Confused by what she meant, I scrunched my brow. ‘Abuela?’
She beamed. ‘My grandma. My dad’s mom. She’s very traditionally Spanish henceabuela.’
‘Ah! Sweet.’ Excitement knotted my insides and I tried to stifle the ridiculous grin fighting to spread across my face. ‘Great. Great. Okay. I’ll see you at your place at eight then.’
She chewed her lip and stepped back. ‘Uh-huh. Well... I should go. I need to pick up some stuff before I head home so...’
‘Until tonight then.’ I leaned and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, and as I did, my senses were filled with that intoxicating scent of jasmine.
I paused maybe a little too long and she pulled away. ‘Bye, Fin.’
‘Bye, Star,’ I breathed, like a swooning teenage boy.
* * *
As I made my way back to my apartment, I pulled my phone out and dialled Tom’s number. He answered quickly, and before he could make some insulting quip like he usually did, I blurted out, ‘Tom, I need to speak to you about something, mate. You’ll never believe what’s happened. Are you free?’
‘Ooohkay. Siân’s in at the gallery today, so yeah. What’s up?’
‘Can you be at mine in ten?’
After he confirmed he’d be there, I hung up and almost jogged back home as adrenaline and nervous excitement coursed through my veins. I had a way to make amends for my shitty behaviour to Star, and Tom was the right man to help me.
Once back at home, I paced the living room floor until Tom arrived. As soon as he knocked, I flung the door open, almost causing him to fall flat on his face.
He frowned and shook his head. ‘What the hell has you all riled up, Hunter?’
‘Come in. Sit down. Coffee?’
‘I think you might have had too much of it judging by how on edge you are, mate. Cut to the chase, pal.’ He plonked himself down on my leather couch and stretched his arms across the back.
I sat in the chair opposite. ‘I’ve finally got S.A.M.’
He laughed heartily. ‘Ah, don’t worry, buddy. I’m sure you can get ointment for it. Better get some quick before your dinky drops off, eh?’
‘The photographer, you arse. You know the photographic prints I’m crazy about? The ones Elise hated? Well, I’ve found the artist behind them.’
He sat up straight and his eyes widened. ‘No shit!’ Tom knew how long I’d been trying to locate the artist, or any information, but even with all his contacts in the art world, he’d drawn a blank. ‘So... who is he?’
‘He is ashe. Andshe’s called Star Mendoza.’
His brow crumpled. ‘Wait... isn’t she...? Didn’t you...?’
I nodded emphatically. ‘Yep. It’sher.’
‘Well, shag me sideways.’ He ran his hands through his short brown hair.
I sniggered. ‘I think I’ll pass, mate.’
‘You have to get her to agree to an exhibition, Fin. Would she do it?’
Spurred on by his enthusiasm but a little unsure, I shrugged. ‘Honestly? I was hoping you’d say that, but I don’t know. She doesn’t strike me as the type of person to go in for the spotlight.’ I continued to tramp across the carpet expelling as much nervous energy as I could.
‘Well, I would’ve thought the same ofyouuntil I saw you on stage, Fin. We all have our secret passions. And isn’t this the girl withpinkhair? I’d say she was quite keen on attracting attention.’
That was a good point, actually, although she didn’t come off as an exhibitionist which contradicted her appearance. ‘I’m taking her to dinner tonight so I’ll maybe put it out there.’
Tom chuckled. ‘Oh, I don’t know if she’d want to see itso soon again if it’s about to drop off.’ He broke into full-blown guffaws. ‘Ask her about the exhibition too mate, eh? And don’t get arrested, okay? Especially if you haven’t got a cream for yourS.A.Mproblem yet.’
