Autumn frowns. “Isn’t she a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker? We need somebody who wants to live here.”
“You think Zach’s going to stay on Liberty?” Skyler asks. “I thought he was only here for a few weeks.”
I start to pull the brown paper off the next piece of art, trying to keep my face in a neutral expression.
“But we want to encourage him to stay, right?” Autumn says pointedly. “So no New Yorkers.”
“What about Romy?” Skyler asks. “She’s single, isn’t she?”
“She’s a little too young. How old is she anyway?” Autumn asks me.
I open my mouth to tell her ‘too young’ when my phone starts to ring and I’m literally saved by the bell.
I glance down to see a number I don’t recognize on the screen. Normally I’d let it go to voicemail, but right now I’drather chat to a scammer about my nonexistent car insurance than admit that the idea of Zach being with anyone else makes my chest ache in ways I’m not ready to unpack.
“Sorry,” I say, my voice too chirpy. “Gotta take this, I’ve been waiting for this call all day.”
“No worries,” Autumn says, already distracted by the next piece of art. I shoot her a smile and walk out of the store room into the empty gallery, sliding my finger across the screen to accept the call.
“Hello?” I say, walking over to the window that looks out on Main Street. It’s raining today and the sidewalk is emptier than usual. Shop owners have brought their displays in, and tourists are probably sheltering at the coffee shop, or hunkering down in the hotel and resort.
“Hello Sadie.” The low voice is so recognizable it makes my stomach tighten.
Darien. My ex. My stomach twists. God, how did he find me?
“What do you want?” I manage to say. I have to lean against the wall of the shop to steady myself. It’s the shock more than anything. He never made me fear for my life, but I still hate this.
I hate that he took me by surprise.
“I’ve just been to the unit to pick up my things,” he murmurs. “And something is missing.”
“How did you get this number?” I whisper, hating how vulnerable I sound. But I can’t speak louder. I can’t do anything. It’s like I’m paralyzed by the sound of his voice.
There’s a pause, and then that low, amused exhale I still hear in my nightmares. “A friend of a friend. And this is purely business. You’ve taken something of mine and I want it back.”
My knees weaken. The phone shakes in my hand. Hecan’t. He’s not allowed. The no-contact order should shield me.
“I… I don’t have anything of yours,” I whisper, but I know the lie is paper-thin.
“Oh come on. Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot. I want the painting back. And I want itnow.”
“Leave me alone,” I tell him, then hang up, my heart pounding. I have no idea why I’m so upset, but I am.
I turn my phone off for good measure and walk through the door dividing the businesses. I just want to be alone. I storm through the bookshop like I’m on a mission. Romy calls my name twice before I realize she’s there.
“Are you okay?” she asks, then she notices the expression on my face. “Oh god, what happened? Is it Zach?”
I shake my head. “Can you tell Autumn and Skyler I have to go do something upstairs?” I ask her, my voice thick. “Will you be okay here without me?”
“Yeah. It’s Bro’s Book Club so I’m staying late anyway.” She frowns, taking in the expression on my face. “Honey, can I do anything?”
“I just need to be alone,” I say.
She nods, like she understands and I head for the stairs, my blood rushing through my ears, knowing how stupid this is.
How I shouldn’t let him affect me.
But I still do. Because he’sout. I knew it was a possibility, but now that it’s actually happened it feels like such a shock.
