Skyscrapers & Camelot (Renovate Book 1) (6 page)

Keegan let’s go of my hand as we walk toward the planetarium, and I only then realize we have been holding hands the whole walk from the car. His hand in mine felt so comforting and familiar. I can’t help frowning at the loss until he places his hand on the small of my back, and then I feel a whole different sensation. How can one man’s touch affect me so much?

We enter the spacious planetarium where Keegan leads me to seat in the front row then takes the seat right next to mine.

“If I remember correctly, this is your favorite place to sit during these things.”

He has a great memory. I do love sitting in the very first row. I especially like that no one is in front of us, and I can feel like we are outside, looking at the stars.

“Do you remember when we begged our parents to let us go to space camp in Texas?” I ask after a voice alerts us that the show will start in a few minutes.

He laughs. “Yes, I do, and our parents said it was too far away and expensive.”

“I cried when they said no.”

“I remember.”

“Those Odyssey magazines my dad got for me every month in the mail always had the ads for space camp. The kids in the pictures looked like they were having so much fun. It made me so mad,” I tell him.

“I know it did. I tried selling things door to door through that Olympic sales catalog just to get us a telescope,” he reminds me.

“Yes, I remember, and you told everyone in the neighborhood it was for school.”

“Well, if we couldn’t go to space camp, we weren’t going to miss out on seeing those stars up close.”

“I still have that little, red telescope.”

He looks at me, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Oh, we are so going to bust that out and play.”

I feel a shiver go up my spine at the word play. There is nothing I would rather do.

I am taken away from my thought when the lights dim to black, and we are in complete darkness. Then, all of a sudden, the ceiling is lit up with stars as the narrator’s voice begins the show, and I am just mesmerized by the universe I am seeing above.

Keegan’s silence tells me he’s also enjoying it, and although it is dark, I can still feel his warmth while his scent invades my nose. As we travel through the galaxies, I realize I don’t want this show to ever end. This is exactly where I want to be. Right now, I’m in my element, surrounded by the stars with my favorite person in the world. He knows me so well, even after all this time.

I’m tempted to ask Keegan if we can watch the twenty minute show again once it’s over. I have no idea how many strings he had to pull to get us a private viewing, but I could honestly watch this all night.

“What did you think?” Keegan asks as the lights grow brighter, making me squint from the sudden invasion.

“Amazing. I loved it. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I think I owe you another thousand starry nights,” he explains.

“No, really, I haven’t had this much fun in a while.” I haven’t, and it’s all because of this wonderful man sitting next to me.

“I’ve missed you, Aimee,” he admits.

I hold back the tears. I never imagined things with us could feel like this again.

“I’ve missed you, too.”

When he stands and holds his hand out for me, I don’t even hesitate or care that my palm is sweaty from my nerves. I won’t ever pass up an opportunity to hold this man’s hand.

We walk out, two friends holding hands, and I imagine that it means more to him as Keegan waves good-bye and says thank you to the security guard.

“Anytime, Mr. James,” the guard replies.

As we exit the building, I’m hit with a blast of air and the bustling sounds of the city while we walk toward Andrew who has opened the door to the car for us.

“Would you like me to take you home, or are you hungry? I can have Andrew take you, or we can go grab a bite to eat.” Keegan asks as we climb into the back seat.

“I could go for some food,” I tell him. I’m actually hungry since I skipped dinner earlier.

Suddenly, his phone vibrates, and he looks at the screen before answering the call while I look out the window, trying not to look like I’m listening in.

“Yes, Gretchen.”

Great, he’s talking to his assistant, the one who wears next to nothing.

“No, it will have to wait until morning.”

I can hear Gretchen talking on the other end, not sounding too happy.

“I understand the deadline, but it’s nothing that needs to be done right now. It can wait till morning.”

From what little I can hear, she wants him to come in to the office. Why is this woman in the office so late in the evening? Better yet, why is she harassing her boss over the phone?

“No, you don’t need to come over in the morning. I’ll do it myself and copy you on everything. Have a good weekend, Gretchen.” He hangs up with her and looks at me apologetically.

“You can take me home if you have business, Keegan. It’s fine.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just, I couldn’t help but hear,” I say.

“Aimee, there is no need to apologize. It’s fine. I’d rather catch up with you than work.”

Thank goodness because that is exactly what I want, too.

“What are you hungry for?” he asks.

“I don’t care. Whatever is fine. I’m not picky.”

“I think I know the perfect place.” Keegan pats Andrew on the shoulder and whispers in his ear, and Andrew nods then moves the car into traffic.

We travel for only a few minutes then stop at a corner where a hot dog cart sits with what looks like a yellow and blue umbrella. As Keegan gets out of the car, he doesn’t grab my hand this time, so I follow him toward the cart.

“I know it’s not fancy, but I didn’t think you would mind,” he explains.

“This is perfect.”

He smiles at me, and I think I see relief in his eyes, a break in his confident armor for the first time since our interview.

“So, what do you want?”

“Surprise me,” I answer.

Keegan orders two hot dogs with the works and two bottles of water then hands over a couple of crisp bills to the vendor.

“Do you want to walk and eat?” he asks once the hot dogs have been handed over.

With a nod from me, we walk side by side in silence as we eat. I didn’t realize how hungry I was, and before you know it, I have devoured my meal and have to take a long drink of water to wash it down.

“You obviously still love eating. Maybe I should have gotten you two,” Keegan says, staring at me.

I stick my tongue out at him, enjoying the playful side of him that has finally appeared.

“Be careful with that tongue, Aimee. I’m still not afraid to bite.”

“Oh, is that so?” I grin mischievously, thinking I’m not afraid to bite, either. “Thank you for the hot dog. It was delicious and hit the spot. Great choice.”

He smiles back as we stop at an intersection while Keegan finishes his hot dog then throws our trash away.

I’m suddenly more nervous as we both fall silent, yet I am starting to slowly recognize him as the thoughtful boy I used to know.

“So, how is the family?” he asks as we cross the street.

I get a little sad, realizing exactly how much he has missed.

“Well, it’s just my dad now. Grandma Rose passed away about a year ago.” I shrug. “Nothing much to tell. Dad still lives in P-A, and I try to visit when I can. He has more free time now that he doesn’t have to look after my grandma.”

He looks at me with sadness, his eyes showing how badly he feels for my loss. I’m sure he remembers how close I was to my grandmother. She was a surrogate mother to me after my mom died. She was so strong and inspiring and taught me never to settle for anything, that I could be whatever I wanted if I set my mind to it. That’s exactly what I’m doing—living my dream.

“Aimee, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“It’s okay. It was her time.”

“If I knew, I would have…” He hesitates.

“What, Keegan? You would’ve sent flowers?” I look straight into his eyes and, for the second time tonight, hold back tears. I will not cry about something I have no control over.

“Why so sad, angel,” my grandmother asks while I lie in bed, crying into my pillow.

It’s been two weeks since Keegan left for college without saying good-bye.

“Oh, Grandma, I miss him so much. I wish I wasn’t so stupid,” I tell her through my tears.

“Listen to me, Aimee. You are a smart, strong, beautiful young woman. I don’t want to hear those words from you ever again.” She runs small circles along my back, comforting me.

I look at her and try to stop my crying fit, nodding.

“Now, I don’t know why he left the way he did, but that boy cares for you, and just because he’s scared, it doesn’t mean it was your fault. Aimee, if it’s meant to be, you’ll see him again.”

Her words couldn’t have been truer
, I think as I realize Keegan is still staring at me.

“You shouldn’t feel so bad, Keegan. After you left, she called you every name in the book. Stupid schmuck was my favorite by far.”

“Smart lady, because I was.” He looks at me with those deep blue eyes.

Chapter Six

While Andrew drives us back to my apartment, my feet are killing me, so I kick off my shoes. They may be lucky, but they weren’t made for all the walking we did tonight.

Other than one awkward moment, Keegan and I had a wonderful time. We walked and talked, just like old times.

One thing keeps nagging at me, though: why was it so easy for him to cut me out of his life? Above anything, we were friends and honest with each other; therefore, I plan on hashing it out with him.

When Andrew parks the car at the curb of my building, Keegan grabs my shoes and jumps out, making his way to my door of the vehicle. Opening it, he bends down and grabs my foot, placing my shoe back on then repeating the action with the other one, his hands warm and inviting. Although I wish his hands had lingered a few seconds longer, the sensation of his touch remains, and it can’t be explained.

My hand is taken briefly for the last time tonight as I safely exit the vehicle, and as soon as my feet hit the sidewalk, I am saddened by the loss of connection as he pulls his hand away.

Keegan motions to Andrew to let him know he will be back before he walks me to the door.

We walk slowly up the steps and through the apartment building to the elevator, and then Keegan watches me the entire elevator ride to the third floor. Once the doors open, he motions for me to exit and follows me as I walk with confidence to my door.

“This is me. If you would like, you can come in for tea or coffee.” I offer, but I know by the look he’s giving me that he doesn’t plan on extending our evening.

“Another time. Andrew is waiting, and it’s a bit of a hike to my place.”

He did tell me about his place, and no surprise, he lives in the tallest residential building in New York City—a penthouse on the 96
^th
floor with the most epic views of the city. I know all about that building since
Framework
did a feature on the penthouse’s floor plan. Reese took the photographs inside, and it is an amazing space, truly the best spot in Manhattan, aptly named Park in the Sky.

“Well, again, thank you for everything,” I say.

“You’re very welcome,” he returns with a smile that makes me melt.

“Good luck with your business. I hope you get some R&R tomorrow.” I open the door to my apartment without taking my eyes off him.

I whisper “good night” and enter my darkly lit apartment, shutting the door behind me. Then I place my back to the door, listening to his retreating footsteps as I release the sigh I have been holding in all night. I can’t believe, in the last couple of days, he has thrown me for a loop. I went from thinking he didn’t remember me after eight years of separation to a renewed friendship that I had thought was forever lost.

When my phone alerts me to a new text message, snapping me out of my thoughts, I open my purse and take out my phone, noting a couple missed messages. One is from Reese, saying not to wait up, that she’s hitting some clubs with Kaleb. Then there is the one that was just sent from Keegan, the one that makes me smile with only two words:
Sweet dreams
.

Even though the butterflies start to swirl again in my stomach, I don’t text him back, only because I have no words at the moment. Yes, I am a writer with no words to send in reply. I guess that’s why they came up with emoticons.

Throwing on my comfy, cotton pajama pants and matching T-shirt, I double check the door to make sure I’m all locked up, get under the covers, and hug my pillow. Then I send a quick reply to Reese, telling her I’m home and to be careful, before I stare at Keegan’s message one last time then fall asleep, dreaming of sweet things.