Page 11 of Party Animal
“I’m not surprised.Alek keeps things inside.”
Lee’s expression had changed the tiniest bit when he heard my given name, but he didn’t mention it.“Luckily, Paul is more talkative.This is for you, Julie.”He handed her the box.
“Thank you.”She looked surprised as she sat on the couch to open it.When she lifted the lid, her face lit up.“It’s a pysanka!”She squealed.“Thank you, Lee.”She stood up too quickly and almost fell, but Lee caught her and she gave him a bear hug.
The intricately decorated eggs are a Ukrainian Easter tradition, a symbolic gift of life.I hadn’t seen one in years.This one had red poppies, the national flower of Ukraine, on a mosaic background.
Julie couldn’t stop staring at it.“Alek, come look.”
Evidently, Paul had done a lot of blabbing.I spoke up grudgingly.“It’s very nice.”
“It’s beautiful, Lee.My parents had a collection of them in the house, but none as pretty as this one.”
“I’m glad you like it, Julie.I’ll get you another one next year.You can start a collection.”
I was feeling jealous -- again.I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.“You don’t even know if you’ll be here next year.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Lee said.“If I’m not, I’ll send it.”
“But, we hope you’ll be here, don’t we, Alek?”
“Of course.”Score one for Lee.I wondered if he was trying to make amends for rejecting me.It didn’t matter.He was off my radar.
“Is anybody else hungry?”Joey said.“It smells great in here and I’m famished.”
Julie took Lee’s arm and led him toward the kitchen.“Everything is ready.Let’s eat.”
Dinner went well and we lingered over dessert, the guys telling Julie stories to make her laugh.They treated her just like any sassy young woman and she loved it.We all cleaned up together and any tension between Lee and me evaporated.It was a good night.
Julie and I walked the men to the door.There were kisses and hugs all around.Then Lee approached me and leaned in.“Thank you,” he whispered.His lips pressed against mine.I was completely unprepared.His lips felt soft and warm and tasted of wine.The kiss wasn’t brief and perfunctory.It set off sparks and I didn’t want it to end.When we broke apart, I saw a flash of desire in his eyes and it made my heart flutter.Before I could say anything, he was gone.
I felt off balance.When I turned around, I saw Julie watching me with a funny expression.I thought she was going to say something, but just then her cell went off and she fled to her room.
Later, I knocked on Julie’s door to say goodnight.She was sitting on the bed looking at the egg.
“I like him, Alek.”
“Are we talking about Mr.Perfect?”
“Don’t play dumb.I’m talking about Lee.”
“Oh.I’m sure he likes you, too.”
“Why don’t you like him?”
“You got it wrong, Julie.He doesn’t like me.”
She shook her head.“No,you’rewrong.”
I sat next to her.“Is it because he gave you a present?You think he did it to impress me?”
“Not at all.The present was genuine.I can smell bullshit a mile away.No, I was watching him watch you.That wasn’t hate I saw in his eyes.”
“You’re right, Julie.It was lust.He wants my body.”
She looked at me sadly.“Oh, Alek, how are you going to find love if you don’t trust anyone?”
“I’m not looking for love.I love you, sweetheart.”I kissed her goodnight and went to my room, but I didn’t fall asleep for hours.
