Page 24 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
It was the one thing that no one—not a single soul—knew about. I loved it that way, maybe loved it more for the sheer secrecy and privacy of it.
Out loud, I steered the conversation away from unsafe topics like my work. “So, you’re going to Columbia—but to do what?” I turned to him. “I didn’t catch what you’re studying.”
A gust of wind hit me in the face, cooling it a bit for a brief second. I tried to imagine a truly hot day in New York City, but somehow I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fantasy. Then again, despite knowing it snowed a good chunk of the year, I couldn’t fathom any of it covered in fluffy white, either.
He stroked a finger down my cheek, both snaring my attention and making me shiver. “Are you real?”
I startled, a slight tremor actually making my body hum as if he’d struck some tuning fork deep within me. “What?”
Barrett shook his head, his face so close that I could feel his breath. “I’m trying to decide if you’re going to run for the hills once you really know us. In the meantime, I need to buy you dinner. To answer your question, though, I’msupposedto be studying law.”
I gaped, too shocked to speak for a few seconds as he turned away. Finally, I managed, “Not running for the hills, but I think my boarding school is in Switzerland—so technically, I’m heading for big mountains, right?” I gave him a grin, my best attempt at making light of a very dark truth.
After two silent beats, he burst out laughing. “I like your wordplay. You’re actually really funny, but you try to hide it, I think. About me, though, I’m not a fan of law, but that’s what I’m doing. Political science and economics before I narrow my focus at law school, if you want the technical breakdown of my plan. Damn it. They were right. I hate it when my brothers are right. It’s always so much easier when they’re just wrong.” He shook his head. “You also don’t even blink when I say weird things like that.”
I shrugged. “I figure you need to share something but you’re not ready to tell me all of it yet. That’s okay. I have a big secretthat I’llnevertell you.” I waggled my eyebrows like he did, or at least gave it my best shot. “No matterhowcharming you are.”
His smile fell, his expression going serious. For a second, I felt like I might drown in the brown of his gaze. “Maybe you’ll tell me someday. I’m good with secrets.”
“Your brothers aren’t,” I blurted, then chewed on my lower lip as I worried over his response to my honesty. “Not that my personal details are really secrets, so to speak. Still, I would be lying if I said I didn’t find it disconcerting to know they texted you our entire night’s conversation.”
The wind struck us again, lifting my hair in wild curling tendrils as he looked off at the island. “They had to tell me. We have a … situation in our family, so we have to tell each other certain things we might prefer to keep private. It’s a promise we made a long time ago. For instance, when we’re lucky enough to meet someone like you, we have to share it. I promise, they didn’t tell anyone outside of our sibling chat, so other than Phoenix, no one else knows. Then again, Phoenix only knows if he’s around his cell phone and cares enough to bother to read his messages.”
I tapped my fingertips, twitching to sketch, but instead chose to focus on the facts he gave me. “You don’t want to study law.”
I didn’t expect him to hoist me onto the bench, or to climb up beside me. I laughed, the sheer ridiculous fun of it bursting out loud.
As he rubbed his hands up and down my arms, he admitted, “I’d like to study education. I want to teach—but that’s probably not going to happen. I want to teach and open music clubs. It wasn’t the plan for me. I’m supposed to be the lawyer.”
A speed-walking woman slowed just long enough to stare at us and scold, “Those are for asses, not feet. Show a little respect.”
Barrett laughed, throwing his head back. “Thanks for your opinion. Get on with your day.”
As she went back to speedwalking, I tugged his sleeve. “What happens if you don’t do what they want? I’m not being dumb; I honestly don’t know. Personally, I don’t have any future plans besides surviving. I’ll figure the rest out later.”
He shrugged one shoulder, a half-smile twitching his lips. “I don’t know, honestly. I don’t ever dare to disobey, so how would I ever find out? Not much, anyway. Come on. Let’s go have dinner. Afterward, I’ll answer the million texts that my brothers probably sent me since I ran away with you. Do you like musicals?”
I shrugged, not having any good reason to lie to him about such a simple question. “I’ve never seen one, other than on television. My mother used to likeByeByeBirdie. Honestly, I’m not sure what I like or don’t like.”
He slid his arm around me before giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Maybe we’ll go to a jazz club, then. Do you like Thai food?”
My lips curled into a smile, and I couldn’t help but think it was probably the strangest, most wonderful day.
8
It turned out IlovedThai food, though I’d never had it before. Three people worked behind the counter in the small restaurant Barrett had picked, which held just five tables on one side. If they recognized him—as seemed to happen everywhere the twins took me—they didn’t show it. The only conversation was him ordering; I let him choose for me, since I didn’t recognize anything on the menu.
The place smelled incredible, making my stomach growl upon entry. I tried to decipher all the scents and picked up on lemon grass, coconut milk, and other spicy, exotic things I couldn’t quite identify. My mouth watered with anticipation as I was seated. Barrett brought me an iced tea, and I swirled the orange-colored drink, finding it thick and multi-colored. After a sample sip, I decided I liked it a lot. It wasn’t quite coffee nor sweetened, creamy tea, but the almost chalky milky aftertaste left me craving more.
I smiled at him as he watched me enjoy my drink, and he grinned back. “I asked if you like Thai food, but you didn’t answer. I figured you’d at least say no if you didn’t—though you do have a habit of going quiet out of nowhere.”
With a shrug, I answered, “I’ve never had it before, so I couldn’t really answer. I don’t know if I like it or not. Still, I’m sorry if I seem quiet a lot. I don’t like talking sometimes. You might say I’m very comfortable with my own thoughts.”
He took a sip of his drink, considering me with those mysterious eyes of his. “Your dark thoughts, you like to keep those to yourself, which is fine. For now. I like the dark, Alatheia. Either way, I hope you like your dinner. I’m hoping to impress you, and I could’ve taken you just about anywhere.”
I didn’t snort, but only barely resisted the urge. My hand gestured carelessly as I said, “I’m not surprised. The Lent brothers can go anywhere in Manhattan without reservations, it seems, despite wearing whatever you want instead of the expected outfits.” I quickly snapped my hand back to my side, second guessing my babble.My goal isn’t to insult the guy.
He laughed, instead, allowing me to breathe again and steal another glance at his profile. “Have my brothers been showing off their status? They havesolittle game. I don’t need to show off to get you to like me. Unless I do? Would you like me to show off for you, Alatheia?”
