Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Thankfully, the new job had kept me distracted. I had yet to leave before nine each night. Kendrix often ordered out food, and we ate here. Sunday night, after the evening kickoff of the exhibition, we’d gone out to dinner to celebrate. Marlana included.
I was lucky that I worked for someone who wanted to hear my ideas and thoughts. Kendrix seemed excited about the things I’d brought up, and we had spent three hours mapping out our next exhibitions last night. We went all the way into the month of May.
I suggested doing an exhibition with artwork all by the seniors graduating high school in the area. We would contact the schools and speak with the art teachers. It was something I’d wanted to do in Boston, a way to draw in more of the community. However, the owner had not liked the idea.
Kendrix had loved it.
Vanna would have loved it. I wanted to incorporate her somehow into that exhibition, but I hadn’t figured out how just yet. She was the reason I’d found my love for art. That I had a talent even. If remembering her didn’t always trigger memories of Rome, then I’d think about her more often. Because of him, I’d almost not taken this job.
The faint tune of bells began, which played when the door to the entrance opened, and I turned around to see who had come in, ready to greet them and hopefully sell another piece of art. The sight of Pepper walking toward me with a pleased grin on her face surprised me. I had liked her, but she was connected to Rome in a roundabout way, and I didn’t want any connection to him in my life.
“You took the job,” she said. “I’ve been looking for you to show back up at the bar.”
How many people did she see come in and out of that bar? And why would I have stood out?
“Yeah, I, uh…” What did I say? I didn’t want to be rude. “I’ve only been here a little over a week. Getting settled in and things.” And not coming back to your bar. Rome isn’t someone I want to see again.
“I’ll be there at four today. You can stop by after work. Drinks are on me. I’ll even throw in dinner.”
I stood there, battling on how to turn down her very kind offer. She’d come here, looking for me, and that was nice. If things were different, she’d make a good friend.
“Listen, if this is about Tex, he is in Ocala. He works there almost as much as he is here.”
Oh. That was interesting. Where did he work? Still at that bike repair shop? Not that it mattered. I didn’t care where or what he did. Sure, I’d been curious before, but the cruelty he’d spewed at me when he met me in this parking lot had ended it.
“It is about Ro—uh, Tex,” I admitted. She had picked up on it. “I just, um—”
“Salem,” Kendrix called.
I turned to see him walk around the corner, looking down at his phone. He was dressed in jeans, a blue striped oxford shirt, and Adidas tennis shoes. His short blond hair was styled perfectly, and his jawline was smooth from a fresh shave. He was an attractive man, and I was almost certain that Marlana had a thing for him. I just wasn’t sure if he reciprocated her feelings.
“I’m going to order some lunch. What are you in the mood for?” He lifted his head, and his hazel eyes shifted from me to Pepper. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know someone was here.” He smiled at her, and then his gaze moved back to me. “I can wait.”
“It’s okay. She’s not here to see the exhibition. She’s here to see me,” I explained.
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “Oh, I didn’t realize you knew anyone in the area.”
I really didn’t. I sure didn’t know the man Rome had become.
“I met her the first night I was here before the interview. She served me drinks at her bar.” I looked back at her. “Pepper, this is Kendrix. My boss. He owns the gallery.” Then I shifted my attention back to him. “Kendrix, this is Pepper, the owner of Paradise Brew. Great bar, live music, amazing fried dill pickles and cocktails.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Pepper. I’m glad Salem is finding some friends. I want to keep her here.” His smile turned back to me. “We should go one night after work.”
Uh, no. Not happening.
“Oh, yeah. I, uh…maybe Marlana would want to go. I’m not much of a bar-at-night person.”
“Is that so? Well, tonight, I can assure you, it will be slow. Monday nights always are. My biker crowd won’t even be there. You both should come. I insist. It’s on the house. Order whatever you want.”
I was stuck. There was no way to get out of this. Maybe that was good. Rome was out of town. No bikers. I could go and appease Pepper and get it over with.