33. Reese
33
REESE
Once my engineering project is turned in, I am free. I won’t have to look at geographic information systems for the next four weeks. Raster data is no longer something I must think about until the spring semester starts. Winter break is finally underway.
Dragging my feet out of the Science Building, I come to a complete stop when I spot a familiar cherry-red Mustang parked by the entrance.
Even though I’m bone-weary from back-to-back all-nighters, I perk up. “What are you doing here?”
Unlike me, Dane has been done with finals since Monday. Instead of working on his cars, he’d been helping me study for my physics and calculus exams at his apartment. It’s a shame he’s not considering mechanical engineering. He knows more than he lets on.
“My Reese’s Pieces is finally done,” he says, “and we’re celebrating.”
“Aren’t you done, too?” I climb into the passenger side and brush my lips against his cheek, bursting into laughter when he turns his head and captures them in a searing kiss.
“Eh. Only one of us put in any effort.” He pulls away, and I refrain from sighing. There’s no use debating with him over this. Maybe he’s not as studious as I am, but he has cracked his textbooks open a few times and pored over his slides. An attempt is better than nothing.
“Since you’re here, I have your actual Christmas gift back at my place.”
It’s a professionally printed and framed picture I’d taken of his Mustang parked at the beach, with the streaky sherbet sky in the background. It was the only thing I could think of that was thoughtful and not too cheesy. Also, his apartment could use a splash of color. It’s so drab and depressingly vacant.
“I have a gift for you, too.” He pats his groin area before I can utter a single word.
My eyes narrow. “Do I even want to know what it is?” I ask dryly, and his grin turns devious.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Reese.” This time, he thumps his thigh. I’m not sure what to guess from that, and I don’t think I want to know.
“So,” I hedge, averting my attention to the passenger side window. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” comes his response.
Biting my inner cheek, I mull it over. “Go-karts again?”
He chuckles. “Passing the written test turned you into a speed demon?”
“Ha. Good one.” Unlike Dane, I wholeheartedly believe in driving at the posted limit. Mostly because I’m terrified at the idea of crashing one of his cars. I know how precious they are to him. I don’t want to be the reason why he loses any single one of them.
Since I’m running on fumes, I drain the remaining coffee from my thermos, then watch him drive.
He’s so casually confident every time he’s behind the wheel. His mouth is pulled into an easy smile and sends a buzz of awareness to my chest. I love his smiles. All of them. I like when he doesn’t look so broody all the time, as if he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I snap a photo of him while he’s running his fingers through his hair.
His grin broadens. “For your spank bank?”
“Yup. My spank bank needs new material,” I deadpan, the edge of my lips curling as I observe the picture and save it to my private album. It was created in case Lilian snoops through my cell.
We would never do that to each other, but still. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
The last thing I want is to risk any chance of her finding out about him and freaking out on me. Some selfish part of me wishes she’d give him a chance. Or at least trust my judgment.
Just then, my stomach twists into a knot. With a defeated sigh, I force myself to think about something other than her. Now’s not the time to bum myself out.
Soon, pine and palm trees pass by in a blur as he guns it and expertly weaves through traffic. When he takes an exit, I still don’t know where we’re going. We’re in a city I’ve never even heard of.
However, it’s not hard to figure out whether this area is wealthy. It practically oozes wealth. Pristine boutiques display luxury goods in their windows. The sidewalks are spotless and practically glittering. Trees and flowers are neatly manicured and maintained.
While I’m certain my sister would love it here, I’ve never felt more out of place in the secondhand sweater I’ve had since the seventh grade and well-worn jeans.
Abruptly, he pulls into the first parking spot that he stumbles across. Unless he took me here for salvaged driftwood furniture or designer handbags, the confectionery shop is probably what he had in mind for our little date.
“Did we come here for chocolate?” I ask incredulously.
“I go here every year,” he explains as he climbs out of his car.
“Didn’t know you have a sweet tooth,” I murmur while I reluctantly exit the Mustang and follow him through the door.
Inside, a sweet fragrance lingers in the air. Ornate decorations hang from the ceiling. Black and white portraits of celebrities who’ve visited the candy shop neatly line the walls. Carved wood displays are strewn purposely across the store, boasting countless truffles in various flavors.
I sneak a peek at a price tag, and my soul shrivels up at the amount printed in a loopy script. A lollipop should not cost that much money.
Roaming around aimlessly seems like the only thing I can afford in here. While I browse the seasonal confectioneries, I read the names of actors and musicians. I don’t recognize most of the faces.
Dane sidles over to me and picks up a box of artisanal chocolates wrapped in glittery foil. “You want anything?”
“I’m good.” I shake my head immediately when he grabs another and points it at me. “You don’t have to.”
“Eh. I won’t be back here ’til next year.” He wanders off, and I release a quiet sigh.
Redirecting my attention to the wall, I continue to scan the autographed pictures. One thing I’ve noticed so far is the transition of fashion styles over the decades as I venture deeper into the shop. The hair . Wow .
A photograph from seventeen years ago snares my attention. Standing fully in the frame, a gorgeous woman with a light- colored bob and a brilliant smile poses by the register with two employees. Finally, someone I recognize.
Katherine Ellis, an English actress who starred in this epic romantic drama I adored and watched multiple times as a kid. It was the last film she starred in before she retired and stepped away from the limelight.
She looks a little bit older here. It must have been taken a few years before she passed away, though. Lilian gently broke the news of her untimely death to me, and Mom’s boyfriend thought it was funny how devastated I was over the news.
My heart gives a little twist when my focus shifts to the toddler on her hip. I can’t even imagine how her passing must have affected him. Wait.
With my pulse thrumming in my ears, I stretch on my toes and lean in for a better look. He has chubby cheeks, and his grin for the camera is wide and crooked and familiar. Oh my God. Is that ?—
“Reese!” Dane hollers, and I glance over my shoulder to see him motioning for me from the register. “Did you find something?”
“No, I’m fine.” I take one last glance at the photo before I make my way over to him. He immediately hooks his arm around my waist, pulling me flush to his side. I want to take another peek so badly when he points to a pile of handcrafted peanut butter cups.
“I bet they’re not as tasty as you.”
A loud snort escapes me, then I erupt into a peal of laughter when he ducks his head and nips at my ear. “ Behave .”
In response, he squeezes my hip and then pays for his purchase. I try not to balk at the digits flashing on the tablet.
As we move away from the register, he pushes the bag into my hand. “For you.”
“Me?” I gawp at him. “I can’t accept this?—”
“Sure you can.” He folds my fingers over the handle and offers me a smirk. “See?”
Before I can respond, he’s already heading toward the exit. Swallowing hard, I peer at the crowded shop once more and scramble after him.