Page 100 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
I end the call, mulling it over as I leave the library.
He sounded genuine about the threat, but I’m not too worried. That’s why Gramps left me Holden, right?
Besides, so what if there are ‘whispers?’
It’s not like someone would be crazy enough to break into the house to get it. No one knows we’re here besides immediate family.
I find Holden outside on a balcony, staring out over the rocky shore. For once, he’s not on high alert, leaning against the railing, the muscles defined in his broad back as he holds a phone to his ear.
For an embarrassingly long moment, I just stare.
He looks so relaxed.
The pale sun hits his dark hair just right, bringing out the rare coppery tone. I trace the sliver of his face that’s visible.
The way the light makes his bronze skin glow makes me ache.
It’s hard to believe he’s real.
Lethally handsome in looks and talent. Ready to drop a man as easily as he could drop a woman to the floor.
Then he laughs, and my big scary warrior-man vanishes.
“You need to listen to your teacher, Kit.”
A small girlish voice buzzes from the other end of the phone.
“Yes, even if you think she’s wrong. Especially then. I know you hate settling for Narnia for the book report. You’re just summarizing the story, not getting deep into symbolism. Keep it simple, girl.” He laughs again, his shoulders shaking. “Fine. Maybe youcouldwrite an essay on how much seven shows up in the story, but you’d scare the other kids. I promise it gets better. Give it a few years, and they’ll have you reading James Joyce. Bored me half to death in high school.”
I press my hand over my mouth. I love how ambitious she is and how she must keep Holden on his toes, raising a little smarty-pants.
I had it rough too. I wasn’t always the best student, but I read well above my grade level.
“I know,” Holden says. “But I’m sure Mrs. LeMay knows what she’s talking about.” He shifts, glancing back to see me watching him. A blush lights my cheeks.
Sorry,I mouth.
At least he looks more relaxed than the last time this happened.
“Hey, Kit, I have to go,” he says. He smiles at me, and the relief in the base of my stomach makes me dizzy. “Just remember your homeworkisn’tpointless even if it feels so easy it’s boring, little brainiac.”
The contrast between Holden and Dad hits me again.
My father barely stayed on top of my parent-teacher conferences. He didn’t care about anything except art. As long as I kept my grades up and I was on track for college, the rest didn’t matter.
That’s nothing like what I’m seeing here, a dad who cares. I inhale sharply.
“Bye, Kit. Love you too.”
When he hangs up, I smile and walk over. “Sorry for disturbing you. I didn’t mean to cut you short.”
“Nah, it’s okay.” He scratches the back of his head. “She’s not enjoying English. Might have to get her in some advanced classes next year. She could probably start earning college credits early.”
“Oh, wow. And you were worried about the teenage years? Throw her in with older kids and she’ll grow up lightning fast.”
He stares off into the distance fondly.
“Yeah, that’s the dilemma. Mentally, she’s a normal ten-year-old, innocent as hell. Intellectually, she’s running circles around me some days. It’s tough to find balance.” His nose wrinkles. “She’s a horribly precocious girl. English and history are her best subjects, and she’s driving her teachers crazy, wanting special privileges and advanced books that might get her into trouble.”
