Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
Eva
Dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, I hopped onto the train, heading to Food and Craft Loft.
Two men and an older woman stepped in after me.
As always, the train was crowded. When I spotted a seat at the front, I claimed it immediately.
The men and the woman walked toward the back, standing by the metal pole.
A man got up, offering the woman his seat.
Kain had told me he’d pick me up for our date, but I protested, wanting to take the train and get there early.
There was a tattoo shop nearby that could give me some ideas.
I hadn’t shared with him about wanting a tattoo.
I’d never had an interest in marking my body until now.
After seeing all of Kain’s art and the story etched in it, I wanted something to symbolize this critical moment in my life—when my heart blossomed with love.
Of course I’d have Kain tattoo me. He wouldn’t have it any other way. But first, I wanted to surprise him by getting a few ideas.
The train halted at my stop, and I got off, walking over to Ink the other had chin-length brown hair and a striped top.
“Need any help, guys?” Poppy greeted them.
“No, we’re just browsing,” said the man in the blue top.
“He needs his girl to approve first.” The brunet elbowed his friend.
I turned my attention back to the book, flipping through the art by various artists.
It fascinated me how each artist had a unique style.
I browsed pages of flowers, hearts, thorns, skulls, and an assortment of abstract designs.
Though the tattoos in the book were beautiful, they didn’t compare to Kain’s intricate work, but he only took on a few returning clients at Body Canvas.
After reviewing the two books, I got up and returned them to Poppy.
“Find anything you like?”
“I’ve got some ideas.”
“Okay. Think about it—because it’s going to stay on your body forever. We can also do custom art for you.”
The idea of personalized art sent a thrill through me. Would Kain want to sketch something for me?
“That’s a fantastic idea. I’ll give it some more thought.”
“When you’re ready, call us.” She offered me a business card.
“Thank you.”
I walked over to the Food and Craft Loft, entered, and gave the hostess my name. She showed me where to sit.
“It’s packed tonight.” I glanced at all the tables with reservation signs.
“There’s a group party going on.” She set down two menus, one for food and one for a craft project.
Food and Craft Loft was a spacious restaurant that offered food and a small craft project to work on while people ate. They could also save the craft until after the meal. The limited food menu kept things easy and organized for the unique restaurant.
I was ten minutes early, so I ordered two unpainted ceramic bowls for me and Kain to paint. They had a large kiln to bake everything for later pickup.
Pursing my lips, I glanced at the food menu and decided on a turkey club. Kain probably wanted a steak and cheese sandwich, but I’d let him decide when he arrived.
I texted Kain, letting him know I was already at the restaurant. As I prepared the paint for my bowl, a woman from the party group approached and sat down in the seat that was reserved for Kain.
“You’re his new girlfriend?” asked the dark-haired woman wearing an ivory shirt, jeans, and a fancy belt adorned with a glitzy Chanel logo. She raked a gaze over me, arching a perfect eyebrow.
I recognized her as Catalina Bellos, the former Miss Massachusetts and Kain’s ex from years ago.
I glanced toward the other side of the restaurant where Cecilia sat with a group of women.
Why did I have to encounter his ex and a woman who still wanted him?
What would happen when Kain arrived? Would they invite themselves over to our table?
Those who grow up with privilege often forget their manners.
Annoyance flared in me as I looked at Catalina. She had too much makeup on, making me want to take my napkin to wipe some of it off.
Ignoring her question, I pretended not to know who she was. “Who are you?”
“Catalina.” She placed her elegant hands on the table. “Kain and I dated.”
The waft of her strong perfume made me lean back, creating a distance between us.
“You’re his ex.” I opened the small containers of paint and tried my best not to let her bother me. “And I’m his current girlfriend. What can I do for you?”
“Give him another week and he’ll dump you.” She tapped her fingers on the table; her red, shiny nails glinted in the light. “Then he’ll have someone new in no time. I’m just making sure he returns to me once and for all.”
Irritation made my back itch. Did she have any shame?
“So you intruded on my space to inform me you want my boyfriend?” I looked her in the eye while holding my tiny paintbrush, wishing it were a pair of garden shears. “Pretty shameful.”
“You mean I’m a woman who knows what she wants.” She smirked like a conniving bitch. “He just needs a reminder of how much he needs me.”
“Now you sound like a prostitute.” I stabbed the paintbrush into the red paint container and then dipped it into the jar of water, stirring fast.
Her mouth dropped open at my comment.
I didn’t flinch or apologize. “Sometimes the truth is ugly, and it hurts.”
“You’re unfit for him,” she scoffed. “I can’t believe he’s seeing someone like you.”
“He seems to believe we fit together perfectly every night.” I smiled, flicking the paintbrush on the bowl like a little kid who doesn’t know how to paint.
The red paint splattered onto her ivory shirt.
“I know why Kain only dated you for a few months. You’re rude and desperate.
” I twirled my paintbrush. “Go back to your group if you don’t want any more stains.
My next attempt might get bloody.” I forced a smile, tightening my grip on the paintbrush.
Making a face, she grabbed a paper towel from the table and dabbed her shirt. But she didn’t leave after cleaning her shirt, which still had hints of the stains.
“Are you meeting him today? Or another man?” She grinned. “Kain is hardly ever late. But if he is, that means he’s with another woman.”
“You know this because?”
“Because it happened to me.” She leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. “I was at a restaurant waiting for him too. He never showed up. When I got home and called him, he said he was moving on.”
That didn’t sound like Kain. But maybe he was different years ago. A tiny part of me felt sorry for her. No woman deserved to be cheated on. Had Kain really cheated on her? With whom? I had to find out.
“Kain has what women want: looks, wealth, and power,” she said. “He’s got attractive options all around him. Most men can’t resist beautiful things, you know?”
Was she here to check out her competition or make me insecure about my relationship with Kain?
“Catalina! You coming? It’s our turn to present?” shouted a woman sitting next to Cecilia.
Our eyes connected, but she made no comment or gesture.
“I’ll be right there!” she hollered. “Did he tell you I’ve been sending him emails for weeks?
We’re supposed to meet up next week at a conference.
” She rose from her seat, and her plump lips stretched into a smile.
“I love Kain, and I’m okay with him having other women as long as he comes home to me. ”
What?
I blinked as she sashayed back to her group. Did I hear her right? She would accept a cheating man?
Why hadn’t Kain said anything to me about Catalina emailing him? Not that he had to tell me everything, but his interaction with his ex was important. Was he meeting her at a conference? Again, why hadn’t he said anything?
Anger simmered within me. My excitement for tonight was replaced with annoyance and doubt.
I glanced at my watch. It was thirty minutes past our meeting time.
My food arrived, and the waitress asked if I wanted to order something for him.
I told her to get me a steak and cheese and began painting my bowl.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the two men who had been at Ink & Piercing Addicts grab a table near me. This was my third time seeing these men. Were they following me?
An extra set of nerves stirred in my stomach. Did they work for Hawthorne? I looked at my phone. Kain hadn’t read my text message to him. Where was he?
I finished painting my bowl and began adding a base color for Kain’s.
A man sat down at the table next to me and placed his ceramic order, smiling at me. “Painting alone?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“My wife used to love it. She passed away six months ago.” Sadness stirred in his voice.
At this point, I didn’t think Kain was coming to our date. Irritation and something else pricked my skin. But since I already ordered the food and ceramics, I might as well enjoy my time even if it was with a stranger.
“Want to join me?” I gestured to the empty chair.
“Sure!” He beamed. “My name is Chad.”
“I’m Eva. Nice to meet you, Chad.” I pushed the plate with the steak and cheese sandwich over to him. “It’s yours if you’re hungry.”
“Thank you. This is exactly what I would’ve ordered!” He gobbled it up.
While I painted and talked to Chad, I kept my eyes on the two men. They were busy painting mugs. One of them met my gaze and nodded. Then he returned his attention to his friend.
Thirty minutes later, Chad finished painting his plate. I gave my two bowls to the waitress and got ready to leave.
“Should we do this again?” Chad asked.
Oh no. This wasn’t why I asked him to join me.
“Sorry, I’m busy.” I made my way out of the restaurant and walked toward the train stop.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned. Sure enough, those men were walking toward me, pretending to be immersed in their own conversation.
I walked into a drugstore and saw the men entering as well.
I rushed down the shampoo aisle, pulled my phone out of my purse, and dialed 911, telling the operator that two men were stalking me.
The operator kept me on the line while I browsed the drugstore, strolling the aisles. When I heard the sirens, relief settled in me, and I ended my call.
With courage, I stepped out to the front and waited for the police. The two officers entered and asked where the stalkers were. I gestured to the aisle where I last saw them.
A moment later, the men appeared, and I shouted, “That’s them!”