“We’re going. We’re going.” I guided Blake out the door with me, half dragging him along.
Apparently, it didn’t matter how successfully executed or well attended the event was. When your boyfriend attacks every patron and feels you up in front of a mass of people while screaming about no one looking at you, it’s the final nail in the career coffin. As my 9:00 a.m. meeting with Dahlia the next day proved.
And just like that, I was out of a job.
* * *
Present Day
“Could you stand by the wall of artwork at the front for a picture?” I asked. Danny, Seb’s client, had just finished a four-hour session for an intricate piece that covered most of his massive thigh.
“Sure thing.” He smiled, then turned to Seb and shook his hand. “Thanks, man. This came out killer. I saw your work all over TikTok. This is even better than I thought it would be though.”
“Thanks. It’s my pleasure.” Seb grinned. “Lydia will take afew pictures to keep that social media shit going, and then we’ll settle up. Meet me at the front when you’re all set.”
Seb shot me a quick wink before he started disassembling his equipment for sanitation. I brought Danny to the front and had him pose in front of my favorite collection.
It only took a few minutes, and we were done before Seb, so we made small talk while he waited. “Are you from around here?” he asked.
“Yeah, I grew up here. I moved away for college and stayed in New York City for a while after that. I just came back here at the start of the year.”
“Nice. And you and Sebastian… are…?” He faded off.
“Yeah,” I laughed. “We are.”
“Cool. That’s cool.”
Seb walked up with his usual happy grin. He and Danny settled up the amount owed and shook hands again.
“See you around, man. I’ll definitely be back for more. You’ll be seeing me again.”
“That’s awesome. Appreciate it.”
“Bye, Danny. Have a good night,” I said.
After Danny left, Seb pulled me into his arms. His lips brushed mine lightly, but it made my insides melt just the same.
“Hey. I have to run out for a bit. Can you watch the shop for me in case anyone comes in?”
“Of course. Where are you off to?”
“I have a meeting at the bank to go over the loan. Now that I’m completely current and have been for the past three months, they’re willing to talk to me about working out a better rate.”
“Oh, good luck!” I tilted my head up, silently looking foranother kiss. Seb didn’t miss a beat. He grinned knowingly, smiling against my lips. A better rate on his loan would be a huge help. His business had been doing well lately, and with summer just starting, it was only going to get better for the next few months, but what would happen after that?
“I’ll be back in thirty minutes, an hour at the most.” He kissed me again. It started chaste, a quick peck, really. Then again. And then again, deeper and slower this time.
His soft lips moved against mine almost lazily, like we had all the time in the world.
“That’s only true if you actually make it to your meeting,” I laughed.
He growled playfully, adding a nip to my lip before pulling back.
“Go.” I pushed him out the door. “If anyone comes in, I’ll set them up with an appointment.”
“Fine. But we’re finishing that later tonight,” he called as he walked backward toward his car.
A half hour later, I had my feet crossed under my legs on the couch, my laptop open in front of me, when the front door swung open.
