Elemental Reality (5 page)

8

Sweets and Such

At the foot of the staircase, I stopped abruptly and listened to the unfamiliar laughter that rang out from the kitchen. So many memories of laughter shared in that kitchen long ago rushed back to me. When Ady, Emery, and I first became inseparable, their moms would gossip with mine as we played. Every weekend we went to a different house to have a big dinner. The laughter never ceased . . . until Mom left. Though we continued with our normal traditions after the fact, it wasn’t the same—Dad wasn’t the same. Slowly the traditions stopped. Dad would get the occasional call to see how he was holding up, but the laughter died.

The current laughter broke into my reverie, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt because Mom wasn’t here to join in. It felt wrong laughing without her.

“Don’t crack a fat, mate.” The heavenly Australian accent wafted around me and danced in my ears.

Oli. I sighed and an instant smile spread across my face. I peeked over the banister like a little kid and into the kitchen. His back was to me with arms crossed over his chest. He wore a long-sleeved, white thermal shirt and a pair of grey washed jeans. Wanting to eavesdrop, I leaned over the banister a little more, which caused the step to creak under my feet. There must be a pact with construction workers around the world that one step per staircase must creak. I held my breath, hoping no one heard it, or hoping they’d ignored it if they did, but Oli turned. His emerald eyes landed on me, and one side of his mouth pulled into a crooked grin.

“G’day, Kitten,” he said.

My stomach went all floppy. “Hey.” The word barely escaped before all eyes focused on me. Staring. What was I, a circus freak? My hands brushed down my clothes, making sure all important parts were covered.

“What are you doing?” Lola asked, grinning.

“Um . . . my, uh . . . I . . . dropped something?”

“Riiight. Well, come in so we can eat.”

I rounded the banister too fast, forgetting I had on heels, and stumbled into our half-circle credenza. The wide-eyed looks on everyone’s faces brought a flush to my cheeks. I laughed, awkward and nervous. Way to make an impression.

“Stop by tomorrow to see my other classic dance moves,” I said. There were a few chuckles and the conversation picked back up.

Could I be any more awkward? I should have rode in on a freaking unicycle. I continued my treacherous journey into the kitchen, watching my feet and mumbling to them about staying on course since they seemed to have other plans for me.

A tingling sensation crept up my spine. I stopped in my tracks, and my eyes rose to meet Lola’s; she stared at me, frowning. Probably trying to determine whether or not I needed a straitjacket and a rainbow of “Pams,” which is what I called the mind-altering drugs. Diazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam. Might as well throw lithium in there too. I shrugged. She continued our wordless conversation with an “are-you-insane?” stare. I narrowed my eyes and stuck out my tongue like the mature person I was. She averted her eyes to the left, and I watched them grow wide as she briskly jerked her head toward Oli. He was checking me out. His eyes roved up and down, his expression different than it was the night before. He appreciated me, and the attention made me feel beautiful.

I blushed when our eyes met, and his earnest smile was disarming. My eyes never left his as I strode forward, the
tap-tap
of my heels the only sound. When I reached him, he leaned down to me, his breath a wonderful caress on my ear.

“You look gorgeous, Kitten,” he whispered.

“Thank you. And I like Kitten much better than Calico. So thank you for not torturing me with that dreadful nickname,” I said as I turned away bashfully. “What were you guys talking about before I came down?”

“Oli was just telling us about Australia. He may have mentioned something about a secluded nude beach, and Emery got a bit too excited,” Ady said and glared at Emery.

“Oh. Is that why you said ‘don’t crack a fat, mate’? What does that mean anyway?” I had a sneaking suspicion I knew exactly what it meant but wanted to make sure.

“Well, it’s something that happens to a bloke when he gets aroused.” He shrugged, as if this conversation wasn’t the least bit unusual or awkward.

It was dead silent for about point five seconds before everyone busted out in hysterical laughter.

“That is the best thing I’ve ever heard,” Emery said as he wiped imaginary tears from his eyes. “I have to start using that.”

“Can we please eat?” Lola whined. “I have places to go and people to meet. Not to mention finding a new birthday present since Callie took mine and won’t share. She’s such a minx.”

Dad placed two sushi boats on the island and grabbed plates and chopsticks. We dug in. I was just about to put a roll in my mouth when Oli’s hand nudged my thigh. I turned to him.

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner,” he said quietly.

Over his shoulder Lola winked. “You’re welcome.” I smiled.

“Where are you two going tonight?” Dad asked, pointing his chopsticks at us.

“I’m taking her to Chocolate Dichotomy,” Oli said.

“Their homemade hot chocolate tastes like it was sent from heaven,” Ady said. Emery nodded in agreement.

Chocolate Dichotomy was a place I had wanted to go in numerous times. I always stopped myself because it was more like an intimate setting rather than a place you walk in alone.

“Oh Callie, you’re going to love it,” Ady crooned. “They sell these amazing chocolate covered coffee beans. Do you think you can buy me two pounds of them?”

“Make that three,” Emery added.

“Sure thing.” I made a mental note to try some when I got there.

Lola became antsy the later it became. “Presents and singing later,” she demanded. “Cake now.” She’d gone all cavewoman—she did that sometimes. Lucky for me, her impatience made Dad completely skip the ritual candles.

Since Oli and I were going out for dessert, we left them to their cake. Before Dad ushered us out the door, he pulled me aside.

“If this is going to be another birds and the bees talk, you can save it,” I said playfully. “I already know how babies happen, and I certainly don’t plan on pushing anything out of me that has a head this big.” I made a circle with my two hands.

Dad’s lips pressed together.

“Was that too much information?” I asked, watching him squirm.

He shook his head. “I just wanted to say don’t do anything you’re not ready for and have fun.” He gave me a hug. “You look beautiful and happy, and I’m glad.”

“Likewise, Dad. And thanks for the sound advice.” I chuckled.

“It was my best advice yet. Now get out of here and have fun,” he said before kissing my forehead.

Oli led me to his silver Mercedes and held the passenger door open. “So, how did you hear about Chocolate Dichotomy?” I asked as he drove us into town.

He chuckled. “When I went to the grocery store today I asked the bloke who bagged my things where a good place for a first date would be. He suggested it.”

“I’m glad you asked.”

He gave me a crooked grin. “Me too, Kitten.”

As we drove by Chocolate Dichotomy we noticed there was no close parking.

“Do you want me to drop you off so you don’t have to walk?” Oli asked, being all gentleman-like.

“Thanks, but I’d rather walk with you.”

“Ace.”

We pulled into an empty spot in the lot and got out of the car. We walked down the street, enjoying the scenery of the tiny shops decorated for Halloween.

“They’re really into Halloween here,” he noted. His knuckles brushed mine, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Religiously. Ardmore always goes all out.” Our knuckles brushed again. My heart picked up pace.

“How so?” His knuckles against the back of my hand made my skin tingle in appreciation. The thumping
of my heart beat in my ears like a tiny drum.

“Well for one they begin decorating on October first. The week leading up to Halloween the town has different events. It’s like a weeklong fall festival here, and the entire community gets involved.”

“Wow. We’ll have to go.” He was making future plans for us. Hello butterflies in stomach, nice of you to show up.

I gazed up at him. “I’d love to take you.”

He smiled and finally took the plunge, wrapping his fingers around mine. A buzz swarmed inside me from his touch, and my heart melted. Did he feel the same as he squeezed his fingers tighter around mine?

When we reached Chocolate Dichotomy, Oli held the door for me. Inside, the scent of chocolate hung in the air like a succulent shroud. Bags of cocoa beans and marshmallows were placed around the room. Cans of whipped cream made up the chair rails on the walls. The tables and chairs looked like something you’d find in a tearoom at some prestigious, high-society club, but the atmosphere was cozy. We read over our choices when a young boy named Bran, according to his nametag, appeared behind the counter.

“Welcome to the Chocolate Dichotomy. What’ll it be?” he asked, bored.

“I’ll have the white hot chocolate with mint, marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles and—” I turned to Oli. “Would you like to share a small bag of the chocolate covered coffee beans?”

“Sure,” he said. The words were simple, but they seemed so intimate. He stood close to me with his hand on the small of my back, and I couldn’t help but wish he’d slide his arm around my waist and pull me closer to him.

I turned back to the cashier. “And a small order of the coffee beans.”

“’Kay. And for you?” he asked Oli.

“I’ll have the same as her, but make mine regular instead of white.”

After ordering, making sure to add the three pounds of chocolate-covered coffee beans, we found a table as we waited for our coffees. I asked him about the symbols on the leather chord around his neck. When I reached up and fingered it lightly, I made sure to sweep my fingers against his neck. He sucked in a breath, and I swore his skin buzzed under my touch. A light blush rose in his cheeks.

“They’re ancient symbols representing earth, fire, wind, and water,” he barely whispered. “It was a present from my oldies when I turned eighteen. Custom made.”

“They’re very nice,” I said, my voice rough. Damn my hormones. “Hey, thanks for taking me out.”

He grinned bashfully. “It was my pleasure, Kitten.”

Our drinks arrived, the mugs overflowing with whipped cream and sprinkles.

“Lola told me you went to university,” Oli said between sips. “What’d you study?” He dipped his spoon into the whipped cream, and the whole thing was more sensual than it should have been.

“I studied International Business and Marketing at Villanova University. Boring, I know.” I swiped my finger through my whipped cream and licked it off. His eyes followed the movement, and my face heated when I realized what I did.

“You are far from boring,” he said breathily, pulling at his necklace. He sipped his drink again, eyes never leaving mine.

I smiled like an idiot. “What about you? Did you go to college?”

“I went to the University of Tasmania. Got my Bachelor of Agriculture there,” he said. Though the words were innocent, his tone implied his thoughts were focused on other . . . things.

“That’s pretty cool.” Wow, I sounded like a dunce. I took a sip of my drink; the mint mixed with the white chocolate was heavenly. I moaned in delight. “This is divine.” He was divine.

Oli took a sip and let out a matching moan, making parts low in my body ache for him. “This is ace,” he agreed. He took another sip. “Where do you work?”

“I work for my dad,” I said. “He owns an exporting business, and I handle all the overseas phone meetings and things like that. It’s a pretty easy job, but I enjoy it. Did you have a job in Tasmania?” The words were chaste, but our eyes were anything but.

“I did. I worked with the local farmers. I helped them manage their input and output of crops.”

I bit my lip, and he squirmed in his chair. He leaned over and wiped whipped cream from the side of my mouth. My breath hitched, and his green eyes burned into mine.

“Bloody hell, Kitten,” he whispered, backing away. He cleared his throat. “Will you excuse me for a minute?”

I nodded breathlessly.

“Don’t leave without me,” he said, rising to his feet.

“Never even crossed my mind.”

I watched as he made his way to the bathroom. I sat alone and people watched. There were mostly couples enjoying each other’s company. I picked up my mug and relaxed back into my chair, sighing as the warm liquid filled my belly. I eyed the coffee beans while I waited for Oli to return. Then the atmosphere in the room changed, and there was a burning sensation on the back of my neck as if someone was staring a hole into me. I scanned the room. No one was paying any attention to me as they conversed and laughed. Movement from the corner of my eye near the entrance caught my attention, and I looked over to find Cayden. His eyes were glued to me, and he smiled when our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat. This was like a bad comedy movie turned real life. Great.