Love This Life: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2: Love's Great Adventure Series Book 2 (3 page)

“I think I passed. I do have you as my awesome study partner, after all,” he replied with a wink. “I need some coffee. Will you join me?”

“Sure.”

“So are we still on for our study group tonight?” Dan asked as they walked toward the cafeteria.

“Yes, I can meet you in the library. Sebastian is working at the gallery today so he’ll pick me up when he’s finished.”

The library was packed, so Tess and Dan ended up sharing a table with some fellow students. They all worked diligently, some in groups, some individually. Tess was helping Dan set up an outline for his paper. She whispered tips and tools to use to organize his thoughts. At one point, she reached over to pick up her red pen and her hand brushed against Dan’s. He instinctively wrapped his hand around hers, but didn’t make eye contact. He looked down at her hand, noticing the naked ring finger. “If you’re engaged, why don’t you wear a ring?”

“We don’t have a lot of money. I didn’t want him to spend it on a diamond.”

“He dresses like he has a lot of money,” Dan observed.

“It’s complicated.” Tess slowly pulled away. The touch made goosebumps appear on her arm and she nervously rubbed them away. Tess looked at her wristwatch. “It’s almost six thirty. Sebastian should be here soon.”

“Yeah, I guess I should get going. I know he doesn’t like me very much.”

Tess wanted to say that it wasn’t true, but it was: Sebastian didn’t like Dan. She was beginning to wonder if Sebastian had just cause to dislike him. For some reason she couldn’t fathom, she was attracted to Dan. It made no sense. Sebastian was amazing and she truly loved him. So why did she get excited and nervous when she was with Dan?

On Saturday morning, Sebastian and Tess were invited to Henry and Alice’s condo for breakfast. They ate a scrumptious smorgasbord. Alice went a little overboard with buttermilk pancakes, fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit.

Henry and Tess remained at the table sipping their hot beverages while Sebastian and Alice cleaned up the dishes. “Henry, can you give me some advice?” Tess asked quietly.

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“I’ve met this guy at NYU. He’s really nice and reminds me a lot of Sebastian. We’ve become friends and study partners, but Sebastian doesn’t like him,” Tess explained.

“Have you talked to Sebastian about it?”

“I’ve tried, but he claims Dan has a crush on me and Sebastian doesn’t trust him. I feel safe with Dan. He knows Sebastian and I are engaged.”

“Do
you
think Dan has a crush on you?”

“Yes,” Tess admitted aloud for the first time.

“Do you have crush on him?”

Tess closed her eyes and bowed her head. She took a deep breath and then opened her eyes. “Maybe I do.” Tess put her head in the palm of her hands. “Oh, Henry, I’m so confused. I love Sebastian. I want to marry him. How could I possibly have feelings for another guy?”

“Sebastian was the first person you ever dated. Maybe, now that you are at NYU, you’re seeing and meeting all types of different people that you wouldn’t have come in contact with back in Pennsylvania. This is an exciting time for you. You moved away from home. You and Sebastian are sharing a life together. I know you’re a mature young woman, but you must admit, the whole thing has to be a little overwhelming.”

What Henry said made perfect sense to Tess. She breathed a sigh of relief to realize that it was okay to feel conflicted, not that it made the situation any easier. “Do you have any suggestions on how to handle these feelings?”

“Honey, I wish I did. Growing up isn’t easy. Hell, I’m almost fifty and I don’t have life figured out yet. But I will say this: there is nothing like having someone who loves you by your side to navigate this crazy adventure called life.”

His statement brought a tear to her eye. Tess stood up from the table and hugged Henry. “Thank you. I’d like to think that if my dad were still alive, he would have said the same thing.”

“That is the greatest compliment you could ever give me, Tess.”

Sebastian helped Alice load the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. “Alice, can I ask your advice?”

“Of course, what can I help you with?”

“Tess has this new friend at NYU. He seems charming enough, but something about him just rubs me the wrong way. I think he has a crush on Tess, but I can’t convince her of it.”

“Charming like you?”

“Yes, that’s the problem: I think he reminds me a little too much of me. I know Tess loves me, but what if she becomes attracted to this guy?”

“Why do you doubt yourself and the love you two share?” Alice asked, gently placing her hand on his shoulder.

Sebastian shook his head, a confused expression on his face. “I don’t know. I just have this feeling.”

“Tess loves you. You have to believe that. You can’t let jealousy seep into the relationship. Nothing good can come of that emotion.”

Sebastian leaned back on the counter and sighed. “I know you’re right, Alice. How do I stop being jealous?”

Alice placed the dish towel on the countertop and gave her full attention to Sebastian. “Show her how much you love her, and I don’t mean by spending money on her. Listen to her when she wants to talk. Cook for her. Help her clean. Make her feel secure and safe in the life she chose to live with you.”

Sebastian smiled, so grateful for Alice’s advice. “You’re bloody brilliant, Alice,” he said, giving her a hug.

“Yes, I know,” Alice joked. “Now get out of here and spend the day with your girl.”

After they left Henry and Alice, Sebastian whisked Tess into the city. They were going to MoMA and then they would meet Sigourney for dinner at the brownstone.

They toured the exhibit—
Vienna 1900: Art, Architecture and Design
. Sebastian enjoyed the paintings of Gustav Klimt, while Tess admired the jewelry and fashion design of the period. “Are you enjoying the exhibit?” Sebastian asked, wrapping his arms around Tess’ waist.

“Yes, it reminds me of our time in London.” Her heart was happy. Even though the trip to London had occurred under terrible circumstances—Nanny’s burial—the trip had cemented Tess and Sebastian’s relationship. It was then that Tess agreed to marry Sebastian.

“We should go back soon,” Sebastian agreed.

“What do you think about applying for the overseas study program next year? We can go in the spring of our sophomore year.”

“To London?”

“It doesn’t have to be London. We could go to Rome, Sydney, Paris. We can pick a name out of a hat.”

“I can take you on a tour of Europe for our honeymoon and then you can decide which city you like best. Then we can apply.” He had promised Tess not to bring up the wedding until December, but it seemed like the perfect opportunity to mention it.

“Not a bad idea,” Tess agreed, not wanting to fight with Sebastian. “I’ll give it some serious consideration.”

Sebastian kissed the crown of her head. “Thank you.”

Sebastian opened the front door of Sigourney’s brownstone on Park Avenue. Tess entered first, then Sebastian. The sounds of Mozart filled the vestibule. They walked into the sitting room to find Sigourney seated at the piano. She stopped when she noticed her brother and Tess enter the room.

“Hello! I’m so happy you came to visit,” Sigourney announced, standing up from the piano and rushing over to give her brother and Tess hugs. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Sebastian and Tess said simultaneously.

“Sit down and I’ll make us a cocktail,” Sigourney said, walking to the drink trolley. She poured Sebastian his usual scotch and popped a bottle of champagne.

“Champagne on a Saturday. What’s the occasion?” Sebastian asked.

“Because I feel like it,” Sigourney replied, sitting down in the chair opposite her brother.

“So Tess, how is NYU? Do you love it?”

“It’s amazing. I love the city. I love the classes. I have a part-time job at the Strand.”

“Ooh, they have the most amazing selection of books!” Sigourney agreed. She sat back in the chair and grinned at the couple. “It is so good to see you. It’s ridiculous we don’t get together more often when you live so close.”

“You know it’s best this way. If Mother found out you were fraternizing with the enemy, you’d be in a heap of trouble. I won’t subject you to that, Sigourney.”

“I can take care of Mummy.”

“I’d rather you not have to do that,” Sebastian remarked.

“How are things at Juilliard?” Tess asked, changing the subject. “You’ll graduate this year. What will you do when you finish?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’ve been thinking of applying to the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. I love living here in New York, but sometimes I do miss London.”

“Tess and I were just talking about studying abroad next year.”

“You should do it, Tess. You’ll have a natural born tour guide with Sebastian in tow.”

“What are we having for dinner?” Sebastian asked. They had skipped lunch and his stomach was beginning to rumble.

“Sushi for you and me, Chinese take-away for Tess.” As if on cue, the doorbell rang. “There it is now. Excuse me.” Sigourney left the room to answer the door.

They ate, laughed, and played cards after dinner. The grandfather clock chimed nine o’clock. Tess yawned. “We should get going, Sebastian.”

“Don’t go. I’m having such a good time,” Sigourney pleaded. “Spend the night.”

Sebastian looked a Tess for her approval. “Okay. I’d like that,” Tess agreed.

Sigourney clapped her hands with delight and poured Tess more champagne. They played another round of cards and Tess begged off sleep for one more hour. Finally, at ten o’clock, she hugged Sigourney goodnight.

Sebastian escorted Tess upstairs to the bedroom she had slept in the very first time he had brought her here—only this time, he was sleeping with her. They took off their clothes and crawled into bed naked. Tess curled up in Sebastian’s arms. “I had a wonderful day. Thank you.”

“You know what the best part is?” he asked, caressing her soft skin. “I don’t have to sleep in the bed down the hall.”

Tess chuckled at the memory. “That next morning you overslept and I found you naked in bed. I so wanted to climb into bed with you instead of going to the art museum.”

“Well, here we are,” Sebastian teased, covering her mouth with his. “Please tell me you can stay awake just a little while longer?”

“I think I can be persuaded.”

“Tess,” Dan called out as he spotted her in the crowded hallway.

Tess turned around and searched the flow of people that streamed by her.

“Good morning,” Dan greeted when he finally caught up with her.

At that moment a male student rushed toward them, running down the hall to make a class, and bumped into Dan. He lost his balance and stumbled forward into Tess. Dan’s body was pinning hers against the wall.

“Oh,” Tess gasped, surprised by the sudden movement, her heart racing.

Dan looked over his shoulder, but the student was out of sight. He looked back at Tess. She held Dan’s gaze, her breath labored, their lips just inches apart. “Sorry about that,” Dan said.

Tess didn’t respond. She stood stone still. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating.

Dan politely moved away from Tess. Straightening his posture, he said very quietly, “I guess we should get to class.”

Tess slowly nodded in agreement. She began to walk toward class, but never uttered a word.

Tess sat in the lecture hall next to Dan. The event in the hallway had shaken her. She was excited by the close proximity they shared and her brain wandered. What would it be like to kiss Dan? How could she be attracted to Dan when she was in love with Sebastian? The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt.

When class ended, Tess stood up from her chair and rushed out of the lecture hall without a word to Dan. Sebastian only had one class that day and then he was heading to the art gallery to work. Maybe it was a good thing for Tess to spend the day alone; she needed to get some fresh air and try to sort out her conflicted feelings.

Pushing open the glass door, she walked out into the crisp fall weather. Instinctively, she wrapped her scarf around her neck and headed to the coffee shop down the street.

It was packed with NYU students. Tess ordered a hot chocolate. When her drink was prepared, she paid the cashier and headed out of the shop, walking toward Washington Square.

The square was bustling with students. It seemed like Tess was never going to find a quiet spot to think. She sat on a park bench, clutching her hot beverage to warm her hands. The next week was Thanksgiving. Where had the time gone? It seemed like only yesterday that Sebastian and Tess were graduating high school. Tess smiled as she thought of Sebastian. He had become the most important person in her world. She loved him; it was as simple as that. Why, then, did she find it hard to concentrate when she was around Dan? Surely, she couldn’t be attracted to him while being in love with Sebastian. Maybe it was just infatuation? That must be it, because Tess would never intentionally do something to ruin the relationship she was building with Sebastian.

After her last class, Tess retreated to the library to wait for Sebastian. He was picking her up after his shift at the gallery. She tried to focus on her textbook, but found herself continually reading the same line over and over again, without comprehension.

The shadow of a man cast over her and she looked up, expecting to see Sebastian.

“I’ve been looking for you all day. Have you been avoiding me?” Dan asked as he took a seat next to her.

“Yes,” Tess admitted.

“Why?”

“I needed some time alone to think.”

“About what?” a confused Dan asked.

“It’s been a long day. Can we talk some other time? Sebastian should be here shortly to pick me up.”

“I don’t understand. What did I do wrong, Tess?”

Tess loudly exhaled the breath she had been holding in. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Dan,” she explained, avoiding eye contact.