Four photos selling would be awesome for my Dream Weavers project, but having my work on display would be even better. “So, Kami told you about me, huh?”
“Oh yeah, that girl’s probably your biggest fan. She was raving about you.”
“Yeah, she’s a great girl. So, when would you like to get together?” And just like that I was dropping down his name and number on the pad beside me and marking my calendar.
Once I got off the phone, I logged off my computer, not before noticing I had a few more hits from the woman, and turning off my notifications.
I was so excited about the exhibit and dying to see Kami, who I knew was at work, that I got up and threw on some jeans and a tee and headed out to the Loving Cup.
The place was busy, but most everyone was already seated with their coffee, sipping and chatting. I looked around and didn’t see Kami, but figured the cue of bells on the door would bring her out front. When it didn’t, I walked around to the side, near the restrooms, where I found her and her ex, Devin, arguing in the small hallway that led to the back.
“I know you were in there; I want my key!” Her head turned up as she finished her sentence and she grew wide-eyed seeing me step up behind Devin.
“I don’t like being accused. Why don’t you bitch at Rain or Aunt Helen and ask them what the fuck happened?” He turned around and saw me. “Oh, what did you do; call your rich prick boyfriend and tell him?”
I stiffened at the remark about my wealth, but let it go. I hadn’t told her about my money.
“You should leave.” I stepped around him and put my arm around Kami.
“Don’t fucking tell me what I should do. Your girl, here, she’s a fucking nut job. Good luck with her.” He turned his eyes back on Kami. “Have fun with your pretty rich boy, but you better watch him. I hear he spreads it around, and I don’t mean his money.”
I stepped up into his face as Kami tugged my arm. I could lay waste to the guy without a second thought. “Get the fuck out.” He laughed and turned to walk away.
“Don’t worry about that guy. Let’s get you back out front before someone has a caffeine withdrawal.”
She went around the back of the counter, and I met her out front, sitting on one of the small stools at the end of the bar. She went about helping the two customers that the other baristas hadn’t taken care of yet. Once things were back to normal, and everyone was happy and sipping again, she walked over to stand in front of me.
“So, are you going to tell me what that’s all about?” I placed my hand on hers. I hated to see her shaken by that asshole.
“Someone came into my apartment and had sex in my bed. I know it had to him.”
I made a face. “That’s sick. How could he get in?”
“He never returned my key when he moved out. He used to live with me there when we were together, which is another reason I’d like to move out and find a new place.”
I wanted to offer that she come and live with me, but since we’d been taking things slow, I knew I had to get past the next step first, and that was making things exclusive between us, officially.
“I don’t like him coming here, I don’t like him being in your apartment, or having access to it anytime he wants. You could be in there sleeping and have that asshole come in on you. I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t either, but he’s not giving me the key, and I’ve been dragging my feet on changing the locks because I was putting money into fixing the place up instead.”
“Look, I’m going to change the locks for you. I don’t want you to have to go through that anymore.”
“No, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. I offered. And I’m not taking no for an answer.” I met her eyes. “You’re my girl. I want you safe.”
She lifted her chin. “Your girl, huh?”
“You know you are.” I smiled. “I want you to be. I know we’ve been careful to take things slow, and I know we’ve been waiting to put a label on things, but you’re my girl.”
Her eyes sparkled with tears, and she leaned across the counter and kissed me hard. “That’s all I’ve wanted.”
“I know we’re both on that site, but I don’t think there’s any reason to keep looking, do you? I mean, we are good and don’t need to, right?” I wanted her to agree.
“Of course. I’ll shut down my account. It’s not like I’ve used it since I met you.” I thought of the message she’d sent that man earlier in the morning.
“You haven’t been on at all?” I gave her a sidelong look, and she shrugged.