We stand there, our eyes locked on each other. The large space around us seems to expand wider and wider, bringing to light how alone we are here. How it’s just us two without a single soul in our hemisphere to intrude. Just like the moments we had when we were teenagers. When we encapsulated ourselves inside a protective bubble. And along the shadows that line his face, the curve of his nose and the struggle behind his eyes that was always there, even at seventeen, I see him. The Everett that he claims to still be.MyEverett.
“Teeny…”
My eyes start to mist. I don’t even know why. Why these emotions are creating this torrent of hurt and nostalgia and longing. “I shouldn’t take this.”
Everett’s brow furrows.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” I elaborate. “Working with you…I don’t think I can.”
“Teeny, don’t worry about me,” he tells me, a softness to his words that make me fold. Just a little bit. “I’ll stay out of your hair. But…I really think you could do something amazing with this place. I’ve seen your work, and?—”
“My work?” I ask, a little confused as to what other properties I’ve designed he’s seen.
He nods. “Your paintings.”
“Oh.” I haven’t talked about my paintings in so long. When I used to mention them to Leo, he’d respond with a placating smile and a “that’s nice” sentiment. I don’t think Sadie’s even seen my work, unless she’s taken a peek at them in my parents’ garage.
“Don’t turn this down because of me,” he adds, making a smile slip from my lips. “And I hear the budget for the remodel is pretty decent. Like, abnormally decent. So it would actually be a really bad career choice on your end if you turned it down.”
That gets a genuine laugh out of me.
The doors open with a loud boom, and I jump, the haziness of the room morphing back to reality.
“So,” Eric calls from the entrance, his voice echoing. “What do you think?” he asks, his question directed at me.
“I—”
“I was just telling Christine about the budget for this remodel,” Everett interrupts.
“Oh, yes,” Eric chimes in with a broad smile. “Everett has been a very involved silent investor. We’re very lucky to have him. And while he’s the one to cut the check for most of the renovation, the creative work will all be yours.”
I peer at Everett, his eyes downturned as if he’s pleading. When I look back at Eric, waiting for me to answer. “Why don’t you show me the rest.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Everett
THEN
After the bonfire,it was official. People at school knew Teeny and I were together. Josh seemed okay with it, though around him, we tried to keep our PDA to a minimum, but even that was getting challenging. All I wanted to do around her was touch her and kiss her.
“So, a little birdie told meTitanicis going to be on HBO this Saturday.”
Teeny gasps. “No.”
I nod. “Yup.”
“How did you know that’s my favorite movie?”
“I think you’ve mentioned it about…twenty times.”
“I did not!”
I laugh, burrowing my nose into her hair with her perched on a bench seat in the courtyard. It’s lunchtime, and the crisp fall air with the brightly shining sun allows us to sit outside instead of inside where we’d been forced into during the heavy storm last week. “Movie night? I’ll pick up some of those waffles from Marie’s?”
She whips her head to look at me, her hazy eyes glazed over with infatuation. I don’t even feel bad that I’m using her favorite movie to bait her for a night alone.
“Is your mom okay with it? You know, a three-hour long movie? Her son, all alone with his girlfriend…”
