Nirvana Effect

7



James ordered wine. Callista asked for water. Well, at least I’ve got her here, finally.

This had been his life’s work for close to a year. At least it had kept his mind occupied. He had developed much more unsavory hobbies in his earlier years. “Callista-courting” was the most therapeutic of the vices he’d indulged in so far.

Not only was she completely out of his league; she knew it, without even an inkling of his shady past.

They were seated at a table for two in a restaurant that James had chosen months earlier. The lighting was low, and the noise level sufficient to allow for intimacy without having to speak too loudly. The sea-drenched breeze wafting in from the outside dining area reminded him of the Mediterranean. She reminded him of the Mediterranean. He missed it.

“I can’t believe you brought them all the way to their farm! You bottomed out your car five times!” she laughed. “The roads were terrible.”

“A promise is a promise,” he said nonchalantly. He’d need to get a mechanic to look at his car in the morning, but it was worth it to impress her. She had already impressed him.

She had the thin, chiseled elegance that he admired in Americans, but there was a posture and certainty in her that led him to believe she’d traveled. “You’re an American from England, aren’t you?” he asked.

“You’re an Australian from Melbourne,” she countered. It wasn’t a question.

“Actually, from a little bit north of the city. Born in Sydney, though. How’d you know?” He was surprised. She’d figured him at least as well as he’d managed to figure her.

She shrugged. “Lucky guess. I was born in New Jersey. Left there by the time I was six for London.”

“Does it show in my accent?” asked Seacrest, still stuck on her deduction. “I’ve spent a good deal of time abroad. Wouldn’t think it was so obvious, my accent. Is it obvious?”

“It just shows. I knew a man from Melbourne. My father worked at the American Embassy in London. I practically grew up there. Met all kinds of people from all sorts of places.” She sipped her water. He sipped his wine.

“Have you travelled much?”

“Not as much as I’d like. We stayed pretty rooted in England. I even ended up going to school there.”

“Well, how do you like this island?” he asked. “Good change of pace?”

“Well, it’s what I asked for,” she said.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I was looking to do something like this. For me it was a good opportunity, strange as that may sound. What about you?”

I hate it. I can’t wait to get off this ridiculous rock. I’d rather drown in my own piss than stay here another year. “Well, I’m here right now, so I may as well make the most of it.” He sipped his wine again. He needed to change the subject. That was all he could tell her. One more question and he’d really have to start lying. He shifted in his seat and smiled. “Anyway, tell me, why is it so hard to get a date with Dr. Knowles?”

She laughed.

“Are you married with five illegitimate children and three adopted Chinese babies?” he asked quite seriously.

She laughed again. “No.” She smiled. “Is this a date, Dr. Seacrest?” she asked, matching his serious tone.

He smiled. Can’t get anything past this one. “I’m paying, so it’s a date. And your purse is locked in my ‘vette, so you can’t do anything about it.” He gauged her response. She was making a decision.

“Well, I guess it’s official,” she said. “You’re on a date, and I’m a hostage.” The waiter put the appetizer on their table.

Toughie. “You’re lucky. Usually I take my hostages to rundown bars. You’re more in the ‘distinguished captive’ category.”

She looked at the candle in the middle of the table and watched the dance of the flame. She didn’t look up at him as she spoke. “You know, James, I appreciate you taking me out to dinner.”

He’d known this about her. She hadn’t done this in a while. She’s got a long story. He had decided he wanted her anyway, even though he knew he’d be competing with a ghost. The challenge suited him. He’d just have to take things a lot slower with her than he was used to.

I guess I’ve got a thing for the good Dr. Knowles. “Well, Callista, I appreciate you joining me. I hope maybe we can do it again.”

She looked up at him and smiled. Whatever had shadowed her face a moment before was gone. “Well, all you have to do is lock my purse in your Corvette and, rest assured, I’ll follow you to the end of my days.”