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¨Anything, really.¨
I shrug, ¨Well…I suppose with an answer like that. There’s cool street art in Bushwick. If you like gardens…um.” I pause as I watch Alexander tilt his head in my direction.
Immediately, I hop off my stool and lean closer to Edward, hoping his height will act as a shield. There’s no way Alex saw me. The last time I saw him was before Covid at an October festival in 2019. We were across the street from each other when we locked eyes, and I nearly had to tear my eyes from him. I went straight home, popped two Tylenol before I fell asleep, and dreamt of him…all over me. It was a fucking nightmare.
¨Are you okay?¨ Breaking conversation with the other man, Stella reaches for my hand.
I try telling her with my eyes, but Alex knows Stella too. I don’t need him scanning for me if he sees her. But everyone sees Stella. She commands the room as most dancers naturally do, and her curls are up high on the side of her head. Fuck.
¨Micola?¨ Edward’s gin breath tickles my earlobe, and I know there is something really wrong as I’m considering asking Edward if he wants to go somewhere else.
Chapter 2
ALEXANDER
“AlexanderMasters.”Iextendmy hand.
In her tight pencil skirt and orange tankini, the bashful blonde accepts my hand and shakes it warmly.
“Nina Santiago.” Her voice is charming. “Heard so much about you. Opening the Carvel Sculpture Museum this August in London. Great pleasure.”
“Many thanks. I hear you’re a textile artist?”
“Yes, interior fabrics. Bedroom and dining linen.”
Interesting, I’m more curious if she knows any undiscovered sculptors than if she’s dating anyone.
“How long have you been in the textile industry?”
She fills me in, but my mind doesn’t care to hold any of it. Her eyes dim and grow with wild expression, animated is her tipsiness.
I should probably grab another water. Watching everyone around me fall into tipsiness while I remain clear-headed, the least I can do is hold a drink. Sobriety isn’t the goal, as is having complete control, especially around fellow artists. Artists are often wild, and I gain so much perspective when I stay sober.
“So… that’s what I have going on this summer.”
I smile at her, lifting my eyes above her head to glimpse at the growing crowd. The sultry jazz melodies make a man want to see his options and…what? Who the hell?
Micola Costa.
I blink several times, but it doesn’t make my Ex disappear. It only makes her appear closer and more beautiful than ever. That full head of hair, the darkest of eyes, those dimples, and while she talks to some married man, I can hear the sound of her passionate voice cutting into my ear. Well, I can imagine it.
“Excuse me,” I exclaim to the blonde and make my way to the bartender.
“Hey. Can I have mineral water and send whatever that brunette with the bob at 2 o’clock is drinking.” I nod toward Micola.
The bartender gives me a perplexed look, maybe because it’s clear Micola is with someone. I honestly don’t give a rat’s ass. I haven’t seen her in years, and she’s been on my mind lately regarding a few things. There’s a reason I need to see her. More like a purpose.
Trying to stay invested in the interaction, I watch the bartender make a whiskey and coke. I don’t recall Micola drinking hard stuff in her early twenties. She was a fruity cocktail girl. She’s matured. I can’t believe I broke her heart the way I did. I was a complete fool, young and wild, also manipulated by my family to gain insight into hers. Fuck family wars.
The bartender passes me my water, and I watch him tap Micola’s shoulder. She turns around, and as she’s told the drink is on me, her eyes have a hard time looking at me. She scans my area briefly because she has to. I raise my hand and wave.
Her eyes.
I finally got those eyes on me. A literal gasp comes from her mouth, and she covers it with her hand. What am I? Some kind of freak? Well, I am, and I recall how much she enjoyed it. But, like her, I’ve matured too, and my new kind of freaky surpasses her memory of me.
Fucking stop it, Alex.I mutter to myself. I give her a wink paired with a smile before slithering myself her way.
“Micola Costa. Wow. Fascinating, really.”
