Chapter 6 Noah (Past)

Complicated ~Avril Lavigne

 

“Thank God you chose to come back!” I reenacted Noah’s statement.

“Are you making fun of me, Marni Montgomery?”

“Maybe.” Her grin was beautiful. It reminded me of a field of sunflowers along the Italian countryside. “I’m only repeating what you said to me when my ex showed up in Rome.”

“But I said that to you after your date. I haven’t gone on mine, yet.”

A red Fiat convertible pulled up as I finished my sentence. “Noah!” Siena popped out and ran to give me an effusive hug and a surprisingly amorous kiss on the lips.

“Enjoy your date.” Marni walked away before I could say anything more.

“It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, Noah. I can’t believe you’ve been here for four months and you didn’t look me up,” Siena complained.

“I thought you were in New York. Didn’t you transfer to Columbia?”

Years ago, Siena di Rossi and I had a crazy summer fling before our freshman year in college. Our fathers were colleagues—equal rank, equal stature, equal importance in two different divisions of the Navy. Though our fathers knew one another, we only met that summer and instantly hit it off.

My ex was wild in every facet of life. I had a hard time keeping up with her and her insatiable desire to be entertained. I couldn’t ever say no to her pouting lips or suggestive eyes. I loved every minute we were together.

“I graduated a semester early so I came home to Mama. My job doesn’t start until June.”

“Your mother is well?”

“She’s bellissimo!”

“How are your brother and father doing?”

“Papa is working on something secretive for the President, and Roman is doing his best to follow in Papa’s footsteps.”

“Those are some big footsteps to fill. I wouldn’t want to be him.”

“Is that why you won’t go into the Navy?”

“Yep. Competing with my father is a ludicrous thought. What do you want to do today, Siena?”

“You’re coming home with me. Mama says it’s been too long since she’s seen you. She wants to cook you a ten-course meal.”

“Good thing I didn’t eat anything today.”

Siena didn’t just live life. She enjoyed every moment of it and acted as if it was her last. I admired her spontaneity and zeal.

“Who was that girl you were with when I arrived?”

“Um…a friend…?” That wasn’t a convincing answer.

“What does, ‘um…a friend…?’ mean? Is she or is she not your friend?”

“She is.” I hesitated, not having a clue how to finish this thought. “Her name is Marni, and she, Sylvia, and I came here together.”

“She’s pretty,” Siena mentioned casually.

“That she is.”

“She kind of has an Audrey Hepburn look with the dark eyebrows, distinct nose, and high cheekbones, but with red hair.”

“I never thought of it that way, but you’re right.”

“You remember that time we watched Roman Holiday on the beach and got busted by our dads for falling asleep there?”

“Shit. Do I ever. Your dad hazed me like a new recruit in the Navy. I thought he might have me scrub his battleship with a toothbrush.”

“Papa was pissed but that night was worth all the scolding in the world. That was the best night of my life.”

I didn’t know how to feel at this moment. Without a doubt, it felt good to know Siena didn’t regret our time together. We were each other’s first, and I, too, believed that night was truly special. Marni was the only woman in my heart now, but this exciting woman still made me feel that excitement of my boyhood crush. I felt guilty and peeved at the same time. Guilty that my feelings had resurfaced, and peeved that I felt guilty when Marni couldn’t even say she liked me. The hell with it. There was no ring on my finger and no promises were made. If Siena wanted to stroll down memory lane, I’d do it with enthusiasm.

“That night was special to me, too.” I agreed.

“Why did we break up, Noah? We were so good together.”

Her question gave me pause. We were damn good together. What made us separate? “I don’t know, Siena. Why did we go our separate ways?”

“I was mad you chose to go west when I was staying in New York.”

“Siena. That choice was made before you and I became inseparable.”

“But you could have stayed in New York had you decided I was worth the inconvenience.” Siena pouting was not a good sign for me. Saying no to her was always hard—whatever it was that I was saying no to.

“I was under the assumption that our summer was just fun to you. Many times you reiterated you weren’t looking for anything serious. ‘No boyfriend, no commitment, fun, fun, fun!’ was what you demanded.”

Siena’s smile was stunning, alluring. No man could resist this Italian bombshell who carried herself with the confidence of a queen. “Noah.” She draped her arms around me when we got out of the car and walked toward her mother’s house in the heart of Rome. I had to stop walking for fear of tumbling into the bushes with her. “I was eighteen at the time. An eighteen-year-old who lost her virginity to a boy I adored, a boy who told me he loved me, a boy who talked about getting married and having 2.5 kids. What eighteen-year-old wants to get married to the first boy she falls in love with?”

The conversation confused the hell out of me. I was confused as to what it was Siena wanted from me. I was even more confused as to what I wanted from Siena—with Marni still hovering in my mind. Hell. Had I known today would become so confusing, I would have stayed in the dorm.

“I’m sure you’ve had a wealth of men vying for your attention, Siena. You know how stunning you are.”

“You always say the sweetest words, Noah.” She kissed me again before leading me to her mom’s.

“Noah.” A commanding voice greeted me.

I stood up tall to shake the hands of Admiral Mateo di Rossi, Siena’s father. “Good evening, Admiral. I didn’t realize you were in town.”

“I arrived a few days ago to spend some time with my daughter before she heads back to New York. Your father will be in France very soon.”

“I had no idea. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve spoken.”

“You wouldn’t know, of course. I just heard myself.”

Siena’s father was no different from my own. He was business as usual and serious as hell.

“Stop badgering the boy!” Emilia di Rossi, a gorgeous woman in her own right, pulled me into her arms and out of harm’s way with the Admiral. “How are you, Noah?”

“I’m well, Mrs. di Rossi. How are you? You’re more stunning today than when I last saw you three years ago.”

“This is the man you have to marry, Siena. A man who appreciates beauty and tells the truth at all times.” We all laughed at her humor. “I wanted to cook you a ten-course meal but Mateo tells me we have a reservation at Rome’s finest restaurant.”

“I hope I’m not intruding on a family affair.”

“You are family, Noah.” Siena pulled me out the door with her parents in tow. “We’ll drive separately.”

“Your parents haven’t changed.”

“Are you seeing anyone, Noah? Should we try dating again?”

I was making small talk. Siena was talking big.

“Um…no…technically no…”

“What does that mean? Are you seeing that Audrey Hepburn look-a-like? If you are, I’m going to be very jealous. I’d rather look like Audrey than Sophia Loren. I never thought that was a compliment when people called me Little Sophia.”

“You are as delectable as they come, Little Sophia. You’ve no need to be jealous of any woman.”

Siena held my hand through the car ride. “I know it’s abrupt but I’ve been thinking about you, about us. I want to try again. We ended prematurely. Our relationship needs another go.”

In full disclosure, I was tempted. Siena and I were good together. It wouldn’t be a lie to say she was my first taste of woman and I liked what I’d sampled, very much. Still, Marni held a big piece of my heart even if I didn’t hold the same quantity of hers.

“The valet would like your car, Siena.” That was her father’s way of telling us to get out immediately. We obeyed.

Dinner at Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant was splendid. Between mother and daughter, every topic between Rome and New York made an appearance.

“Noah.” The Admiral got even more serious when a box full of dessert arrived at the table.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Your father tells me you’re a nuclear engineering major.”

“That’s correct, Sir.”

“Will you be attending grad school right away or did you want work experience, first?”

“I’m unsure. I’d like to do both at the same time if possible.”

“Is it also true that you’re finished with undergrad a year early?”

“Just about, Sir. I have two classes left that I’m considering taking over the summer.”

“How would you like to attend graduate classes at NYU and do nuclear work in the city?”

Damn. That was a phenomenal offer. “How would I be able to do this?”

“I was talking to your father, and he recommended I talk to you. He thought you’d like to finish undergrad, first, but I think you would do fine starting graduate school. If you like my idea, I’ll take care of all the particulars. You only need to finish your coursework over the summer and finish your bachelor’s degree. Once that’s done, you’ll attend classes and get paid to work in the field of your dreams.”

“How exciting, Noah. We’ll be at NYU together!” Siena declared.

“Siena,” her father warned. “I hardly think the nuclear physics department and the communication department are in the same building. You will probably be in one part of town while Noah’s in the other.”

“You’re such a party pooper, Dad. Noah and I could meet somewhere for lunch or dinner.”

“He’s going to be busy.” The Admiral tried to sound bored, but the slight grin told us otherwise.

“Whatever, Daddy. I’m sure he’ll make time for me.” Her father shook his head.

“What do you say?” He asked me. “Sound like something you might want to do?”

“You’re offering me admission to grad school, a job, money, research opportunity, and a future. What else would I say but yes?”

“Hurray!” Siena wrapped both arms around me and I returned the sentiment. “We’ll be together again,” she whispered then kissed my cheek. “Congrats!”

“Thanks, Siena.” I untangled myself and shook the Admiral’s hand. “Thank you, Sir. Your generosity won’t be forgotten.”

“Remember that when meeting with my daughter amidst your hectic schedule,” he warned with a smile.

My future was taking shape, thanks largely to Admiral di Rossi. Rather than hanging around school another year, I’d move on to the next phase of my life.

As excited as I was, I couldn’t help thinking about Marni. In the three years I’d spent with her, my feelings were genuine. In the course of three hours, Siena and her father threw my life into a Vitamix blender, jumbled up all the components of my life and turned it into a simple, yet gourmet soup.

I’d have to talk to Marni as soon as I returned.

Until then, I’d enjoy my time with old friends.