Page 64 of Love Is an Art
“Would you like to come back to my studio? I can give you a few pointers,” Jurgen says.
No.My whole body tightens. Sebastian gives me a warning look.
“I can’t,” Tessa says. “I have to get back to my boyfriend.”
She has a boyfriend? Or is this part of the pretense?
No good ever comes of eavesdropping.
“That guy from the art show?”
“Yes.”
At least I’m still fictionally in this picture.
“Here you go, guys. No rush.” The waitress’s voice. She must be handing them the check.
“I’ll get it,” Tessa says. “Thanks again. Let me know when I should deliver the paintings to the show. I can’t believe I’m going to be in a show.”
“I’ll text you.”
The chair behind me scrapes back.
“Okay, uh … bye,” Jurgen says.
Sebastian shifts his chair so that he faces them and me.
Sebastian whispers, “She’s gone. The guy is still putting on his coat, and she’s out the door.”
“Would you like a refill?” The waitress comes over to our table.
I nod as Sebastian says yes. Jurgen might recognize me, so it’s best to stay put until he leaves too.
Much as I’m tempted to run after Tessa andcoincidentallybump into her.
“He’s gone,” Sebastian says. “Maybe we shouldn’t have listened in. Are you okay?”
“I don’t think she has a new boyfriend,” I say.
Sebastian’s giving me a look, like poor, misguided sod.
“I’m that guy from the art show.”
“Okay,” Sebastian says, but then winces and adds, “there could be more than one art show, though.”
“I’m the guy from the art show. We met Jurgen at the Dumbo Arts Center,” I say.
Sebastian doesn’t look convinced.
“I’m going with that anyway,” I say.
“Whatever works for you,” Sebastian says.
“It’s only been three days since we broke up.”
“Not that you’re counting,” Sebastian says.
“I’m not counting,” I say.
