Mosaic (16 page)

“The chips wouldn’t fall, my dad would hit the ceiling. We’re still in the south, you know.”

“I know.” His voice had taken on that warm tone I loved. “You just let some jackass like me try and mess with our daughter. I’ll meet him at the window with a shotgun.”

The idea was lovely, both of us with a daughter, and him with a shotgun. I started to laugh. “You’re not so bad.”

“I’m not so good either. What panties are you wearing? Pull up that shirt.”

Electricity surged through my limbs, and I couldn’t help laughing more. “You’re so crazy. Rachel’s here.”

“At least give me the PG-13 version.”

My eyes searched the edges of the box holding his face. “You’re alone?”

“Totally.”

Chewing my lip, I lifted my shirt quickly. Five seconds later, I fell back on the bed laughing.

“Nice. My girls.”

Heat flared low in my stomach, making me laugh harder. “Julian!”

“Night, Hazel.”

I was lying on my side now, looking at the screen. “I thought you were Hazel.”

“I’m whatever you want me to be, baby.”

“I want you to be here.”

“See you soon.”

Anna’s Private Blog: Unexpected Encounter

Saturday mornings in Jackson Square with my camera had become my weekly ritual, and I loved it. Friday nights I’d stay in, Skype for a while with Julian, then read a book or watch a movie until I got tired. Then Saturday mornings, I was up with the dawn, running down to catch the streetcar and head out to watch the city slowly come to life.

It helped me forget the pain of separation and made me feel like I was part of something here. So what if I was miles away from the one I loved? I was plugging into the city. I was even making friends.

Pierre, who ran the counter at Café du Monde had gotten to where he had my café au lait ready to go at 8 a.m., and he’d be waiting for me to reappear at 9 for my beignets.

“Why you’re not with a fella, cher?” He was an attractive man, chocolate skin and light brown eyes. “I’m thinking those college boys aren’t very smart.”

I just giggled, and I was sure my cheeks were pink. “I told you. I have a boyfriend in Savannah.”

My embarrassed response only encouraged him. “Savannah’s far, far away, sweet petite. I can make you forget all about that careless guy.”

Rolling my eyes, I took a sip of the dark coffee with chicory. “Nothing will make me forget Julian.”

Pierre’s eyebrows rose, and he smiled with approval. “Then it’s true love, cher. The best kind.”

Nodding, I sipped the bitter, dark coffee. “It is.”

“It is what?” That voice made me jump out of my skin.

“Summer!” I spun around, almost spilling my drink. “What the hell?”

“Hi, Anna. I saw you here, and I figured it was time you stopped ignoring me.”

A spark of anger burned in my stomach. “I’m not ignoring you, I’m avoiding you. There’s a difference.”

“You know,” she nodded at Pierre, who held up a paper coffee cup, “What happened last year was really dumb, and I’m totally over Jack now.”

My eyes narrowed. “You spied on me and basically lied to my face. It was a lot more than dumb.”

She took the cup from Pierre and passed him her cash. “I’m sorry, okay? Love makes you do stupid things. You of all people should know that.”

It seemed we were back to Summer speaking her mind. “I was only off track for a few months. Julian has changed all of that.”

“So you see? No reason for us not to be friends.”

“I can think of a few.”

I started toward the door, and she was right with me. “But why? Let bygones be bygones. Let stupid high school behavior stay in high school.”

We were back out in the sunshine, and the foot-traffic was already picking up. I squinted in the light a second before a click brought me back to my companion.

“Did you take my picture?” I frowned as she looked at the back of her camera.

“I’ll send it to you.” She turned the device toward me, and I saw my face bathed in sunlight. “You should think about broadcast news. The camera has always loved you.”

“It’s kind of rude to take someone’s picture without permission.” As if rudeness ever stopped her from doing anything.

She shrugged. “Send it to Julian. I know he’ll like it.”

I was ready to jog up to my favorite spot on the levee and then down into Jackson Square. “Look, we’re in this class together, so I know we’ll be in the same place a lot. I’d appreciate if you’d give me some space. And stop taking my picture without permission.”

She held her hands and the camera up. “Sorry! I was just trying to make amends.”

Suppressing the urge to growl at her, I took a deep breath. “Apology accepted. I’m willing to try and let it go. I just… need space right now.”

“You got it.”

We stepped out on the flagstone, and after about five steps, Summer was still right beside me. I stopped walking abruptly and so did she.

“You’re going this way?” Her voice was meek.

“Yes,” I snapped back.

A pivot on her heel sent her west toward the square. “I’ll head over this way then.”

“Thank you.”

Turning back toward the river, I headed up the hill toward the wrought-iron bench where I had the best view of Algiers Point. It seemed my Saturday morning ritual was in danger of derailment by a very unwelcome intruder.

We’d see how this played out.

Anna’s Private Blog: Mardi Gras Madness

Mardi Gras season in New Orleans always started twelve days after Christmas, after Epiphany, which meant the building sense of excitement ran from January until Fat Tuesday, whether it was early February or late March.

Lucky for me, this year it was early February, which meant I’d see Julian again very soon. We celebrated Mardi Gras along the coast as well, since the tradition actually began in the U.S. in Sterling. Still, nothing compared to the big business of New Orleans carnival.

My Saturdays in the Quarter were becoming more and more crowded and festive by the week. I hated to miss the big day in the city, but we had events of our own in Fairview and Dolphin Shores.

The “secret” Kyser-Brennan krewe had a huge masquerade ball planned, and Rachel insisted we go to Bourbon Street to find masks for it. We spent a day sipping hand grenades and laughing at the trashy shops lining the street as we explored different options.

With the help of much back-and-forth photo-texting with Julian, I got a gorgeous black mask with silver glitter fanning across the nose and out from the eyes. For Julian, I bought a velvet eye-cover that had tiny silver studs sprinkled over it. He’d look more like Zorro than a reveler.

Secretly, I hated masked balls. The thought of all those creepy eyes peering out from behind masks sent a nervous shiver to my stomach. It helped that I’d bought the masks we’d be wearing—at least I’d be able to keep up with Julian in the sea of “strangers.”

So even though we’d only been back at school a few weeks, once again Rachel and I were headed back to the coast for a weekend of festivities. Starting mid-November, college had taken a backseat to social activities, and I wasn’t complaining. I couldn’t wait to see Julian again.

“I bought a floor-length baby blue satin dress online,” Rachel said as she studied the road. “It should match the mask I got, but I’m afraid I’ll look like Cinderella.”

Rachel’s mask was silver with white accents and feathers. “I love your mask. I think you’ll look gorgeous even if you are a Disney princess.”

She laughed. “So what are you wearing?”

“Probably that black dress I had for prom.” My actual prom dress had been a short, Tiffany-blue chiffon that I adored, but I’d had a back-up just in case.

“Black?” Rachel’s brow creased. “You know Mardi Gras is supposed to be colorful and festive.”

“Yes, but the store was doing a two-for-one sale, so Mom picked it up. We can’t really afford three formals every year.”

“Sorry. I bet you’ll look gorgeous in it. I can’t wait for the ball.”

I didn’t say I could.

* * *

SCAD wasn’t technically out for the holiday, so Julian was only in town for the weekend. Still, it was a whole weekend together. After Rachel dropped me off, and I did the required catch-up with the parents, I hopped in the Civic and headed straight to Hammond Island.

It was strange to be so welcome now in the giant mansion on Peninsula Avenue. I pulled into the circle drive and saw Mr. Kyser’s Audi, Julian’s Beemer, and a new Lexus I didn’t recognize. Somehow I’d managed to forget all of the Kyser children would be at the ball. That meant Jack… and Will.

I’d only closed my car door when Julian appeared, trotting down to greet me with a kiss. “I’m thinking about playing hooky on Monday. Staying one more night.”

The wind pushed his shiny dark hair around his face, and I couldn’t help returning his grin. Julian’s happiness was always contagious. “I love that idea!”

He leaned in close and kissed my nose on the way to whispering in my ear. “Will’s inside. Want to jet?”

I was just about to say yes when the sound of a car horn almost made me jump two feet in the air. A voice was calling out, and I looked over my shoulder to see Lucy in her bright, yellow Cabrio pulling in behind me. The top was down and she was waving.

“Or not.” Julian dropped his arm to my waist and smiled back at his sister.

“Anna!” She hopped out of the car, bouncing over to us. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need a second opinion on my dress.”

Pressing my lips together, I looked up at Julian, who only shrugged. Lucy caught my arm and pulled me away. “You two can snuggle on the dance floor. She’s coming with me.”

I followed her inside, through the short entry hall and into the enormous kitchen. Julian was right behind us. The only person in the room was the one person I hadn’t wanted to see, but despite how our last encounter had gone, Lucy didn’t even pause.

“Hello, Will.” Her tone was light, but not exactly happy.

Her oldest brother blinked up to us. When he saw Lucy holding my arm and Julian right behind me, he actually sneered. Then he shook his head and left the room.

Lucy kept going toward the staircase in the living room. “Ignore him. We are going to have a blast tomorrow night. Just you wait.”

Lucy had a dozen ball gowns in assorted colors and styles. The one she’d bought for this year was strapless silver with green and purple tulle wrapped tightly over the body, going down into almost a mermaid style.

“What do you think?” She turned in front of the mirror looking over one shoulder at her reflection. “Too Ariel?”

Julian had stayed downstairs, and I was flopped on her bed watching the fashion show. “Your hair’s not red. Are you planning to sing?”

“No!” She started to laugh.

“Then I don’t think anybody will see
Little Mermaid
when they look at you. It’s gorgeous.”

She gave me a huge smile. “Thanks. I really loved it too, but you know. Sometimes I can be off.”

“I have never seen you ‘be off’ when it comes to fashion.”

She caught her silky hair up in a make-shift up-do. “What are you wearing?”

“Black, floor-length. It was one of my prom-dress possibilities from last year.”

Her nose wrinkled. I was clearly new to the whole Mardi Gras social scene. “You need to wear something colorful. Here, borrow something of mine.”

A stubborn knot of inferiority formed in my throat. Mardi Gras balls were not world-changing events. “Won’t people recognize it?”

“Of course not. A few drinks and everybody forgets everything.” She went deep in her closet and came out with a flowing, bright green chiffon dress. It had clusters of fabric roses in the same material over one shoulder, but it was otherwise strapless.

“Here.” She held it against me. “Go try it on. Your eyes will absolutely glow in this.”

I stepped around the screen and quickly slipped the dress on. Hopping out, I went over to let her zip me up, then I turned in front of her three-way mirror.

My breath caught. “Oh my god.”

Lucy bounced, clapping her hands and squealing. “I’m giving it to you! This dress has never looked that good on me.”

For just this one moment, I decided it was possible she could be right. I’d never worn anything so fine, and it did make my eyes glow green.

“Have your hair straightened tomorrow, and you will look
amazing
.”

“How can I get it out without Julian seeing it?”

She ran up behind me and squeezed the top of my arms, putting her chin on my shoulder. “He is going to flip when he sees you tomorrow night. I hope you make it to the ball.”

* * *

We did make it to the ball. Mom was ecstatic at the dress, Tamara was more than happy to work me into her schedule so she could hear all about college life, but all of it was a torturous blur as I waited for the day to hurry up and end. Suddenly I wasn’t feeling so skittish about the masquerade, I only wanted to see Julian—or more accurately, him to see me.