I rubbed my forehead in embarrassment. “Oh, I was losing my balance and I had to steady myself,” I lied.
He chuckled. “Well, feel free to use me as your stabilizer anytime.”
“Anyway,” I said, wanting to change the subject, “I hope the class was helpful.”
“Absolutely. Once I took a drawing class back home and I came out of it worse than when I started.”
My heart sank. “Oh. So, you don’t live here?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Where are you from, then?” I asked, attempting to shake off some of my disappointment.
Clayton paused. “Um, Indiana,” he said slowly.
I laughed. “Why do you say it like that?”
“I, uh, just travel so much for work that sometimes I forget where I actually live,” he explained, looking nervous.
“So, you’re in Phoenix on a work trip?”
“Yes. But I’m seriously considering moving here,” he added with a meaningful look that I didn’t quite understand. “Phoenix is pretty amazing.”
I nodded. “I like it here. I’ve never really been able to leave.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Why not?”
I shrugged. “My mom is here. And my dad, I guess. And beyond that, I feel like I’ve just stayed here because I’ve been waiting for something to change my world that hasn’t happened yet.” I looked down at the floor, a little surprised at how candid I was being. “Sounds pretty pathetic, doesn’t it?”
“Not at all,” Clayton replied. “I know what you mean. Sometimes I think I keep so busy to distract myself from the fact that there’s nothing really meaningful in my life.”
We looked at one another for a few moments as understanding passed between us. I peered into his mesmerizing green eyes long enough to notice that he was wearing contacts. I was vaguely aware of Yvonne watching us from the counter, but I didn’t care.
Clayton moved closer. “Glory, can I take you to dinner tonight?”
“I don’t get off until 9:00,” I replied regretfully.
He smiled, undeterred. “Then can I take you out for dessert?”
All sorts of warning signals were going off in my brain.No!I thought.All men are trouble, and he doesn’t even live here! This will only end badly. Don’t do it, Glory!
“Yes, absolutely,” I replied, ignoring the logical voices in my head.
We exchanged phone numbers and made plans for him to pick me up right when my shift ended. We said goodbye and I headed over to the front counter where Yvonne greeted me with a knowing look.
“Girl, you are in trouble,” she said, shaking her head.
I stole one more glance at Clayton as he walked out the door. “Yes, I most definitely am.”
Chapter Twenty: Collin
I quickly sent off another text to Glory and then tried to focus on what the bride to be was saying. The band was in an early morning meeting with the wedding clients, hammering out some last minute details at the venue before we played for the event later that night. The bride and her mother were talking fast and kept going off on tangents, so it was hard to pay attention, especially when all I had been able to think about lately was Glory.
The past several days had been heaven. If I had thought getting Glory’s letters made me feel amazing before, it was nothing compared to the way it felt to actually be with her now. Her depth, her weird humor, her inviting smile, her gorgeous brown eyes... it was almost too much to take. Since attending her drawing class I had spent every spare minute with her. We had eaten at restaurants and food trucks, walked down long streets, explored parks and hiked mountains. I had even taken her to the science museum because I knew she would love it, and I listened to her talk about the planetarium and space exploration for almost an hour. She had told me her whole life story, which I mostly already knew. But it hadn’t been boring. Instead, it felt like I was watching one of my favorite movies, looking forward to the good parts. The only damper in all of this euphoria was the fact that I was still lying about who I was. I had gotten really good at asking her questions, but anytime she asked about me I would say something vague and quickly change the subject. When she asked me what I did for work I told her I was in entertainment. She probably thought I was an analyst or something.
“Is that okay with you, Collin?”
I blinked away my daydreams and concentrated on Jeremy, who was glaring at me. “Sorry, there was something out the window,” I lied. “What was the question?”
