I wish I could say the same about me. But I’m used to hiding my emotions. I’ve done it my whole life.
I went by Jeremy’s apartment, just to make it real. I needed to see that he was really gone. Sure enough, a new tenant was moving in when I arrived. That hurt way more than it should’ve. But I’m still pretty sure that it’s better this way, despite how much I want to crawl to him on my hands and knees and beg for his forgiveness.
I blow out a breath, trying to be thankful for the moment I’m in, and watch people laughing and chatting as they take their seats. I’m just about to walk back to my office to take a breather when I see Miss Grace enter, carrying a large box. I walk over quickly and take the load from her arms.
She smiles back warmly and glances around. “What a success, Marcus. You and your brother have done beautifully.”
“Thank you, Miss Grace.” I use one arm to hug her to my side and then look down at the box. “What’s this?”
I open it and stare, confused, at the picture nestled in bubblewrap. It’s a piece I made a few weeks ago, just after Jeremy left. After not sleeping for almost two nights straight, I went to my studio and pulled out a canvas. I painted a backdrop of deep blue and spattered some silver across it to look like constellations. Then I added the dark, blurred mass of Haystack Rock and some pine trees and spent hours cutting out little stars from clay. The next morning, I took the little stars to Grace’s shop and fired them, then painted them with the sparkle-infused silver glaze that I normally use on my bowls. After they dried, I glued them across the sky. The piece wasn’t perfect because I’m not a painter, but it was the outlet I neededto move on in a sense. After that, I could at leastpretendI was okay.
Because I’ll never move on.
“I don’t understand,” I say to Grace. “Is it so bad that it won’t sell?”
Grace shakes her head. “It sold very quickly, and the buyer told me to bring it here when you opened because he said you’d have the perfect spot for it.” I swallow around the lump in my throat. “Maybe you know him. A beautiful man with white-blond hair?”
I glance over at the mantle, Jeremy’s melodic voice tickling my memory.
“How do you choose what artwork to use?” I ask as I examine the portfolio of pieces he’s recommending. Some are familiar landscapes and photographs, while others are more abstract, but all of them are undeniably beautiful and somehow all fit together. He even chose a few poems and drawings.
Jeremy’s eyes light up. “Choosing artwork is actually my favorite part of a job. I visit a ton of local galleries and markets and museums to find unique pieces to fit a space. Art sets the vibe of the whole room, so it has to be perfect.”
I nod, staring at a haunting photograph of Mt. Rainier at sunset, the pinks and purples blending seamlessly. “And what kind of vibe were you going for this time?”
He gives me a sexy smirk and traces the veins on my forearm until he reaches my hands. He raises his eyes to mine. “Wild. Rugged. Mysterious. Definitely moody.” He rises onto the balls of his feet so he can brush his lips across mine. “My favorite kind of vibe.”
“Marcus?”
I shake my head as Grace’s voice brings me back to the present. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“Is he here?” She glances around. “What was his name? Jeremiah?”
“Jeremy.” I swallow and blink quickly. “He’s not here tonight.”
Grace frowns. “That’s a shame. Say hello when you see him.”
I nod with a forced smile and lean forward so she can kiss my cheek before she walks away.
As the day eventually starts to wind down, I grab Seb, and we go looking for Tris. Even though we still have customers, the atmosphere has gotten quieter the closer we get to closing time. I spot Tris at the bar chatting with Marion, and he waves us over.
“Everything good?” I ask.
“Right as rain,” he says with a wink.
I look over at Seb. “I have a couple of things to grab from my office, and then I think I’ll head home before we go to the meeting with Dad. Are you okay hanging out until close?”
He rubs his hands together. “I want to check in with the kitchen staff.”
I walk up to my office and sit at my desk, putting my head in my hands.
I did it. The opening of the Seattle location seems like a success, but the victory feels hollow. I’ve already talked to Tristan about taking over the business side of things in Seattle—he’s more than qualified and loves it here. But I still need to talk to Seb about stepping back.
After a quick knock, my office door opens and Seb walks in, two empty glasses in one hand and a bottle of whisky in the other. He smiles when he sees me. “I thought you might want a victory drink.”
I grin. “Yeah, I guess we deserve it.”
Seb sits across from me, the chair squeaking under his weight as he leans forward to pour the amber liquid into two crystal glasses. Then he leans back and takes a small sip.
