“You don’t just pour that down the drain?”
She doesn’t look up at me. “It’s full of microplastics. I evaporate the water in a system I built in my backyard, then toss out the paint particles.”
“I didn’t know any of that.”
“You don’t deal with paint as much as I do.” She continues pouring the paint in the bucket until all 20 cups are empty, and I go still, just watching her work.
She gathers the easels next. They go in the white bin on wheels. Her system is down pat. Minus the heavy lifting, she doesn’t need any help.
“So now you’re just watching me?”
I chuckle. “I’m stunned. You really got this down.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “I have to have it down. I’ve been doing this for 4 years by myself. I tote this stuff around almost every day.”
That’s why her shoulders and back are so strong. My girl is putting in work.
“I never knew you were doing all this”
She turns away from me and starts putting the brushes in a container.
Because I didn’t pay attention or care...not like I should’ve.
I stop asking questions and start breaking down the tables she cleared.
“The tables go on the left side of the van. It’s unlocked.”
I grab two and head for the door, wondering how many trips it takes her to get this done. I set the tables in the van and walk back into the museum. I take another load and another until all the tables and chairs are in her van.
She’s pushing the bucket towards the door when I walk back in. I step in, brushing her hand with mine, and take the bucket from her. “I’ll take this.”
I glance around the room. “You got it from here.”
Lily’s bright eyes stare up at me. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I know.”
I take my keys out of my pocket as I walk towards the door. If I stay, I’ll say too much. I look back once I’m at the door.
She’s still standing there. I force myself to turn away and keep walking to my car. I don’t look back again.
Chapter 6 Lily
I thought I was going to have to rush to get ready for dinner tonight with the girls, but I have a whole extra hour.
It’s crazy. I’ve never broken down a pop-up that fast before. Hell, I didn’t even break down that pop-up. Javonte did everything. Everything hard and heavy.
I have enough time to really put effort into my outfit and my hair, and I feel good as I leave my house.
The drive to The Sapphire is short.
I opt out of being picked up by Chance. It was cool for a bit, but now it’s just weird, being driven around when I’m capable. Plus, I didn’t want to be late or make everyone else late, but I could have tagged along with them.
It doesn’t matter. It gives me a chance to sit with everything that happened today. With Javonte popping up on me, helping, popping back up, and then leaving. He didn’t ask for anything. He didn’t even have a conversation with me.
I’m not sure what to do with that just yet.
The hostess takes me back to the private area where we always sit for our dinners.
