Crash Into Me(37)

That night, after he'd had Rogers send the couple home, he asked me to stay with him in his room and we made love again. When I finally fell asleep with my head on his chest, I was exhausted but happier than I could imagine I'd be with him.

As before, I woke up alone in his bed, already missing him. This time he'd left a note on his pillow, and I groggily focused my eyes to read what it said.

Dear Nina,

I have to go away for a few days, but I've instructed Rogers to get your painting framed so I can see it every morning when I wake. I'm sorry I had to leave before you got up, but I didn't want to disturb you since you looked so sweet all curled up next to me. While I'm gone, my car and driver are at your disposal. Feel free to use them to go wherever you like. When I return, your first official assignment as an assistant curator will begin.

Love,

Tristan



I held the paper in my trembling hands and stared at the last two words he'd written. Love, Tristan. Love. Not always, as before. Love.

Was this all a dream?

It had only been about a week since we'd first met. Was it possible there was such a thing as love at first sight and he'd felt that about me? I wanted to believe that more than anything, but something inside me whispered the doubt that anyone could fall in love that quickly, especially someone who could have anyone he wanted.

Times like this required a heart-to-heart girl talk with Jordan. I hurriedly ran to my room and then jumped in the shower to get ready for my trip back to Brooklyn. As I fixed my hair and makeup, I realized I hadn't thought about the trip as going home but going to Jordan's.

I, too, seemed to have become lost in my feelings.

Jenson was as accommodating as he was supposed to be, and by lunchtime I was back at our apartment and looking forward to hashing things out with Jordan. With school's ending, she was on summer vacation, so we had all the time we needed to figure out if I'd somehow won the romantic equivalent of the lottery or was just fooling myself into thinking that my situation with Tristan was good when it was anything but.

I threw my purse on the kitchen table and yelled for Jordan. Her scream from down the hall told me she was home and I found her in the bathroom cleaning smeared streaks of black from her eyelids.

"Jesus, Nina! I look like a damn raccoon now. Who walks into a person's house and screams like that?"

Three tissues later, she was back to finishing her makeup and I said in my best pouty tone, "Sorry. I thought this was still my place too."

Turning to face me, she smiled. "It is. I just got a little freaked out when you yelled. I wasn't expecting you since he came by and paid your part of the rent for the rest of the year."




The look on her face—complete with raised eyebrows of disbelief—told me she was just the person I needed to talk about things with. If there was any tough love I needed to hear, Jordan would give it to me.

"Yeah, well, that doesn't mean I would never come back. I need some friend time pronto and you're the only one I can trust."

Concern clouded her gaze. Reaching out, she squeezed my arm gently. "What happened, Nina? Are you okay?"

Nodding, I smiled. "I'm fine, but I want to stay that way. Can we talk?"

"Yeah, of course. Let's go for a walk. It's a beautiful day, so it'll feel good."

I agreed, happy I wore flats instead of the cute little pumps I had grabbed first. After listening to all the latest news about Justin, I set out with her for our walk and more importantly, our heart-to-heart.

Sunset Park in the summer was a pretty place, not like what people think big cities look like at all. The trees were all in bloom, so there was far more green than one might expect in the concrete jungle. Jordan and I walked our usual route, enjoying the weather as I told her about my new job and all its great benefits.