Page 32 of Outside the Lines
We worked straight through until closing and had people watching us the whole time, which felt odd. There’d been questions about the set andWolf’s Landing, and I answered them as best I could, employing the whole, “I can’t talk about that” shtick more than once. Therewerethings I couldn’t talk about. There were also things I didn’t know.
Like always, everyone wanted to talk about the stars of the show.
“I don’t see the actors all that often, to be honest,” I said to one guy. “Mostly, I’m hip deep in production people.”
By the time we were putting our supplies away and cleaning up, I was both hungry and slightly annoyed at being the center of attention. Granted, I’d announced exactly who I was and what I was working on, so it was my fault . . . but not entirely.
End o’ Earth’s next-door neighbor was on my shit list, even if she did sell the stuff that partly paid for my employment.
The thought of my set in her store chilled me. What the hell would she have done to it? “Is there any way we can cover this without getting the paint all fucked up?” Because draping a sheet over it seemed a bad, bad plan, but I wanted it hidden from prying eyes when we weren’t here. Yeah, the store had a lock and alarm. Still.
Simon rubbed his chin and studied the model and the work tables. “Grab your chair and put it over there.” He gestured to the right side of the table. I didn’t get what he meant until he hefted his chair and put it on the left side.
Duh. Yeah, that would work. I lifted mine and mirrored Simon’s placement, but on the right. “I take it, you have something we can use as a cover?”
He did. A painter’s tarp, one that wasn’t too heavy. We were able to drape it over the chairs and with some additional taller boxes, make sure that it didn’t touch the grove at all.
My stomach growled again and I winced, glad that Simon had made me eat lunch. “Guess I’ll get a sandwich somewhere.” It was after nine.
Simon seemed like he might say something, when Lydia and Jesse joined us.
“You guys ready to get out of here?” Lydia nodded toward the back of the shop.
“Yeah,” I said. Not brilliant, but I wasn’t firing on all cylinders. Tired, hungry, and I still wanted Simon. I wished this set wasn’t exhausting us both. There were lines of weariness around his eyes too.
We trooped to the back, Simon had me grab the extra bike, and Lydia set the alarm. Jesse said his goodbyes, and I dutifully followed the Derrys to Lydia’s SUV. As Simon had said, she had a bike rack. They strapped the bikes on, and I stuffed my hands in my pockets.
This was awkward. Saying goodnight to your new lover with his wife present, even if she did approve. “I should go find dinner.”
Lydia dusted her hands together. “I’m making some spaghetti when we get home. Want to join us?”
Should I? Shouldn’t I? I glanced from one Derry to the other. “Um . . . it’s late.”
“Notthatlate.” Simon shrugged. “You still gotta eat, right?” He had a grin that slipped past all my defenses and lit me up like a Christmas tree. All sparks and tingles and wants. “Hop in.” He gestured at the SUV.
“What about my car?”
“Eh,” Lydia said. “No one will bother it. It’ll be there in the morning.”
Oh.Oh. I let out a breath. “Okay.” Shaky, but maybe that was the hunger and not the way my head was spinning. Lydia was inviting me over to spend the night. Undoubtedly, given his smile, with her husband.
I could get used to this type of polyamory. No lies. No jealousy. I didn’t get howthatworked. But tonight? I jumped in the SUV.
Dinner was nice. Nothing special about spaghetti and pasta sauce from a jar, but it was warm, fast, and went well with the red wine Simon had opened. We didn’t talk much while eating—all too ravenous. But once the meal was done, Lydia leaned back and swirled the wine in her glass. “I can’t believe the nerve of Marlina.”
“Well, at least we know she’s still sending people to check up on us.” Simon shrugged. “She made a fool out of herself today.”
I broke in. “Wait, she sends people into your store? To make sure you’re not selling Wolf’s Landing stuff?” Their large longhaired cat brushed against my leg and I scratched his head before he wandered off.
“Yup.” Simon’sPwas exaggerated. He pushed his plate away and crossed his arms. “All the damn time.”
Lydia sipped her wine. “She’s very stern about the licensing.” A sly smile. “Jesse said you cut her down to size.”
Before I could say anything, Simon chipped in. “He can be quite commanding when he wants.”
Lydia studied Simon for a moment, then seemed to turn that focus on me. “Ohreally?”
Amazing how loaded two words could be. Heat rose from my toes up to my skull. I picked up my wine glass, sipped, and plotted how best to exact my revenge on Simon. “You ever drop your keys in the alley behind the shop?”
