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“Sounds good.” I stood up on wobbly legs and nearly screamed when something brushed against them, but it was just Murder. I looked down at him and he blinked at me with yellow eyes and just kept purring.
“He likes you. And he pretty much hates everyone,” Lacey said, leaning down to pet him.
“Yeah, well I think we have that in common,” I said, trying to joke. It wasn’t really true. I liked most people.
Lacey laughed and the sound was warm and rich like spiced rum. I needed to stop thinking of her in sexual terms. This was a business thing. Nothing more.
“Would you be interested?” she asked, and I couldn’t figure out what she was asking me.
“Interested?” I said, like a dumbass.
“Interested in being interviewed.” She straightened up and we were nearly at eye level. She would only have to bend a tiny bit to kiss me. Which I needed to stop thinking about. Lacey wasn’t going to be kissing me. I didn’t even know if she was single.
“Oh, that. Um, sure. Yeah, that would be fine,” I babbled and then laughed nervously.
“Great,” she said. I wanted to stare into those eyes and pick out every single color in them and then paint my walls those colors.
I needed to get a grip. She finally blinked and stepped away from me, but her cheeks were a little red.
“So, um, it’s late and I should be getting back,” she said, raking a hand through her hair.
“Where are you staying?” I asked and then wanted to kick myself. That was absolutely none of my business.
“Oh, I’m renting this little run-down cottage. It’s cute and right on the water, so I get up in the middle of the night sometimes and take pictures, or watch the sun rise. Maine is such a beautiful place.” Huh. I’d lived here for so long that I forgot about all its natural wonders. I was usually too busy going from one job to another, or hermiting in my apartment and doing work. I needed to get out more apparently.
“Where are you from?” I needed to stop asking questions, but my brain kept firing them out through my mouth.
“Tennessee, originally, but I’ve lived all over. I’m a bit rootless. Can’t seem to find a place that feels like home.” I’d always lived here. I couldn’t imagine moving from place to place like that. I’d feel so lost.
I nodded and it seemed as if our interaction had come to a natural end.
“Well, it was nice to see you again,” I said, heading toward the door. “And I look forward to talking more with you.”
“Thanks for coming, Anna. I really appreciate it. And you’ll be seeing so much of me that you’ll definitely get sick of me.” She laughed.
“Don’t count on it,” I said over my shoulder as I headed out the back door of the studio and down the stairs.
Three
The next week, I saw Lacey a lot. But it wasn’t enough. The more she was around, the more I wanted her around. Somehow she’d impressed Jen and Sal with her presentation, and had commenced work on her profile. She’d taken action shots of Jen assembling sandwiches, interviewed them both, and had also done an interview with Daisy, since Violet Hill was what helped her reconnect with Molly. It was all very sappy and cute. I teased Daisy about it mercilessly, but she just had a dreamy look in her eyes ninety percent of the time, so I was pretty sure my teasing went in one ear and out the other.
“You’re so in love with her, it’s gross,” I said to Daisy as she squealed and launched herself at Molly when she came to pick her up from work. It was like they hadn’t seen each other for years instead of just a few hours. I didn’t know what that was like. And then Lacey walked in and my heart jumped and started beating super-fast.
“Hey,” I said walking over to her. “Dirty chai?” I’d gotten to know what she liked and didn’t like. It made me feel like a creeper, but also exciting that I knew things about her.
“Yeah, sure. And maybe a BLTA?” she asked. It was basically a BLT with avocado instead of mayo. We also had a version with veggie bacon for all the vegetarians/vegans that we served. What was it with queers and being vegetarians/vegans? It was such a cliché, but it was so true.
“You got it,” I said, stumbling a little bit on my way to put in her order.
“You totally love her,” Daisy said in sing-song as I passed the half-wall that separated the bakery from the rest of the kitchen.
“Huh?” I said, looking back at Lacey, who was busy with her phone.
“You’ve got the biggest fucking heart-eyes right now,” Daisy said as she took off her apron. Molly nodded in agreement.
“I do not,” I said, and actually rubbed my eyes.
“Do too,” Molly said with a little giggle. I rolled my eyes.
