Page 18 of The Perfect Spiral
“That’s good to hear. I think your mom has a thing for me! Try not to be jealous,” Wes teased, and Knox snorted, looking up at me from where he was sprawled out on my bed, propped up on one elbow.
I laughed and turned my attention back to the phone. Rising from the bed, I walked over to a table near the wall where a picture of me and my grandad sat.
“I’ll try not to be jealous, Wes. I know how irresistible you are,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I stared at the photo.
“Hey! I am irresistible.”
“Wes, sweetheart, will you set the table for dinner?”
“Yeah, Mom, two minutes. I’m on the phone!”
“Hey, I better go. But I’ll talk to you guys later?” Wes asked, and I nodded in response.
“Great! See you soon, sweetheart! And Knox, be nice!” I waved goodbye, and Knox responded with, “I’m always nice!” causing me to snort in amusement. It was satisfying to see someone else recognize that he could be a handful.
I ended the call and looked back at the photo in silence. It was taken at a lighthouse near our house, my safe haven. We would sit at the top and watch the waves crash against the rocks on the shore.
I could’ve sat there for hours with him, just watching the water. It always calmed me. That’s why I surf.
I loved the feeling of my fingers skimming the surface of the water, the sensation of the waves lapping at my legs as I sat on my surfboard. The way the waves lifted me up and set me down as my board glided over them. That lighthouse was my childhood.
It was our secret place. He only took me there. I smiled at the photo, remembering the times we spent together.
“You miss him?” I turned to see Knox still propped up on my bed. I’d forgotten he was there.
“You’re still here?” I asked, tilting my head to the side. He flashed me his signature smile, and I crossed my arms, leaning back against the table.
I looked down at the floor. “Yeah, I haven’t been here in three years. It just reminds me of him,” I admitted.
After a moment of silence, he asked, “Why now then?”
I looked up to meet his gaze, studying his expression for any hidden meaning behind his question. “Why do you care?” I asked nonchalantly. He shrugged in response.
Taking a deep breath, I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling his eyes on me. “Sam. The wedding. My family,” I said, explaining my reasons for returning. “She needs my help with planning, and it’s hard to do over the phone, FaceTime, and emails.”
There was a knock at my door, and we both turned to see who it was.
“Hey! Can I come in and we get ready for dinner together? You can help me choose an outfit and I’ll help you choose one too?”
I nodded in response, and Andy sprinted back to her room to gather her things. I turned back to Knox, who was staring at me with a blank expression.
“I can take you to visit him if you’d like,” he offered, surprising me with his kindness.
I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’m not ready for that yet.” He nodded in understanding. “This is the second time you’ve thanked me today. Not that I’m not grateful, but it’s kind of freaking me out a little.”
I laughed softly at his honesty. Looking up, I met his genuine smile. “Don’t get used to it,” I retorted playfully.
Just then, Andy returned, practically lugging her entire suitcase. Knox took this as his cue to leave. He paused at the door, as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he simply walked out, closing the door behind him.
For once, we’d had a pleasant conversation. I knew it wouldn’t happen again, but it was nice while it lasted.
“What was that about?” Andy asked, not looking up from her suitcase.
“No idea,” I replied, walking over to help her choose an outfit, effectively dismissing her question.
After two hours, freshly shaved legs, and two hot showers, we had our hair and makeup done. All that was left was to change into our dinner clothes.
I chose a loose blue jumper that hung off one shoulder, black skinny jeans, and icy grey thigh-high boots that made my legs look longer than they were. Andy opted for a red string top, light blue skinny jeans, and patent black stiletto heels that looked painful but she could strut in them like a pro.
