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Chapter 4
Remy
Remy hid in the bushes as the headlights swerved into the parking lot. The car screeched to a stop.
Mikel jumped out a moment later, slamming his door shut. “Remy!” he screamed, jolting her. “Remy!”
“O-over here.” She walked towards him on trembling legs.
He pivoted to her, his shoulders raised and tense. After running to her, he grabbed her face in his hands. “What’s wrong? Did someone hurt you?”
Confused, she said, “I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong.”
His shoulders seemed to relax a little before his voice grated angrily, “Why did you text me for help, then? I thought you were in trouble! What are you doing out here alone in the dark?”
She shrank back from his sudden outburst. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it sounded that way. I just thought …”
He ran a hand through his hair, tugging on it. “What did you need my help for?”
“It’s stupid. Never mind. I-I’m sorry I bothered you.” She turned to walk towards her car, feeling childish and defeated. So much for a surprise.
“Stop,” he said.
She hesitated, slowly spinning around to find him illuminated in the moonlight. Dangerous and alluring. Even in the darkness he was beautiful.
She couldn’t have walked away if she tried. It was like they were tethered, some invisible force winding them closer. Held hostage by a childhood crush, she just wished he would give them a chance.
“What did you need my help for?” he repeated, his tone even.
She nodded towards her trunk. “To find the Phoenix.”
His brows furrowed as he studied her. She pressed the button on her key fob and popped the trunk. Her father had been able to borrow a telescope for her from the astronomy department in the college that he worked for on short notice. She lifted the bag out she’d packed with snacks and essentials for a stargazing picnic before she said, “It’s really heavy.”
Mikel shook his head as if in disbelief. He walked over and peered inside her trunk as she studied his reaction. Surprise. Astonishment. Awe. Each reaction fluttered across his shadowed face.
“You did this for me?” he asked, his voice sounding huskier.
“Yes.”
Without another sound, he picked up the telescope like it weighed nothing. She shut the trunk and led him to a grassy spot on a hill overlooking the whole park. She laid out the blanket from the bag and picked out a beer and a soda.
“How’d you get that?” he asked, eyeing the alcohol.
She shrugged. “I stole it from the fridge.”
“What happened to the shy little girl who used to tattle on herself?” he asked, setting up the equipment like he had done it a million times before.
“She grew up.”
He stared at her for a moment before peering through the scope. She moved closer, enjoying the moment. The warm June night had brought out a few fireflies blinking in the grasslands below them. Frogs peeped from the pond as crickets chirped—summer’s background melody. Butterflies swirled inside her belly as she admired Mikel at work. His muscular arms flexed in his black short-sleeve shirt as he adjusted the dials. He kneeled on the ground next to her, peering into the heavens. She wished he would let her in, trust her with his heart, because she had given hers to him a long time ago.
“So, why the Phoenix?” she asked as he searched.
He smiled like a kid at Christmas and nodded towards the contraption.
She got closer. His scent was light and woodsy in the air between them. Her body heated as she leaned in and peered at the cluster of stars.
His hot breath tickled against her ear as he explained, “It was a sacred, mythical bird with the head of an eagle and red, purple, and gold feathers. When it was getting ready to die, it built a nest of incense and would light itself on fire. A new bird would be born from the ashes of its father.”
