Lovely (16 page)

I’m actually enjoying the short drive to campus this morning. It’s a gorgeous day, I’m listening to Blues Traveler, and a genuine smile covers my face. Colt’s going to be okay and a huge sigh of relief leaves my chest. Oh, and then there’s Cara. Yes … Cara.

Jason hits me up as soon as I slam the door to my car. “So how’s your brother?” he asks.

I reach down to pick up the Twinkies that fell to the ground. “He’s gonna be okay.”

Standing back up, Jason takes me by surprise and slings his arms around me. “I’m so glad, Ash. I can’t imagine you having to go through that all over again.”

I release a labored breath when he lets go. “Yeah, I know.”

“So …” he begins, his blue eyes wide with excitement, “off to see your pretty librarian?”

I smile, walking a little bit faster at the thought of seeing Cara. “Yeah, actually I am.”

He winks repeatedly. “So have you tapped that ass yet?”

My shoulders tense, while my elbow connects with his ribs, annoyed that he would talk about Cara that way.

He rubs his side and smirks. “Watch it. I might retaliate.”

I shrug, attempting to put my thoughts into words. “It’s not like that with her. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I don’t think about it—I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t—but I actually really enjoy being around her. And besides, she’s not even interested in me like that.”

He scratches the back of his head, perplexed. “Since when, Ash? You never wait this long and most girls can’t keep their hands off of you.”

“Well, she’s not most girls and I like that about her. Anyway, we’re … friends.” The thought surprisingly makes me smile.

He leans back and stares me down. “Is this a new Ash?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

He kicks some rocks on the cement. “Well, I’m not sure if I’m liking this. It’s all in the details and you’re not giving me anything.”

“I guess you’ll just have to find some other way to entertain yourself.”

He slaps my shoulder. “Damn! Well, that sucks entirely. So listen, I was thinking about going to Rona’s tonight. Have a couple of drinks, hang out. I’m gonna get a group together, you in?”

Rona’s is a small bar that has open-mic night every Thursday. The last time we were there, Jason and I drank a bit too much and ended up singing a duet of “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It was definitely one for the books.

I like the sound of that. I definitely need a night out. “Yeah, I’m in.”

Jason slaps his knees, one right after the other. “Awesome! Hey, why don’t you ask your pretty librarian to join us?”

“Maybe I will.”

He jogs backwards waving a hand in the air. “Alright, see you tonight. Later, dude.”

“Cool. See you later, man.”

Cara gives me a huge smile and a wave the moment I enter the library. On my way over, I drink her in. I love her rich mahogany hair and the way her pale blue dress highlights her porcelain skin. I get closer, and smile at the sight of her warm brown eyes framed by those long, delicate lashes. I sigh just before I step in front of her. “Morning.”

“Morning to you, too,” she gleams.

I fiddle with the change in my pockets. “So listen, a couple of my friends and I are going over to Rona’s tonight. Do you think you might like to come? It’s open mic night just in case you were inclined to belt out a tune.”

She laughs as her fingers type happily on the computer. “I’m not sure, Ash. I have a paper to finish up for tomorrow.”

I try my powers of persuasion, leaning on the counter and resting my head in my hands, flashing a grin. “Oh, come on, it’ll just be for a few hours and it’ll be fun.”

She shifts her eyes away from the computer and meets my stare. I can see her mulling it over in her mind. “Alright. I guess I could try and finish it later this afternoon and come for a little bit.”

I bang my palm on the counter. “Great! I have to run to class, but I’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” she says with an elated smile.

I dash to the exit and bask in the adorable way her lips curl up as I walk out into the sunshine.

The rest of the day goes by rather smoothly. I manage to get through my Political Economy, Social Choice and Economic Justice, and Economic History classes unscathed. Striding into the library with purpose, I walk directly up to Cara, who’s packing her stuff up for the day. “Hey, I’m kind of in the mood for one of Maurice’s mochas. Do you want to join me?”

She stops gathering books, raises her head and her eyebrows perk up. “What’s that?”

My eyes bulge out of my head. “You don’t know about Maurice’s coffee? That’s it, then. You’re coming with me.” I grab her hand and practically yank her out the door. As soon as we make it outside, I let go of her hand.

“This must be some coffee.”

I wink and my mouth waters just thinking about it. “Oh, you have no idea.”

When we arrive at Maurice’s, I hold the door open, hearing the familiar jingle as we step inside. Cara walks in front of me and I watch her face light up as she inhales the smell of coffee, freshly baked pastries, and cinnamon drifting through the air.

The shop is retro, designed entirely in black and white. The floors are done in a checkerboard pattern, the tables complemented by black and white accents and various black and white photographs from local artists sprinkle the walls. I walk Cara over to admire some of the artwork.

“I love these black and white pictures. They’re brilliant.” She runs her fingers along the edge of one of the frames. “There was a time when I was younger that I dreamed of being a freelance photographer and having my own art gallery. I love the idea of being able to capture life in its genuine form, when people least expect it. It’s amazing what you discover on film … some of the truest emotion you’ll ever see.” Her eyes gloss over and I catch a glimpse of regret in her face.

“So what happened to the dream?” I ask, as I consider a picture of a heartbroken little boy whose balloon floated away before he was ready to let it go. It makes me think of Dad.

“It died when my mom wouldn’t pay for any photography classes. She said it was a waste of time and that I’d never make any money at it.”

I lay a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It’s never too late, you know.”

She eyes my hand and turns back to study the photographs. “Yeah, I guess,” she pauses, “I mean, look at the composition of this picture.” She points to a black and white photo of a couple sitting on a bench in front of a lake huddled close together. “They appear happy, right? But if you look closer, you can see the photographer caught something in her face, her eyes specifically, that show she’s not really there. Her body is, but her mind is elsewhere.” She smiles. “I just love catching that unexpected element on film, you know? Not the rigid, forced poses, but real life.”

I love seeing the passion light her eyes when she talks about the pictures. It’s captivating, actually. She’s captivating.

“Why don’t you grab a seat and I’ll get us some drinks? What would you like?”

She snatches a menu from an empty table and scans the choices, closing it quickly. “I’ll have whatever you recommend.”

I snap both my fingers and walk towards the front of the shop. “Okay, one of Maurice’s famous mocha lattes coming right up.”

There’s a girl behind the counter today that I don’t recognize. Streaked blonde hair, pouty lips, huge breasts, and cobalt blue eyes feel me up. “What can I get you, gorgeous?” she asks in a voice that resembles Mickey Mouse.

“Yeah, can I have two of Maurice’s mocha lattes, please?”

She sets about making the lattes, but not before she turns around and winks. “
You
can have anything you want, sweetheart.”

I subtly peek over my shoulder. I only wish that were true.

When I get back to the table, I’m greeted by a shake of the head and an eye roll. I hand Cara her latte.

“Thanks,” she replies with genuine appreciation, motioning to the counter. “Another one of your admirers?” she asks with a slanted eyebrow.

I run a hand through my hair, suggestively. “Can I help it if I’m irresistible and charming?”

Cara breaks into peals of laughter; not exactly the reaction I was going for. “Don’t forget full of yourself.”

I lean back in my chair, placing my hands behind my head. “I prefer to frame it under the heading of confidence.” I eye the girl behind the register and decide I want to have a little fun. “But she does have a nice rack.”

Cara’s mouth falls open and her eyes widen like saucers. “Oh my God, you’re disgusting!”

“Are you sure?” I ask with a devilish smirk.

“Yes.” She attempts a strong resolve, but a trace of a smile turns up her lips.

I grin and fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t know. I think you kind of like me.”

She moves the sugar over. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

I watch her snatch a couple of sugar packets from the bowl in front of us. She taps one with her long, elegant finger then rips it open and shakes it into her drink. I look on in amusement as she proceeds to take three more sugar packets and repeat the process. She senses my stare and lifts her head. “What?”

I chuckle and take a sip of the latte through my straw, the cold liquid gliding down my throat. “A little coffee with your sugar?”

“Oh,” she replies innocently, as if what she’s doing is the most normal thing in the world. “I have this thing for sugar.”

I stifle a laugh. “I guess.”

“Nadine used to always make fun of me for it, but then again, she used to put ketchup on her mashed potatoes … so if I had to pick a quirk, I’d pick mine.” Her sweet smile melts my heart.

“So,” her eyes travel the length of my arms to the tight muscles in my chest, “what do you do to stay in such good shape?”

Is she checking me out
? A smirk forms around my mouth. “You think I’m in good shape?”

Her eyes roll up to the heavens again. “I was just making conversation.”

She’s checking me out
.

“Well, I used to play sports religiously. Basketball, baseball, hockey.”

She sucks the drink through her straw and my eyes are riveted. “But you don’t anymore?”

“No,” I admit, guilt towering over me, knowing Dad had high hopes for my baseball career. “My dad was really into me playing sports and after he passed away, I guess I kind of lost my momentum. I still work out though at the gym and play basketball periodically.”

Cara puts her elbows on the table and sits her head between her palms. “Don’t you miss it? Playing sports?”

It takes me a second as I ponder her question. “Surprisingly, I don’t. As good as I was, there’s a lot of pressure and it’s kind of a relief actually.” I laugh, scratching the rough stubble on my chin. “There’s not too much pressure in economics.”

She stirs the latte with her straw,
listening attentively
. “So, what do you want to do in the field when you graduate?”

That’s a good question. I’m not even sure it’s something in economics. “I don’t know. I mean, economics is fine and I can certainly find a job, perhaps in environmental policy, but … I actually love computers and taking things apart, so, I’ve been toying around with that as well.”

A glimmer of recognition appears with her smile. “Ah, yes, the dissecting.”

I break up into a laugh at her throwing my words back at me. “So what about you? What’s your life’s calling? Are you still interested in photography?”

A somber expression appears on Cara’s face, but it’s soon replaced by a peaceful grin. “I want to teach high school English, actually.”

“I think you’d be a wonderful teacher. You’re very patient.”

She bites her lip and lowers her head.

“Hey,” I gentle my voice, concerned, “what is it with you and compliments?”

Cara drags her eyes from her lap back up to me, a smile absent from her lovely face. “I’ve never really received that many. It’s not something I’m used to at all.”

My hazel eyes penetrate her brown ones. “I think we need to change that.”

She swirls her straw around her drink several times before taking another sip. A smile reaches her lips as she brings her face back up, but then it’s gone. Her mouth turns down in a frown and her eyes glaze over, while her leg kicks the underside of the table.

“Cara?”

She doesn’t answer me, but continues staring out the window.

“Cara?” I angle my body to see what’s caught her attention. Her eyes are focused on a guy stepping out of a black Mercedes, wearing ripped jeans and a white t-shirt, a mess of dirty blond hair covering his head and a tattoo covering the full length of his arm. I turn back to Cara. “Cara?”

She doesn’t respond, but instantly turns her head away. “I think we should get going,” she says panicky as she scrambles to grab her purse.

She’s obviously upset and I don’t want to make it worse. “Okay, let’s go.” I place my hand on her lower back and guide her to the door. We’re almost at the exit when a deep voice stops us in our tracks.

“Cara, is that you?” It’s a voice laden with superiority and sleaze. I don’t like it … not at all.

Cara walks out fast, nearly tripping on a crack in the sidewalk in her haste to leave.