Page 16 of Echoes in the Night

“Jax, they’re beautiful. You can really make these?”

“Yeah. It was one of the first things I made for Grams that actually turned out. It was a little simpler design.”

“This isn’t fair. You can’t make me choose. I want both.”

“We’ll just leave the book open and you can think about which one you want first while we get this other project out of the way.”

Chapter Ten

Maura

He kisses my neck below my ear and hands me a pencil. “Tell me about your day Saturday.”

I study the blank page in his sketch pad next to the one with his hair clasp designs. Pencil in hand I automatically draw a snowflake.

“It was pretty normal. I’m a teller and making cash transactions isn’t all that stimulating. But most of our clients who come in are older people. It’s their day out and they always want to chit chat. I don’t mind. I’ve known most of them my whole life. Mid-shift I got a text from my father telling me to meet him at the salad shop after work. He wanted to talk to me about a charity event he was thinking of doing. He had me send him my email so he could shoot me his thoughts.”

“He doesn’t have your email?”

“Jax, you know him or at least of him. Remembering my email would take effort. Although I know his secretary has it. An hour later I get a worthless email saying he wants me to spearhead a charity event for the old people in town. What are my ideas?”

The expression on Jax’s face says it all. “I know, he’s clueless. He’s just trying to find ways to turn his reputation around. Most of the businesses he’s backed lately have fallen flat. His brothers have left town and are quite successful in other parts of the country.”

“What did he say when he met you?”

“He didn’t show. Again, not a surprise. While I was waiting, I did get an email from the company I design for. They wanted to know if I would be in town over the weekend. They had a photographer passing through and he was supposed to stop and get a couple shots of me for their website. They wanted to know where he could meet me on Sunday. They also asked for three more spring designs. That was exciting.”

“Did you answer them?”

“Yes. I gave them the name of the coffee shop I usually go to on Sunday’s and the time. My apartment is small, and I like sitting outside and working when I can. The weather was still decent. They said he’d message me when he got to town.”

“Which coffee shop?”

“‘Muggs Up’, of course. My friend Maizie owns it. It’s only been open a few months but come tourist time it will be the hot spot. She’s talked about it for years. I love picking my own mug from her selection and their coffee is the best. You know the little area they have in the alley that’s covered? It’s perfect for people watching and sketching. During winter months she has heaters so it’s still cozy.”

“I haven’t been there. I’m not in town much,” he replies. “I’m not a real people kind of guy. Crowds can make me intense.”

“You’re going with me after this blizzard. You’ll love it. Oh, I know the perfect mug for you. It says,‘I’m not just carving out time; I’m whittling it away’.”

“Funny girl. Did you ever get a message from the photographer?”

“No.” Rolling my shoulders I feel a tension headache coming on. Jax taps his sketch pad with his thumb drawing my gaze to his beautiful drawing. “I like the Irish reference, but the butterfly is so delicate.”

“I’ll make you both, but you have to pick which one you want first.” His thumb taps the drawing I’m making for him again. “Did you order your coffee?”

“Yes, and I got my favorite mug. They only have a couple of each design.”

“Which one is your favorite?”

My pencil hesitates for a second on the paper and I clear my throat. Glancing over my shoulder, I meet his eyes and grin. “Art is an Orgasm.”

He chuckles. “That might be my favorite, too.”

“They have two.” Shifting the pencil in my hand, I continue. “I was so engrossed in my designs I didn’t even remember ordering a second coffee.”

“Are you sure you ordered it?”

“I must have because I remember finishing mine and then having another in front of me. It was my mug. They wash the same one and refill it unless you ask for a new mug.”

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