Thanks, Kimberly, Kyle said, walking her to the door. We look forward to meeting everyone. And thanks so much for the brownies.
After she left, he closed the door and made a big display of locking it.
She seemed nice, he said. Hopefully everyones like that.
Yeah, I liked her, Jessie agreed. She was a little nosy, but I guess thats just how people are down here. I suppose I should get used to not having any anonymity anymore.
It is going to be an adjustment, Kyle agreed. But I think that long term, well prefer knowing our neighbors names and being able to leave our doors unlocked.
I noticed you locked it just now though, Jessie pointed out.
Thats because I was thinking about what Kimberly said about christening the new house, he said as he approached her, pulling off his second shirt in ten minutes. And I dont like any interruptions when Im christening.
*Jessie lay in bed later that night, looking up at the ceiling, a smile on her face.
At this pace, well have those extra bedrooms filled up in no time, Kyle said, seemingly reading her thoughts.
I doubt well be able to keep up that pace once you start up at the office and my new semester begins.
Im game to try if you are, he said, sighing deeply. She could feel his whole body relax beside her.
Arent you nervous at all? she asked.
About what?
All of thisbigger salary, new town, new house, new lifestyle, new people, new everything.
Its not all new, he reminded her. You already know Teddy and Melanie.
Ive met Teddy three times and Melanie once. I barely know him. And I can only vaguely remember her. Just because your best friend from high school lives a few blocks over doesnt mean Im suddenly at ease with our new life.
She knew she was picking a fight but she couldnt seem to stop herself. Kyle didnt take the bait. Instead, he rolled over onto his side and ran a finger lightly along her right shoulder, next to the long, pinkish moon-shaped scar that ran five inches from her upper arm to the base of her neck.
I know youre apprehensive, he said tenderly. And you have every reason to be. Everything is new. And I know that can be scary. I cant tell you how much I appreciate the sacrifice youre making.
I know itll be good in the end, she said, softening. But its just a lot to handle all at once.
Thats why seeing Teddy and Mel tomorrow will help. Well reestablish that connection and then well have folks in the neighborhood to reach out to as we find our bearings. Even knowing two people will make the transition easier.
He yawned deeply and Jessie could tell he was about to crash. That big yawn usually meant hed be fast asleep in sixty seconds or less.
I know youre right, she said, determined to end the night on a good note. Im sure it will be great.
It will, Kyle agreed lazily. I love you.
I love you too, Jessie said, unsure if hed heard her before he drifted off.
She listened to his deep breaths and tried to use them to help her fall asleep. The silence was unsettling. She was used to the comforting sounds of downtown as she slipped into sleep.
She missed the honks from the cars below, the shouts of finance guys drunkenly leaving bars echoing among the high-rises, the beeping sound of trucks backing up. Theyd served as her white noise for years. Now all she had to replace them was the soft whir of the air filter in the corner of the bedroom.
Every now and then she thought she heard a distant creaking sound. The house was more than thirty years old so some occasional settling was to be expected. She tried taking a series of deep relaxing breaths, both to drown out other sounds and to relax herself. But one thought kept nagging at her.
Are you really sure it will be great here?
She spent the next hour turning over her doubt and pushing it guiltily away before she finally gave in to her fatigue and settled into a fitful slumber.
CHAPTER TWO
Despite the endless shouting, Jessie tried to fight off the headache nibbling at the edges of her skull. Daughton, the sweet-natured but shockingly loud three-year-old son of Edward and Melanie Carlisle, had spent the last twenty minutes playing a game called Explosion which largely consisted of him yelling boom!
Neither Melanie (call me Mel) nor Edward (Teddy to his friends) seemed at all bothered by the intermittent screams so Jessie and Kyle acted like it was normal too. They were sitting in the Carlisle living room, catching up before a planned walk down to the harbor for brunch. The Carlisles lived only three blocks away from there.
Kyle and Teddy had been chatting outside for the last half hour while Jessie reacquainted herself with Mel in the kitchen. She only vaguely remembered her from their one previous meeting but after only a few minutes, they settled into a comfortable vibe.
Id ask Teddy to grill but I dont want you guys to get sick your first week down here, Mel said snarkily. Were much safer going to the waterfront to eat.
Not the best cook ever? Jessie asked with a little grin.
Lets just put it this way. If he ever offers to cook, pretend you have an emergency to attend to. Because if you eat anything hes made, you really will have an emergency on your hands.
Whats that, hon? Teddy asked as he and Kyle came inside. He was a paunchy, doughy-looking guy with receding blond hair and pale skin that looked like it would burn after five minutes in the sun. Jessie also sensed that his personality was much the samedoughy and malleable. Some deep instinct she couldnt describe but had learned to trust over the years told her that Teddy Carlisle was a weak man.
Nothing, sweetie, she said casually as she winked at Jessie. Just giving Jessie here some essential Westport Beach survival info.
Right, he said. Make sure to warn her about the traffic over by Jamboree Road and the Pacific Coast Highway. It can be a bear.
That was next on my list, Mel said innocently as she got up from the kitchen barstool.
As she went into the living room to collect Daughtons toys from the floor, Jessie couldnt help but notice that in her tennis skirt and polo top, her petite frame was all sinewy muscle. Her calves bulged and her wiry biceps flexed impressively as she swept up about a dozen Matchbox cars in one swift motion.
Everything about her, including her short black hair, her boundless energy, and her take-no-prisoners bark of a voice projected tough, no-nonsense New York chick, which was exactly what shed been before moving west.
Jessie liked her immediately, though she couldnt understand what drew her to a schlub like Teddy. It ate at her slightly. Jessie prided herself on reading people. And this hole in her informal profile of Mel was mildly unsettling.
We ready to go? Teddy asked. He too was dressed smartly in a loose button-up shirt and white slacks.
Just collect your son and well be all set, Mel said sharply.
Teddy, apparently used to her tone, went off to find the Explosion machine without a word. A few seconds later, they heard screeching as he came back holding Daughton, who was struggling mightily, upside down by his ankles.
Daddy, stop! the boy screamed.
Put him down, Edward, Mel hissed.
He talked back, Teddy said as he lowered his son to the floor. I just needed to remind him that sort of thing isnt okay.