Mosaic (31 page)

When I opened my eyes the next morning he was gone, but for the first time in a year, I was calm. That horrid, gaping hole that was left when my heart had been ripped out was finally filled. It was a space that belonged only to him.

Rolling onto my side, I reached out for the pillow where he’d slept, pulling it to my face and inhaling deeply. I loved his fresh, ocean scent. All I could think about was seeing him today. I wanted to spend every minute with him. I grabbed my phone and sent a text.

Miss you already. What time did you leave?
Lying back to stretch my arms over my head, I smiled, remembering his touches, his kiss, the sounds he made when our bodies moved together. Warmth stirred in my middle, and my phone buzzed.

Set my phone alarm like always. Old habits die hard.

My nose wrinkled.
Old habits, smart habits. We’re still not able to tell all.

I waited, but nothing more came through. It was okay—if he was working with his dad, I’d have to learn his new schedule.

I kissed the face of my phone and decided I’d surprise him at his office, maybe bring him a picnic lunch. It seemed like the perfect day for one. All my worries were behind me.

Anna’s Private Blog: Complete Backfire

The Kyser-Brennan offices were exactly like they’d always been, not that I expected them to change. It had only been three years ago that I’d come here as an aspiring journalism student, hoping to get an exclusive interview from the area’s richest, most influential businessman. It was the start of a journey that would change my life.

The elevator opened at the penthouse suites, and I stepped out into the familiar wood-paneled lobby. A small sitting area was arranged with magazines and tables. The only new addition was the perky, blonde receptionist behind the desk. She looked about my age.

I hadn’t told Julian I was coming. I’d only packed a basket, thinking we could go down to the beach just outside the building to share it. Being together last night was so gorgeous, I was sure he’d be as eager as me to slip off alone.

The girl behind the desk looked up expectantly.

“Hi, Anna Sanders here to see Julian… um—” I wasn’t sure if he went by LaSalle anymore or if he’d switched to Kyser.

“I’m sorry?” The young woman arched her brow as if she were suddenly impatient, as if helping visitors wasn’t her job.

“I’m here to see Julian LaSalle or Kyser?”

“Hmm…” She looked down at the calendar on her desk then back up at me. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Kyser has a meeting in ten minutes. If he’s not expecting you, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait.”

“It’s okay,” I said with a sweet smile. “We’re old friends. I’ll just say hello if he has a prior commitment.”

“I’ll let him know you’re here.” Then she used her pen to point past me. “If you’ll just sit over there and wait.”

I definitely did
not
like the new help. Still, I thanked her and walked over to the small sitting area. I’d been in this spot before waiting on his dad. It reminded me of my ride in the elevator with Will, and my nose curled. Not pleasant memories.

Pulling out my phone, I shot him a text.
You’re more guarded than the Queen of England.

My phone buzzed right away.
Are you in the office?

Yes.

At once, a door behind the receptionist’s desk opened, and I looked up to see what could’ve been a younger, slightly darker version of Bill Kyser. He wore gray slacks, a white dress shirt, and even a tie, although it was loose and his top button was open. He was gorgeous.

“Anna?” He smiled, and I had to swallow the butterflies that had swarmed in my stomach and lodged in my throat.
That
had just spent the night with me?

“Hey,” I managed to answer as I walked to where he stood waiting. “I thought you might be hungry.”

He reached out for my arm, escorting me into a large, bright office. It had the same huge windows as Mr. Kyser’s, but broad tables covered in architectural drawings took up the majority of the space. In the back corner was a model of one the Phoenician complexes.

“This is really nice.” I walked to one of the windows and looked out at the crystal blue waves stretching out to the horizon.

“They put me in Mom’s old office.” He came and stood beside me. “It’s better for looking at plans and drawing. Better light.”

I looked up at him. “You’re so official now. Do you like it?”

He did a little laugh and looked away, rubbing his eyebrow with his thumb. “I do.” Those blue eyes cut to me, and I felt a little wobbly inside. “I know, it’s kind of weird, but I really do like it.”

“I don’t think it’s weird at all.” I didn’t tell him his mother had loved it too. Maybe one day she would tell him that, if she hadn’t already. “Are these some of your projects?”

“Yeah, you can take a look.” I set the basket on the floor and walked over to one of the tables. It was all lines and angles. “Most of this is done on the computer now, but I guess I’m a little old school. I visualize better if I start on a canvass. You can see the three-dimensional version on my computer, though. It even shows the building finished.”

He left me to go to his desk, but I stayed by the drawing table. I didn’t understand any of it, but my eyes were caught by a scrap of paper peeking out from one of the plans. It was another of his sheets of doodles, his old brainstorming device. Small, in one of the corners was a girl’s profile he’d sketched. It had crazy-curly hair, and my lips pressed into a smile. It was me, and a hopeful tingle stirred in my stomach.

“Want to see?” He looked up from his large computer, and I walked to where he was leaning over the keyboard, moving the mouse. “It’s something we’re going to propose for down in Jamaica or the Bahamas, similar to a Sandals-type resort. He clicked on various screens. “It’s modeled after an old property Dad visited a while back.”

The computer animation showed the rollout of a tiki-style resort complex, with infinity pools, a golf course, and a spa. Paths and waterfalls running down the natural landscape surrounded it all. I remembered the descriptions of Tengo Sol in his mother’s journal.

“It looks gorgeous.” All of this was amazing and very impressive.

He was so different standing in front of me. He was a businessman now, but at the same time, the loose tie and dark hair pushed behind his ears, the little doodles that helped him think, the sketch of my profile—all of it said he was still the boy I’d fallen in love with.

We were quiet for few moments. I was unsure what to say, but he glanced across the room. “Did you bring a picnic basket?”

“Oh! Yeah.” I walked over and picked it up, carrying it back to his desk. I lifted one side of the lid. “It’s just sandwiches. I threw in some Funyuns and two Cokes. Nothing major.”

“Funyuns?” He shot me a pure Julian lady-killer smile. “You know I can’t resist a Funyun.”

I started to laugh. “They give you bad breath… I’m not sure why I packed them.”

“If I make you eat some, too, you’ll never know.”

We were being so formal. All I wanted to do was pull him to me and kiss him like last night, but a brief rap on his door broke the moment. What happened next stomped on it.

“Come in?” Julian called, and Will sauntered into the room.

“You ready to talk tikis?” He was studying a packet in his hand, but when he looked up and saw me, he lowered it. “I didn’t see you had a visitor. It’s… Anna?”

Was he actually going to pretend he didn’t know me?

“Yes,” Julian straightened. “You remember Anna. She’s just back from London. She did a year abroad with the BBC.”

His lip curled in disgust.
So
not surprising. “And she came
back
?”

“This is where I live, after all.” I answered, not appreciating the third person.

After nine months of covering world news in a foreign country, it was going to take more than Will Kyser to throw me.

“Lucky you.” His dismissive tone was so irritating, I blurted my news without thinking.

“Although they
did
offer me a full-time position if I stayed.” I slid my hand over the handle of the picnic basket as if my announcement was no big deal. “I’d start as a junior reporter in the world news HQ. I’ve got a few weeks to decide.”

The first thing I noticed was Julian’s posture change. He straightened away from his desk, slipping his hands into his back pockets.

The second thing I noticed was a real smile creeping across Will’s face. It made me slightly nauseated. “Well, that
is
good news. I’m sure you’re going to tell them yes. How could you not?”

Somehow it felt like my brag had completely backfired. “I’d have to live in London, and I’m not sure if I want to move there permanently.”

“But you
are
interested in being a journalist. Isn’t that why you were always here talking to my father?” God, I hated Will.

“Yes. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

“Then naturally, working at the BBC would be your dream job. It’s like getting an offer from the
New York Times
, if that lousy rag were still worth anything.”

I couldn’t decide which of his comments angered me more. “Whatever I decide, it’s really none of your business.”

Grasping the handle of the picnic basket, I lifted it off Julian’s desk and moved quickly toward the door. Julian was right behind me.

“Hey, wait a second.” His voice was quiet, and he glanced back at Will before pulling me out into the reception area and closing the door. “I do have a meeting scheduled with him right now. I’m sorry about the picnic.”

“It’s okay. I should’ve checked with you first.” Everything in me felt flustered and mixed up. Stupid Will. He’d said all the things I knew were true in his typical evil fashion. As if my golden opportunity were the best thing to ever happen to him!

“Hey.” He caught my hand, and gave me a little grin. “What’s going on under all those curls?”

It was a question he’d asked me so many times. In the past I’d taken it for granted, but now I thought I might cry. “Your older brother is the worst.”

He laughed, and no Armani suit, fancy office, none of it could change the fact that in that moment, he was still my Julian. “Don’t I know it. Still, he has a few good points—”

“He does not.”

“When it comes to business. You didn’t let me finish.”

“He’s an evil jerk, and I hate him.”

Julian laughed more, and I started to leave again. But he caught my waist. “Can I take you to dinner? Make it up to you?”

My irritation melted away. “Sure. I’d love that.”

He released me and turned to the door. “I’ll pick you up at your parents house. Seven?”

I nodded, and he disappeared into his office. I stood for a moment staring at the closed door. All my emotions were a conflicted mess in my chest. I wished he would’ve kissed me just then. In the past, it seemed he was always stealing kisses.

Taking a deep breath, I turned slowly into an annoyed glare coming from the little blonde behind the desk. A light bulb went on over my head, and I realized she had a crush on him. Of course she did! Who wouldn’t?

“Thanks again,” I said, giving her a sweet smile. Then I headed for the elevator.

Anna’s Private Blog: Moment of Weakness

Mom was thrilled when I told her Julian was picking me up for dinner. I wished I’d asked for more information before I stormed out of his office in a twist. Standing in front of my closet, I had no idea whether to go formal or casual…

A year ago, I’d have grabbed jeans and a tank or a light summer dress. Now he had an office. He wore expensive suits, and I assumed he was paid very well. It was strange not to know how to dress for a date with Julian.

I’m standing in front of my closet clueless.
I texted him.

Are you searching for treasure?

I’m searching for clothes. Where are we going?

Cosmo’s? Or if you like, Cobalt catered Lucy’s wedding. You pick.

Chewing my lip, I thought about the two upscale restaurants on East End Beach. I’d never been to either.
Cosmo’s sounds good.

You didn’t like the food at Lucy’s wedding?

I snorted a laugh.
You saw me eating it.

You’re right. We need our own place. Cosmo’s it is. On my way.

For a moment, I stared at my phone face reading the words “our own place” over and over. That sounded very promising. Then I realized if he were on his way, he’d be here in less than twenty minutes. Snatching a red dress off one of my hangers, I dashed across the hall to finish my hair and makeup.

I was just stepping into my tan wedge heels when I heard voices downstairs.

“It has been too long since we’ve seen you.” My mom’s voice was animated as always talking to Julian. “When was the last time? Lucy’s wedding?”

“I think it was.” Julian’s voice was noticeably less flirty than it used to be. I kind of hated that, but with a sigh, I realized it meant we were growing up.