Page 74 of This Life and All the Rest
“Well,” Claire says, trying and failing to act nonchalant, “one of my clients was this independent bookstore in Richmond, right? And I helped them increase their online sales by seventy percent and their in-store traffic has more than doubled.”
“Wow,” Lennon says as we reach the parking lot. “That’s amazing, Claire. You’ll be earning a promotion in no time.”
Lennon takes out her key fob and unlocks her rental, then turns to me.
“Is it okay with you if I paint for a bit?” she asks, and I’m nodding before she finishes her question.
“I’ll be working in the rec center, so just text or come down if you need anything.”
“I don’t have your phone number,” she says quickly, and I smirk.
“It’s the same it’s always been,” I tell her, and her eyebrows scrunch.
“Mine’s different,” she says, almost absently.
She’s got dark sunglasses shading her eyes, but I’m willing to bet they’re unfocused and staring at nothing while she’s lost in thought.
“I’ve got the international app,” I confess. “Text me on there. I’ll save it.”
I don’t tell her that I already know her French phone number by heart.
“Okay.”
She turns her head toward Mom and Claire who are both watching us with interest. Mom looks amused, and Claire looks concerned.
“See you guys later,” Lennon calls out, then climbs into her car and drives off.
Ten minutes later, I get a message on the app.
My number,is all it says, and I can’t help but smile at my phone.
Saved it under Lennon Astraea Washington, I send back.
She doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t have to. I already know I’m under her skin.
I makethe rounds at the rec center, answering emails, paying bills, and checking in on the volunteers and staff.
The place runs like a well-oiled machine. I owe that to James. When I bought the center a year and a half ago, the business was so well-organized that I was able to rely on Trent to help run things while I was enlisted. Then, after the accident, once I was able to walk good enough, I took back over.
Buying the rec center was a gamble. When James and Hank told me they had to move, there was talk of selling the center to some commercial group for a fast sale, which meant it would likely get bulldozed for some random strip mall.
I couldn’t let the rec center get turned into a TJ Maxx, Staples, and a hair salon.
I talked it over with Trent and Mom, then decided to make James an offer. He accepted, even though it was nowhere near as good as the commercial group offer, and now I make payments directly to him once a month.
It’s a little early to tell, but I think the gamble paid off.
I get a break around lunchtime, so I choose to spend it hitting a bag in the gym. My favorite bag had to be retired because it was more duct tape than anything else, so I have to beat on one of the new ones, but I still love it.
I change into some shorts and a tank top, slip in some earbuds, and box. Stationary moves, so Nicolette doesn’t murder me, but I get a good workout in, even with my feet planted.
About halfway through my workout, my skin starts to prickle. I turn to the side and, sure enough, Lennon is leaning on the wall watching me.
Her face is blank, but I know her eyes have been all over my body. I can feel them, and the minute our gazes connect, I see her on her knees for me, just like last night.
I turn to face her, but I resist the urge to walk closer. Instead, I pull out my earbuds and wait for her to speak.
“I’m heading out. I just wanted to let you know,” she says slowly after a few breaths, “and to ask if it’s okay that I come back tonight.”
