Page 7 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
“Thank you.” I put the card away with a small shiver of pleasure. My aunt couldn’t hold the meal against me, and I would be a liar if I pretended that didn’t matter to me.
“You’re welcome.” He nodded then escorted me out the door with a parting wave to the staff. “So, Alatheia, what do you do for fun? Like, what’s your idea of a good time?”
I certainly didn’t know him well enough to share my anime. Then again, no one got to know about that, not ever. “I like to read.”True enough. I added more, to make it believable. “Chicago had some beautiful libraries. I spent a lot of time in them, just reading or sitting among the stacks.”
Julian stared at me for a few seconds before answering. “You do realize New York has incredible libraries. Let’s visit one tomorrow night. We’ll go to the library together and read—which is pretty much my favorite thing in the world to do. Who is your favorite author?”
Is this actually happening?His response utterly baffled me. I doubted he would like any authors I knew, but I got saved from coming up with an answer when a squeaky, feminine voice called out his name.
“Julian!” someone shouted again, and we both turned around to see a girl dashing down the street toward us.
His body stiffened next to mine, and I didn’t pick up any joy in his demeanor. Still, politely, he lifted his hand to wave at her.
“There you are.” She threw her arms around him and held on for a long moment. I took a step away from them, the intimacy confusing and awkward to see. The girl added, “You are supposed to be in Southampton right now.”
He ran a hand through his hair and stepped out of her grasp. “Water Mill, actually, but whatever.”
She jumped up and down. “Are you all back? Why didn’t you call me? You can’t ignore me after what happened last time.”
What happened last time?I didn’t ask and instead I took another step away.Not my business. I started to head to the intersection toward home. I could do this. I would figure out the way there.
“Alatheia, wait a second.” He reached a hand toward me. “Don’t leave. I’ll walk you back.”
The girl’s face fell. “Who is she?”
“I’m working for his grandmother,” I explained quickly. The last thing I needed was more enemies, and with my luck, she would either go to my school or live in my building. Then I would have to dodge her pushing me down staircases or worse because she thought I was interested in her man—no thanks.
“Oh,” she brightened visibly. Her kind—and Julian’s—didn’t have much concern for what they saw as the help, so I ceased to exist to her. Since she no longer cared about me, I took a few seconds to look her over. She wasn’t very tall, and her brown hair curled in a beachy wave. The cutout in her white maxi dress showed off perfectly toned and tanned abs—she was gorgeous. I glanced at her shoes, noticing pinched pinkie toes and a flawless pedicure.Always believe the shoes, I reminded myself.
She focused on Julian, my presence forgotten entirely. “Is your grandmother okay?”
“Yep.” He stepped away from her. “Good to see you, Dawn. We’re not back. I’m just here very briefly. Bye.”
He took my arm then we crossed the street quickly, leaving her behind without another word. I pinched my lips together, resisting the urge to ask who she was, how he knew her, or why he wanted to walk me home since we hadn’t discussed it, even though I had really hoped he would just so I wouldn’t get lost. It wasn’t as if we were actually friends, after all, so it wasn’t any of my business.
When we were about halfway up Seventy-Sixth Street again, he stopped abruptly. “Did you tell her you worked for my Granny because you thought it would make her leave you alone?”
“Of course.” I didn’t see any reason to lie to him.
He started walking again, brows furrowed in thought. “That was smart. You’ve done this a lot, haven’t you? You avoid people, make them leave you be. I wish I had some of your protective instincts. I mostly want people to leave me alone, but I always end up in that kind of situation.”
Why would someone like Julian want a gorgeous woman to leave him alone? After clearing my throat, I pointed out, “She’s obviously interested in you.”
He snorted. “She would be interested in any Lent brother. We’re interchangeable to her.” He sighed, slowing his pace slightly. “The thing she said about the last time she saw me? That was Jeremy, and we don’t even look alike. She and I have never done anything.” He shook his head. “That said, my ride or die has terrible taste in women. I think he’s doing it on purpose, well, because … reasons. Anyway, I admire how you keep people away. I’m also still determined to get to know you.”
I almost tripped, I stopped so fast. “Why?”
“Why? Because I like a challenge.” His smile was huge and tried to be contagious. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at the same time we met today, unless Granny needs you longer. Here, give me your phone.”
I shook my head. “Don’t have one.”
“Really?” We crossed together toward my building. “Okay, no worries. I’ll get you one.”
“No.” I replied quickly, but decided I meant it. “We don’t really know each other. It’s too much.”
He groaned loudly. “Did you just turn down something from me? No one ever turns down anything from me.”
“I just did.” I nodded toward the doorway, leaving Julian outside. “Night. Thanks for dinner. No to the phone.”
