Mosaic Read Online Free Page B

those diaries.
    “Rachel says ten. Can we make it?”
    Julian stretched his arms up then kissed my head roughly before sitting all the way up. “Sure. I’ll just take a quick shower.”
    “I’m right behind you,” I called as I punched in my reply. Glancing up, I caught his grin. “As soon as you’re done,” I added. I knew right where it would lead if I got in with him. Not that I minded, but I had just promised Rachel we’d meet them.
     
    * * *
     
    The heat of August in New Orleans is hard to describe if you’ve never felt it. Somehow it seems like humans shouldn’t be able to survive the conditions. It’s like trying to breathe hot water or living in a steam room, but I suppose if humans can survive sitting in a steam room, they can survive late summer in the Crescent City.
    Rachel had the greatest hair for New Orleans, straight, blonde, always perfect. If it did anything, it picked up a slight wave that made her look all tousled and sexy. I tried not to hold it against her as I cinched my frizzy spirals into a tight knot at the back of my neck. She was parked beside Brad in a light blue sundress, smiling and drinking coffee. I was ready for a cup as well, only I’d be having the iced variety.
    Brad looked up and saw us before she did, and it warmed my chest the way his expression changed at the sight of his friend.
    “Whipped,” Brad called, sliding his arm around Rachel’s shoulders and giving a smug grin. “It’s been less than a month, and here you are. When are you transferring?”
    Julian answered fast. “You’re one to talk.”
    The guys slapped a handshake as I slid into the booth across from my roommate.
    “So, how’s Georgia.” Brad’s loud voice reminded me a lot of his dad’s. “If you ever show up in anything Bulldogs, I’ll kick your ass.”
    “When have I ever worn football shit?” Julian flipped the menu over, scanning it. “Anyway, I’m in Savannah, not Athens.”
    “Right. How are all the gay bars in Savannah? Found one you liked yet?”
    Julian exhaled before kissing my ear. “Why do football players always act like football players?” I couldn’t help a laugh. “What do you want?”
    “Iced coffee,” I said, smiling up at the server who’d just appeared.
    “He’ll have a skinny butterscotch Frappuccino latte.” Brad winked at the girl, who appeared to be our age.
    “Oh,” she seemed confused. “We don’t have that—”
    “Regular coffee.” Julian cut in, and Brad just laughed and asked for the same.
    Rachel elbowed her boyfriend hard in the ribs. “If you’ll quit being a dick for five seconds, I want to know what Julian’s working on.” She leaned forward against the table. “Everybody’s got their eye on you, you know.”
    Julian didn’t answer her right away, and instead fiddled with a sugar packet. “Yeah,” was all he said.
    I was on instant alert. “Whoa, hang on.” Catching his upper arm, I pulled it toward me. “What’s this about? Aren’t you loving SCAD?”
    Lifting his arm around my shoulder, he leaned back and looked at us all one by one. “Don’t wig and start acting like my mom.”
    “What does that mean?” My voice was hesitant. I couldn’t imagine what he was about to tell us.
    “It’s not that I don’t like SCAD. I just… I dropped a few art classes and replaced them with something different.”
    We were all too stunned to speak, so Julian continued. “Hell, it’s not like I just said I have cancer. All I mean is I’m thinking about broadening my focus.”
    I wasn’t sure how this news made me feel. I knew Julian so well, and he’d always had a plan. I knew he wouldn’t just ditch everything without a good backup.
    “Broadening your focus?” I turned so I could see him better.
    His smile was warm just before he traced his thumb over my cheek. “Yeah. I’m thinking about the future. I love art, but I’m looking at other ways to use it. More practical, real-life stuff.”
    Rachel wasn’t letting him off