He’s so good looking. His jaw looks cut from steel, and his lips are full, generous, untouched by the last of the winter dryness. His cheek bones are high, giving him an angled, almost pretty look.
I see a smudge of pink. His tongue darts out to wet his lips. I’m taken back in time to Thailand. He did that then, too. It must be a habit.
He’s wearing jeans like me, with black boots, a white t-shirt, and a faded leather jacket. He looks… great, if in a timeless way.
“Deidre, come here,” Dad says, beckoning me impatiently with his hand. His gold watch catches the setting sun, beams it straight into my eye. I feel like it’s a spotlight. Everybody is watching.
I chew on my lower lip, walk toward them, take my steps carefully. Knowing me, I’ll probably trip on nothing and make an ass of myself.
My eyes are on the ground, but Duncan’s eyes are on me… I know it. I feel it. They sear me.
“I think an introduction is in order. This is Duncan Malone.”
I look up, and sure enough Duncan is looking right at me, nowhere else. Not at the big house behind him, probably bigger than any he’s ever seen. Not at the fountain, or the gardens that you can spy from the front. He’s looking right at me.
“Hi,” I say. My voice is just a shaky whisper.
He puts out a hand; I see the beginnings of his tattoos on his wrists. I slip my hand into his and shake it. He makes me feel physically tiny. His palms are soft, hot to the touch, as if he’s been holding them against a fire.
It’s just like when we shook hands in Thailand. I think it’s so absurd, that we’re shaking hands again. I want to grin, laugh even, but in front of Dad I’m a nervous wreck. I don’t know how he expects me to behave.
And Dad has many expectations for me.
“Duncan,” he says. “This is Deidre Marino, my daughter.”
“We’ve met,” Duncan says, not turning to Dad. “I remember.”
“Oh, yes,” Dad murmurs. That memory has obviously escaped him.
Now I smile at Duncan, and when he returns it, it only makes mine grow wider.
God, Thailand two years ago! We stood together and watched Dad make an ass of himself. Watched Dad bully the village people, argue over money.
My smile fades.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
Duncan’s eyes don’t leave mine. I feel like he’s looking straight through me, like he can see exactly what I’m thinking, see how attractive I find him… how drawn to him I am. How nervous I am.
“You look great, Dee.”
I laugh at the out-of-place compliment, but the tension only grows thicker. I can feel my cheeks burning.
I only catch it a moment later that he called me Dee. Nobody has called me that, not even at school.
“Thanks.”
My heart is racing so quickly, and I tug my hand from Duncan’s, watch as his long fingers close around empty air.
Dad is oblivious to our exchange. He claps Duncan on the back, grips his neck and guides him around me. I watch as they walk into the house.
Dad is announcing that he’ll give Duncan the grand tour, that this is his house now, too. I hear him saying something about them leaving for a trip tomorrow, but I can’t make it out.
But as they climb the steps up to the front door, Duncan turns over his shoulder and looks at me, and I look at him. We don’t break eye-contact until he disappears inside the house.
When he’s finally gone, I lean against the side of the car, fold my arms across my chest, and chew on my lower lip.
“Don’t worry, Deidre,” Frank says, walking up to me with wide duck-steps. “He hasn’t forgotten you.”
I blink, crease my brow. “What?”
“He’s just trying to be good to Duncan, you know? Show him the ropes. Welcome him into his home.”
I smile at Frank. He’s got some heart, but I’m grateful that he’s missed the mark by a mile.
“Thanks, Frank,” I tell him. “It’s cold out. Come inside for a cup of coffee or something?”
He purses his lips, shakes his head. “Oh, no, I’ll wait out here.”
“You can come in, you know.”
“If your father wants me inside, then I’ll come inside.”
“But it’s cold.”
“Deidre, you’re old enough to understand.” He implores me with his eyes not to make this any more difficult.
“Dad’s the boss,” I say.
“That’s right,” Frank replies. “And he hasn’t invited me in.”
“Right,” I say, nodding my head.
“You go in, though, honey. Don’t catch a cold.”
“See you, Frank,” I say, sighing.
I wonder what life is going to be like, now, living with Duncan.