“Okay, Zach. I can see how it might look from your perspective, but you’re wrong. Let it go, okay?” I placed my hand on his across the table, noticing the atmosphere livening up as evening moved into late night.
He gave me a bleak smile but still nodded, putting his arm around me as he ordered us two cocktails, ready to ring in the new year.
CHAPTER
Seven
December 21, 2014
Iwas still layingdown at three o’clock when Zach arrived to pick me up. It occurred to me it had been less than five hours since we were at Starbucks talking about his desire to be a father. When I got out of bed this morning, my best friend was a happy-go-lucky single dude, and I had been determined to keep my attraction to Renn in the shall-not-be-spoken-aloud category. Now, Zach was headed toward parenthood, and Renn had stated unambiguously that he was interested in exploring a relationship with me post-tattoo. I made a mental note to pick up a few lotto tickets on my way to Hal’s.
Renn greeted Zach enthusiastically, waving a gloved hand. He gestured toward Archie, who’d been stood up by his client, and introduced the two men. “We’re just finishing up, so I’ll have Sadie to you in five minutes, as soon as I get the plastic on.”
“It’s fine.” Zach wandered around Studio Obscurum, giving each object and piece of art a discerning glance. He meandered to a shelf near Archie’s station. “I’m grateful for the extra chance to examine this unique décor. Perhaps I should get a taxidermy bat or a painting of the devil sitting on a throne of skulls for Hal’s.”
“Don’t be an ass, Zach.” I frowned at him.
Renn laughed, unoffended. “Or you could just try a fresh coat of paint.”
After our eventful day, Renn saw me and Zach out of the studio with a nod and a wave, along with a casual, “See you soon.”
I was halfway to the car when I realized I’d forgotten my sweater. Zach headed to the parking lot while I went back to grab it. Renn must not have closed the studio’s front door fully because it was partially ajar, and I stopped short of the entrance upon hearing Archie’s distinct New England accent.
“…You can’t tell me there’s not something there. I see how you look at her.”
“Archie, back off. I don’t need your help here.”
I froze just outside the doorway. Were they talking about me?
The studio was in one of those ancient strip malls dotting the area. Far enough from the street that it was easy to hear over the traffic noise. And because the two other businesses in this complex, a dry cleaners and a spray tan place, were both closed, there wasn’t anyone nearby to wonder about the crazy woman crouched near the entrance.
“Don’t play around, Renn. Every time I see you two together, you’re flirting.”
“Flirting? We were just talking. As you are well aware, I talk to all my clients.”
“C’mon,” Archie cajoled. “You don’t normally talk to your clients like that. Laughing and joking… You need to level with me. Are you sleeping with her?”
“What? No! Jesus.”
“Well, that’s good at least.”
“Dammit, Archie.” Renn exhaled loudly and seemed to gather himself. “Do you want me to admit that I’d like her to be more than just my client? Because I will totally fucking own that. The girl is amazing.”
Archie hmphed. “Look, Renn. I get it. She’s a cool chick. She’s funny and sarcastic and a knockout to boot. And that new tattoo you inked on her is sexy as hell. But…I think you should be careful…go slow.”
I knew how close he was with Archie, so both the annoyance and the hurt were plain in Renn’s voice. “Why?”
“The boys. The shop. Your fucking uncle. I’ve known you a long time—you were just a little squirt when I started apprenticing with your dad—and you’ve got a lot on your plate right now. I’m only looking out for you.” I heard Renn’s intake of breath at Archie’s casual mention of Thomas, but the other man continued undeterred. “Obviously, getting involved with a client is a bad idea, too, but I won’t pretend I haven’t done it. I just want to make sure you’ve considered everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yeah, like, she’s a bit older than you, right?”
“She’s thirty-four, man, not exactly ancient.”
“Okay, I get that. But still…an older woman comes with baggage.”
“No offense, Arch, but that’s crap. Yeah, Sadie’s thirty-four, but not the kind of thirty-four-year-old with, like, two divorces and a bunch of kids.”
