“She’s no fun.” Gwen rolls her eyes. Her gaze lifts over my shoulder and her smile grows. “There she is! My younger, fabulous self!”
Cora joins our little circle, wraps Gwen in a hug, and then stands to my right. “I’m missing all the fun, aren’t I?”
Gwen laughs. “I wish. Unfortunately, this one keeps me on task.”
“I’m Cora.” Cora reaches out her hand to shake Kayla’s.
Kayla’s eyes widen and she stutters a little. “H-hey, I’m the task master. Kayla. My name’s Kayla.” Her next words release in a flood. “You were amazing in Baby Girl. I watched that probably a hundred times. Maybe more. Seriously, it was like my comfort series in high school. And that cliffhanger! I can’t believe they left it that way. After two seasons? I’m angry just thinking about it.”
Cora smiles graciously. “Thank you. It was a great series, but I wish they hadn’t left our fans out to dry like that.” She shrugs. “What can you do? That’s the biz.”
Kayla’s eyes widen. “Is there any chance for a reboot?”
“Okay, darling. Enough.” Gwen pats her niece’s arm. “Cora is working and we have a meeting.”
“Right. Sorry. It was so lovely meeting you.”
Cora grins. “Nice meeting you too.”
“Isaac.” Gwen narrows her gaze, waggling a finger in my direction. “Bring me your work.” She turns to leave with Kayla. The woman is sharp as a knife. I can’t believe she remembers me from the other day, or that she’s still asking about my art. Part of me can’t believe an artist of her caliber even wants a glimpse of something I created. She’s probably just being polite. Or curious. Either way, I don’t intend to take her up on the offer. That part of my life is over. Showing my work to Gwen would be like opening old wounds, and I’m not sure I can say good-bye to that part of myself again without becoming resentful.
Twenty-Two
Cora
Gwen walks off with her niece and I turn to Isaac, curiosity building at her parting words. “What did Gwen mean by that? Your work?”
Isaac drags his gaze from their retreat and scrubs a hand across his jaw. “Because Nate’s a little snitch.”
I raise my brow.
“The friend who got me this job. He and I went to art school together.”
“You went to art school?” My mouth falls open. I can’t contain my shock—or interest. He’s an artist. Fuck me. “How am I just hearing about this?”
“It’s not a big deal.” He shrugs and releases a soft laugh. “I had to drop out. Nate’s the one with the big career.”
“Oh, I beg to differ.” His apartment. All the décor. Did Isaac make that? I already want to sleep with him, and this isn’t helping. “You’re an artist.”
“Was an artist.” The confidence in his stare falters.
“You don’t do it anymore?”
“No time.”
Right. Because of David. I wonder if that’s why he quit. I want to ask him. I want to know everything. To understand the different facets of his life. I’ve always been fascinated with people. Maybe that’s why I love acting. In another life, I would have pursued a psych degree. But there’s something about Isaac that goes beyond sheer interest. I want to be part of his world, his story.
“Would you show me?” I reach for his hand. I don’t care who sees us, or what rumors it sparks on set. I need to touch him. “Your artwork? I’d love to see it.”
His gaze drops to where my fingers link with his. He swallows thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the effort. “It’s not that impressive.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“I don’t know.” He drags his gaze back up to mine. “Everything’s hiding under a few years of dust.”
“I still want to see it. If you’ll let me.” I squeeze his hand before releasing it.
“Okay.”
“Yeah?” Excitement churns in my gut. “When?”
“This weekend?” He shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. “My sister can stay with David a few hours.”
Yes. Yes. Yes! Inside I’m throwing up my hand and doing a dance, but I manage to keep my features neutral. “Is tomorrow good? Or is Sunday better?”
“Let’s plan for Saturday, but I’ll text to let you know for sure.”
“Want me to come by after I wrap up work? It won’t be until seven or eight.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I’ll pick you up.”
“Okay.” I say it so casual, but inside my heart races, beating with a flutter that fills my entire chest. A real date. This is a real date. “Maybe we could grab dinner after?”
“That’s not too late?” He clears his throat. “I mean, you won’t have already eaten?”
I shake my head. “It’s perfect.” My smile widens, growing so much that my cheeks hurt. Screw playing it cool. I like this guy. I want him to know it.
“Okay, then.” He smiles back.
“Okay.” So many okays. I’d be embarrassed, but he appears as excited as I am.
“Cora. You’re up.”
“I better . . .” I squeeze my hands together so I won’t be tempted to wrap them around his neck and claim his mouth with a kiss. We’re going on a date. He’s showing me his art. I’m going to get him alone and I’m not going to waste the opportunity.
His lips kick up with a flirty grin, as if he’s thinking the same thing. “Yeah. Until tomorrow.”
Twenty-Three
Isaac
Maybe I should be nervous about taking Cora on a proper date, or the fact I’m going to show her work that’s been boxed up for what seems like a lifetime, but I don’t have time for nerves. After my Friday class, I spend two hours in the computer lab hammering out a paper before it’s time to pick up David from daycare. Thankfully, I don’t work at the coffee shop until Sunday, because there’s so much to catch up on—cleaning the house, laundry, homework, and taking care of my son.
By the time Saturday evening rolls around and I tuck David into bed, I only have a few minutes to shower and dress before Becca shows up to babysit. I asked Marlena first, but she was already scheduled for a shift at the restaurant. The only downside to Becca is that she reports back to Mamá like it’s her job.
I’m styling my hair with gel when my phone pings with a text.
Rebecca: Here.
Rebecca: You know you could just give me a key.
Her second text makes me laugh, especially after she enunciates her point with a few emojis—praying hands. Mamá and my sisters have been giving me grief for not making them keys since the day I moved into this apartment but I have to draw the line somewhere. They’re in my business enough as it is. I check my reflection one last time in the mirror, then rush to open the door. “Hey, little sis.”
“Hey, big bro.” She steps inside and gives me a once over, her brow rising along with one of her all-knowing smiles. “You look nice.”