Kristen nodded, tears brimming her eyes. She had an urge to hug Alicia, but held back. Jake crossed her mind and she thought about telling her about him. But she couldn't. Not yet. It was too soon, and she was too broken.
Alicia needed to get to class so they decided to go over the details during the week. Although Kristen wasn’t anxious to go back home, she didn’t want to hang out by herself either.
“Logan?” The apartment was quiet. Too tired to wander around looking for him, she sank onto the couch, kicking her flip flops across the room. It still amazed her how totally wiped out she felt after only walking a few blocks. Sometimes it was hard to remember what it felt like to have energy at all. Or to see her feet when she looked down. Or to feel good looking in the mirror. To wear a bikini…
“Where'd you go?” Logan startled her. She flinched, stiffening. He laughed, then sat down on the floor next to her. Without another word, he dropped his head on her lap.
Kristen sat in disbelief looking down at him. She bit her lip, hoping to stop the quivering, then with a tentative movement dropped her hand to his head, gently stroking it. “For a walk on the beach.” She paused, but he said nothing. “She's twenty-nine, and she gave me a list of references and her driver’s license.”
He turned his head to the side, gazing up at her, his eyes soft, deep, magical blue diamonds once again. “Good. If that's what will make you happy.”
Why does he always have to look at me that way?
Her will trickled away. She closed her eyes, listening to her deep sigh as it echoed in the room. At least she could try to relax for a while.
CHAPTER 9
SATURDAY, WEEK 9
JAKE
Why does my life have to be so damn complicated? Throwing down the paint brush, he gave the easel a violent kick. It ricocheted across the room, the blank canvas crashing to the ground. It was hopeless. All his creative juices were dried up.
He dreaded going back to the club. He had no clue what to do about Kristen, and why he was even considering getting back with her.
There’s no room in my life for a kid, even if it is mine. Especially with her. Whatever her reason, she still took off with that asshole without giving me a second thought.
With a loud grunt, he flung the beer bottle against the wall, then cackled at the sight of the shattering glass.
Franky was supposed to come by to pick up some of his canvasses for the big show at the SoHo gallery that he was attending while Jake worked at the club. He had to pull himself together, clean up, and get ready. Any hint he was falling apart could turn Franky off and destroy any chances for the meeting with his friend. The details were still unclear. All he knew was he owned a few businesses. Franky was going to fill him in on when and where.
Hopefully it’s very far away from New York City. I definitely need a break.
The blaring doorbell startled him awake. 7:00 p.m. He had a few hours to spend with Franky before work. Hurrying to close his jeans, he scrambled to the door.
Franky gave him a quick hug, then frowned at his messy head of hair. “Where's the war?” His eyes scanned the kitchen table cluttered with beer bottles, then leapt across the clothes scattered across the living room.
“Bad week,” Jake muttered, heading back to the closet for a shirt. Franky followed him, peeping into the studio.
“Real bad, I assume.” He gestured to the easel, paint brushes, and canvas still strewn across the floor.
Jake grunted. How did I forget that? “Yep. Relationships. They're overrated.” He tried to grin.
Franky chuckled. “How does Miami grab you for a business vacation?”
Jake froze, his hands glued to the front of his shirt. Pulling himself together, his fingers fumbled to close the buttons. “Where?”
“Earth to Jake!” He laughed, waving a hand in front of his face. “What part didn't you hear? I thought you'd be happy to get away.”
“Yeah, I am. Why Miami?” It was a lame question, and he knew it.
“Why do you think? That's where Henry's clubs and galleries are, duh!” After a silent pause, “Don't get too excited yet. I'm still finalizing it.”
Jake exhaled deeply, closing the remaining buttons. “Sounds great, really. It's just—I didn't expect it to be Miami.” Of all the places on Earth!
“Well I don't know of any galleries in Alaska, but I can check if you want.”
Jake was dumbfounded. “Here's a few canvases. It's been a dry week.”
Franky eyed them with admiration before he brought them to the living room. “Nice. Too bad there's not more. I expect a big crowd tonight. But maybe more for Thursday?”
They sat on the couch with a couple of beers.
Jake mulled it over in his head. Inspiration had to come from somewhere, or he'd be screwed. “Yeah. I have a few days.”
“Good, because Henry will probably want to see as much of your work as possible.”
Jake began to space out with jumbled thoughts centered on the future, his artwork, Miami, his possible son. He flinched at the idea of being a father. His mother couldn't be the judge of that. She was biased. The desire had to come from him, and whether any existed remained a mystery.
Maybe he'd call her to see if she could paint a clearer image in his head. His mother had always been good at that.
LOGAN
When he went out to pick up some food for dinner, he never expected to be followed. After two quick detours, he screeched to halt in front of Bertha's BBQ on Collins Avenue. The parking lot was full. He decided to sit in the car a few minutes and see if the black Mercedes SUV pulled in. When nothing happened, he racked his brain to recall what Kristen wanted as he whisked through the parking lot to the entrance.
The black SUV came out of nowhere, speeding towards him. Lucky for him he turned his head just in time, managing to leap out of the way a second before impact. In shock, he remained frozen, his eyes glued to the area it sped away to.
“You should be more careful,” he heard a familiar voice say. Fighting to catch his breath, he whirled around to face Gina. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, huge earrings dangled from her ears, brushing the sides of her long, slender neck.
“What are you doing here?” he blinked hoping to clear his head.
It had only been a few weeks since they'd spoken but all of a sudden it felt like an eternity. Still wobbly, he reached out taking her arm for support. With a huge smile, her eyes fixed on it.
“What? I can't eat BBQ also?” Her tongue flicked provocatively across her lips. “Or is your pregnant wife planning to clean it out?”
Logan ignored her comment, concentrating on her tongue. When he jolted out of his trance, he gripped the handle on the door and pulled it open.
“How is your appetite these days anyway, mi amor?”
She rushed to enter the restaurant alongside of him, her body sweeping across his before coming to an abrupt halt and blocking his way.
It didn’t take long. In an instant his legs weakened, his arousal nearly bursting through his pants. The restaurant was really packed. His eyes sailed across her body, taking in every inch.
He leaned down, brushing his lips across her ear. “Big enough.”
They placed their orders, stepping to the side. Gina moved in for the kill, flush against him now, her full, red lips set in a sensuous smile. “Maybe we can go to my car until its ready?”