Wrong - Aston Jana - Страница 20
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I nod slowly. "Right."
"Obviously I would make three copies. Anyone should know that."
I lean against the back counter and nod. "Obviously." Honestly, I have no idea how many copies one would make when stealing someone's house key, but it's best to just go along when Everly is on a roll.
"I expect him to change his locks once I use the second key so the third key is likely useless, but he should know me well enough to ask for the second key." She sighs, looking truly despondent.
"Everly, why Professor Camden? Men trip over themselves trying to get to you. Why him?"
"He's the one, Sophie. He just is."
"Why now?" I ask, confused. "I've known you since freshman year and I didn't even know you knew him outside of school until a month ago."
"I had to wait until the time was right. I knew there was no way he was touching me before I was eighteen, just no way." She shakes her head. "I could have gone to college anywhere and focused on bumping into him after I graduated, but I figured if I went to school here I could keep an eye on him. Make sure he didn't fall in love with the wrong girl while I was growing up."
I sigh. "Everly, how were you going to prevent that?" I hold up a hand. "Wait, I don't want to know."
"And then I'd have all senior year to make him realize I was the one for him. That was my plan, you know?" She looks to me for a response.
"That's a plan all right." I have no idea how that is a plan.
"But he's turning out to be a real hard-ass about university policy. I'm not even in any of his classes. Who cares, right?"
"I think the university cares."
"It's not like I'm expecting him to date me openly before June, but there is no reason he can't fuck me before then."
Everly is obviously incredulous at Finn's refusal to fornicate with her. No need to add insult to injury. "Nope, none," I agree.
The front door opens and with it comes a rush of cold air.
"Luke!" I round the counter and stop in front of him. "I didn't think I'd see you here today." I'm grinning, I'm so happy to see him. I should play it cooler, I suppose. I'm still not entirely sure what we are to each other. I got what I wanted—in the last month we've had several meals at the same table and he's taught me several new positions in bed. And in the bathroom. And in the study too. Oh, God, the study. My eyes glaze a little thinking about it.
Luke leans in and kisses me. "What are you thinking about, precious?" he says just loud enough for me to hear.
"Just thinking about your study." I smirk. "It's such a nice room, that's all." He swats my ass and I jump. "You're obsessed with my ass, perv." I slip back behind the counter. "Do you want a coffee? I can wiggle my ass while I pour it."
"Sure."
I fill a large cup with the Grind Me dark roast blend and set it on the counter. "So what are you doing here today? Isn't the student clinic closed all week?"
"I wanted to see you before you left." He smiles at me.
I frown. "Where am I going?" I ask.
Now it's his turn to frown. "I thought you were going to Florida for Thanksgiving weekend?"
"No." I shake my head. "I'm going to Florida next month for Christmas. I'm going home with my roommate Jean for Thanksgiving Day."
"Come home with me."
"Come home with you? Now?"
"No, Thursday. Come to Thanksgiving with me. At my parents'. Unless you'd rather go to Jean's?"
"I'd rather be with you," I answer easily.
Luke leaves after that while Everly mutters, "Shiny new pussy," under her breath.
Chapter 18
We take the expressway to Gladwyne, a short twenty-minute drive in light Thanksgiving Day traffic. We pass one magnificent house after another before Luke turns onto Monk Road. Stopping at a gated driveway, he punches in a code before the gates swing open. We continue up the long drive and arrive at an enormous stone house. The landscaping is meticulous, even in November. Luke pulls into a circular drive leading to the front door and parks. There are several other cars as well, but I don't see a garage. I'm guessing that is around the side or in back.
"You grew up here?" I ask.
Luke glances briefly at the house. "Yes."
"Do you think they will like me?" I ask, nervous. I don't know Luke that well yet. I haven't met anyone in his life except Gina. And technically, I haven't met Gina. I don't think her disparaging me across the counter at Grind Me counts as meeting. I asked about her once and Luke responded she was no one important. I believe him. After all, I'm here with him today, not her.
Luke parks the car before placing his arm across my seat back and meeting my eyes. "My family is…" He pauses here, his eyes moving from mine to the house while he thinks. "My family tends to be difficult."
He slides out of the car after that and is opening my door before I realize he didn't answer my question. Placing a hand on my back as we walk, he guides me towards the door. I'm wondering who else will be here and I wish I'd thought to ask on the drive over.
Thankfully Jean and Everly persuaded me to dress for this. If I'd gone home with Jeannie for Thanksgiving as planned I'd have worn jeans and a sweatshirt. I've ended up playing it safe with a basic black dress and matching heels. From what I can see under Luke's coat he's wearing black slacks and a white button-down dress shirt. I'm so glad I'm not in jeans.
We stop on the stone front porch as Luke rings the doorbell. It's never occurred to me that anyone would ring the doorbell of their childhood home. I try to imagine doing this at my grandparents' house but I can't. Then I remember their home—my home—on Cowbell Lane isn't ours anymore. Will I ring the doorbell when I visit them in Florida?
It feels like everything is changing. My grandparents have moved and I'll be graduating and moving out of student housing in less than six months. Jean will move in with Jonathan after we graduate. Everly will either beat Professor Camden into submission or move to New York. I'll get an apartment somewhere in Philadelphia. Beside me Luke takes my hand and I have to wonder what role he'll play in my life in six months, if any.
The oversized front door swings open and a tall older woman greets us. "Lucas! Welcome home." This woman exudes warmth and hospitality. She doesn't seem difficult as Luke called his family moments ago.
"Mrs. Estes," Luke greets her before introducing me. "This is Sophie. Sophie, Mrs. Estes is our house manager."
House manager? What in the heck is a house manager? I smile and shake her hand before Luke helps me out of my coat and hands both my coat and his to Mrs. Estes. I guess house managers hang up coats? I'm in so over my head.
"Who's here?" Luke inquires.
"Your sister and her husband, your aunt and uncle and the Holletts are all in the living room." She smiles and holds her arm out towards the entry hall, indicating we should head in. She's a tall, trim woman with dark curly hair securely pulled back to the nape of her neck. She's wearing a very expensive-looking tan suit and black pumps. I guess house managers don't wear business casual.
The foyer empties into a grand hallway that appears to be the central point of the house. There's a magnificent stairway leading to the second story. Clearly no expense was spared on finishing details here. I spy an exquisite dining room to my left, a quick glance telling me the Millers could easily seat sixteen for dinner if they chose to.
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