Second Chance for Romance

Chapter 7

I skipped my last class and drove to Atlanta on Friday—drove instead of flew because I wanted more freedom once I arrived. My parents were out, but Erin greeted me in the kitchen.

“Hello, big brother. And I do mean big.”

“Is that all you ever think about?”

She grinned and opened the refrigerator. “Want a Coke?”

“No thanks. I’m kinda hungry, though. I skipped lunch. We have any apples?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Cantaloupe?”

“Nope.”

“Carrots?”

She gave me a quizzical look. “Are you on a health kick?”

“Oh my God, I’m turning into her!”

“Who?”

“Never mind.”

“Whatever. The rehearsal starts at six thirty. They said we can tour the house if we get there early. So we need to leave here by five.”

“We?”

“I’m your date. Unless you have other plans.”

“Um… I was kinda hoping…”

“To spend time with Gina? Don’t worry, I won’t cramp your style.” She turned coy. “Leah said she asked about you.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah,” she said with a laugh. “I think she’s actually a bit annoyed.”

I frowned. “Gina?”

“You’re such a dweeb sometimes. Leah.”

“What about her?”

“She’s annoyed. God, you really are slow on the uptake.” She popped the top on the Coke and took a sip. “Anyway… Mom wanted me to tell you that Susan’s flight arrives about eight. She’ll be staying in the guest bedroom.”

“Susan’s coming too?”

Erin shook her head sadly. “Let me know if your clue ever shows up.”

She turned to go. “I’ll be ready at five.”

I showered and shaved, and then shaved again, just to be sure. I told myself not to expect anything with Gina. We were friends now. She probably had a boyfriend, and I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend. Right?

“Right,” I told the mirror. “We’re just friends.”

Even my reflection didn’t believe it.

“Yeah, well… what d’you know?” I jumped at a knock.

“Let’s go,” Erin said through the door. “Need to leave in five minutes.”

“I’m coming.”

“You’ve been in there half an hour. I swear, you take longer than a girl.”

“I’ll be right there! God, Erin. Gimme a break.”

“Whatever. I’ll be in the kitchen… waiting patiently.”

“Or not,” I muttered.

I dressed in a hurry and returned to my bedroom to change ties at the last minute. I’d brought four, along with three different dress shirts.

Erin appeared in the doorway. “You are worse than a girl. Here, let me see.” She reached for the ties and gave them a quick look. “This one. And the pink shirt.”

She held them for me while I took off the ones I was wearing. She handed me the new shirt and returned the first one to the hanger.

“You’re turning into Mom,” I told her as I buttoned my cuffs. “You know that, right?”

“Oh, gag me with a spoon!”

I laughed.

She reached up to adjust my tie. She was wearing a midnight blue dress with a radiant pattern of silver sequins on the left shoulder. I thought of Christy and all her outfits.

“You look nice,” I said.

She patted my chest. “Thanks. So do you. Now, put on your coat and let’s go already. We’re late.”

“Yes, dear.”

Gina was standing with a group at the edge of the parking lot. She wore a lavender wraparound dress that made her look slimmer than I remembered.

Her hair fell in soft, black waves around her shoulders. It was longer than I remembered too.

“Come on, Romeo,” Erin said.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Just try to be cool.”

Leah glanced our way. She smiled but then looked at Gina, who hadn’t seen us yet.

I felt a moment of guilt as I watched Leah’s expression. Part of me wondered if I shouldn’t be trying to win her back instead of Gina. I couldn’t do that to Mark, though. He was a good guy.

Gina turned at our approach. Her expression lit up.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey!” She gave me a hug. “How’re you?”

“Good. You?”

“A little tired from staying up too late,” she said, “but I’ll survive.”

“Well, you look great.”

“It’s the clean living in California,” a young woman said. She had a Scottish accent and looked like a bustier version of Kara, only with curly hair.

“My cousin Tessa,” Gina said with a smile.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“And you,” she said. “Gina’s told us all about you.”

Erin went to stand by Leah. She reached down and squeezed her hand.

They shared a look, and Leah smiled.

Gina missed the whole exchange. She moved to my side and introduced the rest of the small group: Tessa’s younger brother, about my age; Victor’s brother and his girlfriend; plus a Coulter cousin and girlfriend, both from Virginia.

“I thought Stacy and Jason were supposed to be here,” I said. “Sydney and Woody too.”

“They decided to skip the house tour.”

“The lads are still worn out,” Tessa said. “From the stag party.”

“Ah.” Very witty. I looked around. “So… is this all of us? Are we ready for the tour?”

“There isn’t a guide,” Leah said, “but they gave us tickets. Here. I have them.”

“Shall we go up then?” Tessa suggested.

We made small talk as we walked to the house. Then we turned into the gate, and I pulled up short.

“What is it?” Gina said.

I’d heard about the Swan House but never seen it, even though I’d grown up less than a dozen miles away.

“Are you all right?” Tessa asked.

“He’s a total nerd about architecture,” Erin said.

Leah elbowed her in the side.

“Wow,” I said at last. “It’s beautiful.”

“If you like that sort of thing,” Tessa’s brother said.

I managed not to scowl at him.

Gina smiled patiently and took my hand. “Let’s go see.”

“Philistine,” I muttered.

“Be nice,” she whispered back.

We climbed the steps of the formal garden terrace. I marveled at the house and absorbed hundreds of little details that my brain barely registered.

Inside, I felt like I’d stepped into architectural nirvana.

The others? Not so much.

Tessa’s brother and the Virginia couple were bored in less than five minutes. They started talking about Atlanta nightlife.

“Just ignore them,” Gina told me quietly.

The others seemed to enjoy it more, but even they were ready to leave after a cursory tour.

“Go on down to the garden,” Gina told them. “We’ll catch up with you.”

“All right. Have fun,” Tessa said.

“Thanks. See you in a bit.”

“Cheerio.”

I thanked Gina when they’d gone.

“My pleasure. I like seeing things through your eyes. You really love it, don’t you?”

“What’s not to love? I mean, look at this floor! See how the architect’s hidden the air vents in the pattern with the dark marble? And here, this staircase is gorgeous. It’s practically floating.”

We strolled through the rooms again, and I soaked up the mansion’s ambiance. I could’ve spent hours just on the main level, but Gina eventually looked at her watch and squeezed my hand.

“Yeah, I know,” I said. “Time to go.”

“Sorry.”

“That’s okay. It’s all up here.” I tapped my temple. “I’ll draw it later, while it’s still fresh.”

“Tonight?”

“No. I… um… was hoping…”

Her dark eyebrows twitched in amusement. “Oh you were?”

“Not that,” I said quickly. “I was hoping to spend some time with you.”

“I know,” she said with a laugh. “Me too.” She hugged my arm, and I was acutely aware of the swell of her breast. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Good. But we’d better hurry. Kara will kill me if we’re late.”