Page 49 of Little Twisted Things

“But you’d be surprised. Every semester I get a handful of students who genuinely love the books. They don’t just read them. They dissect them. And that’s the most rewarding part of teaching.”

“I think I would have liked your class.” She smiled.

“Maybe.” He smiled back. “Until I assign Crime and Punishment.”

“Oh, God. No. I’m out.” She laughed.

“See.” Alex chuckled. “Everyone loves literature until they have to read four hundred pages of guilt and misery. How about you? Why did you become a gallery owner?”

“Easy. I love art. But it goes deeper than just love. When I was growing up, my parents fought constantly. Almost every night, there was an argument happening. The only place I ever felt at peace was at an art museum.”

“Interesting. You’d go by yourself?” he asked.

“Yes. My mom would drop me off for a few hours while she ran errands. I’d wander through the galleries and just breathe. No one was arguing. No one expected anything from me, and it was quiet.”

“I can understand that.” I smiled.

We finished dinner and took our wine into the living room.

“Honestly, Dahlia. I have no idea how you can sit here with that painting staring at you,” Tess said. “If that were in my home, I’d feel like I was being constantly watched.”

“It’s really no different than people if you think about it. We’re always being watched by someone.”

“How do you mean?” She tipped her glass to her lips. “By whom?”

“People,” I said. “How many times have you watched two people having dinner and wondered if they were on a first date?”

She bobbed her head back and forth. “Okay. Guilty.” She smiled.

“Or noticed a woman crying walking down the street. Or the customers who walk into the gallery. We’re constantly observing each other. Most of the time, we don’t even realize we’re doing it.”

“You’re right.” Alex flashed me a smile. “Human beings are naturally curious.”

“We spend so much time worrying about who’s watching us, that we forget we’re usually watching someone else.”

“Fair enough.” Tess nodded. “I get your point. But I still think that painting is creepy.”

I laughed. “Fair enough.”

Tess finished the last of her wine. “It’s getting late. I should head home.” She stood from the couch. “Dahlia, dinner was exceptional. I had a really great time. Thank you for inviting me over.” She hugged me. She turned to Alex and hugged him. “It was great to finally meet you, Alex. You two are so adorable together. A perfect match.” She grinned.

Pity, he won’t be around much longer.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dahlia.”

“Bye, Tess. Drive safe.” I shut the door.

“Wow. She’s great,” Alex said.

Do you want to fuck her too?

“Yeah. She is.”

He walked over, wrapped his arms around me, and I froze.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. I’m just tired and have a bit of a headache. I think it’s time you head home.”