“I’m good with that.”
Harper tucked her phone into her back pocket. “Jack, you want to come? It’s just going to be a chill, casual thing. Probably just laying out and reading, maybe a little time in the water, maybe a little walking.”
His gaze shifted toward the river. “If we can get there without the paps seeing me, I’d be in for some sand and surf, man.”
Harper frowned. “I thought the paps were gone?”
Frankie made a face. “Only temporarily, apparently. They’re back now.”
Harper rolled her eyes in frustration. “Great.” She touched Jack’s arm. “Listen, we’ll figure out what to do about Monica, okay?”
He nodded. “Tell Mitch I said hey.”
“I will. Bye.” She went down the steps and out the door.
Frankie finished up her toast, then put all the plates into the dishwasher. She filled a big stainless-steel tumbler with ice water to take downstairs with her. She looked at Jack. “You want to see how the painting is coming along?”
“I really do.”
“Come on then.” She gestured at Willa. “Wipe down the counters and put everything else away, please.”
Willa lifted her coffee cup in acknowledgement. “Will do.”
Frankie headed downstairs with Jack in tow. He walked right to the painting. She watched the boats on the river, trying to determine if they could see through the windows but there was no indication from the photographers that they could.
Jack stood in front of the canvas shaking his head.
She inched closer, watching his face, wondering if he was going to say anything despite telling her he wouldn’t.
He smiled. “I can see my dad in this already. Man.” He sniffed. “This is good, Frankie. Really good.”
She exhaled in relief, now eager to get back to work. “Thanks.”
“Thank you for letting me see this. It does something to the soul to see there’s still beauty in the world.” He backed away. “Can I see it again tomorrow?"
She nodded. “You can come see it anytime you like.”
He pulled out his phone. “You mind if I take a picture?”
“Are you…going to share it online?”
“I was going to. Do you not want me to?”
She hesitated. “It’s your commission. You can do whatever you like. It’s just…”
“I know, man. It’s not done and you’re worried about what people might think. That they’re going to judge the pyramid by the sand it’s built on. I get that.” He put his phone down. “I can hold off, if you want, man. I’m down with that.”
She lifted her chin. This was no way to promote her business. Jackson Marsh wanted to share her work on social media, and she was balking because of what people might think. “Can you tag me in it?”
He grinned. “Cool, cool.” He brought his phone back up. “Let the tagging commence.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Mitch brought Harper a bottle of water. He and Kyle already had some. She was at one end of the couch in his office, Kyle at the other. Bunny lay on the rug equidistant between them, but she faced Kyle.
Mitch pulled his chair around from behind the desk and brought it over. He took his seat. “It’s really good that you could come on short notice.”
“It was no problem,” Harper said. “Happy and eager to help.” She twisted the cap off and took a sip, then set the bottle on the side table to address Kyle. “Your first book was such a page-turner. Do you have thoughts about the next one?”
