Page 51

“I came to your house, or your palace, today and saw your calligraphy. You have to c

ome to my house and see my model planes and cars.”

“You were serious? You do that?”

“Yes, and don’t make fun of it.”

“I’m not.”

“Good. Get permission,” he said. “If you can and if you want to, that is,” he added.

“Yes, I would like that. Don’t worry. I can.”

“Okay. And I’ve made another decision,” he added.

“What?”

“I like you,” he said.

And then, like last time, he hung up before I could say anything else.

I waited for him to call back and tell me good night or something, but he didn’t. He left his words hanging in the air, echoing in my ears instead.

“I like you.”

Somehow I understood that something so easy for any other boy to say to me took a great deal of effort and trust for Ryder to say.

I knew I should be feeling happy about it, maybe even a little proud of myself.

But Donald March’s warnings about my being arrogant were ringing in my ears as well.

What would I hear last before I fell asleep?

9

A Star Family

Mrs. Duval didn’t have to come to wake me the next morning. I beat my alarm clock, too, and hopped out of bed. I had forgotten to wash my hair the night before and went directly to it. I was blow-drying it at my vanity table when Mrs. Duval stopped by.

“Well,” she said when I finished and rushed to put on my panties and bra and the outfit I had chosen to wear, “I wonder what’s gotten us up and ready so early today.”

I saw from the impish look on her face that she and Mrs. Caro had surely been discussing me and Ryder. Neither of them was obtrusive or obvious, but it always amazed me how little went on here at the March estate without their knowing. It was as if they had their ears to the walls. I was sure, however, that Alberto had told Mrs. Duval about Ryder and me walking to the lake. He might even have seen us kiss.

“I’m not up any earlier than usual,” I said.

“Yes, but we haven’t been getting up as usual lately, have we?” she asked, hiding a smile, and left.

I stepped into the closet to finish dressing and had just pulled up my jeans when I sensed that someone was there. I thought Mrs. Duval had returned to tell me something, but when I turned, I saw Donald standing in the doorway. I had yet to put on my blouse.

“Oh,” he said. “I wasn’t sure you were still in the room. Just thought I would check before I left the house. I have a breakfast meeting this morning.”

I pressed my blouse over my bra and looked at him. I could probably count on the fingers of my two hands how many times he had been in my room since I had come to live here. I used to think it was just as sad for him to see Alena’s things as it was for Jordan to see them, maybe even more difficult for him, and that was why he avoided it.

“Sorry,” he said, and started to turn away.

“What did you want?” I asked.

He turned back. “I wanted to tell you that your car plates arrived in the mail with your registration. I had Alberto put the plates on, but I also wanted you to know I had put the registration in the glove compartment if and when you need to show it. Not that I expect you to be in any accidents or get pulled over for tickets,” he added. “You’re driving safely. Just keep that up.”