by Giselle Fox
“Oh,” I said not expecting the compliment. “Thanks.”
“Drink this.” He handed me what smelled like a pumpkin spice latte.
“You got this for me?”
“Yes. I know how much you like frou-frou seasonal coffees but like to pretend not to.”
“I just try to keep it simple,” I said. “Cappuccino, espresso, black, whatever. Something short and punchy.”
“Well, there it is,” Shep grinned. “You’re half-caff, half-pump, vente, pumpkin spice, two-percent latte with extra whip and chocolate sprinkles.”
“You’re an angel,” I said and popped off the cap. I dove into the mound of whip cream that floated on the top. “Sweet fancy Moses, that’s good!”
“That is more whipped cream than anyone with arteries should consume. I don’t know where you put it.”
“In my belly,” I said.
“I can’t look. My ass is growing just watching you.”
“You have a nice ass, pumpkin,” I said and walked to the back.
“So? What’s with all the bubbles? Did you get lucky last night?”
“No,” I said as I poked my head out from my office door, “but I dreamed about the mystery woman again.”
“She’s been making a lot of appearances lately. Have you figured out who she is yet?”
“Nope. No clue.”
“You’re sure it’s not...?” Shep looked at me and scrunched up his nose. “No,” he said as he answered his own question. Shep didn’t like my ex any more than I did. He’d been there for me the night that I’d walked out after Christa had told me about her affair with Sam. He’d been the one to pick me up off the ground and let me sleep in his spare room until I had a bed of my own. Shep had about as much love for the pair of them as I did.
“Well, I guess the good news is, you’ll probably get the Veil’s job finished today.”
“What makes you say that?” I laughed.
“Every time you dream about the mystery woman you lock yourself in your office like a mad scientist.”
“True.” I grabbed my sketchbook and tucked myself onto the stool at the front counter. “Is Mike here yet?”
“Shep poked his head out from his doorway. “Yep. He was here early. He’s got the beast working again. That part he fabricated worked.”
“He deserves a bonus. We should give him a big bonus this year.”
“Yes, we should,” Shep agreed and disappeared into his office.
Skip wandered down the hallway and hopped up onto his padded bench by the window. He huffed dramatically and closed his eyes.
“Hard life, isn’t it buddy?” I asked him.
He opened his eyes momentarily and sighed again. This was Skip’s workplace as much as anyone’s. He was the official greeter and watchdog. He knew who was who and what was what and even if he was a big sissy at heart, no one else knew it. But when I was at the front, he was off duty and quite happy to curl up on his little bench and snooze away.
***
“Glo called. She’s got the flu,” Shep said. It was afternoon and I’d been working non-stop on the Veil’s job.
“That sucks,” I said without looking up from my table.
“She wanted to let us know so we could find another model for Wednesday night.”
I put my pencil down. “Shit, right. I forgot about the workshop.”
Shep looked at me. “You could do it.”
“Yeah, right. Don’t you know anyone?”
He shook his head. “I’ve already gone through my list. Everyone has stuff going on.”
“Hmm. Nobody wants to sit for an hour while a print-making class draws them, more like.”
“Well, can you blame them? I can’t sit still for that long.”
“No,” I said. “I hate people staring at me.”
“Oh and the class is full. Someone emailed over the weekend for the empty spot.”
“Okay.”
Shep tapped his fingers on the door frame for a few moments and I could tell he was thinking. “We could skip the figure drawing part. They could work from a photo instead.”
I sat back in my seat. Every time we ran a screen-printing workshop I liked to see how different artists would handle the same subject. Our usual model was a beautifully thick roller derby player with an arm full of tattoos. She didn’t mind showing a little skin and she cracked jokes the whole time. No one could scowl like her. She loved doing it because it was a great way to recruit new fans.
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
***
Whatever power boost Rhi had given me, by the end of the day I was done with a capital D. Shep and I locked up together and headed outside.
“How much longer are you going to ride that thing?” he asked.
“I’m checking out a truck this weekend. The bike is only insured until the end of the month.”
“What kind of truck?”
“A pickup with an extra cab. It’s through a friend. Sounds like a good deal but I have to get out to Langley.”
“Take your passport,” Shep chuckled.
“It has a canopy. If it works out, you won’t have to do all the heavy lifting around here.”
“But that’s why I bought a truck, to show off my manliness.”
Shep flexed his muscles and I gave his bicep an obligatory squeeze. “Wow. That’s bigger than the last time you shamelessly showed off.”
“Crossfit,” he sniffed. “I’m a weightlifter now.”
“You’ll be bench-pressing babes at the beach in no time,” I laughed.
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
I checked Skip’s harness again and pulled on my helmet. “Alright, I’m off.”
“See ya.”
“Adios,” I called and Skip and I took off.
When Skip was sufficiently exhausted from his run we headed straight home. The sky looked ominous, like a storm was either coming or passing through. At that time of year in the Pacific Northwest, you had to expect a lot of rain. It rarely dropped below freezing, except for higher up on the ski hills, but it sure made for some terrible riding weather.
After I’d parked down in the garage we took the stairs as someone had the elevator stuck on the first floor. Skip ran ahead. He knew the sooner we got home, the sooner he got to eat dinner. As we went through the lobby, I saw a young couple moving a bed. They were laughing so hard they were struggling to get it onto the elevator without it buckling.
“Sorry,” the girl called as Skip and I headed for the stairwell door.
I waved my hand. “No worries.”
“Hey,” the girl called again. I looked up. She was pretty, in a pale blue wool hat and a beige wool coat. She flashed me a warm smile. “Um, we’re going up to the seventh floor. You can squeeze in, there’s lots of room.”
“It’s okay,” I said, my hand already on the door handle. “I need the exercise.”
“Okay see ya,” she called as the elevator door closed.
“See ya,” I said to myself as the door closed behind me.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Oh God, Shep!” I hollered through the studio.
“Yeah?” he called from the back.
“The bitches from hell are here! Can you cover the front?”
I heard his chair roll back and then the swift and steady beat of his leather soles on the cement floor behind me. I ducked behind the counter into a crouch as I watched the black SUV parallel park across the road.
“What the fuck? Again?” he sighed. “They were just here last week.”
I reached up and grabbed my half-finished mug of coffee from the big slab counter and any other evidence that might disclose my presence.
“I’m not here,” I muttered and crept swiftly into the back. “Thanks!”
I didn’t normally avoid clients. In fact, I never avoided clients since most of my regulars were friends. But these two needed to be avoided like the plague.
The door opened. The little quacking duck effect
that Shep set up sounded through the shop.
“Hey Christa,” Shep said coolly.
“Is Rocky here?” I heard Christa ask.
“No, she just left,” Shep answered.
“Her bike is out front,” Sam said. I cringed as I remembered I’d left my helmet and phone on the coffee table in the front waiting area.
“Yep,” was all Shep said. “What can I do for you ladies?”
The girls were quiet. I could practically hear the hum of their laser eyes focusing down the hallway toward my office. I tucked myself behind the door in case one of them decided to wander on back. Skip looked up at me from his bed and sniffed the air.
“I was hoping to talk to her about the last order,” Christa asked.
“I can help you with that. Was there a problem?” Shep said.
“No problem. I... just... thought the card stock seemed a little different. I like it, whatever it is. I wanted to make sure we got that from now on.”
“Our supplier changed their supplier,” Shep said. “It’s a better quality paper stock. We’ll be carrying that as long as it’s available.”
“Okay… good,” Christa said. Then there was silence.
“Anything else I can do for you?” Shep asked.
“Uh... no,” Christa said.
“No,” Sam agreed. “Any idea when she might be back? Did she just go for coffee?”
“Hmm, I’m really not sure,” Shep said slowly. “I’ll let her know you dropped by, though.”
“Okay. Thanks,” Christa said.
The door quacker went again as one of them pulled it open.
“See you, ladies,” Shep called and then they were gone. I waited a few seconds before I made a move.
“Okay they’re getting in the car,” Shep said. “Engine started, signaling and.... gone. All clear!”
I poked my head out from the back office. “Seriously?”
“I know, right? They could have just called.”
Maybe I was being bitter. I mean, after all, my ex ran a busy hair salon and spa and had graciously continued to do business with me despite our epic break-up. But seriously, I really wished she’d just fuck off and find another printer. So why Christa made a point of coming into the shop with Sam every two weeks was entirely inexplicable. She’d said it was because I was the only one that could do the kind of work I did. Tell me something I don’t know, I’d told her. The truth, if I’d had to make an educated guess, was that she wanted to keep her hooks in me. Sam, for whatever misguided reason, probably thought that if she showed up enough times, we could all just be friends again. Not a fucking chance. So every time I saw them pull up, I did the run and hide thing. It was ridiculous, especially for someone my age. But sometimes ridiculous situations called for equally ridiculous measures.
Skip watched me from his little bed under my desk. He hadn’t budged, of course. Christa was probably the only person on Earth he didn’t bother getting up for; even he knew she was bad news. I reached into the bag of treats hanging on the hook by the door and tossed him one.
“Who loves you, babe?” I said. He snapped it out of the air and swallowed it in one gulp.
“Oh shit,” Shep said just as I emerged from the office. I looked up and there were Christa and Sam again at the door staring right at me. They must have suspected something was up and crab-scuttled back.
“Oh... hey,” I said.
“Hey,” Christa said.
“Hey,” Sam said.
No one smiled. Shep looked wildly uncomfortable. “Well, I should get back to work. I’ve got a screen... and... yeah something in the back...” He brushed past me and mouthed the words good luck.
I put my coffee down on the counter and held on to the edge for support.
“Hiding?” Christa asked. Her eyebrow arched and a smirk twisted her dark lined lips.
“Did you forget something?” I said simply
“No. I just wanted to let you know that we’re having another party at the club on Saturday.”
“I know. I printed the handouts remember?” I said coolly.
“We thought maybe you’d like to come out. DJ Rush and Cherry Bomb are playing.”
I nodded. “Thanks, but...”
“Maybe it’d be good for you to get out,” Sam said. She was wearing her sympathetic expression. The same patronizingly saccharine look I’d had to endure every time she dropped by for the last six months. “Maybe you’ll meet someone,” she added.
Christa shot her a death glare and then turned back to me.
“I don’t need to meet anyone,” I said.
“Yeah, she doesn’t need to meet anyone,” Christa repeated sternly.
I heard Shep laugh in the back room and then clear his throat to try and cover it up.
“I... have a date that night,” I said. It was a total lie but, you know, ridiculous measures and all.
“You do?” Christa asked, obviously in shock. “With who?”
“Someone,” I shrugged. “I doubt you know her.”
Christa studied my face. Her eyes narrowed as they swept back and forth across mine. “Oh,” she said through pursed lips.
I waved vaguely toward the door. “I was just heading out.”
“Again?” Sam asked.
“Uh... yeah,” I said. “Lots to do. Very busy”
There were a few more foot shuffles and furtive glances from their side of the room. Finally, Christa released me from her death stare and made a move toward the front door.
“Why don’t you bring your date. I’d love to meet her,” she said turning back. She may have been smiling but her eyes said otherwise. I heard Shep cough again from somewhere that sounded a lot closer than his desk and knew he must have been huddled behind his door.
“Wow, that sounds super fun. I’ll keep that in mind,” I said more than a little sarcastically and held the door open for them.
Christa brushed past me and quickly clenched my hand on the way out. Sam noticed it and frowned, then she looked up at me and tried to smile. I let them go without another word but considered locking the door and putting up the closed sign in case they decided to drop in for a third time.
“What is up with her?” Shep said as he appeared in the hallway.
“She just grabbed my hand,” I groaned.
“I’d love to meet her...” Shep mimicked in a perfect Christa monotone. “So, do you actually have a date on Saturday or were you making that up?”
“I made it up,” I said.
“Too bad. I know it would just contribute to the already huge steaming pile of drama you live in, but wouldn’t it be fun to take some hottie out and really stick it to those two?”
I thought about just how fun that would actually be and then felt like a total teenager for considering it. “I’m too old for this shit,” I muttered.
“They are too old for this shit. You’re just trying to move on.”
The quacker at the front door chimed again and both Shep and I cringed. When I turned around, I was relieved to see that it wasn’t Christa and Sam at all but someone else.
“Hi,” Shep said with a goofy smile. He walked around to the front of the counter as the young woman approached the desk. “Can I help you?”
“I…,” she looked over at me and smiled. “You’re Rocky.”
“I am,” I said. She was cute and very shy. She pulled off her hat and swept her hand through her pink and platinum blond bangs a few times.
“Wait. didn’t I see you...?”
Her eyes sparkled. “In your building, yesterday. Yes, that was me!”
I looked at her again. There was something about her hair and the way her platinum blond waves curled against her rosy cheeks, the way her pink bangs fell against her long black lashes, and the way her blue-gray eyes shone beneath them. I realized I was staring, so I looked at Shep for help. He looked back at me strangely and I realized my mouth was hanging open. I’d completely forgotten what I was going to say.
“Uhh.”
That was all I had. I wasn’t sure what was happening. The room suddenly felt like it was flexing in front of me.
The young woman offered her hand. “I’m Candy. It’s an honor to finally meet you,” she said softly and smiled again. Her eyes roamed from my lips to my eyes. The sensation hit me again. The room behind her felt like it was getting pushed back and somehow she was zooming closer. I felt a rushing sensation inside my chest as if I was on a jet that was taking off.
I blinked a few times and held onto the counter. “Hi, Candy,” I said. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I was really hoping you had space left in your Wednesday workshop.”
I looked at Shep who was now watching me closely. “Um, I think we just filled up this morning,” I said. Shep stepped back a bit so that he was behind her and shook his head vigorously. “We didn’t? I thought you said… oh…” It took me a few seconds to figure out what he was trying to tell me.
Candy turned around and frowned. “You’re full, or you have space?”
Shep cleared his throat. “We usually just take ten students but I think we can make an exception. Maybe you’d consider helping us out with something. It’d just be for the first class.”
Candy looked back at me. “What is it?”
“We need a model for our figure drawing segment,” Shep continued. “Our regular gal has the flu and can’t make it.”
“We like to get the class to work on the same subject. You can pose however you feel comfortable. It takes maybe an hour at most,” I added.
“If I’m the subject, what will I work on for the rest of the class?”
“You can work on my drawing, if you like,” I offered.
A huge smile spread over Candy’s face. “That’s a brilliant idea,” she said. “Deal.”
Shep exhaled and then so did I. “Great!”
“Do you want me nude or can I choose an outfit?” she grinned.
I almost choked on my own saliva.
“I’m totally kidding,” she laughed. “I’ll wear something fun.”
“Whatever you like,” Shep and I said at the same time.
I heard Skip’s collar jingle as he walked up behind us. He headed straight for Candy.
“Oh my gosh, I love border collies!” she bent down and pulled Skip’s head into her lap. He looked up at me as she gave him a good scratch under his neck. “You’re beautiful,” she said. Skip lapped at her chin. Shep looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows. I stifled a laugh.