On top of the piano, her phone suddenly began to vibrate. Reaching for it, she assumed it was her mom before glancing at the screen. Freezing, she stared at it as it vibrated a second time.
Taking a deep breath, she opened it up and placed it to her ear.
Hello?
Hi, said a familiar voice. Its Will.
She tried to imagine where he was calling from. There seemed to be a cavernous echo behind him, reminiscent of an airport.
Did you just get off a plane? she asked.
No. I got back a few days ago. Why?
You just sound funny, she said, feeling her heart sink just a bit. Hed been home for days; only now was he getting around to calling. How was Europe?
It was a lot of fun, actually. My mom and I got along a lot better than I expected. Hows Jonah doing?
Hes okay. Hes getting better, but its still hard.
Im sorry, he said, and again she heard that echoing sound. Maybe he was on the back veranda of his house. What else is going on?
I auditioned at Juilliard, and I think it went really well
I know, he said.
How do you know?
Why else would you be there?
She tried to make sense of his response. Well, no theyve just been letting me practice here until my dads piano arrivesbecause of my dads history at the school and everything.
The director was a good friend of his.
I hope youre not too busy practicing to take time off.
What are you talking about?
I was hoping you were free to go out this weekend. If you dont have any plans, I mean.
She felt her heart leap in her chest. Youre coming to New York?
Im staying with Megan. You know, checking out how the newlyweds are doing.
When are you getting in?
Lets see She could almost see him squinting at his watch. I landed a little more than an hour ago.
Youre here? Where are you?
It took him a moment to respond, and when she heard his voice again, she realized it wasnt coming from the phone. It was coming from behind her. Turning, she saw him in the doorway, holding his phone.
Sorry, he said. I couldnt resist.
Even though he was here, she couldnt quite process it. She squeezed her eyes shut before opening them again.
Yep, still there. Amazing.
Why didnt you call to let me know you were coming?
Because I wanted to surprise you.
You certainly did, was all she could think. Dressed in jeans and a dark blue V-neck sweater, he was as handsome as she remembered.
Besides, he announced, theres something important I have to tell you.
Whats that? she answered.
Before I tell you, I want to know if we have a date.
What?
This weekend, remember? Are we on?
She smiled. Yeah, were on.
He nodded. How about the weekend after that?
For the first time, she hesitated. How long are you staying?
He slowly started toward her. Well thats what I wanted to talk to you about. Do you remember when I said that Vanderbilt wasnt my first choice? That I really wanted to go to this school with an amazing environmental science program?
I remember.
Well, the school doesnt normally allow midyear transfers, but my moms on the board of trustees at Vanderbilt and she happened to know some people at this other university and was able to pull some strings. Anyway, I found out while I was in Europe that Id been accepted, so Im going to transfer. I start there next semester and thought you might want to know.
Well good for you, she said uncertainly. Where are you going to go?
Columbia.
For an instant, she wasnt sure shed heard him right. You mean Columbia as in New York Columbia?
He grinned as if hed pulled a rabbit out of his hat. Thats the one.
Really? Her voice came out as a squeak.
He nodded. I start in a couple of weeks. Can you imagine that? A nice southern boy like me stuck in the big city? Im probably going to need someone to help me get adjusted, and I was hoping it might be you. If youre okay with that.
By then, he was close enough to reach for the loops on her jeans. When he pulled her toward him, she felt everything around her fall away. Will was going to go to school here. In New York. With her.
And with that, she slipped her arms around him, feeling his body fit perfectly against her own, knowing that nothing could ever be better than this moment, right now. I guess Im okay with that. But its not going to be easy for you. They dont have a lot of fishing or mudding around here.
His arms moved around her waist. I figured.
And not a lot of beach volleyball, either. Especially in January.
I guess Ill have to make some sacrifices.
Maybe if youre lucky, we can find you some other ways to occupy your time.
Leaning in, he kissed her gently, first on her cheek and then on her lips. When he met her eyes, she saw the young man shed loved last summer and the young man she still loved now.
I never stopped loving you, Ronnie. And I never stopped thinking about you. Even if summers do come to an end.
She smiled, knowing he was telling the truth.
I love you, too, Will Blakelee, she whispered, leaning in to kiss him again.