[Hearts of Palomino 01.0] Love Is Eternal Read online

  “So, have you always lived down here?” I asked her.

  “Pretty much. I did live in Denver for two years, but I hated it.” She took a bite of her nachos.

  “Why’s that?”

  She sighed. “My mom raised me alone, but she was sent to prison on drug charges when I was thirteen, so I ended up in foster homes. The people who looked after me in Denver were just doing it for the money. Anyway, when I turned eighteen, I made my way back down here.” She shrugged, looking away.

  “Do you talk to your mom at all?” I said.

  “No, she got out a few years back, but I never wanted to reach out to her.” She looked down and started playing with her cup.

  I felt bad for her but also realized that I was getting too personal, especially for a first date.

  “What about you? Where did you grow up? And your parents, are they around here?”

  I set my drink down. “Mom was killed ten years ago by a drunk driver. And Dad lives up north near Firestone where I grew up.”

  “Sorry about your mom. That’s rough. But that’s cool your dad is around. Do you guys get along?”

  I smiled. “Yeah, he’s a great guy, a great father. You would like him. I know he would like you.”

  “Maybe one day I will be able to meet him.”

  We didn't end up skating anymore. Instead we sat there and talked. And then talked some more. I found out she was hoping to become a store manager of her own Johnnie 80s and I shared my dream of running a business, maybe my own in another country, once I graduated.

  “So then, his eyes got all big like a kid in a toy store. He was like, ‘Like, a lesbian?’” I said, telling her about Travis and my conversation at the pool.

  Veronica burst out laughing, shaking her head. “Oh, that’s too funny!”

  “No! It gets better!” I said leaning in.

  “Tell me.” She leaned in across the table as well.

  “He goes, ‘congratulations!’”

  We both burst out laughing, and I caught myself just staring at her, watching her eyes light up, the creases around her mouth, the way she moved her hand when she talked.

  “Well, I will have to meet him properly,” she said, as we both stood up and returned our skates to the counter.

  “So, does that mean we might go out again?” I said as we walked out toward the parking lot.

  “Maybe,” Veronica said, giving me a wink.

  ***

  I pulled up in front of her house and put the car in park.

  “Well, I had fun,” I said.

  “Me too. I’m working doubles the next three days, but call me Sunday if you’d like.” She opened the door and got out, then popped her head back in, a smile on her face. “It was fun, Julie.” She closed the door and I watched her walk away and head up to the door. I had to admit, I loved the way her butt looked in those tight jeans. I could picture a set of hands grabbing her butt cheeks, and I imagined they were mine. With a smile on my face, I threw the car into drive, signaled, and headed back to my apartment.

  Chapter Four

  It was Sunday morning, and I found myself in shorts and a tank top curled up on the couch reading. I was going to call Veronica and looked forward to doing so, but thought I should wait until at least one in case she was sleeping in. I was just at the part where the crazy ex-boyfriend busted through the window when a knock came to my door causing me to scream.

  Getting off the couch, my heart racing, I opened the door to find Travis standing there, a look of shock on his face.

  “Hey, you OK?” he said.

  “I'm fine. You just scared me. I was into a book, and yeah, I'm good. What’s going on?”

  “Alice is on video chat, and she wants to talk to you. I mean, if you’re not busy or anything.”

  I looked horrible, but seeing the excitement on his face, I said, “Sure, I would love to.”

  “Great! You’re going to love her.”

  We walked into his apartment, which was laid out just like mine. On the high-rise counter between the kitchen and living room sat a laptop, the video screen up.

  “So, this is Julie, the girl I was telling you about,” Travis said, then looked at me. He waved me over. “Don't be shy, come on.”

  I didn't know what to expect but was blown away when I moved in front of the screen. Alice was drop-dead gorgeous with wide doe-like brown eyes and honey-blond hair. She could have easily been a model.

  “Well, hey there!” she said, her accent as thick as Travis’s.

  “Hey, there back,” I said with a wave at the screen.

  “Travis has told me so much about you,” she said.

  I felt a bit nervous for a second. I hoped she understood that it was just a friendship.

  “And let me tell you, I am relieved. That boy needs a friend around.” She laughed.

  I looked at Travis who rolled his eyes, his cheeks going red.

  And for the next ten minutes we talked, and I realized what a perfect match those two were. She definitely was the more dominant one, and I respected the air of confidence that came through the screen.

  “Hey, I need to grab my phone from my truck,” Travis said. “Be right back.”

  When he was gone, Alice asked, “Hey, Julie, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, what is it?”

  She smiled. “Travis is a great guy, but as you probably picked up on, he’s sweet but also a little naive at times. Keep an eye on him for me if you could.”

  “He’s great,” I said, “and yes, I promise I will.”

  Travis came back in a minute later and then I exchanged email addresses with Alice.

  “OK, honey, nice to meet you. And Travis, love you. Keep those grades up or I’ll kick your butt.”

  “Love you too,” Travis said. “Miss you.”

  “Miss you too. I have to go, they’re calling us. Bye! Love you!” Then the screen went black.

  I turned to Travis. “She is so beautiful,” I said. “And what a sweet personality.”

  “Yeah, she is absolutely stunning in every way.” He had a huge grin on his face. “Oh, come check this out…” He walked down his hallway and led me to a near-empty room with a single crib in it. Inside were a toy tractor and a doll with a pink dress.

  “What’s that for?” I said.

  “Well, when she’s done and stationed back here, we are planning on having a kid. So, I thought I would surprise her.” His face was beaming. “What do you think?”

  I smiled at him. “I think it’s very sweet,” I said, then looked back at the crib.

  ***

  I stared at the clock on the wall as the seconds dragged into minutes. And each minute took longer than the next. Right at one, I went to call but saw I had a voicemail.

  “Crap,” I muttered as I dialed. I had left my phone at the apartment when I went over to Travis’s. The voice mail came on and I held the phone to my ear.

  “Hey, Julie, it’s Veronica. I hope I'm not waking you. Look, they called me into work today and I won’t be getting off until late. Maybe we can do something Wednesday? Let me know…bye.”

  Hanging up the phone, I groaned. “Well, that sucks,” I said, setting it down. I was looking forward to seeing her today, but at least there was Wednesday.

  Grabbing the book back off the floor, I found where I had left off and began to read again.

  ***

  Wednesday I found myself in Professor Roberts’ class as he was going on about business ethics theory. Looking at the clock hanging above him, there were only ten minutes left. He had assigned a lot of homework and it was going to take me at least three days to get it done, if not more.

  “And you, Julie, what’re your thoughts on this?” he said, breaking me out my thoughts.

  “Oh, I don't know…”

  “You don't know or you don't want to participate?” he said, his arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing a sweater, and seeing it was nearly a hundred degrees outside, I found it quite ridiculous. Not to me
ntion the cap he wore on his head and his wire-rimmed glasses. For some reason I found the combination driving me nuts.

  “Well, I do know and let’s see…” I said, standing up. Everyone in class looked at me, and Professor Roberts had this smug look on his face. He loved to call out students and then berate them on their answers. “If I own a pizza place and I know that the guy down the road makes a better pizza, I am going to try to outdo him.”

  He nodded his head, his hand coming to his chin.

  “But until that day comes, if a customer comes into my shop and asks ‘who has the best pizza in town.? Do I tell him the truth and send him down the road? Or do I smile and let him know mine is better, even though I know it isn't? So yes, business ethics do, and should, exist. But I don't always think, no matter how hard we try, no company is going to be one hundred percent perfect in this regard. And at times, it may be better if they’re not.” I retook my seat.

  A couple of students smiled at me, and a guy with glasses gave me a thumbs-up sign.

  The professor snorted, shaking his head as if I just spoke some great blasphemy in his holy temple of knowledge.

  “Compelling argument and it tugs at the heartstrings,” he said, putting his hands to his chest, eliciting a few laughs from the class. “But it is merely an attempt to solidify acts that are unconscionable.” The smile on his face did not match the words.

  I felt like throwing my book at him and was relieved when he said class was dismissed. Putting my book away and grabbing my purse, I moved with the other students trying to work my way out of the classroom.

  “Ms. Summers,” he said, waving me over.

  Great, I thought. If he was going to berate me, I was not in the mood. And judging by the smile on his face, I knew it was coming.

  “Professor,” I said, faking a smile.

  He smiled at the other students as they cleared out, and once the room was empty, put his attention back on me.

  “I have to say, that was a great argument. I think you’re doing well in this class and look forward to seeing your report next Monday.”

  I was shocked. It didn't make any sense. A minute ago he seemed to be chiding me and now he was complimenting me.

  “I don't get it. I mean, I thought you said my arguments were unconscionable.”

  He smiled, going over to his desk and grabbing a book, handed it to me.

  “I did. And you stood there and didn't apologize for it. It was because you knew you were right, am I correct?”.

  I held the book to my side. “Yeah, and to be honest, I was thinking you were wrong.”

  “I was and did so on purpose. But you strike me as a person who's determined. A fighting spirit who won’t back down. Quite a rare trait these days, especially in the sacred halls of learning. Oh, and read that book when you have time.” When he was finished, he went to his desk and took a seat.

  I looked at the cover. It was a picture of the professor, but much younger without the glasses and hat. The title read: “All That Stuffed: True tales from a toy company CEO”.

  “Hey, that’s you!” I said, holding the book out.

  He looked up to me, a smile on his face. “Yes, it is. See you Monday.” Without another word, he went back to writing.

  I walked out of the classroom, and taking a look back, I smiled. The glasses, the hat, it was all a ruse and he did a damn good job of it.

  ***

  I was at my desk in the spare room of the apartment, which was now my study, when the phone rang. Seeing it was Veronica, I answered quickly.

  “Hey, there,” I said.

  “Hey you back. What’s going on? Are you still wanting to do something?”

  I groaned. I had been so caught up with the assignment I forgot to call her.

  “I do and I hate to do this, but I am on a huge project. Can we do it again soon?” I bit my bottom lip.

  “Sure, I get it. Let’s see, how about Monday afternoon? I'm free then until about four.”

  I shook my head. “Yeah, I can’t then. I told Travis I would go with him to the mall. He’s picking out some gifts for his wife and all that.”

  Veronica laughed. “Hey, let’s do this. Call me after Monday, and we can figure something out around then.”

  “Good idea. Sorry about missing out tonight though. I really wanted to see you.” I let my words hang there.

  “Me too,” she said, making my heart flutter.

  “Well, have a good night.”

  “You do the same. I’ll let you get back to your studying.”

  I hung up the phone, and for a few minutes, I sat there. I debated about calling her back and just going out anyway. But I knew if I did that now, I would do it the next time and the time after that.

  Pushing the phone away, I turned back to my laptop and began to type again.

  ***

  That Monday I went up to Professor Roberts’ after class. He was writing away but stopped to look up at me. “Ms. Summers, how can I help you?”

  “I read your book,” I said, handing it back to him.

  He took it and put it away in a drawer. “And?”

  “I liked it. You think like me. That’s a good thing.”

  He laughed, slapping his hand on the desk.

  “I guess it is.” Then he grabbed his pen and went back to writing. Smiling, I walked out of class and headed home.

  On my way, I got a hold of Veronica and we ended talking for an hour on the phone. We decided to meet up Thursday to go swimming.

  Later that night I lay in bed, my thoughts on Veronica, and thinking about her smile, her eyes, and what she would look like lying out near the pool.

  Chapter Five

  I readjusted my bikini top and looked myself over one more time in the mirror. Veronica was going to be here at any moment, and I was nervous and excited at the same time.

  The doorbell rang, and hurrying to the door, I opened it. Veronica stood there, sunglasses on top of her head. She was wearing shorts and a white tank top. A burlap bag was over her shoulder, a rolled white towel sticking out of the top. I loved her olive skin and found myself trying not to stare at her long shapely legs.

  “Hey, come on in,” I said, taking a step back.

  “Nice place,” she said, walking over and standing near the couch.

  “Yeah, it’s not too bad really. Can I get you a drink?” I felt a bit nervous.

  “No, I'm good, but thanks.”

  I caught her eyes trailing over me for a second and, blushing, grabbed my keys and towel off the counter.

  “Well, let’s do it,” I said.

  We walked out to the pool, and she set her bag down on a lounge chair. I put mine down as well. It was a perfect day, the sun shining with just a few clouds hanging around in the sky.

  “Perfect day for this,” she said as if reading my mind. “A great idea to go swimming by the way.” She took her shirt off.

  My mouth went dry as the shirt rose up, exposing her toned stomach. As she pulled it off, my eyes went to the treasures hidden behind the two black cups of her bikini. Her breasts were big but not oversized, with a nice natural line of cleavage that rivaled my own.

  Pretending not to stare, I watched as she removed her shorts, her hips giving a bit of a wiggle as she slid them off. Her bikini bottoms left nothing to the imagination as it cut in narrow between her thick thighs. Her legs were long, and stepping out of her shorts, the toned calf muscles drew tight for a moment showing off her shapely legs.

  “What do you think? Jump in the water first?”

  “Yeah, let’s do it,” I said, snapping out of my daze. She went in front of me and my eyes went big as they went to her butt. The bikini bottoms had just a thin piece of fabric running down between the full cheeks that seemed to jiggle with every step. My own body felt flush with a nice tingling sensation between my legs.

  We walked down the cement steps into the pool, the cool water nice in the hot sun. We both worked our way over to the other end, treading water near the ledg
e.

  “This pool is great,” she said. “And there’s no one here? That rocks.”

  “Yeah, it’s so nice. I come out here sometimes, but I rarely see anyone.” I caught myself smiling at her.

  “What are you smiling about?” Veronica said.

  “You.”

  “Oh, is that right?” she said, moving up in front of me. Even though we were in the water, I could feel the immense heat of passion between us lighting me up. And looking into her eyes, hers were lit up as well.

  I titled my head, and my eyes locked onto hers as my lips gently brushed against hers. The softness of them melted into mine as our lips danced together. Emotions ran through me as tingling sensations and yearnings coursed through me and my breathing became short.

  Breaking the kiss off, Veronica smiled at me. “Race you to the other end,” she said and then took off.

  “Hey, not fair!” I cried out, swimming after her. I came up to the other end as she sat on a step and I moved up to sit next to her.

  “You cheated, you know that, don't you?”

  “Why, I’ve never heard of such a thing,” she said, her hand going to her chest, acting as though she were offended.

  “You should get into acting,” I said. “That was good.”

  “I tried once, and ugh, it was not as fun as it sounds.”

  I turned toward her. “Tell me all about it.” I was interested in anything she had to say.

  She laughed, and I swore time froze as nature watched her in all her beauty. “So, there was this low-budget horror movie being filmed about an hour from here. Basic story, crazy killer on the loose, girls running around the campground type of stuff.”

  “Yeah, those don't bother me that much.” I moved my wet hair back behind my ear.

  “Good to know. I am going to hold you to that.” She smiled. “So, anyway, it was totally disorganized, and I had a nude scene, running topless through the campground.”

  “Do you still have the footage?”

  She pushed against my arm. “You are terrible!” She shook her head. “Where was I?” she said, seeming flustered for the first time. “So, yeah the genius running things got permission to use this campground. Long story short it was supposed to be on a Thursday night, not a Tuesday.”