Love Nouveau Read Online Free PDF Page B

mirroring his intonation. Silence lingers in the space between us and I can’t fight the urge to fill it. More information than necessary spills from my mouth. “My dad named me. He’s a huge Chicago Cubs fan and apparently wanted a year-round reminder of Wrigley Field.”
    Phoenix’s eyes grow wide. “Well, that’s strike one. I’m a Cardinals fan,” he ribs proudly, a smile lighting his eyes. “When was the last time your team won the World Series?”
    “Hey! It was 1908 and any team can have a bad century,” I tease defensively. Growing up a Cubs fan gave me thick skin and an affinity for disappointment, perfect for moments like these. I look out over the crowd and see Sully dancing quite inappropriately with the black-haired girl, then look at plan B standing next to me.
    Phoenix is certainly attractive. Not necessarily the kind of guy I would typically go for, but I’m more than willing to make an exception.
    “At any rate, my mom only agreed to the name because she felt it gave me the aspirational essence of being out of everyone’s league.” I flit my hand in the air at the thought.
    He laughs through his nose and takes another sip from his red cup.
    “And are you, Miss Ivy League?”
    “Only to assholes,” I affirm, repressing a smile, thinking of Matt storming away earlier. I certainly don’t want to go into my thoroughbred upbringing with this guy. It always comes with unnecessary judgment.
    “Well then…” he pauses, leaning over the railing. “I’m in luck.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “Because I’m not an asshole.”
    The sincerity in his eyes tells me he truly believes that of himself, and at this moment, I am given no reason to think otherwise. His boyish charm shines right through and it starts to bubble my insides.
    With an inviting tilt of my head, I lead him to the old-fashioned porch swing on the side of the wrap around deck. It reminds me of something you’d see in the south—little old biddies sitting together, sipping their mint juleps and gossiping about the latest town scandal. It’s a little quieter over here away from the main speakers and we can at least attempt to have a decent conversation without screaming over some top forty dance remix.
    Phoenix and I talk until the red moon crosses the night sky. He tells me about life as a freelance landscape architect in St. Louis and I’m surprised to learn that even though he’s lived there most of his life, he’s never been down to the Gateway Arch. It’s one of my favorite places in his city. When you stand underneath the arch, it’s impossible not to feel like you’ve shrunk in size. It’s a little like magic.
    I gather that Phoenix loves his field of work, but he doesn’t love the uncertainty of freelancing. He’s hoping to find a permanent gig by the time summer comes to a close and is open to relocating. The market hasn’t been strong since he graduated two years ago, so I mentally place him at twenty-four, maybe twenty-five years old. Phoenix seems especially interested in my European travels this past year, eagerly asking questions about visiting world-renowned museums and exploring ancient ruins in Rome and Greece.
    I learn that he and a bunch of his guy friends are spending the weekend in Madison for a bachelor party. Wisconsin is a far cry from the stereotypical Vegas bachelor extravaganza, but who am I to judge? Had they gone to Las Vegas, I wouldn’t be sitting here in this moment, so I’m certainly not complaining.
    Never before has a conversation with the opposite sex come this naturally. It could be the three rounds of beer we’ve thrown back together, but Phoenix makes it easy to be honest, to be myself. I can forget about who I was before I ever left for Italy because, let’s be truthful, I kind of became a horrible person. Instead, he makes me feel good about who I truly am, who I want to be. Suddenly, life doesn’t seem so bad after all. His hazel eyes are inviting and I find myself wanting to