Page 127 of Love Is an Art
Paisley’s remarks from the wedding about all those fun nights working together and how they fell in love ping pong in my head. That’s how Zeke and I fell in love too.
My stomach feels queasy. But I can’t let it ruin my night.
Forget it, Tessa. This is your night. This award is a huge deal. Don’t get sad about this like when you missed your birthday party.
And I was beginning to think Zeke might beThe One.
And the FLAFL job. I want to apply now, but how can I not tell Jack? It’s like a huge weight is pushing me down. I’m trying to find my way out of this fog, but there is no flashing beam from a lighthouse, guiding the way to a safe harbor.
Zeke glances at me. “Are you okay? Are you nervous?” He clasps my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.
I look into his warm, blue eyes and get a grip on myself. “Definitely nervous.”
He rubs my hand. We enter the festively decorated ballroom and join my friends. The hum of conversation buzzes in the background. People stand, chatting and catching up with others in the spaces between the round tables decorated with purple tablecloths and white flower arrangements.
“I looked up the artists’ names on Scammer Guy’s Instagram, and I found the contact information for two of them, so I’ll send that to you,” Iris says.
“Jurgen called me last night to tell me that someone from Latvia was interested in purchasing myRegretpainting,” I say.
“He’s changed countries?” Lily asks. “Now he has to find someone who speaks Latvian.”
“I was a bit surprised by that,” I say. “Anyway, given that he’s supposedly been scammed like this before, you’d think he’d mention that. But no. He was incredibly enthusiastic. I think he’s definitely in on the scam.”
“Yvette also sent her bank statement showing the fraudulent check, so hopefully the handwriting will match that of the check he gives you this time,” Miranda says.
“Are you going to have to give Jurgen money, then?” Zeke asks.
“Some,” I say. “Hopefully, I can get my money back if he gets arrested.”
“Officer Johnson said he’d be willing to follow Jurgen to see if he goes immediately to a shipping store, but if he doesn’t, it’ll hardly be conclusive,” Miranda says. “Still, it’s pretty damning that Jurgen is running the same scam again. But a fraudulent check is key.”
“Let’s hope we get him. One more meeting, and then I hope I’m done.” I shudder. “He’s so slimy.”
Rupert and Wyatt return. Wyatt hands Zeke and me our drinks as he stands between us and the cluster of my friends.
“Where’s Marla?” I ask.
“She thought it sounded boring,” Wyatt says. “Hanging out with a whole bunch of lawyers didn’t interest her.”
“Oh,” I say.
Zeke says, “I admit I’m a recent convert myself.”
Wyatt smiles at me, with a glance at Zeke. “The thing about lawyers is that they’re very bright and pose a challenge. You don’t find that everywhere so easily.”
I meet Wyatt’s glance.Is he hitting on me?In front of Zeke?
“That’s why you should definitely appreciate lawyers and treat them accordingly,” Zeke says.
Exactly.
Zeke puts his arm around me and pulls me closer. I kiss Zeke on the cheek.
Wyatt raises his eyebrows.
Has he recast my “not revealing all my emotions” as a challenge? That’s one way to put it.
A server asks us if we’d like some shrimp appetizers. We all pass.
