“I’d love that.”
As we walked, I watched her take in the shelves like she already belonged here.
“I’ve always been into home improvement,” she said. “My boyfriend and I are constantly fixing things up.”
“Nothing beats seeing the results of your own work.”
Her eyes lit up. “Exactly. That’s what I love about this industry. My uncle’s store was bigger, but this place is stocked. And look at all these smart-home gadgets. I’m a tech junkie.”
I grinned. “They’re in demand lately. I try to stay ahead of the curve.”
By the time we sat down at my desk, I was already impressed. I pulled up a spare chair, and she sat across from me.Hiring was new to me—and intimidating. But Lucy was a solid candidate.
After discussing salary expectations, I still wasn’t sure if I was being impulsive, but time was short and the stars weren’t exactly lining up with better options.
“Can you start tomorrow?”
Her eyes widened. “Absolutely.”
“I’ll be around the first few days to train you, then you’re on your own. Happy to have you.” I reached out to shake her hand.
She grinned. “Thanks, boss.”
“Call me Jesse. See you at eight sharp. We’ll deal with the paperwork tomorrow.”
After Lucy left, I exhaled deeply. Hiring her lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Now it was time to close the shop and shift into my night routine: painting. And maybe Sebastian.
The air outside was thick and brutal, a wall of heat that slapped me the second I stepped out. Descending into the subway was almost a relief.
Back home, I climbed the stairs like a zombie, dreaming of a shower. My apartment was blessedly cool thanks to the AC. Even though it sometimes felt more like a shoebox than a sanctuary, days like this reminded me it was still my little slice of Heaven.
I showered, towel-dried my hair, and pulled on a T-shirt and shorts. Knowing it would be a while until Sebastian showed up with dinner, I grabbed aSnickersbar and headed into my workroom.
My fingers itched to create.
An idea had been brewing: a sketch series of smartly dressed women in heels and red lipstick—confident, fierce, undeniably Manhattan. I’d just finished a book with the same title—Made in Manhattan. It seemed like the perfect muse.
I flicked on the lights, arranged my pencils and brushes, and queued up a rock playlist. I was in the mood for something loud—something with bite. Halsey’sEasier than Lyingkicked in, and I smiled as the gritty beat filled the room. I settled at my table and started sketching.
I was going to draw the five of us: Sue, Lily, Nikki, Ange, and me. Was that a beautiful homage to friendship or what?
I started with Sue’s sketch, picturing her petite frame in a black pencil skirt and pale pink blouse, her hair in its smart bun with fashionable eyeglasses. I sketched in black and white first, starting with vague charcoal lines that I later thickened and darkened, just enough to convey my friend’s scholarly yet sexy personality against a Manhattan skyline.
Despite my stiff back and rumbling stomach, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this happy. I put the final touches on the sketch and stepped back to look at it. It was beautiful. I rarely used human models, and realized this might be my best work because I wasn’t drawing an imaginary character. After finishing the girls, I would draw Sebastian. Was I talented enough to create an accurate portrait of him? I wasn’t sure, but I was going to enjoy trying.
I didn’t even hear the phone ring until it vibrated off the edge of the table.
“Sebastian, what’s up?”
“Would you open your door, please?”
I blinked. “Why didn’t you ring the bell?”
“I did,” Sebastian said dryly. “Apparently, your music is just a tiny bit loud.”
I looked over at the speakers. Okay, fine—maybe the walls were shaking. Grinning, I lowered the volume and set the phone down, then jogged to the door.
He stood there in a soft blue button-down shirt and dark jeans, a grocery bag in one hand, and a single red rose in the other. And he had eyeglasses on. I’d never seen him in glasses upclose. My libido took one look and face-planted. How could wire frames and science-guy vibes be this hot?
