Chapter Eight
ALEX
Watching Matt leave, I feel a sense of safety washing over me. Like I will always be protected with him, no matter what.
It’s comforting.
It’s a feeling like he would do anything to make sure I’m happy.
Which, in turn, makes me happy.
I’m so thankful to have a decent friendship with someone.
Looking over to the kitchen table, I figure I better clean up from dinner and then head straight to bed. I know it will be another big day at work tomorrow, so after I tidy up, I get changed into my sleep shorts and shirt and hop into bed.
As my head hits the pillow and I pull the duvet up to my chin, instead of drifting into peaceful sleep, my thoughts spiral. Memories of my parents and grandmother flood in, and when I finally close my eyes, an image of my ex intrudes.
The night passes in restless fits, dreams twisting with feelings of loss and loneliness.
By the time morning arrives, I wake feeling drained, the weight of those dreams still clinging to me. My usual chipper mood is nowhere to be found, but I know I’ll have to push through. Nate needs someone to lift him up, and I’m determined to be that person, no matter how flat I feel.
After a light breakfast and a quick routine to get myself ready, I head out to the gallery as if everything is normal, masking the turmoil beneath with practiced ease.
Walking in, the bright, sunny light cheers me up, but not to the extent I was hoping.
Most of Nate’s artwork is somber and moody, so looking at the art brings my mood down another notch as I glance at the walls.
Sighing, I look over at Robert and dip my chin in a gesture of good morning, and he stops mopping the floor to look up at me with a bright smile.
“Morning, Alex, my sweet. You look particularly beautiful this morning,” he says, and to be honest, typically, I would find those words from an older man to be kind of sleazy, but from Robert, I know it comes from a good place.
He’s a great guy. Looking down at the two-piece dress suit I am wearing, I wipe my hands over the silky fabric.
“Oh, this old thing! Nah, but thank you. How are the wife and kids?”
“Oh, Lord, keeping me insane as ever.” He chuckles as he goes back to mopping.
I giggle as I pat Robert’s shoulder and pass him, moving into the studio.
Nate’s hunched over a canvas, looking disheveled with a day’s growth of beard on his face, which is unusual for him.
He’s actually becoming a little unhinged.
Sighing, I walk over and take up the stool next to him as he continues to paint, almost as if he didn’t even see me come in.
“You’re taking this moody artist thing a bit far, don’t you think?” He shrugs, continuing to paint. “Nate, I know you miss her, I know you’re sad, and I know it’s working for your paintings, but you gotta look after yourself. Are you eating?”
Still, he doesn’t say anything. He just tips his head, gesturing to the granola bar that’s half-eaten on the bench next to a full cup of coffee.
I exhale. “And did you have any dinner last night?”
He points with his brush to the trash can, where a pizza box sits.
I chew on my bottom lip and nod. Well, that’s something at least.
“Okay, I can see you’re in the zone, so I’ll leave you to it, oh, master painter extraordinaire,” I tease, and he lets out a stifled chuckle.
“Thanks, Alex. Appreciate your concern, but I’m doing fine. I promise. No need to send a shrink in just yet.”
I puff out a gust of air from my mouth, which flicks my hair from my face. “Good to know. But I have one on standby if you need him. Just say the word.”
“Thanks, and I love that you care so much. Now go… do some work.”
I salute him exaggeratedly. “Yes, boss.”
Stepping out, I move to open the gallery and start my day by selling a few paintings, working on the accounting, and making sure everything flows smoothly, which includes checking in on Nate.
He stayed in his studio and didn’t come out once, which is concerning, but keeping him distracted is good, at least for the moment. Each time I checked in on him, he was always too lost in his canvas to even notice me.
During the day, Logan messaged me a few times, which helped make the day go quicker, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Matt and how he’s doing with Jaci.
I really want to message him to find out how things are going with her after last night, but at the same time, I don’t want to crowd him and ruin our new friendship by being that clingy friend.
After selling a few paintings, I close up shop. Walking into the studio, Nate’s still busy painting, and I huff slightly. “Right you, go home!”
He looks at me and raises his brow. “Excuse me?”
“Get off your ass and go the fuck home. You look like shit. You’re running yourself into the ground, and to top it off, you stink.
Go home. Shower. Eat. Have a good sleep.
Come back tomorrow refreshed to start again.
This will all still be here, I can assure you.
I’m not taking no for an answer, Nate. I’ll kick you in the nuts if I have to. ”
He takes a deep breath. “Okay,” he replies before putting down his brush. “I’m pretty tired, so sleeping will be a plus.” He chuckles.
“See, Alex knows best. Now get off your pretty little ass and get the fuck out of here. Robert and I will lock up. Go on, off you go, little rocker boy.”
Nate stands, moves to the sink, washes out his brushes, and rinses his hands. “What did I do to deserve you?”
“You don’t, you really don’t. I’m totally awesome and deserve a raise,” I tease.
“I don’t even know what you’re being paid,” Nate replies.
“Well, with what the gallery is making, it’s enough to keep me on after my year’s payment is up. So you’re stuck with me.”
“I have a feeling I’d be lost without you, Alex. Even if the gallery weren’t making money, I’d still keep you on,” he says with a smile, and his eyes sparkle.
My stomach does a little flutter, and a tear forms in the corner of my eye, but I quickly blink it away—that’s the nicest thing he’s ever said to me.
“Wow! Thank you. That’s so sweet of you to say.”
“I mean it, Alex. You’re not just my employee, you’re my friend. And you’re helping me every day whether you know it or not. I couldn’t be here without you.” He walks over and gives me a gentle hug. I wrap my arms around him and cuddle him right back.
“Ria’s an idiot,” I murmur.
Nate chuckles as he pulls back from me. “I’m going home, see you tomorrow?”
“Like clockwork. Have a good rest, Nate.”
He walks out of the studio, his security detail appearing out of thin air following him, and I exhale a loud sigh, wondering why the fuck Ria’s letting a guy as fucking awesome as Nate walk out of her life.
He loves her so much, and he’d be so good for her and the baby if she just told him the truth. Stubborn fucking woman!
Doing a quick once-over in the studio and a general tidy-up, I glance over at Robert, who’s cleaning the windows while casually whistling to himself. God knows how he finds shit to clean all day, but he manages.
“Hey Robert, you good to lock up?”
He peers over at me and nods, his mullet bobbing up and down, making me want to giggle, but I resist. “Sure thing, darlin’, you head on home. I’ll shut up shop.”
I give him a quick wink, grab my keys and cell, and head for my car.
I feel like I need a little help, a little bit of guidance after my restless night and confusing day.
So I head for the one place I know will make my mind a little clearer.
To the one person who always makes me feel more at ease.
He settles me without even having to try, and I love him for it.
Knowing he always works this shift, I pull up at the Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant and get out of the car.
The sun is fast disappearing behind the skyline, bringing out the deep hues of twilight, and there’s a slight chill in the air as the night takes hold.
Something is calming about this time of day, and I can’t help but love it.
Making my way inside the restaurant I know so well, I head straight to his iron griddle.
I smile, taking in the bald Asian man dressed in a chef’s outfit.
It’s a stark contrast to his usual orange monk attire, but hell, I’ve seen Whisper wearing many different things throughout the years.
I take a seat at the table, which is currently only seating one other person.
Whisper spots me with a sly smile but continues his conversation with the man at the table.
“So, you see, I do your taxes at end of financial year for you, too. My business card at end of table. White one, not black one. Black one for Fung Shui. I do that for you, too. Green card for dog grooming. You have dog, you sexy boy?” Whisper asks.
The guy furrows his brows at Whisper, slowly stands, and walks away to another table.
I chuckle and shake my head, placing my hands together in front of me on the table.
Whisper sighs. “Ah, his ju-ju bad anyway. I no help him. His demons too large, too large. Alexandria, it so good to see you. It been a while. You look sad, though… demons come back?”
Placing my elbows on the table and my chin in my hands, I nod. “Yeah, Whisper, I’m thinking too much.”
He reaches out with his basting brush and slaps my hand, leaving some kind of greasy sauce all over my skin. It makes me feel lighter as I giggle instantly.
“You no think! Demons of past stay in past, Alex. Your parents, your gran, even Kyle, they bad memories. You need to let go before you move forward. You remember my mantra for when you feel demons coming?”
“Cool, calm, collected?” I ask.
“Yes. I tell my two new sexy boys this all the time. They get it now. I helping them with Fung Shui. They just like you, harbor demons. They both so sad. But oh, so sexy, sexy boys.”
I burst out laughing and then lick the sauce from my hand while he continues to cook up something on the hot plate. “Whisper, do you think I’ll ever be able to love someone again?”