Waiting for Romeo Read online

  “Perfect.” I smile as we head out the front door and into the now, clear blue sky.

  “You know you intrigued me from the moment I first laid my eyes on you, but this mysterious plan of yours has increased my intrigue, exponentially.” He says, his hand moves around my waist as we walk, dodging the many puddles that line the street.

  I change the subject. “You know how you said you saw me, run by this morning?”

  “Sure.”

  “So, do you live around here? I know you told me you got a new place, but I don’t think you mentioned where it is.”

  “It’s right there.” He points to the new condos on the corner, just a block down from my place.

  I laugh. “You didn’t tell me we’re neighbors.”

  “You didn’t ask.” A devious smile crosses his face. “Honestly, it didn’t come up and I did tell you I only wanted one roommate. You could have asked me then if you were interested, right?”

  I squint my eyes up at him. “Really?” I say with sarcasm.

  “Hey, didn’t you say you sleep better when you’re with me? I’m sure that hasn’t changed. I know I do when I’m with you…even if you are a bit of a distraction.”

  “A bit?” I glance up at him, waiting for his reaction.

  He pulls me into his arms. “You are becoming quite the tease. I’m pretty certain you know you distract me more than just a bit. But why don’t you stay with me tonight and we can see if things have changed.”

  “If you keep this up, I’m not going to be late for work…I’m going to miss it all together.” I arch a brow at him.

  He cups my chin, tilting my head back and kisses me, tenderly. His tongue dips in and out of my mouth and I wonder if I will always find him this irresistible when he kisses me, when he touches me. His lips turn my legs to jelly and I’m thankful I don’t have to run at the moment.

  Slowly he pulls back from me; his arms still around my waist. “So, no work and you’ll come to my place now.” His heated eyes stare down at me. I nod first then quickly shake my head, disoriented from his kiss.

  “Logan, we have a deal.” I whisper.

  “Of course. I promise to still do whatever you have in mind, but can’t we make up for lost time. I missed you, baby. I missed you, a lot.”

  “I missed you, too.” I say as I squirm out of his grasp. I take his hand in mine and pull him with me. “But I have to get to work.”

  “After work, then?” His voice is soft and he quickly glances at me.

  “I told Bryn I’d hang with her this weekend. Josh had to go home for a funeral.” I stop and turn since we are at the back entrance to Spyder.

  “So, I’ll see you in class and next Saturday?” He asks, finally admitting defeat.

  I smile at him. “Thanks for catching me today.”

  “Anytime, baby.” He softly kisses my hair.

  I smile up at him. “I hope so.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “I WILL WAIT” by Mumford and Sons, ironically, is the first thing I hear when I walk in the back of the store. When I put my bag down in the storage area, I fail to notice Rosemary, squatting on the floor behind me, unloading a box of shorts. She sees me before I see her and I jump when she addresses me.

  “Hey, you.” She says, loudly, from behind.

  She startles me and I turn. “Jeez. I didn’t see you there. Hi. Sorry, I’m so late.”

  “I’m sorry I scared you, sweetie. Sam is out front. Can you give me a hand with this new shipment?”

  “Of course.” I say, while I plop down beside her.

  “Did you have a nice morning?” She asks, glancing at me.

  My lips pinch up into a slight smile. “I did.”

  “You’re blushing. It must have been really nice.” She teases and playfully winks at me.

  “I went for a run and got caught in a downpour.” I blink at her, my face now on fire.

  “Hm. And?” She smiles and the corners of her eyes crinkle slightly at the corners.

  “I bumped into Logan, literally.” I swallow and smile.

  “Sounds romantic.” She smiles, wickedly. “Maybe Sam and I should run in the rain next time there’s a storm. Lord, knows we could use some spice in our life. Hell, I complain about the lack of romance and you know what he does? He buys me a new wetsuit…everything revolves around surfing.” She rolls her eyes.

  “Well, that’s romantic…he probably wants you to surf with him more. Right?” I ask, thinking this is highly plausible.

  She laughs. “Yes. I thought that at first too. But then I tried to surf with him the day he gave me the new suit and he blew me off. He rushed out of the house before I even had a cup of coffee. He claims he didn’t know I wanted to go with him that very day, but what was the point of the gift?”

  I shrug. “Maybe he wants you to just wear it around the house?” I try to lighten the mood.

  “Ha! I didn’t think about that. You’re probably right. I’ll just wear it and do some light cleaning…dusting, vacuuming.”

  We both laugh at the visual that produces. I think about Logan’s French maid fantasy and the possibility of Sam’s fantasy with a wetsuit may not be far from reality. Couldn’t his passion for surfing include a wetsuit fetish? I continue to laugh as my mind wanders with different sexual surfing scenarios.

  “That’s what I get for marrying someone who is married to the surf.” She laughs. “Now, back to your steamy morning and don’t leave any details out…I’m living vicariously through you…you know?” She raises her eyebrows at me.

  My mouth drops open. “Rosemary.” I chastise, teasingly.

  She smiles. “You know I’m a sucker for romance and I happen to like Logan. I’m just glad you two appear to be on the mend. Honestly, my heart was heavy when you told me you broke-up. It’s all I can think about.”

  “That’s sweet.” I glance at her, returning her smile. “I think we’re going to be okay. We talked and I think you’re right.”

  “I’m right? I love when I’m right. What am I right about?”

  “You said that love is an endless act of forgiveness.” I remind her.

  “Yes. That’s true. So you’ve decided to forgive him?” She asks, while leaning back against the wall. Her attention from the shipment of shorts has shifted completely to me.

  I nod. “Forgiving is the easy part. It’s the forgetting that’s hard.”

  “It’s about letting go. Logan can’t help you with that…as much as I’m sure he’d like to. You need to let go of the pain. If he truly wants to make it work with you, he needs to make sure he doesn’t allow whatever happened before to happen again. What’s the saying? Um…Do me wrong once, shame on you. Do me wrong twice, shame on me.”

  “Exactly.” I nod.

  “But I also believe you sometimes have to start over to have a happy ending.”

  “I thought you said love isn’t always a fairy tale with a happily ever after ending?” I reply.

  “What I said, I think, was that when you find you want to be with that person…despite everything…that’s true love. So, true love can have a happy ending if the two people love each other and are true soul mates. You want the fairy tale, huh?”

  “Doesn’t everyone? I think most girls would tell you they dreamed of being a princess when they were little, having a prince fall madly in love with them and living happily ever after.”

  “Hey, you two!” Sam’s voice pulls us from our heart-to-heart. We both look up at him. “Emilia, I’m glad you’re here. Do you mind if I take my lovely wife out for a romantic lunch?”

  I catch my lower lip with my teeth, trying to contain my laugh. “Certainly.” I wink at Rosemary.

  “Maybe I should change into a wetsuit.” She says, so only I can hear her and she stands to leave. We both laugh.

  “What was that, hon?” Sam asks.

  “Oh, nothing. Just talking to Emilia.” She smiles, knowingly.

  I stand as we move to the front of the store. “Enjoy lunch with you
r prince charming.” I whisper to Rosemary. She smiles at me then turns as they head out the door, holding hands.

  BETWEEN SCHOOL WORK AND my usual day-to-day uneventful routine, Saturday can’t come fast enough. The week is finally coming to an end, thankfully, because my brain is rather lethargic and quite uncooperative. I head to my Shakespeare class with an essay, comparing Hamlet and Ophelia to Othello and Desdemona, hoping it makes sense. When I worked on it last night, I got distracted listening to Logan’s playlist, trying to interpret every hidden meaning. I’m pretty certain I could write a better analysis on his music than the relationships in Hamlet and Othello. Fortunately, for me, I’ve studied the two plays inside and out over the years so I’m fairly well informed on these subjects.

  When I head into class on Friday, I’m early, but not as early as usual. There are already a handful of students in their seats, including Logan. His bright blue eyes catch mine, staring at me until I sit beside him. His gaze, intense and heated, makes me flush.

  “Hi.” I smile, shyly.

  “Hi.”

  I swallow. I feel rattled and I don’t know why. Is it because we will finally resume our relationship tomorrow? I’ve felt so confident with my decision and I’m not having second doubts but the way he’s looking at me is unnerving…unnerving in a good way, but one that is also causing butterflies to reach havoc in the pit of my stomach.

  “You’re early.” I finally manage to speak.

  “I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to see you. I know you get to class early so here I am.” He rests his chin on his palm with his eyes fixed to mine.

  “Here I am.” I tease, quickly getting my wits about me.

  “Yes and tomorrow is the big reveal. I’m looking forward to it.” He smiles his adorable smile that makes my insides melt.

  “So am I.” My eyes don’t waver from his.

  “Did you take off work or is this something we’re doing at night?” He says, softly, since others are starting to move into the seats around us.

  I smile. “I took off work. Would you mind picking me up at about eleven?”

  “Sure. This is definitely something you want to do?” His eyes burn as he gazes at me.

  I shift in my seat. “Yes. It’s definitely something…there are other things.” I say…two can play this came.

  He looks amused. “What are these other things, Emilia? I have some in mind.”

  “They’re probably the same things you’re thinking about.”

  “Hopefully.” He leans forward so that we are just inches apart. “Do you have any idea how badly I want to kiss you right now?”

  “I think I have an idea.” I whisper.

  “It sure is hot in here.” Chloe says as she slides into her seat, breaking Logan and I from our quiet, mutual seduction.

  Leaning back in my chair, I turn and smile at her. “Hi. How’s everything?”

  “It’s good but looks like things are going really good for you.” She winks and then leans forward and looks at Logan. “Hi, Logan.” She beams.

  “Hi, Chloe.” He nods and leans back. I wonder if he’s still thinking about kissing. I know I am.

  I breathe. “You’re early and you have your textbook.” I say, grinning at her.

  “I know! If I keep this up my slacker rep is going down the toilet.” She laughs at her own joke. “Looks like my matchmaking worked.” Her eyebrows bob up and down.

  “Sure.” When I see her elated reaction, I’m glad I let her think she has something to do with it.

  “That’s epic!” She squeals with delight. “Is that why I didn’t see you this weekend? You two were catching up on lost time?”

  “Not exactly.” I laugh at her enthusiasm.

  She pouts. “What exactly? Since I’m the one who helped rekindle your flame, I think I have the right to know. I’m just kidding. I know it’s none of my business, but I do feel I have vested interest.”

  “Anyone ever tell you that you’re crazy?” I twirl my finger near my temple, gesturing the cuckoo sign.

  She laughs. “Maybe.”

  “Bryn’s boyfriend was out of town so I spent the weekend just hanging with her.”

  “Oh. So then you two…” She nods her head in Logan’s direction. “You two aren’t back on? You’re totally confusing me.”

  “Let’s just say we’re moving in that direction. I guess you can say it’s not exactly official.”

  “Ooohhh, so probably this weekend?” She sighs.

  “Probably.” I say only because I hope to delay the gossip mill for as long as possible.

  “Definitely.” Logan adds, leaning forward suddenly.

  Chloe falls into a fit of giggles while my mouth drops open.

  “Eavesdropping, Mr. Prescott?” I ask and try my best to sound appalled.

  “Yes.” He blinks as his lips twitch into a smile. “I didn’t hear everything, but I am sitting right here.”

  Chloe is still laughing.

  “Are you mad?” He asks.

  I shake my head as a slow smile crosses my face.

  “You shouldn’t mislead poor Chloe. She did help rekindle our flame.” He winks at Chloe, who is still cracking up.

  I roll my eyes. Logan leans forward and taking my hand in his, kisses it.

  At that moment, Dr. Milton shuffles through the door, holding a stack of papers, and heads to the podium. While he searches through the papers, I glance over at Logan. His eyes catch mine and then he taps his pen, drawing my attention to his notebook. On the upper corner, he has drawn the symbol of eternity. I gaze back at him and smile, knowing he’s referring to our pre-break-up emails and the stunning Tiffany’s diamond necklace set in the eternity setting. When I look back at his sketch, I notice the words “tomorrow” printed underneath it.

  We are definitely back on this weekend.

  “By the way.” I whisper. “You need to wear a bathing suit.”

  Logan glances at me and smiles before the professor starts his lecture and our attention shifts. Well, it sort of shifts. I know all I can think about is tomorrow and from Logan’s distracted and slightly bewildered look, I think his focus is also seriously tested.

  IT’S SATURDAY and the weather couldn’t be more perfect. Heading out the door for my run, I think to myself this is definitely one of the perks of living in Southern California. There’s not a cloud in the sky on this balmy seventy-five degrees late January day. What a difference a week makes. This time last week, it was cold, rainy and miserable. Well, maybe not that miserable. I can’t think of a more pleasant experience than falling into the arms of Logan, rain or shine.

  Turning the corner, I see the beach in the distance. It’s still early, but it’s such a beautiful day that there are already many people, out and about. There will probably be several people out where we will be headed today. Hopefully, not too many, I definitely prefer some private time with Logan and would rather not run into any familiar faces. There are a few that come to mind.

  Bryn was up early today. She says she got up because she has a busy day, but I know differently. From the moment I saw her this morning, she was shooting me disapproving, worried looks and shaking her head. I have to admit she has every right to be concerned. If the shoe was on the other foot, I know I’d be giving her those same looks. It’s a bit careless and dangerous, but at this point I’ve made my bed and now I’ll just have to suck it up and lie in it. I don’t entirely feel that way. Mostly, I’m excited about today and what’s in store. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, something to check off my bucket list.

  By the time I head back home, I have just an hour before Logan arrives. I get another silent but condemning look from Bryn as I hurry up the stairs and into the bathroom. Despite the fact that I’m going to get wet today, I climb into the shower to wash off my sweat and shave my legs.

  When I head back downstairs, dressed in my recent purchase from Spyder, a Roxy bikini, with a t-shirt and cutoff denim shorts, Bryn is sitting, reading the paper and drinking a
cup of coffee.

  “What are your plans for today?” I ask, trying to have a cordial conversation.

  She peers up from the paper. “Not much…probably just some shopping. I have some errands to do…Josh is coming over later…no suicidal impulses or anything like that.”

  I sigh. “Bryn, I get it. I’m sure I’d be just annoyed as you. If it makes you feel any better, I checked the water conditions and they’re excellent because of all the rain last weekend.”

  “Doesn’t make me feel any better. But if you want to do something foolish and dangerous…go for it.”

  “Bryn.” I plead.

  She takes a deep breath in and releases it slowly. “Fine.”

  “What’s fine?” I ask.

  “I won’t bug you anymore about it. You won’t hear one more peep out of me. But will you just text me and let me know everything is okay? Otherwise I will worry about you all day.”

  “Of course.” I smile, sweetly at her.

  Just then there’s a soft knock on the door and I know it’s go time!

  WE ARE DRIVING in Logan’s car, headed towards Solvang, a forty-minute drive from Santa Barbara. Sitting in silence for the first few minutes, listening to the music that fills the car. The song is “Demons” by Imagine Dragons, one of the many on the playlist that I tried to analyze.

  “I like this song.” I glance at him.

  “Yes…it’s good…isn’t it?”

  “It’s on your playlist. By the way, thank you again for that. I love it.”

  “I’m glad you love it.”

  “This song…kind of seems you might be trying to ward me off.” I murmur, not sure how he’ll react to my interpretation. I quote the song: “I wanna hide the truth. I wanna shelter you. But with the beast inside there’s nowhere to hide.”

  He quickly glances at me. His eyes alight with something…maybe amusement or could it be annoyance?

  “Emilia, you are well aware of my demons, but I can assure you I’m definitely not trying to ward you off. It’s just the opposite. Because of my past issues…my demons…I lost you. I know I hurt you, but I was in pain too. The thought of losing you forever and you being with someone else killed me. I know I probably don’t deserve you, but I can’t stand the thought of my life without you in it.”