Page 48 of Scandal
“What do you mean?” Her fingers slowly trace a pattern across the back of my palm.
“The five of us went to boarding school together,” I tell her. “But I’m sure you know that.”
“Everyone knows that.” She smirks. “You met at a London boarding school. Evans, Darius, and Mitch all come from wealthy English families. You were the only Scot. And when you were all supposed to be learning how to run empires or whatever, you were instead jamming in your dorm rooms and dreaming of a life in America.”
I nod, smirking. The real story involved lots of missteps, like bombing our first show, almost getting kicked out of school, and giving up half a dozen times. “Something like that. Evans and Darius both have decent relationships with their families. For Mitch, however, it’s always been turbulent, especially with his father. I think he spent most of his life trying to prove himself to that man.”Whereas I just never bothered…
“Not a great recipe for fame.”
“No,” I agree. “We used to joke that if we ever became famous, Darius would be the one to let it all go to his head since he’s so?—”
“Extra?”
“I guess that’s one way to describe him. I was going to say flamboyant, or maybe melodramatic? I know Hendrix would hate to hear this, but Darius is like Hen on a sugar high.”
She slaps her hand over his mouth, giggling. “Oh my god, they really are so much alike.”
“It’s probably why Darius annoys him so much.”
“So true.”
A comfortable silence settles between us. The fire crackles. The rain falls. Finally, I ask, “So what does fun look like to you? What exactly do you want me to teach you?” I ask, still skeptical that this woman needs any teaching at all.
“Oh, well, probably not any of the things you mentioned earlier.”
I try to recall. I mention partying, drinking, andoh. “None of them?” I tease her.
She blushes instantly. God, maybe Hen is right. I mostly ignored his claim that Mercury was a virgin for two reasons. First, it’s none of my business, and second, big brothers tend to think they know their sisters when they really have no idea.
But maybe he wasn’t so far off base.
“I just want to learn to be more spontaneous. More adventurous,” she says, avoiding my gaze. “I want to be able to go to a restaurant without researching twelve different places first, or get in the car without a destination.”
I want to tell her that her lack of spontaneity doesn’t make her any less fun. But I can tell she’s adamant about it, so if she’s worried about it, then maybe helping her loosen up wouldn’t be a bad idea.
So I just nod. “All right.”
“All right?”
“I’m not sure how spontaneous we can be when it comes to being in public, but I can plan something and keep it a surprise, which will give a certain element of spontaneity on your end.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up, and my heart stutters.
“Merc, you’re putting your whole damn life on hold for three months to help me out. Do I mind taking you out for some fun between boring social events? No, not at all. I’d say I owe you, at the very least.”
Her face blanches. “You don’t owe me, Asher. You don’t owe me anything. I’m here because I want to be. Because I choose to be. Please don’t think I need anything in return.”
I swallow down the surge of emotions threatening to break free. “I’m not used to people not wanting anything from me. Not demanding I give them a piece of myself.”
“I know.” She smiles. “Get used to it.”
Chapter Eleven
MERCURY
We have another two days of solitude before our quiet little bubble is broken.
Mac just finished dropping off two breakfast trays filled with pastries and bacon. The scent fills the cottage, and my mouth instantly waters.
