Flirting with Boys (16 page)

C
eleste pulled away from the curb, her headlights cutting a long white beam into the descending desert evening. She had to find Nick. She had to tell him—what? That she was sorry, first of all. And…she'd figure the rest out later. Maybe she'd know what to say when she saw him. But she had to see him.

Back at the resort, Celeste let herself into the quiet office. She flicked on one of the computers. While it booted up, she stared into the falling shadows, thinking of Nick's face that morning. His blue eyes had been so sad. The computer beeped and she quickly drew up the master guest list. Sanderson, Sanstein, Saunders. Thirty-two Waterwood Court. She plugged the address into
Google, grabbed the directions from the printer, and turned off the computer.

As she got up to leave, she heard the office door open behind her.

“Celeste…” Travis's voice was pleading as she turned to face him. “I—”

“Stop.” She cut him off. Storming past him into the darkened lobby, Celeste realized that she had to deal with this. Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep her anger from boiling over.

Seizing on her pause, Travis stepped forward and put his hand on the small of her back. “Celeste, I'm so—”

“No, Travis. You don't get to talk.” Celeste spun around to face him. “You don't get to try to make this better. Because this isn't about the prank. Or even about letting Nick, who happens to be the son of my parents' very best clients, take the fall for you.” She could feel her momentum building. Travis dropped his hand to his side and Celeste stood up straighter.

“This is about me, and my family, and our business. You knew exactly how important this festival was to us. But, just like you did all summer, you completely disregarded my feelings. I begged you—begged—to leave Nick alone, to give me a break, to trust me and let me do what was best for my family. And you ignored every word. I can't be with someone like that. So don't apologize. Just go.”

Travis's jaw had dropped slightly, but he closed his mouth and collected himself. “Look, I'm sorry I got so jealous. I just couldn't stand the way he looked at you all the time. It made me crazy.”

Celeste laughed. “Wow. Again, my very simple request gets ignored. I understand being jealous once, but after I assured you that it was
you
I wanted to be with? That's called trusting your girlfriend, Travis. And maybe not doing exactly what you felt like doing exactly when you felt like doing it. For once. So how about, for the first time in our relationship, you just listen to me? Please. Leave.”

Travis didn't move. Rather than waste another moment, she walked past him to the door leading outside. Pushing it open, she paused and turned her head back.

“Just so we're clear, Travis,” she said calmly. “We're very, very over. Good luck in college.” With that, she stepped into the desert night.

Once she was back in the car, Celeste floored the accelerator. Now that she knew the truth, she couldn't stand to let Nick think she blamed him. And Travis…Celeste shook her head. She'd figure out what to do about him later. Right now, she needed to focus on Nick.

The two-hour drive to the coast seemed like ten. Even though she drove seventy the whole way, Celeste felt like the exits were creeping by. Finally, the orange night glow of L.A. shone ahead of her, like some sort of
apocalypse on the horizon. She slowed down as the suburbs started flashing by and consulted her directions. Right on Route 25. Straight for five miles, then left on Wilton Boulevard. Celeste peered through the windshield. The street sign for Waterwood loomed on her right. She turned. Her heart was pounding and her hands were sweaty on the steering wheel.

Nick's house—or mansion, Celeste noted—stood at the top of a little hill, the broad green lawn sweeping up to wide terrace in front, circled by the smoothly paved driveway. The black Mercedes was parked in the driveway. The house windows were dark. Celeste parked at the curb and cut the motor. She could feel the adrenaline that had fueled her through the ride slowly evaporating. What was she going to do now—ring the doorbell and explain to Mr. Saunders why she was showing up at his house at almost midnight, wearing nothing but a sundress and a black bikini? Somehow, she didn't think that would go over too well. Just then, the sweep of headlights across her windshield almost blinded her. A car was turning up the Saunderses' driveway. Celeste leaned forward, alert again. In the reflection from the porch light, she could see it was the Alfa Romeo. As she watched, the headlights went off and a moment later, a lean, shadowy figure emerged.

Celeste leaped from the Civic. “Nick!” she shout-whispered across the lawn. He didn't hear her. He pocketed a set of keys and started toward the front door.
Celeste sprinted across the grass. “Nick!” she whispered again. This time, he turned around.

“Celeste?” he said. She ran up, tripping and almost falling against him. He caught her by the arms. “What are you doing here?” His blond hair shone under in the dim light and his eyes were deep in their sockets. His cheekbones stood out sharply in his tanned face.

Celeste's breath caught as she looked at him. “I know you didn't do it,” she whispered.

He released her arms. “What are you talking about?”

“The festival! I know you didn't pull the prank or get Travis drunk.” The words tumbled out of her mouth, almost falling over each other.

Nick stared at her, a flush rising in his cheeks. “You know?”

“That's why I drove all the way out tonight. I had to tell you that…” Celeste paused. His gaze was locked onto hers. “That I'm sorry about everything. I didn't know. I thought you were just trying to get in between me and Travis.”

Nick shook his head. “I just couldn't stand seeing you get in trouble because of that jerk—” He stopped suddenly and bit his lip.

Celeste reached out and touched his hand. “Look, I'm so sorry that my stupid boyf—” She caught herself. “
Ex
-boyfriend cost you your big break.” She broke off. Nick was leaning toward her intensely. “What?”

He shook his head as if to clear it. “I'm sorry—did you say
ex-boyfriend
?”

Celeste thought a minute. “Yeah, I did,” she said slowly. “Travis is now officially my ex. I do kind of regret not getting to slam a door in his face or anything. Maybe I can work that in at some point.”

“That's a good idea,” Nick said softly. His gaze was too intense. Celeste tried to look away, but he caught her chin gently in his hand. “I'm glad you're here. We can…go somewhere.” He gestured at the dark, empty street and Celeste giggled in spite of herself. Nick smiled ruefully. “Okay, well, maybe in the morning we can go somewhere.” He slid his hands up the backs of her arms and she shivered a little. “Cold?” he asked, his breath on her cheek.

Celeste shook her head. She didn't trust herself to say anything. She kept her eyes on Nick's as he pulled her against him and lowered his head. His lips were warm and firm when he kissed her. She drew back after a long moment.

“I think you've gotten better at this since last summer,” she teased. He grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. He pulled her in close. She could feel the muscles of his chest pressing against her.

“Well, I've been practicing,” he told her, flashing the old Nick grin.

“Hey!” She punched him lightly on the arm.

“All because I was waiting for you,” he amended, the
grin still lingering around the corners of his mouth. He kissed her again, long and firm.

Celeste didn't know how long they stood together under the porch light, their arms entwined around each other, his blond head bent over hers, but it felt like they were making up for lost time—a whole summer's worth.

Cover art © 2009 Getty Images

Cover design by Jennifer Rozbruch