Something Unexpected by Vi Keeland
CHAPTER 30
Beck
“CREEPER…” A LAZYsmile spread across Nora’s face before her eyes fluttered open. “You know the Bedroom Strangler used to watch his victims sleep, too.”
“Who?”
“I’ve been binge-watching serial-killer documentaries.”
“Sounds like a good use of your time out there in sunny California.” I brushed my lips over hers. “Good morning.”
Nora stretched her arms up and over her head. “What time is it?”
“A little after eleven.”
Her eyes widened, and she pushed up to her elbows. “Really? I can’t believe I slept that long.”
“Well, it’s only eight AM on the west coast. You probably didn’t adjust yet.”
“Oh, yeah.” She nodded. “That’s true. How long have you been up?”
I wasn’t sure I’d actually slept at all. I shrugged. “A while.”
“Were you just staring at me the entire time?”
My lip twitched. “I got up and made coffee and then talked to my brother about the arrangements.”
“Oh.” She fell back into bed and turned on her side, tucking her hands under her cheek. “Did Louise…talk to you about what she wanted?”
“No, we didn’t discuss it. But she left Jake and me a letter. She said she doesn’t want a wake. She thinks they’re morbid. Instead, she wants us to throw a celebration-of-life party on the one-year anniversary of her death.” I shook my head. “I think she knew I’d give her a hard time if she told me all that, so she saved it for when I couldn’t argue anymore.”
Nora’s lip curved into a sneaky smile. “That’s exactly why she didn’t tell you.”
“So you knew?”
She nodded. “Are you going to keep to her wishes?”
“Of course. What choice do I have now? Though it feels like I need to do something. I’m just not sure what yet.”
“It’ll come to you.” She covered her mouth, and her cute little nose scrunched up. “I really need a toothbrush. And some coffee after. Is there more?”
I’d been worried that the moment her eyes opened she’d dart out the door. But it didn’t look like she was in a rush. Not yet anyway.
“I just made a fresh pot. Extra strong, like you like it.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you have a return flight booked already?”
She nodded. “Nine PM.”
Great, only ten hours to convince her to stay.
Nora brushed her teeth and downed two cups of coffee like it was medicine she needed to get better. After, she asked if she could use the shower. While she was in the bathroom, I sat down on the couch with the paper I’d taken from Gram’s apartment yesterday. Her bucket list. It had been on her end table, next to the Mason jar full of rusty nails. I’m not even sure why I stuffed it in my pocket, but I’d read it five times since then. It was really no more than a bulleted list of things she’d wanted to do, all but one crossed out in pen.
Rainbow Falls in Watkins Glen
It made me sad that she hadn’t gotten to finish her list, sad that after Nora moved back to California, I hadn’t made the time to do it with her. I regretted that. But I’d thrown myself into my work to bury what Nora’s leaving had done to me, and selfishly, I hadn’t come back up for air soon enough. You always think there’s more time…
Nora came out from the back of the house, all showered and blown dry. I still had the list in my hand. I looked up at her, then back down at the paper, and an idea struck me—one that would solve more than one problem.
“I think I figured out what I’m going to do to honor Gram’s death.”
“What?”
I held up the list in my hand. “I’m going to finish this.”
Nora took the paper and scanned it. “Her bucket list?”
I nodded and stood.
“Oh wow. I think that’s a great idea, Beck.”
I smiled. “I’m glad you do. Because I want you to come with me.”
She shook her head. “Oh. That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not? Is your health not up to it?”
“No, it is…but…”
“You were her partner in crime for everything on here. Don’t you wish you could have finished it together?”
“Of course, but…” She motioned between us and sighed. “I don’t want to hurt you, Beck.”
“Why would you hurt me? I’m over you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Oh really?”
I shrugged. “You weren’t so hard to get over after all.”
“Is that so? Then what was last night?”
“I needed to not think for a while. To forget. You understand the need to do that, don’t you?”
“You made love to me, Beck. That wasn’t fucking.”
“It was an emotional day.”
She gave me the side-eye. “I don’t believe you.”
“That’s because you’re an egomaniac.”
Her eyes flared. “I’m an egomaniac?”
“Well, you do think you’re impossible to get over.”
She shook her head. “Beck…”
I rested my hands on her shoulders. “Come with me. It’s only a four-and-a-half-hour drive. We could go up one day and come back the next. It won’t take long. This is what I feel like I need to do—for me and for Gram. But I think you should finish this list too, Nora.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’ve never been upstate…”
“Then let’s do it. We can leave tomorrow, or the day after.”
It looked like she was considering it. “It wouldn’t change anything between us, Beck. I’d go back to California when we returned.”
I shrugged and lied through my teeth. “It won’t be a problem.”
Her lips twisted.
“I think Gram would be happy that we made the time to do this,” I said.
Nora squinted. “That’s playing dirty pool. You know I can’t say no when you put it like that.”
My smile stretched from ear to ear. I couldn’t help it. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
