Spellbound - Cara Lynn Shultz [60]
“That’s an observatory.” Brendan gestured to a building to our right.
“And that’s where they do Shakespeare in the Park,” he pointed out, following my gaze to the theater. “I thought you’d like this, based on…English class. You seemed into Shakespeare. You know, when you read the, um, poem. I mean, sonnet,” Brendan stammered, and I was surprised that, for the first time, he didn’t seem so sure of himself. He composed himself, dropping the bag of takeout on the other side of the fence, only to hop over the wall in one flawless, athletic move.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that.” I looked around nervously. “I mean, that’s why the fence is there.”
“There’s no security here until much later. Come on, the view’s better over here,” Brendan wheedled, motioning for me to join him. I tried to brace myself between where the stone wall framing the steps ended and the fence began, swinging my leg over the wall very ungracefully and missing.
“May I?” Brendan chuckled, ducking his head under my arm and lifting me over with ease. He held me in his arms longer than necessary before setting me gently on the rocks—and I tried not to notice how strong his hands felt. I silently congratulated myself for opting to wear my trusty Vans, which gripped the uneven surface as I made my way to the cliff’s edge. If I had worn my boots, I’d go sliding off these rocks as easily as if I were wearing Rollerblades. I peered off the rocks uneasily at the drop to the Turtle Pond below.
“So I guess the only way out of here is over the fence again?”
“Nah, you can go around the castle,” Brendan said, lounging on the cliff as he gestured to a narrow strip of rocks that jutted out around the observatory. I eyed the treacherous-looking strip of rock as I sat down cross-legged next to him. For a moment, we wordlessly overlooked the pond, shimmering with the lights of the New York skyline and the colors of the fading sun.
“This is really beautiful,” I said, breaking the silence. “I didn’t know this was here. I go running in the park all the time. I guess I never looked up.” I looked around me in amazement. Brendan reached into the bag and pulled out a small wax-paper sack. “Egg roll?” he asked, holding it out to me.
“Thanks,” I said, grabbing the crispy roll and taking a bite. I chewed it slowly, waiting to see if he’d start the conversation.
“I’m glad it’s not cold out tonight,” Brendan said, shrugging out of his hoodie, this time a black Bouncing Souls one, revealing a long-sleeved green T-shirt that almost exactly matched his eyes.
“I was afraid the rocks would be wet. Good thing it’s so nice out,” he continued, leaning back on his elbows as he continued to be a human thermometer. I rolled my eyes at him.
“What?” He gave me a surprised look. “It’s not cold! Winter break is little more than a month away. You’d think it would be freezing out.”
“So, this is what you wanted to talk about, without an audience?” I asked Brendan more than a little sarcastically. “The weather?”
He laughed, and stretched his long legs in front of him.
“Okay, Emma, then how about we talk about how you’re not The Rock?” he said, flashing that irresistible smile at me. “Really, what were you thinking? You’ve seen Anthony’s temper before. I was there, remember? He had you practically running out of the park.”
I raised my hands, palms out. “I— You don’t understand. I was so mad.” I dropped my hands into my lap. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“No, no, you weren’t, you’re right about that,” Brendan agreed. “But it was pretty admirable how you stood up for your little cousin.”
He paused for a moment, then looked at me with a slight smile. “Did you really