True L̶o̶v̶e̶ Story (26 page)

Our only challenge, besides the distance, is the occasional rumor that sometimes comes with dating a musician who is getting more famous by the minute. Ian stays out of the press for the most part, but he’s been linked with Reagan a few times and another musician named Jules. I try not to be jealous or doubt him, but when we’ve gone four months at a time without seeing each other, during Ian’s overseas tours, it does tend to up the jealousy ante.

I’ve done my part to throw complication into the mix—unintentionally, but disastrous nonetheless. I went out with Zach, a friend from work—on what I thought was a casual lunch—and when he opened the car door for me and I stood up, he stuck his tongue down my throat. I told Ian about it right away, and he took it better than I expected. And then there was a friend I’d gone to high school with who was in New York on vacation. He looked me up and we went out to dinner. I told him I was dating Ian, but at the end of the night, he still kissed me. That kiss didn’t go over so well, but Ian still forgave me and we moved on.

Occasionally we argue over Laila. I haven’t seen her since last year in her kitchen, but Ian still sees her once in a while, and it seems there’s always drama involved. I know he has to be around Laila with Jeff being his cousin, but sometimes, it really doesn’t seem worth it. She’s always picking a fight. I want him to stop staying with them.

I turned twenty-one earlier this month. Tessa surprised me with a party. It helped ease my sadness over being apart from Ian. He was on a European tour and couldn’t get away, and school was too crazy for me to go be with him. Ian sent me a necklace that he found in an antique shop in Paris. It has a branch with a sparrow sitting on it. So perfect. The eye of the sparrow is a tiny blue topaz, my birthstone. He added the stone. It originally had a clear crystal. It’s beautiful and delicate and I wear it all the time.

The door slams, and Tessa and Jared come in, both chattering at once.

“Ro, settle a debate for us,” Tessa walks to the doorway, the cold air bouncing off of her. Jared stands back a little, grinning.

“Wow, you look amazing, Ro!” Tessa reaches out to touch my hair and looks me over. “Ian’s gonna be beside himself in front of your parents. You know how he feels about your legs. He can’t be held accountable. Okay. That song that Nat King Cole sings, you know, the one about Jack Frost…”

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” I sing, throwing in some extra vibrato.

“Yes! That one. Settle this for us. Sing a little more.”

“Uh … Jack Frost nipping at your nose … yuletide carols be-”

Jared lets out a huge laugh and Tessa yells, “Noooo!” as he tickles her from behind. Their good mood is infectious.

“Why? What did you think it was, Tess?” I giggle. I already know this will be good.

She mutters something softly.

“What?”

“You, I and Carol…” she says louder.

I have to repeat that before it registers. “Ohhh! Right! You, I and Carol!” And then I can’t stop laughing. I’m gonna be singing it that way for the rest of my life now.

Tessa rolls her eyes but laughs too. “I’ve always thought that line was weird,” she admits.

That sends us right back over the edge.

“When is Ian getting in?” Jared asks once we’ve calmed down.

“His flight lands right before my parents’, so he’ll have a car waiting for them. They’re going to pick me up in … fifteen minutes!”

“Well, I’m so glad we got to see you.” Tessa gives me a long hug. “I’m gonna miss you. We just came to get our bags. Our flight leaves in a few hours.”

“I’ll miss you, too. Two weeks. Don’t forget to come back.”

“Ha. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. You make sure YOU come back!”

“Minnesota will not keep me! This much I know!” I raise my fist in the air.

Tessa snorts. “Better not.”

They leave in the same flurry as they came in. I pace with excited energy. It’s been three months this time … since I’ve seen him. Four months since I’ve seen my parents. I’m so excited to see all three of them, but I’m gonna have a hard time containing myself with Ian.

My parents come in first. We all hug, and I look around for Ian.

“He couldn’t make it,” my dad jokes.

“Not funny, Dad. Where is he?”

“I think he wanted to make a grand entrance,” my mom says, smiling over my shoulder.

I turn around, and he’s standing in the doorway. I go flying toward him, and he meets me halfway, picking me up and hugging me until I squeak. We kiss like it’s been three months: passionate, yet shy, hungry and tentative, all at once.

My dad clears his throat, and we pull apart and laugh awkwardly.

Ian leans in and whispers in my ear, “You’re trying to kill me, right here in front of your parents. What the hell? Why ya have to look so damn gorgeous?”

I giggle and lean in for another kiss.

We stare at each other, intense and bashful. It’s always like this when we first see each other. It makes all the missing worth it—this giddy rush of being together again.

“You look beautiful, Rosie,” my dad says.

“Thanks, Dad.”

Both of Ian’s arms are around me, and he suddenly lets go with one and grasps his hair in a violent tug. Then he’s back, and he softly places a kiss on the back of my neck. “So beautiful,” he groans.

Christmas time in Manhattan is magical. Last year we spent Christmas in California, and it was lovely. It seems as if it’s the sunniest time of the year there. But I love having the snow and brisk air during the holidays. All the white lights on the trees make it feel like an enchanted dreamland, and it’s magnified when I’m holding Ian’s hand.

Our dining experience is fine dining at its best. I’ve never had such good food in all my life. We have a wonderful time during dinner. I’m so glad my parents love Ian. They still occasionally bring up Michael, but know I was never in love with him. I think they believe Ian’s a better fit for me, too, which is such a relief.

“Little Bird? You with us?” Ian grins over at me. Between the two of us, we’re two spacey beings. He can be writing a song in his mind, and I have a hard time shutting my thoughts and stories down. It’s amazing we can communicate with one another at all.

“I’m here.” I reach over and touch his cheek. He is stunning. Looking at him still makes my heart go all wacky. His black suit still has a rocker vibe to it; he looks good enough to eat. My cheeks splotch at the thought, and I have to rein it in. “I’m just thinking about how happy I am that we’re all together. I don’t know when I’ve ever been as content as I am right now, here with the three of you. I’ve missed you so much.” I look at each one of them in the eye and blink back the tears that are threatening to spill.

Ian kisses my hand and my dad pats my other hand. We all have a heartwarming moment and then dessert comes … after a 9-course meal. I can’t even explain how spectacular the desserts are. It’s a small buffet of mini-desserts that arrives at our table, and I try it all. Heaven.

After our dinner, my parents go back to my apartment, claiming they’re worn out from the long travel day. I get the impression they’re in on whatever Ian has cooked up for me. We hop in a cab and go to Swing 46.

“Your dress is perfect for this,” Ian says as we get inside, “when I twirl you around, I can totally catch a peek,” he whispers.

I give him a tiny smirk. “I’ve been wanting to come here!”

“Let’s do this.”

We dance the night away, and it’s such fun. I can’t get enough. Ian was made for me. I’m sure of it. We just fit. His eyes don’t leave me the whole night; his gaze is hypnotic, pulling me in deeper with each look. It’s not all serious. We have a hard time not laughing when we’re together, so there’s plenty of that too. The evening feels like a long love letter, with sweet touches and looks speaking volumes of truth.

I think we’re the last ones to leave. I lean my head back on Ian’s shoulder on the ride back to my place.

“You sleepy, Little Bird?”

“I’m happy.” I smile at him. I turn to kiss him as his hand softly touches my neck.

“I love you, Sparrow Kate Fisher.”

“I love you, Ian Orville Sterling.”

My mom has the couch all made up for Ian when we get inside. He smiles when he sees it. He hugs me tight and gives me a chaste kiss. “Thank you for one of the best nights ever,” he says. “Goodnight, baby.”

“Night.” I look at him longingly as I go to my room. It’s really hard leaving him there.

The next few days are excruciating. Being around each other constantly, after such a long time apart and still not having much time alone, is a struggle for me. I can’t concentrate on what anyone around me is saying.

I want Ian more than food or water. More than air.

He’s acting like it’s no big deal. Like he can be around me and not cave. It’s been three freaking months. I expected him to sneak in my room at night. I thought he wouldn’t be able to stay away from me. But he does. And it drives me CRAZY.

By Christmas Eve, I’m agitated with him. I’m snippy at our sweet family dinner. I practically growl at Ian, and he just looks at me, lovingly and amused. My parents look concerned. Charlie asks if I’m coming down with something.

I can’t wait to go to Minnesota.

I try to go to bed earlier than normal because I’m having a really hard time not snapping Ian’s head off. He’s making me feel even worse by being so sweet.

He gives me a soft kiss by my door. “I love being here like this, with you and your family … feeling part of something more … sorry, I’m just … I love you, baby,” he whispers.

“I love you.”

“Get to sleep so Santa can come.” He winks, and then looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn’t.

I kiss his cheek and feel like a heel when I close the door. What’s wrong with me? I should just be happy he’s here, not a walking horn dog.

I’m sound asleep and dreaming about Ian. It’s such a good dream and in it I begin to moan. He’s making me feel so good. I’m jarred awake when a hand lightly clamps over my mouth. Ian’s head is between my legs, his tongue working wonders, and he’s trying to keep me quiet. I pull the pillow over my face and try to restrain myself. It’s hopeless. He’s too good at what he does.

I grab his face. “Get in me. NOW.”

He doesn’t hesitate. He slides up my body and sinks into me, deep. I’m ready for him. He kisses me hard and we hold on tight as we both immediately lose control.

He strokes my hair as I fall back into a deep sleep.

Christmas morning, I wake up early and stretch, smiling from ear to ear. I had the best sleep and the best dreams. I brush my teeth and go into the living room to see if Ian is awake. He is. He’s got his arms propped up behind his head, and he’s looking at the tree. He looks deep in thought.

I walk to the couch and he looks up at me. “There’s my girl. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas.” I smile at him and he returns it tentatively.

“You like me again?” He looks grave as he says it.

“Of course I do, I never stopped,” I groan. “I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting. I’ve been rotten.”

He pulls me down on top of him and kisses me. “You weren’t rotten. I just thought maybe you were having second thoughts about me.”

I lean my forehead on his. “I’m sorry. You were just so fine about not being with me. It was … getting to me.”

I hide my face in his shoulder. I’m so embarrassed, both for how I’ve acted and that I told him.

“Baby,” he holds my face in his hands and smooths down my hair, “I’ve been dying. I’ve just been trying to be respectful of your parents. Last night, I couldn’t take it any longer.”

I let out a relieved laugh. “I do feel like a new woman this morning.”

“If I’d known you were that hot for me, I would have taken you in the stairwell and fixed you up. You’ve been so on edge, I thought maybe I was getting on your nerves.”

I let out a long sigh. “You never get on my nerves. I’m only sorry that I wasted any time with you. I won’t let it happen again. Next time, I’ll jump your bones before you can leave me high and dry.”

He laughs. “You said, ‘jump your bones.’”

“You’re corrupting me.”

Ian and I sit in front of the tree and give our presents to each other. He has a little pile and I have a little pile. The lights from the tree make his eyes glow more than ever.

“Last Christmas was the first time I’d given presents to a girl,” he whispers.

“Really? You didn’t tell me that.” I’m shocked.

He holds up his foot and he’s wearing the elephant socks that I gave him last Christmas. I laugh whenever I see them. They’re ugly, but he still loves them.

“I didn’t want to scare you off on our first Christmas, but yeah, another first for me.” He smiles and when I hand him a present, he looks like a little boy; he’s so excited. Between each present, we kiss sweet, playful kisses that make my heart flutter. I give him the softest blanket I’ve ever touched, for those nights on the bus when he’s missing me and needs something to remind him of me. He gives me perfume from Paris that I can actually smell—it smells divine. I give him a photo album of all of our trips together. He gives me a sexy red blouse and whispers that there’s something to match it that he’ll give me later. I give him a baseball shirt—white with red sleeves that says, “Raw Bows” on it.

I point to the red sleeves and then the words, “Raw Bows.” We have a good laugh over that.

We each have one thing left to give the other. I hear my parents rustling in the other room. I know they probably don’t want to miss out, but we’re enjoying this time, just the two of us. The whole morning feels like we’re in a magical bubble, on our own little cloud.

“Here, you go first,” I say and hold his last present out.

Ian leans over and gets in my face. “I just want you to know … that if you didn’t get me a single present … the way you love me would be more than enough.”

He makes my heart squeeze when he talks like that.

He slowly unwraps the box, not tearing a single scrap. He folds it carefully and sets it aside like he’s going to save the paper. I love him for these little quirks.