She got up and ran inside the ice cream shop to order two sherbet freezes, one lime and one orange. He had to like at least one of those flavors. Who didn’t love a sherbet freeze?
With both cups in her hands, she waited at the crosswalk and then ran across the street toward where Matthew had dropped down a level on the ladder system.
“Hey,” she yelled as she got closer. “Mural Guy?”
He spun around, his white smile broad. “Fixie Chick. Good to see you!” He climbed down and landed on the parking lot pavement just as she got there.
“Real funny. You’re lucky I don’t pour this on you for that.”
“You’re right. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“I brought you something cool to drink,” she said. “Orange or lime?”
“Lime, definitely.”
She handed him the lime, but he hesitated. “Unless this is the one you wanted. I’m cool with orange too.”
“I like them both. It was a safe bet,” she admitted.
He took a long pull from the straw. “Thank you. This is a nice treat. It gets hot up there.”
“I bet it does, and there’s no breeze between these buildings.”
“Not usually, but there was one that night the rain came through. That was a mess.” He pointed to the ground where a washed-out blue still stained the old worn pavement. “Cleaned it up the best we could. Even rented a power washer.”
“Well, let’s hope that doesn’t happen again.”
“Sometimes it’s a messy business.”
“I have to admit that I saw you painting and stopped to watch from that bench for a few minutes.” She kind of wished she hadn’t said it, because as soon as it came out of her mouth, it sounded kind of creepy.
“Really?” He seemed pleased.
“It’s so interesting to see how a single stroke of color enhances and changes the entire picture. You’re really good.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m looking forward to the gallery opening tonight.”
“Me too. Thanks for agreeing to join me.”
She chickened out asking him about the mural for Chloe; on the drive to Williamsburg would be better timing. He was trying to work for crying out loud, and here she was monopolizing his time like a groupie or something. This was not in her nature.
“Um, well, I just saw you so I wanted to say hi. I’ll see you tonight. Five thirty, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m punctual.”
“Oh good. Me too.” One more thing in his favor. “I’ll see you then.” Excitement coursed through her. She could get used to days with breaks, shopping, flirting, and a date at the end of the night.
Something felt off when she walked into the Barron, Winters & Wall office building. There was too much commotion in the lobby.
Scanning the room, she noticed two of her paralegals in the reception area with clipboards.
An arm hooked her at the elbow. Olivia said, “Keep walking. I’ll explain.”
They walked straight to Whitney’s office. Carina was already sitting there. Olivia closed the door behind them.
“What is going on out there?” Whitney asked. “When I left, it was perfectly normal.”
