AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t want to lose you. You’re great with Maggie.”
Something flashed in her eyes before it disappeared.
“But this seems like something you should pursue.” Losing her would mean not being truthful with my dad about my desires.
“I feel good when I create things, and the idea that someone else would enjoy them—I like that.”
“It’s not about money. It’s about giving someone else joy. I renovate spaces for the owners, and they’re happy. It doesn’t matter how much it costs in the end because they love the end result.”
Alice smiled. “You’re very convincing.”
“I recognize talent when I see it.”
“Other than Elle, no one’s ever encouraged me to do anything with my art.”
“Not even your teacher?”
“I mean, she talked about teaching art, but then schools are cutting art programs, so how viable is that career?”
“True.”
“But I’d love to show others how to create mosaics. What I did with you today, I loved that. You were interested in my process, and I enjoyed talking about it.”
“You could hold workshops on how to create mosaics without being an art teacher. I’m sure one of the local shops would host it.” She’d make more money if she owned the store, but she was far from considering that idea. It was one small step at a time with her. I wondered if it would be like that if I pursued something physical with her, too.
“It’s not a bad idea.” She was quiet for a few seconds, as if considering everything we’d talked about. Finally, she said, “Thank you so much for offering me this job, for allowing me the space and time to create my mosaics again.”
Alice reached over to touch my hand. The warmth seeped into my skin, and tingles danced along my nerve endings.
My brain completely short-circuited at her touch. “I like you.” The words popped out without forethought. What was I thinking?
She withdrew her hand. “What do you mean?”
For the first time, I noticed the crispness of the air and the bite of the wind. My mind was racing as I tried to find a way to salvage this situation.
“I like you as a person, and I want you to pursue your dreams.” I swallowed over what felt like shards of her ceramic tiles. “We’re friends, right?”
We were boss and employee. Friends was probably a stretch, but it was the only way I saw out of this.
She nodded, her shoulders lowering. “Of course. Friends.”
“And friends look out for each other. Encourage each other.” I was backpedaling quickly. I’d almost told her the truth of what I was feeling without ensuring she felt the same. It was clear she wasn’t on the same page as me.
“The people I surrounded myself with in California weren’t friends at all. When I needed them the most, they bailed.” She smiled sadly.
Her admission seemed significant, but my mind was still racing after what I’d admitted. I almost screwed up this thing we had going. Her watching Maggie was worth more than me longing for a connection with her. Maggie came first. Not my needs. Especially when my feelings weren’t reciprocated.
“I’d like to be your friend.”
That’s what she was looking for. She wasn’t looking for a relationship. She was in flux, trying to figure her life out. She wasn’t in the right place for anything, and neither was I. No matter how attractive I thought she was, she wasn’t on the same page.
I’d miscalculated, and I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I’d need to be on guard around her.
She stood, and I did too, taking the blanket from her and hoping the rest of our time together wouldn’t be awkward.
When she moved toward me, everything inside me slowed. Despite the logic my brain was spouting a second ago, my body was on high alert. Was she going to tell me she wanted something more than friends? Was she going to touch me? Kiss me?
Instead, she placed her hand on my shoulder as she passed by. “Thank you, Sam.”
