A Song for Julia Read Free

Guys who wear suits. Guys who will end up in the Senate or as a CEO. Umm … guys my father would approve of.”
    Crank leered at me and leaned forward suddenly. “You’re saying your father wouldn’t approve of me?”
    I looked in his eyes and took a deep breath. They were blue and clear, very clear, and his bleached white hair made them stand out in a way that made me want to look into them all day. He stared at me as if he was trying to see inside. I swallowed, my throat dry. “My father would definitely not approve of you.”
    He smiled, a crooked, boyish grin that made my heart beat a little faster, and for the first time I noticed that one of his bottom teeth was slightly crooked. It was cute. 
    “When do you go back to Boston, Julia?”
    I swallowed and took a deep breath. “I’m taking the train back in the morning.”
    He winked. “You know the city? I’ve never been here before. Show me Washington? We’ll have a good time.”
    “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” I knew it wasn’t a good idea. I’ve got a pretty hard and fast rule. I stay the hell away from guys I’m attracted to.
    His grin, which was turning insufferable, got even bigger. “I know it’s not a good idea. That’s why we should do it.”
    I narrowed my eyes at him. “And what exactly are we going to do during this time?”
    “We’ll start with margaritas and see where those lead.”
    I couldn’t help it, I laughed. Then I laughed more when he pumped a fist and said, “Score!”
    “You’re not very subtle, are you?”
    He shrugged, a motion that somehow involved his entire upper body. “Do I look subtle?”
    “Appearances don’t mean everything.”
    He looked at me through half-lowered eyelids. “Okay. Let’s find out how much they mean. We don’t know anything about each other. So let’s guess … about each other.”
    I suppressed a laugh. That’s when the waitress came back, and he ordered us both margaritas, and I ordered a salad.
    “All right. But you go first.”
    He grinned. “Okay. Let’s see—I know you go to Harvard. And you dress like you mean business. I’m thinking you don’t relax much … you don’t get out and play much. Only child. You’re from … California or maybe Oregon, based on the accent. Your father’s … an executive? With a bank, maybe? You’ve never smoked pot. And that stud in your nose was a major act of rebellion.”
    I giggled. Oh, God. Giggling, seriously? He was just ridiculous. “That’s it?”
    “Hmm … I’m guessing you’ve never missed a day of school in your life, unless it was for something life threatening. But inside, there’s a part of you that wants to break out … and do something crazy.”
    He grinned and said, “Okay, how did I do?”
    “Well, I’m not from California, or anywhere really. But I guess it counts, because my family lives there now. I’m definitely not an only child; I’ve got five sisters. Carrie’s a senior in high school, Alexandra is twelve, the twins are six, and Andrea is five. And … no, I’ve never smoked pot. My dad’s a retired ambassador, so I spent most of my life all over the world. And … rebellion’s never been my thing. I’ve got a pretty good life, there’s nothing to rebel against.”
    It’s amazing how you can say a lot of words that are all true, and completely obscure the truth at the same time. I was an expert at that. I spend my life spinning a web of half spoken truths; an armor weaved of words that do nothing but hide who I am.
    He grinned and very gently shook his head. “Nothing to rebel against? Nothing at all?”
    “Nope,” I replied. Except maybe my mother, who controlled every moment of my life. But that’s more than I was willing to say.
    “That’s sad,” Cranks said. “Everyone should have something to rebel against.”
    I frowned, scrunching my eyebrows together. “I’ve never heard anything that crazy in my life. How can you say that?”
    He shrugged, leaning far back in his