Page 42 of Cross My Heart
“Oh. Hi, nice to meet you.” I give a little wave and try to find a space to sit. But with everyone else sprawled out, I wind up cross-legged on the grass. “Happy birthday, Jia,” I add, passing her the card and gift I brought.
“Thanks!” she sets them aside and turns back to Klaus. Or Eric. “More champagne? Wait, we’re already out!” she giggles, setting aside the empty bottle of Dom from Saint.
“Time to start on the cheap stuff,” Kris declares, cracking another bottle. He leans in close as he refills Klaus-or-Eric’s plastic cup, and murmurs something flirty. The guy laughs, his hand resting on Kris’s thigh. “Don’t worry,” Kris adds to me, “We brought plenty. The day is young!”
I sit back, trying to get comfortable on the grass, as the others drink and flirt. The riverbanks are full of students and locals, enjoying the good weather, and I can even see people gliding past on low gondolas called punts, picnicking on the water.
But still, despite the lovely scenery, it’s not long before I’m feeling like a fifth wheel.
“Anyone want more strawberries?” I ask, reaching for the container.
Nobody replies. Jia and her guy are laughing over something on his phone, and the other pair are murmuring sweet nothings to each other, looking like they’re about to start rolling around right here on the blanket.
I’m just wondering when I can make a polite escape—and if they’d even notice—when a shadow falls over me. I look up to find Saint standing there, dressed down in jeans and another button-down, the sun forming a halo around his dark hair.
“Saint,” I blurt, surprised. “I mean, Professor.”
“Ms. Peterson,” he replies, equally formal, although there’s a teasing grin on the edge of his lips. “Enjoying yourself?”
“Yes,” I lie, shooting a glance to my roommates. They’re exchanging smirks. “Thanks for the snacks, by the way.”
“Looks like you made good use of them,” he smiles at the trail of empty wrappers littering the blanket. I nod again.
At least, the others did.
“Do you mind if I steal Tessa for a moment?” Saint asks Jia and Kris. “We need to chat about her contribution to my seminar last week.”
“Sure.”
“Go ahead.”
My roomies can hardly keep a straight face as Saint offers me his hand and helps me to my feet. As we walk away from the picnic, I hear them explode in laughter.
“Sorry,” I apologize. “They’re feeling… merry.”
Saint smiles. “It’s fine. You looked like you needed some rescuing,” he adds.
“So you don’t want to debate my essay on libertine poetry?” I ask lightly, noticing Saint’s hand is lingering in mine. “Gee, what a shame.”
“I mean, if that’s how you’d like to spend the afternoon…” Saint offers, and I quickly stop him.
“No, please! My brain feels like cotton wool. And it’s so gorgeous out,” I add, looking around at the lush grass and calm river. “I’ve been hiding out in the library all week. I need a change of scene.”
“Then that’s exactly what you’ll get.” Saint squeezes my hand, darkly irresistible. “Trust me?”
“Not at all,” I reply, smiling.
He laughs. “Smart woman. Let’s get out of here.”
He’s parkedon a street nearby, and we pile in. I don’t ask where we’re going as he starts the engine and drives through town, I just roll down the window and enjoy the feel of the sun on my skin and the breeze whipping around us. Saint turns on some music, and soon, the charming Oxford city streets give way to suburban sprawl, and then the wide, green expanse of open countryside.
I relax with every mile. It’s gorgeous out here, as we pass by small villages, fields and woodlands. It’s like something out of a postcard, the perfect English scene—especially when Saint pulls off the main road, beside an old water mill that’s been turned into a charming old pub, right on the riverbanks.
Saint orders us food, and a couple of pints of beer, and we settle at a picnic table outside, with the sound of the water rushing nearby.
“Where did you grow up?” I ask curiously, taking a sip of beer. “Is it nearby?”
Saint shakes his head. “I mean, everything’s near compared to the distances you go in America,” he says with a grin. “But my family’s place is South of London. A few hours away.”