Page 42 of Barrett

“What?” I asked.

I hadn’t dressed for work yet since it was early. The clock told me I had a half hour until I needed to leave. My feet dragged over the floor; every step more difficult than the previous one. I didn’t want to go to work. My mind kept drifting to Reghan and how I hated it when he left in the middle of the night.

“You’re grumpy for someone who had a sleepover,” Marshall said with a smile from where he sat at the table.

“Don’t start.”

“Why not? And where’s Reghan?”

“He left. He had to work.”

“Bodyguard, right?”

I nodded. We weren’t lying to him. That was Reghan's job. Marshall didn’t need to know it was for Jordan.

In the cabinet, I grabbed a bowl and placed it near the fridge. There was a large container of yogurt in there I withdrew and spooned some into the bowl. After putting granola on top, I leaned against the counter and ate. Marshall had more he wanted to say. I could tell by the twitch of his lips. He was probably trying to figure out how to phrase it, so I’d answer him.

“I like him.”

The spoon paused halfway to my mouth. I expected him to ask me questions, not give his approval. Although, I knew last night Marshall thought Reghan was a good guy. He was. It was just that he killed people when need be and not in a legal way.

“Thank you?” I didn’t know how else to reply.

Marshall snorted. “You’re so weird. I’m not sure what it is about him, but he has you tied in knots.” He stood, his pajama pants too long and dragging on the floor as he walked in front of me to put his empty bowl in the sink. Leaning like I was, he turned to face me. “What are you afraid of? He obviously cares about you. No one would go to the trouble he did if he just wanted to sleep with you.”

“That’s the problem.”

“That he cares?”

I nodded and shoveled in another bite, slowly chewing the granola before swallowing, giving myself time to think of how I wanted to elaborate on this. But Marshall knew me too well and spoke before I could.

“You’re worried about me.” He sighed. “You don’t need to be. I’m fine. I have a job, my painting, and we’re safe here.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Barrett, stop. At some point, you have to put yourself first and not always think about how everything you do affects me.”

“It does.”

He shook his head. “No, you just think so. I had two emails this morning from the contact form on my website. They want to buy my art.” He had a basic site, but it was enough for him to showcase his art without having to pay more for the site to turn into a store.

“That’s great. I’m proud of you.” This was just the start of an amazing career for him.

“Thanks. It’s… it’s like I’m dreaming. People want to buy from me and not the little amount of money I’d made in the past. Last night introduced me to people with money. One of them is… Shit, I don’t know if I should tell you.”

That had me tensing. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew who he was going to say. “Let’s hear it.”

“Jordan Altair.”

“Senior?” There was no surprise in my voice.

Marshall rolled his eyes. “Yes. He saw my art and wants to purchase a piece for one of his partners to hang in his studio. He said it would get more eyes on it due to the clients Hartley has. And don’t act like you don’t know who they are. Everyone in the city does.”

I ate more, waiting for him to say how Jordan saw his work. I knew, of course. There was no doubt he saw what Reghan had bought. That was a piece of the puzzle I hadn’t put together last night. I didn’t think about what Jordan would say when he saw it. I doubted someone could bring a tissue into his building without him knowing, never mind a piece of art.

“You don’t have any comments to make?” Marshall asked. “You’re not going to ask how he saw my art?”

I remained silent.

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