling a little with nerves, I nodded again, gazing down at my hands as I picked at nothing on my jeans. “Happy belated birthday, Dani. I’ll have to get you—”
She shook her head, nudging me a bit. “You don’t have to get me anything, Evan, but thank you. I’m getting to know my Library Guy. That’s an awesome present.”
My head snapped up to meet her playful smile, simply because she’d called me that before. The fact that we had similar names for each other without knowing it was almost scary.
“You ready?”
I laughed, shaking my head, but I reached for the car’s door. “Not even a little bit, but…okay.”
Chapter Six
Evan
THE SOUND OF BIRDS CHIRPING in the late afternoon echoed all around us as we walked up to Dani’s house, though one sound overrode them all. It was eerie and loud, and it sounded like it came from another time and place.
I glanced over to my right to see what it was, and Dani laughed softly. “Sandhill cranes. See?”
She pointed toward the far edge of the yard, where three very tall birds were calling to each other. They were pale gray, with red feathers along the top of their heads. Everything about them was long and skinny—legs, necks, beaks.
“Damn, they’re as tall as you!”
Dani grinned and nodded. “They mate for life and raise one baby to adulthood. The shorter guy is their most recent. My mother’s painted pictures of them. I’ll show you inside.”
They called out again.
She smiled again, her lips close to my ear as she whispered, “I love that sound. It’s what I imagine pterodactyls sounded like.”
I huffed a light laugh because she was right; it was otherworldly. The sound of the front door opening made me jump, but I smiled at Wes’s lazy half grin.
“Ev! This is how you spend your nights off?”
Chuckling, I shrugged, but Dani tsked at him, pushing him out of the way. “Hush, Wes. Dad invited him, but I made sure he came!”
She took my hand and led me inside past her cousin, who was still laughing. He gripped my shoulder but looked to Dani.
“They wanted to eat out back, but I told them not to,” he told her, and she nodded. “It’s too damn muggy.”
I gazed around the foyer, and again, I noticed the difference between my house and theirs. My mother had liked clean lines and light colors, and after she died, those things seemed to represent coldness and loss. But this house was bright and colorful, although not overwhelmingly so. Wood floors with long rugs covered the wide-open spaces. To my right was a large living room, with sofas and chairs and a flat-screen on the wall. To my left was a long table set for six people. But it was the art on the wall that got my attention.
There were scenerie
s, still lifes, and portraits, not to mention some more modern pieces. And they were all signed L. Bishop, who had to be Dani’s mother. However, the large painting in the foyer was of the cranes we’d seen outside.
“You must be Evan,” I heard behind me, and I spun to see a woman who shared a lot of her daughter’s features—light brown hair, smooth skin, and a very warm smile.
“Yes, ma’am.” I held out my hand to shake hers. “Evan Shaw.”
She smiled and shook my hand, only to tug me in for a brief hug. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Dani and Wes…and now my husband. It’s good to meet you, honey. Gosh, aren’t you a handsome thing?” She cupped my face, and I smiled, not having felt a mother’s hug in so long. It wasn’t the same as my own, but it was damned close. I couldn’t help but smile at her.
“It’s good to meet you, Professor Bishop,” I said, meaning it.
“Evan, this is my mother, Leanne.” Dani laughed a little. “Look, there are two Professor Bishops in this house. Just call them Lee and Daniel.”
“God, yes. There’s enough name calling in this house between Wes and Dani,” added Dani’s father, coming into the room. “Good to see you, son. Come on in.”
“What’s he talkin’ about, Nerdly McGeekerson?” Wes whispered to Dani.
“No clue…butthead.” She narrowed her eyes on him for a second. “You know, cracking a book every year or so wouldn’t hurt you.”
Wes seemed to take that with a grain of salt and walked away muttering something about hurting his eyes with small print and big words.
I snorted, but Dani pulled me to a stop. “You’ll have to forgive my mother. She has a tendency to blurt out whatever she’s thinking.” She wrinkled her nose adorably. “Sorta like me. We’ll either drive you crazy, or you’ll get used to it.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “It’s fine. Really.” Actually, it was rather refreshing…and a lot like my sister.
She took my hand again and led me through the house toward the most amazing and mouthwatering smells I’d ever encountered. It beat any restaurant, hands down. I wasn’t even sure I cared what they were cooking. The smell alone was maddening, and my stomach almost ached to find out.
The kitchen was huge and wide open, with an island in the middle that was covered in food. It was almost the southern cliché of meals—fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and fluffy biscuits the size of my fist. There were also fresh vegetables and some sort of cobbler/pie thing on the end. My mouth watered at all of it.
However, my attention was drawn to another woman in the room. She was shorter than Leanne, with a touch of gray in her light brown hair. She was currently cutting up a tomato for a salad in front of her, and her smile was just like Wes’s—all crooked and easygoing.
“Aunt Tessa, this is Evan Shaw,” Dani introduced. “Evan…Theresa Harper.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs.—”
“Oh, no. Call me Aunt Tessa,” she chastised with that same smile. “Mrs. Harper was my mother-in-law, and she was a rather cranky, cross woman…God rest her crusty soul…” As soft laughter rang out in the kitchen, she wiped her hands off on a towel and walked around to me. “My sweet Lord, Dani. Wherever did you find him? He’s—”
“The library,” Dani interrupted with a laugh, “though he works with Wes.”
“Oh? You’re at my coffee shop?”
“Yes, ma’am. I just started.”
“And my son,” she drawled, glaring Wes’s way as he stole a biscuit. “He’s treating you okay?”
Grinning, I nodded. “Yes, ma’am. He’s been great.”
“Hear that? Great!” Wes taunted both his mother and cousin, nodding once firmly.
“Recite the alphabet, genius,” Dani sneered.
“Oh, the filing. How bad was it?” Aunt Tessa asked her, and Dani merely shook her head with a scowl on her face. “Sorry, sweet pea.”
I chuckled but stayed quiet. If it weren’t for Wes’s horrid filing system, I wouldn’t have met my Library Girl, so I didn’t regret the long day spent in his office.
Aunt Tessa patted my shoulder. “It’s gonna be a few minutes for dinner. There’s one more batch of chicken in the pan.” She gestured to the stovetop. “Evan, we don’t normally eat such a grand display of artery-hardening food, but it’s what Dani wanted.”
“It looks amazing,” I stated, not caring at all about how bad for me it was. It had to be better than fast food any damn day.
“Don’t judge me!” Dani snapped playfully. “C’mon, Evan. I’ll show you the house.”
The sound of chatter and laughter faded a bit as we walked out of the kitchen. She led me back through the living room but took the stairs this time. The house was truly like stepping into a movie. It was filled with antiques, but it wasn’t stuffy at all. The whole place felt lived-in, filled with a warmth that seemed to start at my feet and work its way to my chest, finally spreading to my fingers.
Dani showed me the guest room, the bathroom, and the room she used to work in when she was homeschooled, but attached to the latter was her bedroom. I stopped at the door, not sure I should go in, but she sat down on the edge of a big bed.
I tried my damnedest to keep my thoughts clean, to stay away from wondering things like what she wore to bed or how she looked with her long hair spread out on her pillows. I’d fantasized about it more than I’d like to admit, but all that seemed wrong now that I knew just how sweet she was, how kind and funny and smart she was.
Letting my gaze slowly travel around the room, I took in the neatness, the tidiness that matched my own, but there were plenty of contradictions there. The walls, while painted pale pink for a little girl, had posters of movies and music bands. There were also some paintings that were done by her mother. The bookshelves were overflowing but still neatly organized, packed as tightly as she could get them, leaving a shelf for framed pictures and a few knickknacks.
But the smell of the room made me break out into a sweat. It was the concentrated smell of Dani. I’d caught whiffs of it in the library, in class, and definitely in her car, but it was all here, thick and arousing and beautiful. It smelled clean like soap, but it also smelled sweet like fruit or flowers. If I had to guess—and knowing my sister’s room—it was a combination of everything she used: soap, deodorant, shampoo, lotions…all of it. I wasn’t sure, but God, I liked it. The smell was comforting and sexy all at the same damn time. I wanted to drown in it.
When my gaze landed on pictures on the dresser, I stepped to look at them, smiling at a young, knobby-kneed Dani.
“Oh, stop it!” she hissed but then laughed. “My awkward phase was…awkward!”
“Wasn’t everyone’s?” I countered with a grin over my shoulder at her. “At least you outgrew yours.”
I turned back to another picture but heard her approach me as I picked up what looked like a family portrait. I recognized everyone in it, despite the fact that Dani and Wes were just kids, except for a man who had to be Wes’s father. He looked exactly like his son—wavy hair, smiling eyes, pleasant demeanor.
“Mark. Wes’s dad,” Dani whispered next to me. “He and Aunt Tessa divorced when Wes was about…oh, fifteen, I think. He moved to Georgia, has a new family, I guess. Wes doesn’t speak to him.” The question had to have been all over my face, because Dani shrugged. “Why did he leave? I don’t know. My dad said that sometimes, people have to start over somewhere new in order to make different decisions.”
“I get that, but leaving a wife and kid?” I grimaced, shaking my head.
“My dad gave me that excuse when I was a little girl. As an adult, I think Mark had someone else,” she stated but looked up at me with a sad smile. “That makes more sense.”
“I guess,” I muttered but smiled when Dani slipped her hand into mine again.
“C’mon. You’ll like the last room the best, I think.”
She led me back downstairs and through the living room again. This time, she took a short hallway to a closed door, opening it for me to g
o in. My mouth fell open at the sight of that room. It was shelf after shelf of books. Some looked to be as old as the house itself, but there were new titles there as well. One corner was a desk, piled with papers and files. Another corner had a different desk, only it was more like a drafting table, and next to it was an easel. The whole room was a bookworm’s dream. Dark woods, nailhead furniture, and thick rugs gave off a feeling of stepping back in time.
“Whoa,” I whispered, trying to soak up as many of the titles as I could. Dani’s giggle made me smile. “This is…wow.”
She squeezed my hand. “Of all my friends, I figured you would appreciate this the most.”
My head snapped to face her. “Friends?”
She grinned but bit her lip before standing up on her toes to kiss my cheek. “It’s a good place to start, Evan. Is that okay?”
I froze for a moment, my heart pounding too hard to breathe, much less speak. So I nodded like an idiot. Honestly, I’d take anything she gave me, but as I gazed into clear blue eyes, I knew I’d never be just friends with her. I wanted more, but I didn’t know what to do to go about getting it.
“Good,” she sang, grinning up at me. “I’m gonna check on dinner. Feel free to look around in here.”
Nodding, I turned to browse the shelves, hearing her footsteps fade down the hall. The eerie call of the sandhill cranes came in from outside, making me smile, and I walked to the large bay window to find them, but I caught sight of her backyard…and froze. Memories and fears rattled around in my head at the sight of the small lake that was situated at the back of their property.
“Gosh, Ev…Could you have waited longer for this book report?” Tyler teased from the passenger seat.
“Dude, seriously? Did you even turn one in?” I snapped at him from the back seat as I sorted through the supplies we’d just bought at the store. “Or were you too busy kissing Ashley to read a book?”
Mom chuckled, shaking her head at us as she turned the windshield wipers up higher. “Hush, both of you. Evan, you’ve already read the book, so this will be the easy part. It won’t take you any time at all.”
