London Soul Page 14

  I blinked rapidly. Had I been presented with a specimen as fine as Angel, I might not have refused either. “So, what? You just jumped him in the shower? That is so not like you.”

  Sophie laughed for the first time since I had come home. “No, that sounds like me.”

  “Maybe I was channeling you, I guess.” Faith giggled. “But I didn’t have sex with him. We just snogged. There was a lot of snogging.”

  I collapsed in a fit of giggles. “So, you’re making out fully clothed with him fully naked. I’m sorry, but I have to ask, how did you not get distracted by his… uhm…” My voice trailed.

  Faith barked out a laugh. “Well, it wasn’t easy. I mean, it was right there, and rather insistent, and did I mention big?”

  Sophie leaned forward. “Just how big are we talking?” She put up her hands with space between them. When Faith shook her head, Sophie adjusted her hands. Faith giggled, then moved her hands even further apart. Sophie’s eyes bulged. “I'm going to have to try to convince Max that we need an open relationship or something. I can’t believe there’s a beautiful boy with equipment that large, and I can’t sample the goods.”

  Faith and I howled with laughter. Faith clutched her side and said. “The thing is, he's lovely too. At one point he stopped and said, ‘So, are we taking off your clothes, or are we just going to continue this later?’”

  “He can be so sweet. I told you guys how he took care of me on that shoot, made sure the models listened, and then introduced me around until I had a couple of other jobs lined up. He's lovely. You could do worse.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t think I'm really looking for another relationship.”

  Sophie groaned before plopping back against the pillows. “You mean you're not even going to fully sample the goods?”

  “Not sure yet. He wants to hang out or something, so we're going to go to Jasper's show on Friday. I'll see after that. I’m trying to keep to casual.”

  “At least tell me the kissing was good,” Sophie mumbled.

  Faith narrowed her eyes. “I was making out with him fully clothed while he was in the shower. What do you think?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. How had I missed this? I’d been so caught up in my personal melodrama that I hadn’t had enough girl time. I needed to change that. I didn’t want to spend all my time in London with a boy. No matter how sexy he was. “So, then you told Liam?”

  Mid-bite of my crumpet, I heard the Skype ringing on my computer. Excusing myself, I ran into the room and swore I would skip the masochistic torture if it was my parents or Easton. I smiled when I saw it was Ama.

  I hit the video button and grinned when I saw my sister’s broad smile. “Hey, Ama.”

  Ama sighed with relief. “I have to tell you, I wasn't sure if you'd answer for me. No one's been able to get a hold of you, so I thought I was persona non grata too.”

  Of all my family, Ama was the only one who had ever supported any of my decisions. Which was why she was my favorite sister. “Of course not. I always answer your calls.”

  “Glad to hear it. Now, give it to me straight. How are you?”

  I shrugged. “Actually, not bad. Could be better, of course, but I'm working my ass off and finally getting somewhere in my class. I was convinced my professor hated me, but now I think he's beginning to respect my work.”

  “And friends, you've got a good support system over there? I worried about you when that whole tabloid thing went down.”

  I frowned. Yeah, that whole tabloid thing and the subsequent abandonment by my parents. “I'm okay. I’ve got some pretty good friends. Faith and Sophie were pretty stellar. They whisked me off to Sophie’s boyfriend's house for a few days to hide out from the paparazzi, and they kept me fed with proper food and only the occasional tub of ice cream. Oh yeah, and loads of scones and clotted cream.”

  “Well, you look fantastic. Or does that fabulous glow have more to do with that guy than your fabulous friends?”

  I ducked my head. “Maybe a little bit of both. But mostly it's this city. The whole place is alive, Ama. I mean it just screams with energy. I can't help but feel creative here. It's pretty awesome. It's like I'm where I'm supposed to be. Like this is my home, and it has nothing to do with family, or friends, or school, but more to do with…” I paused, my voice trailing. “…with how it makes me feel every morning when I wake up, regardless of what else is going on. There's just something about this city.”

  Ama smiled. “You look really happy, little sister.”

  “I am happy.” I shrugged. “That's not to say it's easy, because it's not. Alexi drives me up the wall, and Xander is really demanding, and Faith and Sophie have their own problems that I have to be a better friend for, and I'm struggling with the job thing, but it's still pretty unbelievable.”

  “Speaking of the job thing, I’m working on Mom and Dad, okay? You just keep doing what you're doing. I'll find a way to have them support you, or at least pay for the rest of school. It's not right or fair what they've done.”

  Tears stung my eyes. “Ama, I appreciate you trying for me, but it won't change them. And come to think of it, I don't want the strings that come with that money. I want to do this on my own. It was a mistake to count on them in the first place.”

  “Stop it.” My sister's voice took on a hard edge. “You earned every penny of that money. You got the same deal the rest of us got when you were ten. As long as you worked hard and kept your grades above a B average, you would never have to worry about school expenses. They reneged just because they didn’t like your new boyfriend, or whatever. It's wrong.”

  “It's also their prerogative.”

  “Abbie.”

  “No, Ama, even if they brought me a briefcase full of money in small, unmarked bills and not a single string attached, I wouldn’t take it.”

  “Abbie, don’t be stubborn.”

  I rolled my shoulders, unsure how to make her see what I was talking about. “Look, you were the only one who believed I could do this. You've supported me from the beginning. And I appreciate that. But I need to know I can do this and do it on my own. I don't want to look back years from now and cringe, wondering if I could have done it, was it possible? Those invisible strings would tug at my psyche for years. I don't want that. I want to be able to stand on my own without them. I'm all about being surrounded by the positive right now. And their money stinks of, ‘You can't possibly be successful at this. Come home so you can be monitored properly.' If I don't stand up to them now, it's never going to happen.”

  Amar's shoulders slumped. “Okay, I understand, but at least let me help you. I’ve got some money tucked away for a rainy day.”

  “Are you kidding, Ama? You're a second-year resident. Keep your money.”

  “Abbie!”

  I shook my head. “No, Ama, not even from you. I was serious about doing this on my own. Lex even offered, and I turned him down.”

  “You're being stubborn, Abbie.”

  I grinned at her. “I hear it's a family trait.”

  “Okay, fine, but the moment you need anything, you call me. Don't you dare call them first. Do you hear me? I'll do whatever I can to help you. You look so much happier now than you ever did at home. Like you're a more vibrant version of yourself. I don't ever want to see that go away, so I'll do anything you need.”

  I sniffed and blinked rapidly, trying to stave off the threatening emotional downpour.

  “Thank you, Ama. I don't know what I would do without you.”

  She grinned. “I imagine you'd be just fine. Now, when are you going to tell me about this boyfriend of yours? And can he kiss? Because those pictures suggest that he sure as hell can.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Abbie

  I licked my lips nervously as I walked into Xander’s office. As usual, his desk and shelves were cluttered with cameras and photography books. His desk had images and magazines stacked high, and I could forget about sitting—there wasn’t a clean surface anywhe
re. I grabbed a stack of photos off the chair and placed them on the already cluttered desk. I handed him my memory card. “I appreciate you taking the time to review these with me before class.”

  “Of course. I want you to succeed, and I’m glad you’ve taken my advice and done some work on some portraits.”

  Quietly, he studied my images frame by frame, taking his time. I wasn’t looking forward to another verbal flaying from him. But I’d worked hard on these and needed his feedback.

  I’d taken a whole series of photographs of London’s street performers. The dancers and the musicians and the singers. Most of the locations had been simple enough. All I had to do was sit on the tube long enough, and I’d catch someone playing or singing. I always tipped heavily, unlike many of the Londoners.

  With a few, I’d also been lucky enough to catch the movement of the trains behind us or the hustle and bustle of moving commuters blurring out the landscape. These shots were good. They were better than good. My favorite was of an old man playing the violin as uniformed school children raced around him at the park. I’d caught the sea of burgundy uniforms in the background of the photo.

  When he was done, Xander sat back and studied me. His first words weren’t about my photos though. “I wanted to see how you were doing.”

  I frowned. “I’m fine.”

  “Well, I know about the shit with the paparazzi. Is it getting in the way of doing your work?”

  I sighed. So this was about Alexi. “No. I’m fine. And as you can see, my work hasn’t suffered. Save that one assignment.” I stiffened my back. “Is this the part where you tell me I should probably stay away from your brother? Or did you have something school related to discuss?” I clamped my jaw tight as I seethed.

  He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay, look. I was out of line to tell you to stay away from Lex. I, uhm, was surprised that you knew him. And I sort of overreacted. I won’t lie and say that you don’t intrigue me. Probably more than you should.”

  “I thought you had a very firm policy against sleeping with your students.”

  He chuckled and leaned forward. “Yes, well. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m pretty good at bending the rules to suit myself.”

  I folded my arms. “Honestly, I’m not sure why I fascinate you so much. I’m just a girl. A prickly one at that. You’re Xander Chase. I’m sure you don’t want for women.”

  “I am Xander Chase. And you’re right; a woman in my bed isn’t something that’s particularly hard to come by. But finding one with a brain and a heart and inner strength with attitude to spare, well, it’s a bit difficult.”

  I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and wished I had my camera in my hands. I’d never had to turn down so much male attention before. I met his gaze. “Alexi.”

  He nodded. “Yes, Alexi.” Xander’s smile was faint and a little sad. “He’s my brother, and I suspect you love him.”

  I squared my shoulders. “I’m not a toy you can fight over. Besides, you’re my professor. I came here to learn from you. You can make or break my career, and I need you.”

  His jaw ticked. “You make him happy, so I’ll be the teacher you need. Your work today was exceptional. I expect it to continue improving. No more hiccups?”

  I shoved the swell of pride into a box to examine later. “No more hiccups. I’m here to work.” Then, I added, “I also expect to be treated like any other one of your students. No more random acts of flirtation and no more singling me out. The others are beginning to notice.”

  His eyes narrowed imperceptibly, and he crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Random acts of flirtation?”

  Oh no. He would not do that guy thing where he made me feel like I was being crazy. I’d sensed something there. “Yeah, like at the club and at the pub the other night.”

  He nodded slowly. “Fair enough. I can manage that.”

  “Thank you.”

  Xander indicated his computer. “Your photos. They’re excellent. Some of them are really exquisite. I think you have a real knack for portraits.”

  I had to keep from grinning like an idiot as the warmth of his praise swept through me. “Really? You’re not just saying that?”

  “Really. I don’t blow smoke up anyone’s arse, no matter how nicely they ask. Now go on. I suspect you have something far more interesting to do with your Sunday than sit in this cramped office. I’ll see you in class on Monday.”

  As I stood and walked out, I could feel him watching me.

  Abbie

  Later that afternoon, I attempted to tug my hand out of Alexi’s. “I'm not sure about this. This is your time with your family. I feel like I'm intruding.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Would you relax? You were invited.”

  I chewed my lip. “She didn’t invite me specifically. She just said she'd like to meet me sometime.”

  Lex paused and turned to face me as we stood on the steps of his mother's Kensington townhome. “She'll love you. And would you stop all that nonsense? You are my girlfriend.”

  His girlfriend. I loved the sound of that. But there was a tightness around his mouth. Something in his bright smile was a little off. Like he needed this visit to go well. I still couldn’t let it go. “Maybe we should take some time. You know, let me meet your mother on a different day. Another time.”

  He only laughed. “You're my girlfriend. I want to tell everybody I know. I want to show you off. And it's important to me that you meet my family. Can you do this for me?”

  I shifted from foot to foot and tucked one of my braids behind my ears. “I'm just not very good at this stuff. Parental units make me squigy.”

  He shook his head. “I'm not even sure that's a word. I doubt that would hold up in Scrabble.”

  “Oh, but I think it would. Like Beyoncé, I'm adding words to the dictionary. You'll see. Before long, it'll be in Webster’s.”

  His response—kissing me soundly on the mouth. He lingered before pulling back. He started to speak then paused, looking as if he might say something. He seemed to rethink before finally saying, “She'll love you. I know it.”

  I nodded, wanting to trust him. Besides, after my own parents, how bad could Stephanie Chase be?

  Lex let us into the spacious townhome without ringing the doorbell first. I tried not to stare or touch anything as I stepped into the marble foyer. Bright paintings hung on the walls, adding bold splashes of color to the otherwise stark white of the interior. Two curving staircases framed the entrance, leading to a landing nearly obscured by the lavish chandelier. I craned my head up and gasped. The ceiling had been painted with a heaven-scape of pink and orange clouds.

  “Wow, it's beautiful.”

  “I'm glad you like it.” At the banister at the top of the stairs stood Stephanie Chase.

  I gaped at her. Her dark hair hung to her waist in beautiful waves, and she wore minimal makeup. She’d dressed much as I had, with skinny jeans and a body-hugging sweater. Though, instead of boots, her feet were bare.

  Lex squeezed my hand. “Mum, I have someone I'd like you to meet.”

  Stephanie glided down the stairs with a beaming smile for her son. I tried not to feel bereft at the loss of his warm, reassuring hand when he let go to hug his mother. Instead, I slapped what I hoped was an intelligent, put-together-girlfriend smile on my face.

  Stephanie hugged Alexi tight before stepping back to scrutinize him. “You look happy, Lex.”

  “Well, that has a lot to do with Abbie.” He reached out his hand for me, and I automatically took it. “Abena Nartey, this is my mother, Stephanie Chase. Mum, this is Abbie.”

  “Why don't you come in and have a seat?”

  After Stephanie had dispatched the maid for tea, I fidgeted on the snow-white couch with Lex. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. How hard could it be? All I had to do was sit there and smile and answer some questions. I cleared my throat. “Your home is beautiful, Mrs. Chase.” I frowned. “Or, erm, Your Majesty.”

&nb
sp; Stephanie waved her hand dismissively as she smiled warmly. “No, dear, I insist you call me Stephanie.”

  I gave her a tight smile. I wouldn’t be calling her anything then. After all, my strict cultural upbringing dictated the only appropriate address as Mrs. or Auntie for an elder, particularly my boyfriend’s mother. But I'd deal with that later. Right now, I had to get through this.

  “So, my son tells me you're a photographer.”

  I nodded slowly, and Alexi squeezed my hand in encouragement. I forced myself to breathe. “I'm studying now under your son Xander.”

  Stephanie laughed. “Oh, Xander, that naughty little upstart. He doesn’t visit as often as he should. I do hope he hasn’t been giving you a hard time. He’s a bit notorious.”

  “I will tell him when I see him next class.” I liked Stephanie Chase and could see where Alexi got his heart from. “You must be very proud. His work is extraordinary and inspiring.”

  The older woman beamed. “I am proud of him. I’m proud of both my boys. They’ve been through so much and have turned out so well.”

  I could feel my smile falter. Alexi had only told me about his contentious relationship with his father. Was there more he’d left out? Calm down, you two have no more secrets. When you’re alone, just ask him what she means.

  I coughed. “I, uhm, I—”

  “You don’t have to search for the tactful response, darling. I know Alexander can be a handful.”

  I cleared my throat. “Yes, I noticed. But he really is an excellent teacher.”

  Alexi squeezed my hand. “Stop putting her on the spot, Mum.”

  Stephanie laughed. “I’m sorry, darling, I’ll behave.”

  I squeezed his hand. “It's okay. I'm fine, I promise.”

  “So, what do you two love birds have planned for the afternoon?”

  Lex looked at me, his gaze full of promise and fun. “I dunno. Abbie needs some photos for class, so I was thinking we'd meander around Notting Hill for a bit. Maybe head down to Oxford Street eventually and do some shopping.”