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“Jace? I’m putting you on my blacklist.”
“Becky?” I mimic her. “I’m sending you Roey’s number.”
“Jace Reed? I officially don’t like you.”
I stifle a laugh. “And you don’t like Roey. Got it.”
“Okay. Bye!”
The phone call cuts off.
No goodbye from Lu. But it’s alright, as long as she’s happy.
Just to mess with Becky and hoping she pours her drunk frustration on Roey, I send her Roey’s number, getting a middle finger emoji in response.
I smile, lifting my eyes to Mama Bear, press my fingertips to my lips, and send an air kiss to Lu.
She’s in the next borough, and it feels unbearably far away. But we’re looking at the same stars, at the same time. She’s not here, but she exists, and that already makes this world a beautiful place.
48
JACE
It’s morning.I oversleep and wake up to Lu’s upset voice in the kitchen.
“I don’t want to sell myself, B! I want to do art that people enjoy!”
When I walk out, Lu, in sweatpants and a tank, stands with her palm against the fridge door, head hanging low. I’ve never seen her this upset.
“Yeah, I’m not a Kardashian,” she snaps into the phone, her voice soft despite her obvious anger. Even her anger is subtle. “My face has nothing to do with it… So, tell him I can’t! Argh! Seriously, B!”
She hangs up and exhales loudly.
“You okay?” I ask as I walk up and pull her into me.
She presses her forehead to my shoulder and rolls it, grunting.
“These clients drive me mad, Jace. First, they want a portrait. Then they want me to advertise them, the wanna-be-celebrities. That’s not what they pay me for. And they didn’t even pay, besides a small deposit.”
I stroke her hair. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“But I need money, Jace!” She lifts her beautiful eyes that have more desperation than on her saddest days. “This is my work! Tsk.”
She pretends to throw her phone into the living room, then walks away without giving me a kiss.
Well, there’s that.
In a minute, she’s changed into a summer dress and flats, puts Pushkin on a leash, and leaves without another word.
I make myself coffee. I used to make it perfectly. Now it feels off. My coffee made by Lu tastes different.
She’s gone for hours, and the only thing I can do is text.
Me: Are you okay?
Lu: I will be. Thanks, Jace.
Her mood is always contagious. I can’t focus on anything, let alone my online course. So, I go to the kitchen to make lunch.
