Seeing Shadows (36 page)

"Well, thanks for walking me to work. Have fun tonight. See you tomorrow."

Simon smiled in return. "See you tomorrow." Then he was gone.

Unfortunately Marnie and Colleen had witnessed the hug since the front of the cafe was all glass. Colleen just gave me a smirk when I entered but I had to endure Marnie's barrage of questions about whether Simon and I were together. She also told me over and over again how disappointed she was that the Henchmen weren't performing this weekend. The band had been planning on performing at least once every weekend, but since we were going to Connecticut this weekend, it was impossible. I didn't tell Marnie that though because that would've added fuel to the fire about me and Simon.

When my shift was over, I turned to wave at Colleen. "Bye Colleen. Have a good weekend. And thanks again for letting Emily and Gabe cover my shifts." Gabe was another server, and he and Emily had been willing to take my shifts this weekend so I could go to Connecticut.

"Just be sure to make this weekend worth your while," Colleen said with a wink. I hadn't specifically told her where I was going this weekend, just that I was going out of town, but she seemed to have assumed it would be with Simon.

I rolled my eyes and smiled, giving a last wave. Marnie had already left for the night. Since it was a slow night, Colleen had scheduled only one server for the last hour. Colleen and Devi usually stayed later, doing inventory and going over the books since Devi helped her with the business side of the cafe.

The door closed behind me with a jingle of bells and I started walking when I saw Simon leaning against a tree in front of Colette's.

"Hey!" I said with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Simon straightened and ambled over, his hands in his coat pockets. "I figured you'd need an escort home. And I found someone willing to fill that position. Me."

I laughed. "Simon, it's perfectly safe for me to walk home alone. I do it all the time." And it
was
safe. The few streets from Colette's to my apartment were residential and there were often people sitting on their steps, hanging out even when it was late so it wasn't as if I was walking a deserted path.

Simon cocked an eyebrow. "You can just say thank you."

"Thank you. But it's unnecessary." I then softened my tone, since he was just worried about me. "I'm happy for you to walk me home though.
This
time."

Simon shrugged without comment and then slung his arm around my shoulders as we made our way home. I accepted his touch as easily as his hugs. It was becoming addictive.

"So how was work?" he asked conversationally.

"Good," I said, burrowing into his side, relishing the warmth in the cold night. "It wasn't too busy so half the time I was just gossiping with Marnie." I gave him a sideways glance. "She's heartbroken that the Henchmen won't be playing this weekend."

"Yeah, well Joel wasn't too happy about it either. But what can you do?" Simon sounded unconcerned.

"But what if he doesn't let you play other weekends because you're missing this one?" I asked.

Simon shrugged. "I doubt it since we seem to be bringing in a crowd. And if he does, who cares?"

"Probably Grant," I laughed. I envied Simon's carefree attitude. I was the polar opposite of him, constantly worrying about the results of my actions. Although I had seen flashes of Simon being far from easygoing.

Simon grinned. "Grant does live and breathe the Henchmen. But Joel would just be cutting into his own profits by not letting us play." He looked down at me, seemingly ready to change the topic. "Kendra's birthday party is Saturday night, and we'll be pretty busy during the day since it'll be lots of family stuff. But I want to spend Sunday showing you around Darien. We're not leaving until six so we have plenty of time."

"I'm sure Sarah would love to see your hometown. Especially if you can drag Grant along." I smiled but my mind was racing furiously. I had called my aunt Monday night after I had decided to go to Connecticut. It turned out that she lived only about ten minutes away from Darien and I was planning on going to her house on Sunday afternoon. I knew we weren't planning on leaving until six in the evening that day, which would leave me plenty of time. I figured that Saturday would be busy with Kendra's birthday and it would be too obvious for me to slip away then.

During the phone call Monday night I had realized that, at some point, I had accepted her as my aunt. My excitement in meeting her was growing, although I was apprehensive as well. It wouldn't be just a happy family reunion. Her answers to my questions would affect the rest of my life.

I hadn't exactly figured out the logistics of getting to Aunt Brenda's. We were all driving down in Simon's car so Sarah wouldn't have her car there. I had thought about suggesting we drive down separately, but I had no reason to give that would justify the change in plans. At least, not a reason I would give willingly. Besides, I didn't know what excuse I could give even if Sarah did have her car. She certainly would want to know where I was going, and I wasn't ready to tell her yet. Never mind I didn't have a clue what to do about Simon.

"I was thinking it would just be you and me," Simon said, breaking into my thoughts. "Grant said he was going to stop by his parents' house on Sunday. I suggested he invite Sarah along and he agreed."

I bit my lip. Now it was going to be even harder getting out of spending time with Simon on Sunday. It was bad enough trying to figure out an excuse to slip away when it would be the four of us, but now I had no idea what to do. I distractedly thought about how ecstatic Sarah would be to finally go over to Grant's house, but I pushed the thought aside. I had more pressing matters to deal with.

"Well, um," I started. I decided the easiest path was the one closest to the truth. "Actually, I just found out that I have an aunt in Connecticut. And I was planning on going over for a quick visit on Sunday before we left."

"Great!" Simon replied enthusiastically. "That's awesome that you have an aunt nearby. How did you find out about her? What town does she live in?"

"She called me. She's my father's older sister and I guess she's always wondered about me even though we haven't seen each other since I was really young. She lives in Norwalk."

"She's practically my neighbor. We can make a stop there during the day."

I gulped. There was no way Simon was coming with me. "I think....I think it might be best if I meet her alone for the first time. She might feel awkward if I bring a stranger with me." From my conversations with my aunt, I doubted she ever felt awkward but Simon didn't need to know that.

Simon frowned, furrowing his brow. "You don't want me to meet her? Why?"

I groaned inwardly. Why couldn't Simon just let things
go.

"She's a very private person," I lied. "That's why she's never contacted me before. She's wary of meeting new people. I don't want to ask her if it's okay if I bring someone because she might feel obligated to say yes even if she doesn't want me to." My constant lying was really honing my skills. "Maybe you can hang out with Grant and Sarah on Sunday."

"How are you planning on getting there?"

I suddenly had a revelation. I didn't know why on earth I hadn't thought of it before. I wanted to clunk myself on the head, it was so obvious.

"She's coming to pick me up." And I'm sure she would. I would just have to give her a quick phone call.

Simon shook his head. "That's a waste of a drive for her. I can just drive you over."

"But-"

"Caitlin, just let me drive you over. I'll wait in the car so your aunt doesn't feel uncomfortable. That way, we can spend the day together and I can still show you around."

His idea actually wasn't a bad one. If Simon didn't go inside my aunt's house with me, I could keep everything private. And I had a feeling that fighting him on this would be futile.

"Well...okay," I relented. "I guess that's okay. I just feel bad making you be my chauffeur."

Simon grinned. "I already said I was willing to be your escort everywhere. I'll just add driver to the list."

I shook my head but couldn't suppress a smile. "I forgot to ask you," I said, wanting to change the subject away from my aunt. "How was dinner?"

"Fantastic. Everyone loved the meatballs. But I barely have leftovers. How am I going to make a meatball sandwich tomorrow?" Simon looked genuinely forlorn and I laughed. We had made a mountain of meatballs but I knew from experience that the boys' appetites were enormous.

We had reached my apartment and he walked me up the stairs. Before I could say goodbye, he scooped me up in a bear hug, lifting me off the ground and twirling me around.

"Simon!" I squealed, laughing. "Are you crazy?"

Simon set me down but didn't release me, his blue eyes shining with laughter and warmth. "I never thought so but now I think I might be. Just a little."

I was breathless from more than Simon's twirling. I had grabbed Simon's neck when he had started spinning me around, wrapping my arms around him to keep from falling. My arms were still around his neck, my face tilted up towards his bent head. I felt a sudden urge to pull him closer, to press his lips against mine. He was so close. And I knew he was willing. Simon's eyes became hooded as he looked down at me, focusing on my lips and tightening his arms.

Before I did something I would regret, I backed away, lowering my arms and breaking his embrace. Simon let his arms drop but he looked disappointed.

"Well," I said awkwardly. "Thanks for walking me home."

"Anytime," Simon replied, his face clearing of disappointment as he gave me a smile. "Sweet dreams."

I flinched at his words but he didn't seem to notice. I covered it up with an answering smile. "You too."

After Simon left and I locked the apartment door behind me, I was grateful to see that it was dark under Sarah's door. I felt too vulnerable at the moment and wasn't sure I could hide anything if Sarah had been awake to question me.

The next day went by quickly since I was anticipating the trip to Connecticut. By the time I got home after my last class, Sarah was practically bouncing up and down on the couch, beside herself with excitement.

"Finally!" she exclaimed. "I thought you were never going to get home!"

"I come home the same time every Friday," I said with a laugh, but Sarah's excitement was contagious. Much to my surprise, I was actually looking forward to visiting Simon's hometown. I tried to push back the nervousness of meeting his family.

"Yeah, but it's not everyday I get to see Grant on his home turf." Sarah hesitated, the glow in her eyes dimming slightly. "Do you think we'll see Cara?"

I gave Sarah a sympathetic look. I knew she was torn between wanting to finally see the girl who could twist Grant around her finger versus fearing she would have to see Grant fawn over the girl she considered the competition. Sarah respected relationships and had never pursued Grant while he and Cara were together, but she considered him fair game on their "off" periods, which were more frequent than not.

Grant never talked in much detail about Cara, but from what I could glean she sounded materialistic and controlling. I thought it was odd that she had never visited Grant at school in the year and a half we had known him. He would always be the one to go to Connecticut to visit her. Wasn't she curious about his life at Maxwell?

I couldn't understand why someone like Grant would let a girl pull his strings like a puppet. Grant had known Cara since they were both in elementary school and they had grown up together. I wondered if that was a factor in their apparent dysfunctional codependency. I just wished Sarah could move past him and let someone who actually reciprocated her feelings have a chance. Grant and Sarah were good friends, but he had to know how she felt. It was pretty overt and he never seemed to discourage it.