Singled Out

Chapter 13

I’d been using art as an escape since that first class I took from Naomi years ago.

Today I’d gone out to the studio to avoid Max. I’d pulled out my polished gemstone collection without a goal beyond busying myself, soothing myself by running my fingers over the smooth surfaces, until Ian got rid of him. Obviously nothing had gone to plan.

The rubies had caught my attention, and I’d mindlessly pulled out all the pieces I had with no project in mind. After Max’s appearance—or I should say, after kissing the hell out of Max again—I’d decided to turn one of the polished pieces into a ring. Only once I was halfway through the first stage of the project did it hit me that ruby is known for strengthening courage and passion.

Maybe that’s why I kissed him.

Ha. If only I could blame a little polished rock.

I’d kissed him because, well, he was intense and hot and not expecting it. And fun as hell to kiss.

A better question would be, why wouldn’t a girl kiss him?

Because she liked it too much, maybe,a voice in my head whispered.

I knew he’d told me about his dedication to Danny specifically to remind me there was no chance for something serious between us. Hard truth: That only made it easier to kiss him. If I thought he wanted a relationship, I’d run and lock myself in my room. Max had made it clear there was no chance of a real thing.

Between that and his sexy face and his athletic body? He was tough to resist kissing. That it threw him off-kilter was a bonus.

As I walked down the sidewalk toward Grandma’s Attic, though, the joke might’ve been on me. I couldn’t get Max out of my mind. How his lips felt. The way he’d taken less than a second to return the kiss. Those big hands on my waist, at the small of my back, lightly clutching my ass. I could easily imagine what it’d be like with no clothing between us and a mattress beneath us.

A smarter girl would promise herself to avoid Max, to stay away from the temptation. I was more apt to get myself in trouble, because honestly? I would not mind getting naked with Max Dawson one bit.

Approaching Mrs. Karasinski’s storefront, I scanned the area for Dakota, who’d easily agreed to meet me here after her shift at Henry’s. I didn’t see her yet.

Movement inside the store caught my eye, and I realized Darius Weber was waving at me. He’d told me he was showing the shop to a prospective business owner before my appointment.

I heard my name and spotted Dakota hurrying toward me from across the square.

“You made it,” I said when she was a few feet away.

“Just got off work. Demand for cold adult beverages is high today, so I’m running late.”

“All good. Darius is still in the shop with someone.”

The door opened then, and Darius greeted us. “Hello, ladies. Why don’t you come in out of the heat.”

“Thanks,” I said as we followed him in.

Grandma’s Attic was an appropriate name and more acceptable in polite circles than, say, Grandma’s Crap Collection. The store looked the same way it had for years. It was overflowing with knickknacks and figurines, tchotchkes and trinkets, some of them probably still here from decades ago. It was like a garage sale with one-of-a-kind items, brand-name collectibles that targeted people Mrs. Karasinski’s age, and a fine and casual dinnerware section that had probably kept Mrs. K in business over the years.

The store as a whole was chaos to the eyes. I was sure some people might see a treasure trove, but I just saw a mess. Always had. Bless that dear woman’s heart.

“We’re running a little behind, so I’m going to leave Cambria down here while I take you two upstairs,” the real estate agent said.

My eyes went to the side of the store he gestured to.

“Cambria Clarke! What are you doing here?” I rushed over to the girl I’d gone to school with. We’d been in the same grade and the same friend group. At least half that group had scattered after high school, most of us growing apart. I knew Cambria lived outside of town.

“Harper! It’s been ages. Hi, Dakota. It’s good to see you both.”

“Hey, Cambria. Are you opening a business?” Dakota asked. Dakota had been a year ahead of us in school, but everyone knew just about everyone in this town.

“I’m…thinking about it.” Cambria glanced at Darius and smiled. “Thinking pretty hard. I want to open a store to sell my candles. This”—she swept her arm out—“is a little more than I’d planned on though.”

I wondered if she meant just square footage, as it was a generous-sized storefront, or if she was also referring to the, uh, shit show of old merchandise.

“It’s a lot for candles,” Dakota said.

“I’ve played with the idea of adding some gift items, home decor, that kind of thing, but I’m not sure. It’s a lot more than I planned to take on.”

My conversation with Max about selling my jewelry popped into my mind, but I kept quiet. That was a crazy thought. As crazy as it’d been when Max had suggested opening my own business.

“You can’t beat the location,” Darius told her. “You’d get the traffic here to sell whatever you decide to sell.”

“That’s true. I wouldn’t have to market as aggressively to get people in during tourist season.” Cambria glanced around thoughtfully again. “Do you mind if I stay a little longer to think about the possibilities?” she asked Darius.

“Not at all,” he answered. “Let me take Harper and Dakota upstairs and get them started. Then I’ll be back down to check on you.”

“Thank you. Good luck, you two.” Cambria waved distractedly and seemed to turn her attention to her thoughts again.

We followed Darius out the back way into a vestibule with an exterior door and a stairway going up.

“Your stairs are inside, which is hard to find in these downtown buildings,” Darius said. “No shoveling or salting in the winter.”

“No shoveling’s a plus considering I don’t own a shovel,” Dakota said.

“Same.” I went up after Darius.

At the top landing, Darius stopped and faced us. “Okay, I need you to go in with an open mind.”

“Oh, hell,” Dakota said. “Is that code for It’s a disaster?”

Darius chuckled, which I didn’t take as a good sign. “Mrs. Karasinski’s apartment is as…full as her store. She’s a sweet lady, but she’s definitely a collector.”

“What you’re saying is it’s a shit show too,” I said, already wondering what other rentals might be available.

I hadn’t started my search in earnest yet, but I was pretty sure there was nothing else downtown. Places on the square were rare. When someone moved in, they generally stayed for a good long time. I’d heard when Cash Henry moved in with his then-fiancée, Ava, his apartment above Bergman Hardware had been rented out within six hours.

After living in the country for three years, I wouldn’t mind being within walking distance of everything. We’d have to act fast if we wanted this place.

Darius unlocked the door, then paused before twisting the knob. “You’ll need to squint past the belongings. Look at the structure, the room sizes, the features like the skylight and rooftop patio out back. Focus on the potential.”

“You’re scaring the crap out of me,” Dakota said.

Darius pushed the door open and let us enter first.

“Oh. My. God,” I said.

“You did not exaggerate,” Dakota added.

I blinked and tried to breathe. “I’d say you understated.”

“Is she a hoarder?” Dakota stepped past me, her head going back and forth as she took in all the clutter.

“All of this will be removed within the next week,” Darius assured us. “The owner said she’d replace the floors and paint all the walls. It’s gonna look fantastic once we take out Mrs. K’s belongings.”

“Poor woman,” I said, because she was sweet as pie, but how did someone live like this?

“I know this isn’t ideal,” Darius said with a smile, “but I’ve had three other calls on it today. I’ve got two showings so far tomorrow. I’m not trying to pressure you, because it will be rented fast regardless. I just want you to know that, if you like it, you’ll need to act quickly.”

Dakota and I exchanged a look that spoke of nervousness, maybe a little excitement, and a good dose of what the fuck.

“The kitchen appliances were replaced three years ago. There’s a stackable washer-dryer in the bathroom, which is large especially considering when this was built. The bedrooms have windows looking out on the square.”

“Too bad there’s no balcony,” Dakota said.

“The patio out back looks over the woods. Mrs. K has it crowded with old furniture but that will be removed. Try to?—”

“Squint?” I asked.

“You’re catching on,” he said. “I’ll be back to check on you in a few minutes. Take your time.”

He pulled the door closed after him. Dakota and I looked at each other with our eyes wide, then burst out laughing.

“This is awful,” she said. “It’s no wonder Mrs. Karasinski fell. How could she not trip over all the crap?”

“I’m trying hard to see past it, but I’m struggling.”

Dakota gazed around at the living room. “Okay. It’s not huge, but we could fit a couch and a chair or two. A coffee table.”

“Maybe some shelves over on that wall,” I suggested.

“Let’s look at the bedrooms.”

They were on the front of the apartment, and each one had a window seat, currently piled high with clutter, but I was starting to imagine the potential.

“Oh,” Dakota breathed out when she went into the bathroom. “Look at this.”

I poked my head in the door and saw an old-fashioned claw-foot tub. There were towels and blankets filling it, but I could imagine bubbles and a glass of wine. “Nice.”

The kitchen was small but functional with a large window to the back.

“Let’s go to the deck,” I said. “It feels like there’s not enough oxygen in here.”

Dakota laughed. “You’re not one of those tidy freaks, are you?”

“I never thought so, but compared to this?”

“Everyone is,” she said before I could.

We stepped out to the deck, built on the roof of the lower level. It wasn’t large, and it too was full of crap, but with a cute bistro table and chairs, it could be the perfect spot for morning coffee.

“Sit,” Dakota said, planting herself on an old wicker love seat. “I am dying to know how last night went. I saw the pics. You were a knockout. That dress was killer. I saw you and Max dancing. It looked like you were getting along well?”

I lowered myself to the worn cushion next to her, letting my mind catch up to her change in subject. “The gala was good. He was fun.”

“Max? Was fun? Did you get him drunk?”

“Stop,” I said. “He didn’t drink, but we danced. And he was exactly what I needed to get through the award acceptance.”

“Borrrring. Tell me you spent the night with him.”

Laughing, I said, “I did.”

Her eyes went big, and she grabbed my arm. “What? My brother got lucky? I mean, don’t tell me details, but I hope it was good.”

“I’m sorry to bust your bubble, but your brother did not get lucky.” I explained to her about finding a drunk, mourning Ian and that I’d slept in Max’s guest room.

“That sounds more like Max. Always so careful these days.”

“I did kiss him,” I said, grinning.

Her head whipped toward me. “You had to put the moves on him? You know what? I take it all back. You deserve so much better than him,” she said lightly.

I laughed again. “I did what you wanted. I got him out of the house.”

“Plus kissed him. His head probably spun around at that.”

“You said you didn’t want details,” I said.

“I don’t. But if you’ve got some psycho living at Naomi’s, we need to get you out of there, like, yesterday. Unless you’d rather shack up at my brother’s.”

“No.” It was only a half lie. I didn’t want to shack up, only sex him up till his head exploded…or other body parts. Keeping a grin to myself, I said, “I think we should jump on this place. They’re taking all the crap out, redoing the floors…”

Nodding, Dakota said, “It could be a kick-ass place to live.” She frowned. “Tell me the rent again?”

I told her what we’d each owe and what Darius had estimated the utilities at.

“I was thinking about increasing my hours at Henry’s,” she said.

“You could cover it even now, right?”

“I could. It’d be pretty awesome to not live at home anymore.”

I shuddered. “I don’t know how you do that.”

“My mom is not your dad.”

“Fact. So? What do you think? Are you in?”

As she studied me, a grin made its way across her face. “Let’s do it.”

“Yes!” I hugged her, and we swayed back and forth with excitement. “Here’s to new adventures, roomie.”

“Let’s go tell Darius.”

We didn’t bother going through the rooms again. I was ready to get out of that cluttered space. We thundered down the stairs, laughing, exhilaration and excitement bubbling up inside of me.

Signing a lease was a big deal for us, but living with Dakota would be good. It was past time for me to get out of Naomi’s overly quiet farmhouse that echoed with memories. I could take the memories with me and leave behind some of the loneliness.

“We’ll have to be quieter when there’s a business open,” Dakota said. “I hope it’s Cambria’s.”

We entered the store and found Cambria by herself behind the checkout counter, which appeared to have been partially cleared off.

“Hey, ladies. How’d it go?” she asked.

“Have you been up there to see it?” Dakota asked.

Cambria shook her head.

“It looks like down here,” I told her. “We’re doing it anyway.”

“Congratulations,” Cambria said.

“They’re shoveling out all the shit,” Dakota added. “Where’s Darius?”

“He went outside to take a phone call. It sounded like someone asking about the apartment.”

“It’s ours, bitches,” Dakota said. “What about you? Did you decide to go for it?”

“I’m still thinking,” Cambria said. “I had in mind something about a third of the size of this, but that back room would make an ideal space for candle making. I use an old barn now, but it’s close to falling down, and it won’t work once the weather turns cold.”

“What kind of candles do you make?” Dakota asked.

“I do special shaped ones, like animals, pine trees, canoes, sandcastles. Lake themed stuff. Plus scented tapers and columns and votives, all handmade.”

“You sell them at the farmers market, right?” I remembered seeing her at a booth a time or two.

“Every week. I’ve been selling online and at craft shows and art fairs, but I’d like something a little more settled and stable. It takes a lot to travel around the state and set up and take down every weekend. Sometimes those are a bust, and I’ve wasted a lot of time.”

“You’d keep busy all summer here,” I said. “Plus holidays.”

“Weekends,” Dakota said. “Could you make enough candles to keep the place full though?”

Cambria shook her head. “Not with this much square footage. I was planning to carry candleholders, incense, things like that, but here I’d need more.”

“How do you feel about jewelry?” I asked before I could think it through.

Cambria tilted her head.

“Oh, my God, you should see Harper’s designs,” Dakota said. “Do you have pictures?” she asked me.

Swallowing hard, wondering what I’d started, I pulled out my phone and swiped until I found some of my more recent creations. I let Cambria peruse them.

“These are gorgeous. I love your style, Harper.” When she got to the end of them, she asked, “Where do you sell them currently?”

“Um, I mostly don’t. I have a couple boxes full.”

“Just sitting there going to waste,” Dakota said oh-so helpfully.

“You should see Dakota’s ceramics. Her mugs are big and beautiful. Show her,” I prompted.

By the time Darius came back inside, Cambria had raved about Dakota’s creations, and we’d helped her brainstorm other possibilities for merchandise if she decided to rent this spot. It was fun to think about. She was cautious about taking it on, though, understandably.

“What’d you two think of the apartment?” Darius asked when he reached the counter.

I looked at Dakota to make sure she didn’t have cold feet. She nodded subtly.

“We’ll take it,” I said.

“Excellent. A lot of people are going to be sad to miss out,” Darius said. “We’ll just run a background check and a credit check tomorrow. Then we can fill out paperwork and get the lease signed. Mrs. K’s son has a company coming to move his mom’s belongings out next weekend. The property owner can get the flooring replaced, and then it’ll be yours.”

He shook my hand and then Dakota’s.

“And what about you, Cambria? You ready to take the leap?” Darius asked.

“Not quite yet,” she said. “Can I sleep on it?”

“Of course.”

“Do you have anyone else looking at it yet?” Her blue eyes looked contemplative and a little cautious.

“I had a call, but they didn’t seem serious,” Darius said. “I can let you know if any other inquiries come in.”

“Please. It’s a great space. I just need to pivot my business idea a bit.”

“That’s fair.” Darius led us all to the front door, let us out, locked up, and told us he’d be in touch tomorrow. After shaking our hands, he said, “You ladies have a good evening.”

“You too, Darius,” I said.

We watched him walk off. Then Cambria said, “I don’t suppose you two have thought about going into business, have you?”

“Not too much,” Dakota said, laughing.

I shook my head and thought again about my discussion with Max this morning, but there was a big difference between selling my jewelry online and opening a full store in downtown Dragonfly Lake.

“I might be willing to consign my pieces to you, but I’ll be honest. Opening a store scares the crap out of me,” I said.

“Me too,” Cambria said with a laugh. “I might take you up on the consignments. I have a lot of thinking to do tonight.”

“You do. Good luck with it,” Dakota said.

Once Cambria headed off, Dakota and I decided to go to Humble’s Pizza for a slice and a celebratory toast.

Arm in arm, we walked down the sidewalk toward the restaurant. My stomach was jittery, but I wasn’t sure if it was from excitement about the apartment or something else. Something like a gut feeling I should think more about Cambria’s offer.

One major life step was enough for today, I decided, and did the best to put the rest out of my mind so I could enjoy the evening.