“Perfect.” Though already his mind was wandering back to the record player. “I have to say,” he said, his hand at her lower back as she climbed onto the seat. Burke settled in beside her and rested the sack on the table. “Your work is stunning. You could sell that anywhere.”
“Thank you,” she said in that modest tone of hers.
“I’m serious. Have you ever considered putting your work for sale online?”
Justine slid the bread carefully from the sack, her arm nudging against his as she removed the jars and then the butter.
“I don’t think anyone would pay for the kind of shipping it’d take to get it to them,” she said. “People have a hard enough time paying the eight dollar delivery fee Frank charges to deliver them. In most cases, it would cost more to ship them than they’re worth.”
“Then charge more for the pieces themselves. I would pay it. With rare furniture like that, money’s not an issue.”
“Yeah, but you’re in the minority,” she countered. “The only people who say money isn’t an issue are people who have a ton of it. And don’t you think that the people within that group will be more interested in name brands or prestigious claims on their purchases?”
Burke leaned away enough to better read her expression. It was the first hint of angst he’d detected toward wealthy people. “Prestigious claims?” he repeated.
Justine kept her focus on the task at hand, which was, at the moment, untying the small twist tie cinching the bread bag closed. “Yeah, like,oh, look at me, I just got King James old grandfather clock.Or,I dropped a couple mil on this da Vinci painting. Think I’ll hang it in my foyer.”
The fresh baked bread was precut into thick slices within the clear bag. She stared at it for a moment as that little pucker pulled between her brows.
“I’ll get napkins,” he said, guessing at what puzzled her. “And if we keep conversations likethisup,” he added under his breath, “people willreallybelieve we’re engaged.” He came to a stand, welcoming the moment to dissect her irritation.Dropped a couple million?Sheesh, she had a bitter bone in her somewhere, didn’t she?
He guessed in one sense, she had a point. Many within his circle sought prestige and admiration. But he was certain there were people withinhercircle who did too. Takethischick for instance.
A tall blonde in high heels and a skirt, primping her hair before a mirror while admiring…a pair of earrings, he guessed, spotting aHandcrafted Jewelrysign beside the mirror.
By no effort of his own, Burke caught eyes with her in the reflection. The woman was young, probably close to his age. The nameBrittanypopped into his head. Was it her?
Burke was quick to avert his gaze, but the woman was already spinning around. He darted quickly around the next booth, not exactly wanting a run-in with Justine’s old nemesis without Justine by his side. He’d seen a container of napkins someplace, hadn’t he?
“You look lost,” came a voice from behind.
Burke slowed a bit to look over his shoulder. Not that he needed confirmation. It was the woman in the mirror.
Still, as his quick glance affirmed that very thing, the blonde came up alongside him. “You’re new in town,” she said, flinging her left hand behind her back. “Are you here to stay or just visiting?”
Her lashes fluttered double time as she stepped even closer. Man, someone should tell this girl to calm down on the perfume.
“I’m visiting for now,” Burke said, “but I’ll likely move here sometime next year.” At least, that seemed to be in line with what Justine had told Wilfred anyway.
“Oh my gosh,” she squealed. “That would be amazing! This town definitely needs more guys likeyouin it.” She stroked his arm with her hand and giggled. “I’m Brittany, by the way.”
He’d guessed it. So this was the woman who’d caused Justine so much grief? “I’m Burke.”
“Were you looking for anything in particular? I can show you around if you’d like. My boy…” She seemed to catch herself there. “My um,friendwon’t be here for a couple of hours."
“That’s a nice offer, but I better get back to my table. I just need a few napkins.”
“Why didn’t you say so, silly?” She giggled some more. “They’re right over here.” She grabbed onto his elbow and gave him a yank toward the hamburger grill.
There, beside the ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce, stood a dispenser stuffed with napkins.
“Thank you,” Burke said, pulling out one after another. Four should do it.
“You’re welcome. How about you introduce me to the rest of your group. Ilovemeeting newcomers.”
A smile spread over Burke’s face. “My pleasure.”
He spun back around and set his gaze on the picnic tables across the way. Tucked deep into the shade at the third table down sat his gorgeous date. The table just before that held a group of what looked like high school graduates, guys and girls.
