“It’s that time already? Time really flew by, didn’t it?”
I start to answer but Lisa responds for me. “It sure did.” She shoves off the counter and starts packing up the wine. “It’s been nice catching up. We have to grab that coffee some time.”
“For sure,” Jimmy agrees all too quickly.
Are they going out on a date then? Why are they meeting for coffee? Andwhyhasn’t he asked how the evening went for me?
It seems like they aren’t quite done catching up or whatever it is that they have been doing. “I really want to head home. It’s been a busy night and I can feel a headache coming on. I’ll call a ride-share if you want to stay.”
“Don’t be silly.” He touches my arm and then turns to Lisa. “Let’s have coffee next Tuesday. Does that work for you?”
“Yes. Totally. Should we meet at Grinding Time at seven?”
They’re meeting at a coffee shop named Grinding Time? Please don’t tell me there is some hidden agenda with Lisa. I mean, that’s a pretty blatant way of showing her interest.Let’s meet at a place that basically invites us to sleep together based on the name alone.
Okay, I’m officially tired. I’m sure I’m reading so much into this because my mind is exhausted from the evening. I just want to crash.
“Works for me,” Jimmy replies to Lisa, giving her a wave before resting his hand on my lower back as we leave the studio.
Somehow, he feels a million miles away even though he’s touching me. I never knew a touch could make me feel so alone.
22
My commission checkcomes faster than I could have ever imagined. I’m pleased with the amount, and it gives me something to be happy about. Neither Jimmy or I have mentioned Lisa, though she’s been on the back of my mind. I’m just curious as to who she is and how she fits into Jimmy’s life.
Jimmy has been busy finishing up the house. So busy that we haven’t seen each other as much as I’d like.
Today I have time off, as does Kayleigh. Every year we pick a day to play hooky from work and spend it pampering ourselves or doing something fun. We call it our Best Friends Day. I always look forward to it.
We’ve chosen the beach this time and it’s theperfectday for it. Eighty-three degrees, crystal blue skies, and a gentle breeze. The beach isn’t that busy, either, which is a huge plus. There are a fair amount of kids, though, so we find a spot to lay our beach towels far enough from the water so we won’t be splashed. I set down my beach towel, a duplicate of Van Gogh’sThe Starry Night. I look over at Kayleigh’s towel.
“Does your towel really have Captain America on it?”
“No. It’s not Captain America. It’s Chris Evans.”
“Same person,” I point out to Kayleigh.
“I see it as Chris Evans, and he likes it when I sit on his face.”
“You’re terrible.” I shake my head as I sit down, sinking down slightly into the sand underneath my towel. I lay back on my elbows, close my eyes, and tilt my head up toward the sky. The bright light makes it through my eyelids but I don’t mind.
“I didn’t tell you my news.”
I keep my eyes closed and try to reach zen as Kayleigh talks. “What’s that?” I ask.
“Donovan’s mother is leaving next week. Six days, three hours, and twenty-seven minutes until she’s gone.”
“She’s really notthatbad is she?” The time I spent at Kayleigh’s house with her mother-in-law wasn’t terrible. She’s a fantastic baker and tells hilarious stories about Donovan’s childhood, like the time he tripped in the garage and knocked into a shelf. A bucket fell onto his head, and he couldn’t get it off. His mother just had to pull it off, but he was freaked out for the short time he thought it was stuck. She had tons of these stories and it totally made the visit worthwhile.
“Yes! Don’t get me wrong. She has moments when it’s nice to have her around. I’m just looking forward to having my life back to normal. And if I want to run around the house naked with Donovan, I can.”
“Is she taking away from your naked TV night?”
“Heck yeah! She’s certainly not joining us!”
I readjust on the towel and lay on my belly, my hands underneath my chin. Kids splash in the water and birds fly overhead. “This would make a nice painting.”
“How’s that going? Are you ever going to show me one?”
