Barely Breathing (3 page)

“I can’t wait to see this,” Sara smirked.

We found a lounge set in a corner away from the stifling conversations, and immersed ourselves in the details of Evan and Jared’s skiing trip in France.

“Oh, Em, did you tell Evan about the news?” Sara burst out. It took me a moment to remember what she was talking about, hoping she wasn’t about to ruin the surprise I had wrapped in the box.

“No,” I said slowly, then remembered with a slight nod. “Oh, I’m moving in with my mother this weekend,” I confessed casually, like I just announced I was buying a new pair of shoes.

Jared had no idea why this was big news, but Evan narrowed his eyes. “You’re doing what?” he asked.

"Your mother’s looking for you," Stuart interrupted from behind us. Evan turned around to view Vivian scanning the crowd. She raised her hand when she located him.

"I’ll be right back," Evan announced, rising to escort his mother to the dance floor. I turned toward Sara, but she and Jared were already making their way through the crowd, not wanting to miss the spectacle. I was left alone in Stuart’s shadow.

Feeling I couldn’t just walk away without appearing completely rude, I fumbled with something intelligent to say. Instead I said, “This is quite the party, huh?”

He peered down at me as if I’d spoken in a foreign tongue, shook his head slightly and walked away.

“Okay then,” I mouthed, glancing around to see if anyone had witnessed my humiliation. I pin-balled my way through the crowd to the ballroom. The dance floor was full of couples, but one couple stood out amongst them. They floated around with ease and grace to the cool rhythms of the Sinatra song sung by a lanky crooner.

“Omigod,” Sara gasped next to me with a glass of champagne in her hand. “They can really
dance
.” My mouth popped open at the sight of Evan leading Vivian in a perfect stance, cradling her hand in his. Her eyes sparkled as they twirled around the dance floor, their feet in perfect unison.

“Told you,” Jared interjected. “Kinda scary good, right?”

“Very,” I floundered, finding that there were way too many things about Evan I still didn’t know.

The song concluded, and there was an overwhelming burst of applause. Evan appeared uncomfortable, while Vivian smiled brightly. At that moment a woman with short white hair in a long sleeved black dress stepped up to the mic. Stuart joined Vivian, and Evan spotted the three of us on the opposite side of the dance floor.

“Wow,” I admired when he slid his arm around my waist. He shrugged abashedly and redirected his attention to the speaker.

The woman went on to recognize Vivian’s philanthropic accomplishments over the years, acknowledging her success and dedication to each cause and organization. She’d invested not only time, but her passion. I listened intently, completely astounded by all that Vivian had done. The presentation concluded with a roar of applause, and the white haired woman handed Vivian an award made of crystal with a kiss on her cheek.

The music picked up again, and we met Vivian, along with every other person in the audience, congratulating her affectionately. Evan hugged his mother, followed by Jared and Sara. I went to congratulate her as well. She wrapped her arms around me tighter and longer than she’d ever done before and whispered into my ear, “I’m so glad you’re here with us.”

My eyes watered instantly, understanding the intended meaning of her words. She released me and was pulled in another direction, with more words of praise.

Evan took my hand and led me away from the crowd. I was still caught up in the moment, my head buzzing with emotion.

“Let’s get out of here,” Evan said in my ear.

“What? You want to leave?” I searched his face, baffled by his request.

“Yeah. I want to show you something.”

“Okay,” I responded, still so very confused. We retrieved our coats, and Evan escorted me out the door without saying good-bye to anyone.

2. Fireworks

Evan led me down the long driveway lined with limousines and town cars. We approached the parking lot, and I recognized Evan’s BMW.

“When did your car get here?” I asked suspiciously.

“I drove it here earlier,” he shared with a crooked grin. That’s when I realized this was part of his plan, the
surprise
he referenced when we left the hotel.

He opened the passenger-side door and pulled out a backpack. He unzipped it and handed me a pair of sneakers. I eyed him apprehensively, recognizing the shoes that were supposed to be at Sara’s―which meant Sara was in on this too.

“I figured they would be more comfortable than the heels,” he explained, tossing his black dress shoes on the floor of the car, along with his tux jacket and tie, and lacing up a pair of sneakers. I sat on the passenger seat, switching out my shoes.

I had tried to figure out his plans in the past with little success, so I learned just to go along with them without too many questions―unless he walked us to the edge of a cliff and asked me to jump. Then I would have something to say.

Evan found my hand again, and we continued toward the cobblestoned street lined with lanterns. My shoulder brushed against him as we walked with the crisp air swirling around us. The sky was clear, allowing the full moon to follow us like a spotlight.

We hadn’t walked very far when Evan pulled me between two hedges that lined the bordering property.

“Evan, where are we going?” I demanded in a panic, fearing we were trespassing and about to get caught.

“They’re not home,” he assured me, our feet crunching in the glistening layer of untouched snow. I looked up to find a tall mansion with dramatic peaks. The windows were dark.

“But I’m sure they have an alarm system or something,” I argued, looking around nervously, anticipating the arrival of flashing lights. I continued after him, faltering on the collapsing surface. I was forced to lift my layers out of the ankle deep snow to keep from tripping.

“Stop worrying,” he laughed, supporting me by my elbow. “My mother knows the people who live here and even invited them to the party tonight. They’re in Brazil. I spoke with them myself about what I wanted to do, and they couldn’t care less. We’re not going in their house or anything.”

“Really?” I questioned, slightly doubtful.

“Really,” Evan confirmed again with a smile. “Trust me.”

We walked beneath the long shadows of the mansion to the back terrace. I stopped in my tracks at the sight of a flickering light. “I thought you said no one was home.”

Evan laughed again, amused by my overly panicked state. “They’re
not
. This is for us. I paid the limo driver to start the fire and bring over our bags.”

“Oh.”

It was a charming setting, with two Adirondack chairs set before a fireplace on the stone terrace, sheltered by an overhang. A portable Bose system and my gift were set on a small table off to the side. “I like this," I beamed up at him.

We walked over to the small fireplace and stood in front of the crackling fire, absorbing its warmth. Evan stepped behind me and slid his arms around my waist, holding me against him. I turned to face him with a ridiculous smile spread across my face. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Evan bent down to find me. His nose was cold against my cheek, but his breath on my lips instantly warmed my entire body. He pressed his firm mouth softly against mine, and lingered there just long enough for me to lose my breath before pulling away. My eyes remained closed, savoring the buzz on my lips.

“I’m glad you came tonight,” he said, hovering inches away. “I know it was hard for you. But it meant a lot to my mother.”

“I’m glad I came too. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss hearing all that was said about Vivian. She’s amazing; I had no idea.”

Evan leaned over and kissed me, running his hand down the side of my face.

“Do you want your present?” Evan asked when he pulled back. I began to smile, but faltered. Confusion flashed across his face. “You don’t?”

All I could hear were Stuart Mathews’ disapproving words, and I wasn’t so sure I was excited to give him my gift any longer. “Can we wait?” I requested awkwardly.

“Uh, no,” Evan responded with his brows pulled together, retrieving the small rectangular box from the table. “But, you can open yours first if it makes you feel better.”

I took it from his hands nervously.

“Go on, open it,” he encouraged impatiently. I tore the silver paper to find a long rectangular box that looked expensive. I held my breath when I opened it. A gleaming smile spread across my face when I pulled out two concert tickets.

“Evan!” I jumped up to wrap my arms around his neck. “Yes! This is the perfect gift. Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” Evan replied, hugging me back. “I wanted to be the one to take you to your first concert.”

“When is it?” I inspected the ticket for the date. “The end of the month. Great. I won’t have to wait too long.”

“I almost bought a third one for Sara because I know how much she loves the band, but I decided this was just for us.”

I laughed, already hearing Sara’s groan in my head when I showed her the tickets to the sold out show she’d been dying to see.

I put the tickets back in the box and tucked it into the inside pocket of my coat. Evan looked at me in anticipation. I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to make up some reason not to give him his gift―but I knew I had to.

“So, I hope you like it.” I removed the shiny green wrapped box from the bag and handed it to him, holding my breath as he opened it. He took off the lid and looked from what was inside to me, then back down again.

“Does this mean?" His eyes lit up and his mouth curled into a stunning smile as he set the box on the chair. Despite my reservations, I couldn’t help but smile back―his excitement was too contagious. “You got in!” He swept his arms around my waist and picked me up. I yelled out in surprise, laughing. “Em, I’m so happy for you.” He kissed and hugged me again.

“When did you find out?” Evan couldn’t stop smiling.

“Ten days ago,” I shared as he set me back on the ground.

“Wow. That must have been hard not to tell anyone,” he admired, knowing how much I'd wanted this. “Stanford. You totally deserve this. You didn’t even tell me that you applied for early admission.”

I averted my eyes sheepishly. “It was hard. But I did tell Sara―sorry.”

“When I said
anyone
, I didn’t count her. She’s a given.” The excitement continued to seep in. “Now I just have to find out which school accepts me so I can join you.”

My smile faltered again.

“What?” Evan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

I opened my mouth to speak, but then immediately closed it.

“Say it,” he demanded. “Let me in that head of yours before you start thinking things you shouldn’t.”

“Too late,” I confessed with a guilty shrug. I paused again before I revealed, “I heard your dad.” Evan opened his mouth, about to spew some not so happy words, when I interrupted, “He’s right.”

He stopped and stared at me. “About what?”

“You can’t make one of the biggest decisions of your life based on a girl.”

Evan smirked. Not the reaction I expected. “Okay.” My eyes widened at his casual response. He continued to wear his infamous amused grin as he added, “Because Stanford and Berkeley are
horrible
schools, and I’d be jeopardizing my whole future if I went to California. You're right. We should just break up now since there’s no point in us considering each other in any decisions we make about our futures.”

“Evan!” I balled up the wrapping paper and threw it at him. He laughed and batted it into the fire as if he’d planned it. “That’s not what I meant,” I huffed.

“I know,” he chuckled, pulling me toward him, “but you can’t listen to my father. He only
thinks
he knows what’s best for me, when in fact he has no idea who I am.” He kissed the top of my head and added, “I would never make such a huge decision based on a girl.” He paused long enough for a jolt of panic to make my back tense, before completing with, “but you’re not just any girl. I’m…
We’re
going to California.”

I buried my face in his chest and squeezed my arms around him. “Yale’s the best law school in the country,” I rebutted without conviction.

“And who said I wanted to be a lawyer,” he responded, squeezing me back. Suddenly, he pulled away and declared, “I want to teach you how to dance.”

My heart stopped. “You what?”

Evan laughed.

“I can’t dance.”

He laughed again. “I know. That’s why I’m going to teach you.”

I groaned and clenched my teeth in dread as he approached the Bose system. I was trying to figure out how to conjure up an ounce of grace as he inserted his iPhone and scrolled through the song selections. I scanned the empty terrace, scouting for potential tripping hazards. Then I took in the puddle of chiffon around my sneakers and exhaled in defeat―this was going to be a disaster.

My head popped up at the sudden strum of a guitar followed by a round of drums. Evan started nodding his head to the beat, walking slowly over to me. He reached for me, cradling my hips in his hands and rocking me to the punk song.

“Ready?” he asked, taking my hand and spinning me around as I laughed. When I turned back to face him, he started bouncing up and down, forcing me up with him. The thumping energy surged through me and I found myself jumping alongside him. He smiled in approval and proceeded to thrust his head in time with the thrashing bass. I rocked from side to side and jumped in a circle, swinging my arms―my skirt swirling around me.

We po-goed around the terrace for another song until I finally collapsed in an Adirondack, giddy and out of breath.

“You’re amazing.”

Evan stood in front of me, admiring me with flushed cheeks.

“I’m sure I don’t look so amazing now,” I noted, blowing the strand of hair stuck to my nose as a line sweat ran down my temple.

“That’s not what I said,” he corrected. “You
are
amazing.”

I could feel my cheeks changing color, and my lips stretched into an embarrassed smile. “What did I do?”