The moment their eyes locked, he made his way to her. A flush of heat ran from her head to her toes. He had his hands in his front pockets, his lower lip between his teeth.
He leaned in close. “I wanted to ask you for real.”
“This is so cute.” She couldn’t believe the flowers. The air smel ed like a garden.
“Your answer’s stil the same, isn’t it?” The heat of his breath tickled her ear.
“Of course.”
“What’s this?”
Rachel turned. Bree stood with Shaylee and Megan, al of them wearing looks meant to cover the envy nearly turning their skin green.
“Wow, how total y cute.” Bree sent her jealous eyes to Cort. “You did this?”
Cort nodded.
“Lucky girl.” Bree turned to Rachel. “Wel , congratulations.” But the word didn’t disguise the loathing in her tone. “You won’t be getting any on Prom night with him, though.” Bree flipped her hair over her shoulder and glared at Cort. “And you’re gonna miss what could have been the most memorable night of your life.” She stepped close. “You can ask Ben.”
Rachel turned her back on Bree. Cort’s narrowed eyes stayed on Bree until she disappeared in the crowd.
“She’s unbelievable,” he muttered.
“Thanks, Cort. This was so sweet.”
His attention diverted, he smiled at Rachel and walked with her to her next class.
“You work today?” she asked.
He nodded. “Why don’t you come by? We could get a drink or something on my break.”
“Mrs. Meers is giving you breaks now? Maybe I wil .”
Cort grinned, and his smile drew an involuntary breath from her chest. “Maybe?” he asked. “Maybe someday I’l rate enough not to hear that word every time I ask you something.”
“Don’t exaggerate.” She pushed him playful y. “I said yes to prom, didn’t I?”
“Final y. I gotta go,” he said, slowly backing away.
“Later?”
Rachel smiled. So this is what it’s like. She’d said goodbye thousands of times to the guys and gone to class, but this goodbye felt like somewhere inside of her tore a little. No maybe about it.
The week dragged by. Rachel was accustomed to being busy, having her mind occupied by school, friends, and creative ambition. Having Cort on the brain was not something she was used to.
Being in a handful of classes together helped but they hadn’t talked—one or both of them always surrounded by friends.
It was getting to the point where Rachel thought both sets of friends was acting strange, converging like sharks every time either one of them was alone; almost as though they didn’t want the two of them together.
That was just paranoia.
She had the right to feel it, this was Cort Davies and very few boys rated in his rank at PV high. What girl wouldn’t resort to warfare for a chance at him?
She dressed for another reading at Countryside and thought of Brownie and Ticia. Of Bree. Until Bree had a date for prom, Ben was at risk from Bree’s claws. Ticia’s senior year would be ruined, as the hopes she’d held onto for so long were squashed along with her heart.
Bree was the problem.
Rachel would never rest her hopes and dreams on some guy, but Ticia was that way. For a second, Rachel entertained the fantastical idea that one of the guys—Sam, Pete, Chris or Todd might do her a favor and take Bree. But then if Bree was ready to put out on prom night, she sure wasn’t ready to offer Bree’s services to one of her friends as a token for the favor.
Besides, she had serious doubts any of her guy friends had ever been with girls. They’d never talked about it of course, but she figured by the immature way they interacted with her they were likely al scared of most things female.
Why was it so easy to hang with someone when your heart wasn’t dangling along? The heart changed everything.
Cort would be there in five minutes and she couldn’t wait. When her Facebook message window opened, she thought it was him.
TOD: I know u r going to prom with davies but the guys and i are getting a group together do u want in?
She felt more than a little guilty, knowing Todd wanted to go with her, knowing al the guys felt deserted.
She wouldn’t turn him down just yet. Not until she knew for sure whether or not Cort’s friends were planning anything.
Traditional y, the person asking organized the night date, the day date, and everything that went into the event. To hang with her friends al night would have certain benefits.
RACHEL: we haven’t made plans yet. as soon as i know, i’l tel you. thanks for asking.
TOD: i acted like a retard a few days ago. i guess i thought u would go with me to prom, even though i hadn’t asked. it’s the way u want it, i can tel .
that’s cool, i guess.
RACHEL: thanks. yeah, it’s going to be fun i think. who are u going to ask?
TOD: maria. kno her?
RACHEL: she’s a nice girl. go for it. gotta run. later.
Rachel heard her mother’s voice mix with the deeper tone of male down stairs. Cort. Rachel sprayed her favorite floral scent at her wrists, chest and the back of her neck and was out the door, her heart fluttering.
The evening was comfortably familiar, him picking her up in his car, the two of them driving together to Countryside, like they were a team. Or a couple. Rachel wondered if that was why she couldn’t find words to fil the quiet. Maybe he felt it too. Maybe he didn’t like familiarity. Newness was dissolving already. Maybe he had second thoughts about prom, was sorry he’d asked her.
She’d never thought like this before. But then she’d never felt this way about anybody either. “You ready for this?” she started. “Bring your oil?”
He nodded, looked over and smiled. Any doubts she had melted into nothingness. “At least this time I’m not nervous.”
“They’re not scary.”
“They’re kinda cool, actual y.” He’d looked forward to tonight al week. Part of it was final y being with Rachel, but a place inside of him was comfortable with the seniors, too.
“I think Lily likes you.”
“She’s a nice lady,” he said. “There’s something about her that’s sweet.”
“I know. I’ve never seen her be anything but sweet.”
“What do you know about them?”
Rachel lifted a shoulder. “Different stuff. Like Martin never married. That’s probably not hard to believe since he’s crabby most of the time. Mannie has four children and they come and visit a lot. I’ve met most of them. Priscil a, the one with the black eyes? She’s been there the longest but only recently started coming to readings. For the longest time she’d sit in the corner and just stare at me.”
“Seriously?”
Rachel nodded. “I used to get creeped out but I realized it’s just the way she looks.”
“What about Lily?”
“Lily had one child who died when she was a young girl.”
“Sad.”
“And her husband died like sixty years ago. She’s been a widow ever since.”
“Man. Sad.”
As expected, their audience was waiting in a semi-circle.
Cort’s heart jumped a little from the pleasure of seeing the elderly faces light up at their arrival.
He fol owed Rachel who kissed each one on the cheek and asked them how they were. He shook each fragile hand, glad they al remembered him.
Lily’s delicate hand lingered in his for a moment as she looked up, smiling. “Are you going to work some magic with your hands?”
“If that’s okay with you.”
“That would be delightful.”
“What did you bring for us this time, lovey?” Mannie asked. She adjusted a brightly colored knit throw she had across her lap.
“She’s going to finish the Streetcar Named Desire, of course,” Martin snapped. He jerked his head toward Mannie.
“She thinks she’s something specia
l because one of her daughters knit her that blanket.”
Mannie gleamed. “I am something special. Look what my daughter did for me. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It is.” Rachel lifted a corner and fingered the tight craftsmanship.”
“My Brigitta’s been knitting since she was a teenager. I taught her myself when my hands were good.”
“It’s very nice,” Cort added. Martin made a huff of disproval and looked away.
“How are you today, Priscil a?” Cort crossed to her and she stared up.
“Lousy.”
“Oh…sorry.”
“Your hand massage wil be the highlight of my week.
How’s that for you?”
“In that case maybe I should save you for last.”
“Hel with that!” Priscil a snapped and stuck out her hands. “You can start with me.”
Cort squelched a laugh. He dragged a folding chair over in front of her and sat.
“Shal I start?” Rachel asked.
“Such a beautiful girl,” Lily murmured looking at her.
“Thanks, Lily.” Rachel shot a glance at Cort. He smiled.
Rachel’s voice fil ed the air like the comforting aroma of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. Cort wasn’t sure what Rachel wanted to do in her life after high school but he thought it would be a great waste if drama didn’t have something to do with it. When she read, he envisioned the scene, heard the characters, felt their emotions.
Priscil a never took her eyes from him as he worked. He reminded himself that she was just a little old woman. It was pure coincidence she looked like she might jump out of that chair and suck his blood.
Even Martin al owed him to give it a go, stating the women had talked about the benefits for days and he was no fool—he’d take benefits anywhere he could get them.
Lily’s kind eyes studied him as she listened. Sometimes her gaze drifted off, clouded over and that pretty smile of hers faded. His heart tugged hard.
When Rachel final y finished and the group broke into talk, Cort neared the end of Lily’s massage.
“Such beautiful eyes you have,” she told him.
Gently he stroked the gnarled knuckles of her left hand with cream. “Thank you.”
“What do you want to do with your life?”
He hated shrugging. Somehow, not knowing shamed him in front of these people who had already lived their lives. “I’m not sure yet.”
“What do you like to do?”
“Lots of things. That’s the problem.”
“That’s not a problem.” Lily laughed like a bird singing.
“My Henry was good at everything too. It makes a man very interesting.” She leaned close. He smel ed lavender and skin.
“It makes a man irresistible.” She covered his hand with hers and squeezed.
“Yeah?”
“Henry final y decided to fly planes. We had dreams of going around the world together.” She gazed off again, her smile wistful. “Then little Caroline was born and we chose to make a home for ourselves.”
“Your daughter?”
She nodded. Cort looked for traces of sadness but saw only traces of an old ache. “She died of pneumonia when she was ten.”
“I’m sorry.” He swal owed the knot in his throat.
“She was a beautiful girl.” Her eyes glistened. Cort had to steal a deep, silent breath and focus on her hands.
“Does this feel okay?” he asked.
“It feels delightful, dear. Maybe you should be a doctor.
You’re very kind and gentle. Doctors need that.”
“I’m not too good with blood.”
“Who is?” Lily asked. “Except Priscil a.” She leaned close and looked over at Priscil a who had left the circle and was staring out the dark window into the blackness of night.
“She’s not afraid of anything. She was a nurse.”
“Yeah?” Cort had new respect for the austere woman.
“In an orphanage in Virginia. That’s why she never married or had children.” Lily leaned back, shook her head.
“What she’s missed out on. My Caroline was only ten when she passed on but those ten years she was with us were precious. I wouldn’t have traded them for anything. Some people never love for fear of losing,” Lily shook her head. “So sad.”
Cort nodded. Having finished, he eased her hands to her lap where she stared at them, eyes wide with thril . “They always look so lovely when you finish!”
“They do,” he agreed. He looked at Rachel, talking to Martin and Mannie. For a moment he wondered what he should do. Rachel was so at ease.
He reminded himself that she’d been at this a lot longer than he had.
Stil , he should be able to handle more than a few words with Lily. She gazed off somewhere, deep in thought but her eyes met his.
“Uh,” he started. “I’m taking Rachel to senior prom.”
Her face broke into a smile. “That’s marvelous. And when is senior prom?”
“In a few weeks.”
“You’re a lucky boy to take our beautiful girl. I imagine you had to fight for her?”
Cort smiled. Proving that he wasn’t some dumb jock had been fun but he’d hardly cal it a fight. “She’s pretty hot.”
“Hot?”
“Uh, sought after.”
Lily nodded. “I imagine so. There are so many wonderful things about her. No wonder she’s sought after.”
“I’l bet you were like that, Lily.”
She blushed. “Oh, wel . Maybe I was.”
He liked that she used Rachel’s word. “You know you were.”
“A girl can never appear vain.”
“So did you go to al the dances?”
“Of course. I used to dance al night.”
“Cool.”
“We did the Lindy, the swing, the waltz, and I even taught Henry how to polka.” Lily sighed. “We were quite the pair.”
Another tug gripped Cort’s heart, another knot lodged in his throat. He wanted to do something but felt inadequate.
His exposure to the elderly had been minimal, his own grandparents living across the country.
“Cort.”
He looked from Lily to where Rachel now stood, ready to leave. He patted Lily’s hand before he rose. “See you next time. I want to hear more about your dancing.”
She cupped his hand in hers. “Very good. Goodbye.”
He glanced across the room at Priscil a stil staring out the window. Then he said goodbye to the others, promising to return.
Cort and Rachel walked through the quiet hal together, neither looking into the doors opened into rooms. Cort didn’t think he could look and see who was inside. There were so many doors.
“You okay?” Rachel asked.
He pushed open the front door, held it for her. “Sure.”
Somewhere a spring burn fire scented the air. The sun held in the sky a little longer these days, its red arms reaching out from behind the low westerly mountains as if to grasp for notice as long as it could.
Cort was glad there was a little sun left, something to help with the gloom he felt. He opened the car door for Rachel. Again it amazed him that she’d take the time out of a harried schedule to do something for complete strangers. But then they weren’t strangers to her anymore—she’d made them her friends.
He needed to kiss her.
She looked up, her dark hair scattered across her shoulders, blue eyes the color of the blackening sky. The pale nakedness of her lips sent a fast thrum through his veins.
He leaned in the door, taking every second to let his eyes enjoy her face, the way it changed as his neared. Then he kissed her.
Her lips were warm, parted just enough for his mouth to fit over hers perfectly. The kiss didn’t need to be long or smothering. He felt a surge of something so deep, nothing but a kiss would express what was inside.
Easing back, he smiled. “Thanks for bringing me here.”
“Thanks for coming wit
h me.”
He closed the door and went around the car, taking another look at Countryside.
EIGHTEEN
After school, Cort waited for Lizzie in his car. He was supposed to be at Miss Chachi’s in fifteen minutes. Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, he glanced around the parking lot for Rachel’s black BMW but didn’t see it as cars streamed by.
A tapping at his window took his face to Bree’s, peering at him through the glass. She signaled for him to rol down the window.
“Hey. My car’s busted. Can I get a ride?”
He wondered where her cavalry of friends was. He knew tons of guys who’d do whatever to give her a ride. “Uh,”
purposeful y he hesitated. “I’m late for work.”
“Please,” she whined, flipping her striped locks over her shoulder. “Please, Cortie.”
He caught Lizzie jogging down the aisle. “I guess.”
Bree got in first, then held the seat forward so Lizzie could climb into the back. Lizzie scowled at her as she climbed in.
Bree settled. “Great car. When did you get this one?”
“A long time ago.” Cort’s voice showed the disinterest he had in any conversation with her.
“Why is she riding home with us?” Lizzie asked point blank.
Bree pul ed down the mirror in the passenger visor and looked at herself. “My car died.”
Lizzie snorted. “So why not ask one of your real friends?”
“I did.” Bree shot her a narrow-eyed look. “That’s why I’m here. Cort and I would do anything for each other.”
Lizzie sat back on a hacked-out laugh. “Whatever.”
Bree faced Lizzie. “How’s it going with Todd?”
“I don’t even know Todd.”
“Wasn’t that him I saw you with in Kissing Corner? He looked like the one that was touching you—”
“Okay, shut up right now,” Cort said.
“I’m just saying I saw her in Kissing Corner with some guy, Cort. I swear. Two days ago.”
“And we gave you a ride because?” Lizzie almost shouted.
Cort swung the car around a corner and onto Bree’s street, jamming up the twenty-five mile an hour zone at fifty.
Bree clung to the seat.