Love and Truth (7 page)

We enjoyed another great dinner that night. I mentioned meeting Jonathan in passing to try to validate his story.

“Ah yes, Jonathan. He’s a sweet boy. He went to school with Emiko. Very respectful young man and so talented.” I figured she was referring to the martial arts, but hearing him be called respectful didn’t fit. He surely wasn’t respectful to me in the café.

“Oka san, Jonathan’s a womanizer and he uses his American good looks to take advantage of people.”

I smiled at Emiko. That sounded more like they guy I met in the café.

“Emiko, watch your tone with me,” Mrs. Nakamura said. “Jonathan has never been anything but kind to you and to us. Rumors are not reliable sources of information. You should mind your words and not speak badly about a friend.” Mrs. Nakamura’s tone was strict and I was startled. I hadn’t heard her speak this way. Emiko ate quietly and I instantly regretted bringing up his name.

“So Nicole San, did you make it out to our
karesansui
garden today?” Mr. Nakamura asked.

I swallowed and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Nakamura, I did. It was beautiful. I was surprised to see the koi pond. I’ve always wanted to see a real koi pond.”

He smiled proudly. “Ah, yes. Our koi pond is my pride and joy. I had it put in for Mrs. Nakamura as a gift. Koi fish are symbols of love and friendship here in Japan. They are very hearty and strong.”

I didn’t know they represented love and friendship. I was already learning so much. We finished dinner and Emiko headed out to
Juku
while her parents watched TV. They invited me to join them but I declined, saying I was tired. I looked at the clock, and it was 7:15pm. He said to meet him outside at 8 pm, but, of course I wasn’t going to do that. Nicole Harrison would never traipse off with a stranger. Plus I wanted to make him sweat a little. I paced in my room until 8 pm finally arrived. Five minutes later, I felt guilty for not showing up. I waited a while longer, then grabbed my e-reader and walked out to the balcony. No one was on the street below. I could hear karate class in the distance and I wondered if he waited for me to show. Just as I got lost in the story I was reading, a voice startled me.

“Hey, balcony girl.” I looked down to see Jonathan standing under the street light. I grinned slightly and waved. He put his hands on his hips and looked up. He smiled but I could tell he was disappointed that I hadn’t show up.

“What happened? Did the Nakamuras tell you I was a serial killer?”

I stood and leaned against the balcony. “No, they didn’t. Apparently, you have them fooled with your good manners and talent.”

“So why didn’t you show up?” he asked, smiling. I could tell he was sweaty, as though he had just come from class.

“I just didn’t feel like it. I’ve only been here for two days, so…” My voice trailed off. I had no idea what to say. I couldn’t tell him he made me nervous, or that I had been thinking about him all day.

He kicked some gravel around and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked back up at me. “Okay, balcony girl. I guess I’ll see you around. I‘ll be at the café again tomorrow morning if you want to join me.” He kept that sexy grin on his face and turned to walk away.

“It’s Nicole,” I said, and he turned around. “Not balcony girl.”

He walked backwards and smiled. “Okay, beautiful Nicole up there on the balcony, still taking my breath away. I’ll be at the café at nine. Hope to see you there.” He disappeared from a cone of streetlight and he was gone. I went inside and his voice stayed with me.
Beautiful Nicole…
I knew I wouldn’t complain about him calling me that.

I quickly grabbed my phone. I
needed
to text Annie and tell her about Jonathan. I knew she was going to be shocked, but if I didn’t tell someone about him I might burst.

I still remember the day Annie called me just about coming through the phone telling me about her first sexual experience.

“Oh my God, Nicole. Aaron is amazing. I knew he was going to be the one that I gave my V-card to, but I never thought it would happen like this. Aaron is an animal and I swear he can play my body like a musical instrument. Orgasms are so much better when it’s someone other than yourself giving them to you. He rocked my world. I mean, it did hurt a little at first, but then it was just
good
. Even better than that was everything he did to me before we even had sex. I swear, Nic, I’m in love.”

I listened to her go on about it, wincing at certain parts and wishing I could bleach my memory after hearing far more than I ever wanted to know about Aaron Wheeler. This conversation would be nothing like that, but being affected by a guy was huge news and Annie was going to freak. I could see her doing her best Jersey Shore fist pump when I tell her. I still couldn’t believe she wasted her brain cells watching that reality show, but she watches it religiously.

Me
:
Annie I met a guy…

Annie
:
WTF you did what? Like MET a guy as in you LIKE a guy?

Me
:
Yes I MET a guy and I think I like him.

Annie
:
What do you mean you THINK you like him? Is he hot? Is he a Marine? How old is he? Is he fuckable? Please say he’s fuckable! This is so exciting. Squeeeee Have you kissed him? DETAILS Nic I MUST have deets!

Me
:
Annie please don’t do this to me. I’m reaching out to you because I’m freaking out and so out of my element. Can you please not fast forward me to the sex? I’m terrified because I’m having weird feelings that I never had before, He’s gorgeous and sweet but cocky and arrogant. I want to slap him and kiss him both at the same time. I’m all mixed up inside and I just need to talk to someone about it.

Annie
:
Ok. I’m sorry. I’m just so pumped for you. Just calm down and let it happen naturally. You’re a beautiful person Nicole. You’re strong and confident. Just be yourself and let things take their natural course, but don’t push these feelings aside just because they scare you or because they’re unchartered territory for you. You wanted to find yourself Nic. You wanted to be spontaneous and break out of your box of normal. So dammit do it, go for it. Knock this mother fucker on his ass with your amazing heart, charm and fine ass body. And for the love of orgasms HAVE ONE! (Sorry couldn’t resist) he he… but really have one!

Me
:
Lol Annie. You’re a nut I swear… no actually you’re a horny ass winch is what you are! But okay I will go ahead and meet him in the morning and see what happens. Wish me luck. Love you HUGS

Annie
:
Ok girly, lots of luck with the hottie. And BTW I MISS YOUR FACE!

Me
:
I miss your face too ;)

I did miss her.

My phone said 7:20 am, so I popped up out of bed and went straight for a shower. If I was going to be down at the café by 9 am, I needed to get going. After an energizing shower, I thought about what to wear. I chose my Rebecca Minkoff Sanna Shorts that made my long legs look longer and showed off my fading tan, and paired them with my coral chiffon flutter top. I decided to wear my long hair down, even though I was sure that I’d regret it after the humidity got a hold of it. I plugged in my Chi, blow dried my hair, and ran the straightener through my hair several times to get that bone straight look that I loved. I put on my makeup, adding a little brown shimmer shadow, liner, mascara and lip gloss, and dusted a little bronzer on my neck and chest. I put in my silver drop earrings, added my silver bangle bracelets and grabbed my silver wedge sandals. Placing my phone and wallet in my laptop carrier, I headed downstairs and walked into the kitchen where Ms. Nobuko greeted me with a smile. She nodded and went on about her business, as I picked up a banana from the fruit bowl and waved bye
.

Chapter Five

I was walking down the street just as a loud sports car pulled up beside me. A tinted window lowered and I saw Jonathan grinning at me. He slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose.

“Hey, you need a ride, beautiful?” I stared at him in shock. My body betrayed me again and I stood frozen.

“Well?” He asked.

“ I’ll just meet you at the café, but thank you.”

“Oh, come on. Get in and ride with me. I won’t bite. Plus it’s hot as hell out there this morning. I have air conditioning and everything.” He wore a pouty expression. “
Please
,” he said, smiling again. I couldn’t avoid that smile and I didn’t need him to beg.

“Okay, I’ll ride with you to the café, but that’s it.” I opened the car door and realized his car was badass. It was brand new clean and smelled like cinnamon. “What kind of car is this?”

He shifted into drive. “It’s a Skyline GTR. It’s my baby.” He turned up the volume and Mumford & Sons started playing.

“Mumford & Sons?” I asked, trying to impress him with my musical prowess.

“Yes, they’re my favorite band. Along with Jeff Buckley they are at the top of my playlists.”

In the words of Annie,
Holy Santa Claus Shit
! He liked Jeff Buckley and Mumford was his favorite band. I was instantly in music love! I tried to remain calm as we pulled into the café parking lot.

“Jeff Buckley, really? What’s your favorite album?” I asked, just to see if he knew his stuff.

“Are you a music buff, Nicole?”

He drove with one hand resting on the top of the steering wheel. “Most chicks have no clue who Mumford & Sons are and they sure as hell don’t know Jeff Buckley.”

“I love all kinds of music. Music is a big part of me in a lot of ways. So what album is your favorite?”

He raised his eyebrows and started shuffling through his playlists.
Everybody Here Wants You
started to play. “As I’m sure you know, there are only five Buckley albums, the most popular being
Grace
. But my favorite is the one released after his death,
Sketches for My Sweetheart Drunk
.

He knew what he was talking about. That was a great album. “Mr. Hayes, I’m impressed. You definitely have good taste in music. I can’t wait to see what other surprises you have.”

I smiled at him. He turned the engine off and ran around to open the car door.

“After you, beautiful,” he said. I didn’t bother to correct him about my name.

We entered the café and he asked what I wanted to order.

“You don’t need to buy my coffee,” I said. “I’d rather get it myself, but thank you.” We stood in line and I stared at the picture-filled menu screens.