“Not interested, huh?”
“Did I say that?”
“Pretty much.”
“You just don’t listen to me.”
“I listen to everything,” Ace said. He raised a brow as Brett stole a dumpling. “What if they’re for her?”
Brett closed his eyes. “You know, you really need to try these. They’re fucking amazing. I mean, seriously, right now I can’t even think.”
“Started without me. Are they good?” Meredith asked, coming to stand in front of them. She held a bottle of wine. “I forget to get something for me to drink. Dig in, boys. I didn’t order all of this for myself.” She took a seat at the table, and Ace took the seat closest to her.
Using his chopsticks, he began to serve himself up a generous portion. He wasn’t dieting for anything, and he’d be able to work off any calories he got in the gym. He closed his eyes and moaned as the flavors exploded on his tongue.
“How long has it been since you ate Chinese food?” Meredith asked.
Opening his eyes, he saw her smiling and glanced over at Brett to see him smirking. “What is it? Do I have something on me?”
“No. You were moaning as if you were having an orgasm. I know the place I order from is damn good but not as good as chocolate.”
He chuckled. “I think it has to have been three or four years since we indulged.”
“He won’t even allow us to order anything unless it’s vegan,” Brett said.
“Ah, so you two do take your job seriously.”
“Our job is kind of boring,” Brett said.
“It can be. The same old routine, but we have different clients.”
Meredith wrinkled her nose. “I went to a gym once when I was, like, twenty-one and doing the whole New Year’s resolution thing. It lasted for, like, one day. I hated it. I got all sweaty. My thighs hurt, my legs hurt, everywhere hurt, and I decided it wasn’t worth it. Now, I speed walk, which is fun. It helps to clear my head, you know. Also, we live one life, and I think we should live it any way we want, you know.”
“You’re an artist,” Ace said.
“Did you search me?” Meredith asked.
“I did, and it turns out you’re sought after. You’ve filled two gallery shows, and your work has even gone up for auction to help raise money. You’re rich.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t call myself rich. I’m doing well, but I have to be careful.”
He saw the nerves shining in her eyes.
“Why do you have to be careful?” Brett asked.
“Wow, invasive much?” Ace asked.
She chuckled. “Nah, it’s all fine and great, you know, when one is actually working. But when that creativity seems to stop or there’s a wedge between you and that need to do your job, it can be quite frustrating.”
That explained the article he’d read about her being a two-trick pony. There had been several news items that said she’d gone into hiding, or was at a retreat or something. Instead, she was here, his trusty little neighbor.
“You’re having a few problems?”
“Pretty much. I can’t seem to focus on a project. I’ve been completely dedicated to my work for so long now. I’ve not had a break, apart from this past year when I’ve been forced to, because at the moment I suck. At least my manager or agent likes to think so, well, not the suck part. If not, then I’ve got to start looking for a career change. Enough about me, though. How are you finding the neighborhood? Any of the desperate wives asking for you to come and fix their plumbing or something?”
Ace laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
“Seriously, on the day we moved in I saw them all. They were not looking at me, and they were, like, drooling. It was so bad I was sure there was a puddle on the ground.”
Ace enjoyed her straight talking. She didn’t hold back. Her hands were expressive, she smiled, she was just full of life. He’d not been with a woman like her for so long. He couldn’t think of the last time he’d known a woman who was just so confident, happy, outgoing. She was filled with this energy that just sparkled from the inside out.
He found her completely charming, and he didn’t want to leave. No woman had ever affected him like this in such a short amount of time.
****
Three glasses of wine later and Meredith felt buzzed. Brett and Ace were incredible company, and so much fun. She loved the way they were with each other, their friendship shining through. They often teased each other, and she liked that.
Their love for each other came through.
She’d never been close to many people, often preferring her own company or that of her sketchbook. People often had opinions, judgments, and she found listening to them always affected her craft. Being a bit of a loner helped her a lot.