I show him an art nouveau buffet table on the opposite wall. It has green marble tile on the top and is made of gnarled cherry wood.
“Incredible,” he says, kneeling and running his hands up and down the legs. I pause for a minute and focus on how long his fingers are, how gingerly he caresses the wood, and for a brief second I allow myself to imagine it’s my legs he’s touching.
No, no, no, I tell myself, trying to clear my head.I do not need a crush right now. I have a guy waiting for me in Montgomery I’m seeing tonight. The last thing I need is for this handsome stranger to distract me. But my God, he’s sexy.
“What’s this one’s story?” he asks, his hands still on the wood.
“Nana got that in Mobile when I was little. We think it dates to the 1910s. Apparently, it was originally owned by a madam at a high-class whorehouse in New Orleans, though I don’t think we have reliable provenance. Makes for a great story, though. I like to imagine her keeping a ledger of clients in the drawers.”
Rhodes stands up and moves his hands along the tiles. He’s so tactile, like he’s trying to channel the energy of each piece when he touches it. Most people simply come in and look around. Rhodes wants to touch everything, as if he won’t truly see it unless he lays his hands on it.
“That’s a great story. I kinda want to buy this for my condo.”
“Oh, you live at the beach?”
“No, downtown Birmingham. They converted the old City Federal building into condos and I bought one after my divorce.”
So, he’s single…maybe.
Ugh. I need to stop. He probably has a thin, stunning girlfriend who drinks cosmopolitans on the roof of his building overlooking the glittery city.
And I have Garrett. Kind of. In a noncommittal way.
“I could stay in here all day,” he says, looking at a painting between two of the stained-glass windows.
“Well, we’re closing soon,” I say, remembering I need to get home and shower before making the drive to Montgomery.
Nana pops her head out of the office. “We can stay open late if you want us to,” she says. I should’ve known she was eavesdropping.
“No, it’s fine. I have work to do. Do you mind if I ask how much you want for the fountain? My client would be very interested in seeing this restored to the hotel, and I’d love to incorporate it into my design. We’re trying to return it as close to its former glory as possible.”
“I’ll work something up for you,” says Nana, though I’m sure it’ll break her heart to part with it. She walks towards us.
“Thank you. I’ll stop by next time I’m in town. For now, I’ll get out of your hair. It was nice to meet you, Ms. Bonaventure. And you too, Micah.”
The sound of my name coming out of his mouth sends chills down my spine.
“It was nice to meet you too, Rhodes,” called Nana. “Don’t been a stranger.”
“I won’t.” He smiles at me, then turns and leaves, the closing of the door echoing through the quiet space.
Nana pokes me in the side. “Oh, Micah. That man made me want to lose my religion. Have you ever seen someone so handsome?”
“Nana, he’s too young for you.”
“But not for you. He wasn’t wearing a ring.”
I hate to admit I did notice. “He probably has a girlfriend.”
“You could change that.”
“Nana! I’m not going after some architect who doesn’t even live here. Besides, I have Garrett.”
“Who also does not live here.”
“Garrett’s closer than Birmingham.”
“Micah, I’m just saying. If this Rhodes fella’s gonna be in Magnolia Row working on the hotel, maybe give him some of your time. He looks like someone worth knowing.”
