I tore open a copy of the paper, my heart beating rapidly with excitement. I didn’t have to look far: my article was printed on page five with a huge photograph of Sebastian, Mitch, Bill, Ches and Fido.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest as I stared at the photograph of Sebastian. In the picture his sun-lightened hair was still long, and he looked the epitome of young and carefree. I’d taken it just a few hours before his father brutally hacked off his hair; and a few hours after that we had slept together for the first time. But I also felt a great welling up of pride: seeing my article in print with my name beneath it was the first real sense of achievement I’d had since getting my degree at night school three years ago.
“They’ve spelled your name wrong,” said Sebastian frowning.
I scanned the page quickly. “Where?”
“There,” he said, pointing at the small, bold type under the heading.
“No, that’s correct,” I said, looking at him puzzled.
“Your name is ‘Carolina’, not ‘Caroline’?”
“Carolina is the Italian,” I said softly, emphasizing the long vowel in the middle. “David – and my mother – preferred the Anglicized version, but the name on my birth certificate is Carolina Maria.”
I couldn’t help noticing that Sebastian’s lips were pressed tightly together and his knuckles where he gripped the newspaper had turned white.
“Why are you so upset?” I asked hesitantly.
Sebastian took a deep breath.
“That bastard has taken everything from you,” he growled, “even your name!”
I sighed.
“That’s not really true, Sebastian. Everything he’s done, I’ve let him do. Look, this isn’t really the place to have this conversation: let me just buy the papers and we’ll go. Please.”
Sebastian waited outside while I paid for six copies.
When I came out with my newspapers tucked under one arm, he was leaning against the brick wall with his eyes closed. I gazed at him anxiously.
He opened his eyes and looked down at me, forcing a smile.
“Come on, let’s go celebrate your first article, Ms Reporter!”
I smiled back, relieved that he was attempting to lift his mood.
“We’ve got something else to celebrate. David is going away to a medical symposium. He leaves Friday night and doesn’t get back until Sunday evening.”
A huge and genuine smile spread across Sebastian’s face. “Two nights?!”
I couldn’t help laughing at his obvious happiness.
Without warning, he pulled me into his arms, hugging me to his chest. My free arm wrapped around his neck and I pulled his head down. His lips were warm and soft, his kiss gentle and sweet. Then I felt his lips part and his tongue swept into my mouth. I shivered with desire and I could feel his growing arousal through his jeans.
I tried to remember that we were in public; reluctantly I pushed him away from me.
“Let’s go to a hotel… like you said.”
His voice was low and rough and he rubbed his hands over his short hair, with evident frustration. But before I could answer, I heard someone calling his name.
My head swiveled to see Ches walking towards us and my cheeks flushed with guilt. How much had he seen?
“Hey, man! What’s up? Hi, Mrs. Wilson.”
I tried to smile. “Hello, Ches. And please call me Caroline. I’m sorry about last night – I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”
He frowned slightly then laughed it off. “Nah, you didn’t. It’s cool.”
Then he turned to Sebastian, a puzzled look on his face, his eyes flitting between us.
“Caroline’s article has been published,” said Sebastian, pointing at the pile of newspapers still tucked under my left arm.
“I was going to deliver them,” I said smiling more naturally, “but now you’re both here.”
I handed a copy to Ches and another to Sebastian.
“Awesome!” said Ches. “Dad is going to be stoked when he sees this!”