Page 25 of Old Flame

“Huh. I was sure you would. So, you don’t know if she got the job?”

I swung my eyes to Pepper. “I don’t give a fuck.”

She rolled her eyes as if she didn’t believe me, then walked off, as if I had annoyed her instead of the other way around. As I slipped my hand up Nixie’s leg, she made a pleased sound and opened her legs for me. As nice as it was that she was so willing to let me finger her cunt in public, I knew I’d have Pepper back over here, bitching.

“Come on, darlin’. You can bend over my bike and spread these pretty legs for me.” And I’d do my fucking best to keep my eyes open.

10

Salem

I had made notes. Several, in fact.

My first day on the job had included the kickoff of a new exhibition. The artist was brilliant with his photo-realistic paintings.The Light Withinincluded forty of his works, displaying the faces of people in raw, emotional states.

Kendrix had pulled this one together since they had been in the market for a new curator at the time. He’d done a good job, but there were some things that needed to be tweaked. Hence my notes. By day three, we should have sold more of the paintings. Advertisement was lacking.

Having thrown myself into the new job and researching the best way to reach new customers, I had neglected my new apartment. All my things were in boxes still. I’d been living out of them the past week.

The house back in Boston had sold within two days, which made things easier in a way. Packing things up had been hard.

I’d told Eamon’s parents that they could come over to go through his things and take what they wanted. His mother had been sure to make several scathing comments about the house being sold, my moving back to Florida, and packing away Eamon’s life. When they left, I drank a bottle of wine and cried.

But three days later, I’d gotten in my car and driven south. Both sorrow and relief flooded me when I drove away from theempty house that had been our home. Starting over, a new life, moving on—it was terrifying.

Thankfully, the new job had kept me distracted. I had yet to leave before nine each night. Kendrix often ordered out food, and we ate here. Sunday night, after the evening kickoff of the exhibition, we’d gone out to dinner to celebrate. Marlana included.

I was lucky that I worked for someone who wanted to hear my ideas and thoughts. Kendrix seemed excited about the things I’d brought up, and we had spent three hours mapping out our next exhibitions last night. We went all the way into the month of May.

I suggested doing an exhibition with artwork all by the seniors graduating high school in the area. We would contact the schools and speak with the art teachers. It was something I’d wanted to do in Boston, a way to draw in more of the community. However, the owner had not liked the idea.

Kendrix had loved it.

Vanna would have loved it. I wanted to incorporate her somehow into that exhibition, but I hadn’t figured out how just yet. She was the reason I’d found my love for art. That I had a talent even. If remembering her didn’t always trigger memories of Rome, then I’d think about her more often. Because of him, I’d almost not taken this job.

The faint tune of bells began, which played when the door to the entrance opened, and I turned around to see who had come in, ready to greet them and hopefully sell another piece of art. The sight of Pepper walking toward me with a pleased grin on her face surprised me. I had liked her, but she was connected to Rome in a roundabout way, and I didn’t want any connection to him in my life.

“You took the job,” she said. “I’ve been looking for you to show back up at the bar.”

How many people did she see come in and out of that bar? And why would I have stood out?

“Yeah, I, uh…” What did I say? I didn’t want to be rude. “I’ve only been here a little over a week. Getting settled in and things.”And not coming back to your bar. Rome isn’t someone I want to see again.

“I’ll be there at four today. You can stop by after work. Drinks are on me. I’ll even throw in dinner.”

I stood there, battling on how to turn down her very kind offer. She’d come here, looking for me, and that was nice. If things were different, she’d make a good friend.

“Listen, if this is about Tex, he is in Ocala. He works there almost as much as he is here.”

Oh. That was interesting. Where did he work? Still at that bike repair shop? Not that it mattered. I didn’t care where or what he did. Sure, I’d been curious before, but the cruelty he’d spewed at me when he met me in this parking lot had ended it.

“It is about Ro—uh, Tex,” I admitted. She had picked up on it. “I just, um—”

“Salem,” Kendrix called.

I turned to see him walk around the corner, looking down at his phone. He was dressed in jeans, a blue striped oxford shirt, and Adidas tennis shoes. His short blond hair was styled perfectly, and his jawline was smooth from a fresh shave. He was an attractive man, and I was almost certain that Marlana had a thing for him. I just wasn’t sure if he reciprocated her feelings.

“I’m going to order some lunch. What are you in the mood for?” He lifted his head, and his hazel eyes shifted from me to Pepper. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know someone was here.” He smiled at her, and then his gaze moved back to me. “I can wait.”

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