Page 56 of Third Time Lucky

‘Why wouldn’t fate like you?’

‘You’ve seen my life.’

I glance around the mansion of a home she’s living in.

‘Notthat– I know I’m blessed. Trust me. I could be lounging around here all day, doing nothing and never worrying about anything. But that just isn’t me. I was born a worrywart. It felt weird to live my life on someone else’s dime. I know the money is there, but it’s nice to say I made a difference in the world. Even if it is in a tiny way, like business branding.’

‘That’s not tiny. Every great brand has a graphic that people know them by. The Golden Arches. The black swoosh. The green mermaid. And one of my favorites, the black apple.’ I hold up my iPhone. ‘I’d be lost without this thing.’

Yes, I’d upgraded my phone after we left Vegas because no way was I going back in for the one I’d brought with me. But she doesn’t need to know that.

Her smile exudes sweetness and a touch of humility as she responds, ‘Excellent point. However, my jobs are slightly less important than the classics. I was recently commissioned to design a logo for a bunny ranch near Reno, Nevada.’

‘A bunny ranch?’ I inquire, my curiosity piqued. ‘For meat?’

‘Sort of…’ she replies with a mischievous smile. ‘It’s like a modern-day brothel.’

My eyebrows shoot up my head. ‘A brothel? So,formeat, but not as I intended – interesting. What was your design?’

She blushes as she shakes her head. ‘I passed on the job. It’s difficult to compete with their current logo – a pair of bunnies humping.’

I burst out laughing, causing her to laugh with me.

‘Wait,’ she says, now scrolling through her phone. ‘I’ve got photos.’ She turns the phone to me, displaying a bright yellow roadside sign with two bunnies fornicating.

‘Wow! There it is. Two bunnies, doing it doggie style – unmistakable. Jesus.’

‘Doggie or bunny style?’ she laughs.

Her mischievous smirk dances on her lips. At that moment, it’s impossible to hold back laughter. Hers is infectious, bubbling up deep within her and pouring into the world.

‘What’s so funny?’ Mitzi asks, causing both of us to straighten up like we’re in trouble.

‘Oh, Mitzi, you’re home. I was telling Asher about that bunny ranch job I passed on.’

‘Gracious, darling, don’t remind me,’ Mitzi groans dramatically as she drops her designer handbag onto the kitchen counter. ‘Kitty was scandalized when I told her. I think she thought you were moving into the Playboy Mansion. It took me a week to explain it to her. Though, I must confess, I can’t imagine what logo you would have created for them.’

‘I’m thinking something with a rod…’ I tease.

At this point, Lucy is practically glowing with amusement.

‘I’m sure your next project will be much more… family-friendly,’ Mitzi suggests. ‘Maybe Asher needs to design some cutting-edge menus!’

I glance Lucy’s way. That’s a thought.

‘Actually, I do need menus,’ I tell her. ‘I’d never thought to go with a graphic designer, though. Aaron suggested a boring old print company. Is that even something you could do?’

Her eyes light up with excitement at the prospect. ‘Of course, I can do menus! It’s all about capturing the restaurant’s essence and enticing people with more than just words.’

Mitzi claps her hands together in delight. ‘Oh, I love it when creative minds come together! Asher, you must let Lucy work her magic on your menus. She’s a genius with designs.’

This is a great idea.

‘We’ll have to discuss it,’ I say, my words low and almost conspiratorial. ‘Do you take private appointments?’

Lucy nods affirmatively, a small flirtatious smile playing on her lips. ‘Yes. My usual meeting spot for local clients is Queue Coffee, off of twenty first. Do you know it?’

Isn’t that ironic? She’s been meeting clients just a block away from my new restaurant, and I had no idea. I wonder if, eventually, we’d have run into one another. Perhaps fate is at work here? I’d say that had to be it, but Queue Coffee is in the lobby of the Q21 apartment building, and one of my exes lives there. Or at least lived there when I knew her. I haven’t taken the chance to go by it since we broke up and without her suggestion not sure I ever would have.

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