Page 20 of Before Now

I shut them off and hang them off the front of my shirt before switching to my phone camera. The box in the corner shows the framed portrait the camera’s pointed at.

“Better?” I ask.

SaintR:I’m still not seeing anything.

“Shit.”

SaintR:I can hear you just fine though.

“Good to know.” I drag a hand through my hair and glance around, not even through the first room of the gallery. Such a waste.

The bubbles pop up to indicate she’s typing.

SaintR:They’ve been having trouble with video cutting out lately. I’ll report it.

SaintR:Thanks anyway.

“Wait.” The word is out before I even think it through. “I’m already here and paid. Give me your number, and we’ll finish the tour.”

There’s nothing for a while.

“Seriously. The exhibit in the next room is closing today. It would be a pity to miss it.”

SaintR:You want me to give my number to a stranger in another country?

I walk over to a bench and drop down on it, stretching out my legs and leaning back against the wall behind me. “A stranger who had to pass a background check for this job. Plus, if you think I could find you with just a name and phone number, you’re giving me far too much credit.”

She types then stops, and I can’t help but push a little.

“Come on, live a little. If it makes you feel better, I have no interest in anything but the cash and the art. Strictly business on my end.”

SaintR:Just art?

“Just art,” I agree. “You won’t even see my face.”

Another pause, then typing.

A number comes through.

I slip in my earbuds before I video chat her. Being a man of my word, I keep my phone down, and when she answers, I flip the camera around so the fountain shows. I break into a smile, seeing her camera pointed to a white ceiling.

“Beautiful view,” I say.

The bubbles pop up on the chat, and I chuckle, not opening it when the dot appears.

“Nah, baby. Use your words.”

A soft sigh comes over the line, and then, “Baby, huh? So much for strictly business.”

Her voice is quiet and raspy, like she’s keeping it between the two of us. I lower mine even though no one else is around me in the empty room.

“Maybe I’m a liar,” I tell her.

She lets out a huff. “This was such a bad idea.”

I get to my feet and move back to the fountain. “Right. Let’s start over.”

She’s quiet on the other end. So quiet I almost fall into the silence before I hear her breathe again.

---