I call Hopkins and get his voicemail. I call Ella, but she’s in the middle of installing a new exhibition. When I lock up for lunch and go to the bathroom, I return to the counter, finding a missed call on my phone.
From Hopkins.
I’ve never been so quick to check my voicemail, biting back further frustration that I missed his call. His one call in the past week!
“Hello, Summer. I hope you are doing better, and if you need some time off, take it. I apologize for being hard to reach. Things are taking longer here than I originally expected. I hope you understand. I am certain the museum is in good hands. We will talk soon.”
That’s it. I replay it, wondering if I missed something. I try calling him back and am directed to voicemailagain.
Throwing down my phone, I turn to Zuriel and dig my fingers into my temples. “I’m having a bad day. I wish it would just end,” I grumble. “I hope you’re having a better one.”
He gives me a stony, unresponsive reply.
“I can’t imagine being stuck in the same position is easy. So I guess you win. Compared to me, I guess you’ll always win.”
I lean up until my face is directly under his.
“You’re a lot less scary when you’re like this,” I whisper, cupping his cheeks gently. “Will you wake again?”
With his chin resting in my palm, my thumb caressing his cheek, I’m compelled to kiss him, to feel his cold, hard lips against mine.
The museum door thuds, and I jerk back. Flustered, my eyes connect with Adrien’s as he calls out through the glass. “Hey! Sorry if this is a bad time. I can come back later.”
“No! No. I’m about to take my lunch break.”
He’s wearing a Sherpa jacket, faded jeans, heavy boots, and a beige beanie, making him look like he stepped out of a rancher spread in an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog. He pulls off his hat and pockets it as I let him in.
“Yeah, I’m on lunch too. I figured I’d stop in and see you before my next meeting.” He scans my face as he smiles, taller than me by a head. “I don’t want to upend your plans if you’re about to go somewhere.”
I lick my lips nervously. I’m not used to attention from men like him. I don’t get much attention at all from the male gender. Sex wasn’t a strong enough motivator for me to go to them—at least until recently. I’m nerdy and academic, prone to lashing out when I’m disturbed. I like my privacy and spend my free time reading, knitting, or watching true crime. Men don’t usually fit into those hobbies, and so they tend to disappear quickly when the rare one tries to get closer.
It’s suspicious that he’s making an effort. My parents like him. I should at least try to be friendly and figure out what’s up. Despite his sudden appearance here, the town could use his business, and besides, he won’t be here long. The thought eases me, and I smile at him.
“You’re not interrupting anything. I’m glad you came. We haven’t had any visitors today. It’s been rather dull. I guess yesterday’s fire is keeping everyone away.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Half the block is closed because of it.”
“People are too easily scared.”
“Yeah…” I retreat toward the counter as he follows. I eye Zuriel, my throat tightening, and pivot back to Adrien. “What brings you in?”
His smile widens though his gaze flashes to the gargoyle before returning to my face. “Well, you, of course. Isn’t that obvious?”
“I figured you were here for that tour.”
He steps closer, his elbow brushing me as he examines the statue. “It’s uncovered today. I assume the repairs are done?”
“Yes. There was a leak…”
“He’s a beautiful specimen. A rare breed, there are few like him in existence.”
My curiosity is piqued. “He is… There’s very little about him on record.” My eyes shift to Zuriel. “Do you know a lot about gargoyles?”
“You could say that, although it’s purely academic. I move around too much to own any, but…” His head cants as his gaze roams the statue’s figure.
“But?” I prompt.
