Page 26 of Blue Embers
“That we can’t open the exhibit this weekend,” Ben finished. “I’ve already spoken to the event organizers to reschedule and I’ve already put together a press release. I’m sorry, Ms. Grant. I know you’ve been working hard to get this all done.”
“No,” I rubbed my brow lightly. “Actually I could use a little more time to polish things up here.”
“Good. I was hoping this wouldn’t upset you.”
“Things happen, Ben,” I smiled, though the smile felt more hollow than an empty seashell.
For the rest of the day, I occupied my mind and my hands by taking frequent walks for coffee and fresh air, organizing papers and reorganizing them, answering emails, and finding any small tasks to fill my time and keep me distracted. By the end of the day, I found myself circling unconsciously around the display case where the necklace was supposed to be until I finally realized what I was doing.
Staring at the black, velvet neck, I decided it was time to pick the item up from Killian. It was business...or at least that’s what I was trying to convince myself. Truthfully, I wasn’t the type to have friends. Artemis was my only family. I had no one to talk to or even consult on any personal matters. Though Killian was my employer and a Draak who walked far outside of my ideal lifestyle, he’d gotten to know me better then plenty of others in the few days I’d known him. Deep down, I just wanted to see him. Perhaps talk about the things I’d found out about my sister. Anything to keep my mind moving in a productive direction rather than stopping in the sludge of my worries.
As the day grew later, I left the museum and found myself driving to Killian’s place. I’d memorized the route when he brought me there. Not intentionally, but the drive was simple and there weren’t many houses on the beach. Especially ones as elaborate as his.
When I pulled up to the large manor, the sun was just starting to descend toward the flat, ocean horizon. Clouds were moving in from the east, just barely starting to drown out the afternoon light, and the smell of rain wafted past me as I stepped out of the car.
Silent and peaceful, Killian’s place was far more comforting than my house in the city. I absorbed the serene sounds of the beach nearby as I strolled along the concrete walkway to the door, but just as I stepped up, the front door swung open and from it came a woman in a red dress that was practically see-through. Her figure was classically curvy, blonde curls sitting on her head in an attractive fashion. She smiled at me as she passed, stepping around me to get to the taxi that was rolling up in the driveway.
I didn’t turn to watch the woman leave. Instead I listened, a bit shocked, though I wasn’t sure why a woman leaving Killian’s place should have affected me at all. Still, I suddenly felt foolish for being there. I must have fallen deep in thought because it startled me a bit to hear Killian’s voice coming from the doorway in front of me.
“Persephone,” he greeted, standing there shirtless in a pair of black jeans.
Caught off guard, I had no words to respond. I just pulled a professional veil over the swelling emotions that were rolling around beneath the surface, tossing Killian a generic smile and raising my chin a little to feel less pathetic. Unfortunately, his half naked body wasn’t helping me stay focused. I kept thinking about what I might have interrupted had I arrived moments earlier. Perhaps I was lucky I stayed at the museum so late.
“Mr. Valentyne,” I said in a tone much smaller than I intended. Clearing my throat, I composed myself as much as I was able. “I just dropped by to tell you that the exhibit opening has been postponed and…” I paused, unsure what else I was going to say. “And to see if you were finished with the necklace,” I improvised, though as soon as I mentioned the trinket I did find myself eager to get it back.
Killian leaned on the doorframe, giving his grecian figure a casual slant. I could feel my heart skip. I realized I wasn’t doing the best job of hiding my emotions. It didn’t seem like that much of a problem before, but seeing that he already had his fill of female company for the day, I just felt like the biggest idiot in the universe. Now I was just disappointed in myself.
“I was hoping to keep the pendant for another day or so,” Killian said, his voice charming and tender. He knitted his brows in a subtle manner. I nearly ran away for fear of being peeled apart by his observant gaze. “Is everything alright?” he asked.
There it was. No, things weren’t alright, but now the notion of sharing my problems with Killian seemed so naive. I was an adult and I needed to figure things out in an adult way.
“Of course,” I nodded with another shallow smile.
“So why is the opening being delayed?”
“Issues with shipments,” I said. “We’re already in the process of rescheduling. I just thought I should let you know.”
“You drove all the way here to tell me that? You could have just called,” he said, raising a brow.
“I found the drive relaxing,” I said, starting to turn away. “And I intended to get the pendant back, but if you’re still working with it, I’ll go.”
“Persephone--”
“I think it would be best if you called me Ms. Grant.” I glimpsed back at him. “Things between us have been unprofessional and I’d like to remain focused. At least until the exhibit is taken care of.”
I walked with a tall, confident gate toward my car, employing everything I had to remain calm and to not let my anxieties explode toward the surface. Clutching my car door handle, I slid inside and took a few deep yet strained breaths to center myself. Killian had stepped out onto the walkway as I started the car and immediately I knew he sensed something. I needed to get out of there, though I hadn’t figured out where to go. Perhaps I could drive all night and lose myself in the music of my radio. It beat sitting alone in my little house falling under the weight of my upcoming decisions.
Driving the long stretch of rural road leading away from Killian’s house, rain began to fall. It darkened the sky long before the sun had set and while I watched the water weep down the windows, suddenly I realized my eyes were wet with tears as well. I slapped them away, but the skewed vision was too much. I pulled off the road and killed the engine, listening to the rain patter on my car’s roof in a calming rhythm, focusing heavily on my breath and keeping each one steady and long. Fatigued, confused, hurt, and heavy with emotion, I felt myself sinking and I was sinking fast.
Shortly after I’d stopped, headlights reflected in the rearview mirror, catching my attention as a car passed. I must have been nodding off because I found that I’d lost a few minutes, my head leaned back on my seat. Unable to keep driving and unable to sit still, I opened my door and stood, letting the rain wet my hair. I stepped to the side, leaning up against my car to let the rain cool my nerves.
I could have stayed there until the rain stopped, but soon after I’d gotten out of the car, I caught another pair of bright headlights moving in from down the street. I watched as a car drove up and pulled off the road behind mine. When the lights flicked off, I realized it was Killian’s Bugatti and tensed my jaw. I might have to explain things to him. At the very least, I’d have to come up with a really good lie as to why I was standing in the rain while it was getting dark out.
I waited, watching as Killian stepped out of his car, now wearing a white t-shirt, and began walking my way. I dreaded his dissecting gaze when I saw him drawing closer, but could think of no way to counter it. Not at the moment. He had come with a purpose and his gate showed it. He’d see through whatever fib I conjured. Or at least he would if I could make one up. My mind was blank of ideas.
“Ms. Grant,” he spoke lightly, stopping a couple steps from me as if he knew my personal walls had been expanded.
He was looking at me like he was reading the fine print on a piece of parchment. Uncomfortable, I tried to sever his concentration.
