“I will. Two hours, max.” I admire his naked body in my bed. “Mmm. Just wow.”
I quickly get dressed, then take a rideshare across town to meet Addison. When I arrive, she’s already seated and halfway through a mimosa. I slide into the booth in front of her, and she looks up from her phone. A wide smile spreads over her lips.
“Damn.” She studies me. “Things with my brother must be going really well this week. You’re literally glowing.”
“Things with your brother are great,” I say.
She said “brother,” and so did I. When I think about Patterson, I’m nearly giddy.
“Wow. You two are going to get married,” she says.
“That would be wild.” I pick up the menu even though I order the same thing every time.
“I have noticed he’s been coming to the city a lot lately.” She sips her mimosa.
“He has?” I ask.
And she tilts her head at me. “Yeah, silly, to see you.”
“Oh, of course,” I say with a chuckle.
“I keep thinking about the train rides he’s taken lately when he used to complain about the commute to Brooklyn. Guess love can change people,” she tells me.
“Guess so,” I say.
“I’ve been thinking about your commission ending soon and your lease being up in May. Are you staying in the city, or are you going to be convinced to move to Boston? Because I really think you shouldn’t move to be with him.”
“What?” I ask, somewhat confused by this. “Why not?”
“Because you changed your entire life for him before, Keke. Don’t do it again. If he wants to be with you, he needs to be willing to come to you. I’ve seen my brother more since you two got together than I have in years,” she says. “Our weekly dinners have been really nice.”
Then I realize that Jameson really has been in the city. It’s not just a lie to cover for Patterson.
“Don’t tell him I told you because he said he hadn’t discussed this with you yet, but he told me he was considering moving back to New York. Apparently, he didn’t sell his penthouse at The Park. Can you believe that?”
My eyes widen.
“Oh shit. You must not have known that. Shit. Okay, don’t tell him I told you that either,” she says.
And I try to understand what it means that Jamie is moving back. After things ended, we both left the city. Then he got hurt,stopped playing hockey professionally, and moved to Boston. He’s been there ever since.
A mimosa is placed in front of me, and I take a big gulp.
“I ordered for us,” she says. “We always get the same thing.”
“You’re amazing,” I tell her. “Tell me. Did you finish the subway series? I’m curious about it.”
“Yes, thank goodness. I finished it two days ago. I’ve done nothing but sleep. I’m exhausted.”
I chuckle, and she launches into a story about a woman she painted on the L train—a grandmother who fell asleep, clutching bodega flowers. I listen and laugh, loving being with Addison.
“Oh, I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day about hosting your own gallery with lesser-known artists. What if we did it? And we both headlined?”
My mouth falls open, and I burst into laughter. “Yes. Oh my God. Seriously, say no more.”
“I know the gallery owner, and she told me we could host it at the beginning of July. She needs a deposit!” She’s so excited. “Actually, I already paid the deposit with a maybe on the date. And I kinda already put your name on as a headliner. So, um … can you get a series together by then? I know you’re finishing your commission and?—”
“I finished my auction pieces and even delivered extras for the hell of it. So, that’s a yes. Please count me in.” I move to her side of the booth and wrap my arms around her, squeezing her so tight. “I have to be dreaming.”
