“I’m okay, really.” He laughed and coughed again. “I commend your honesty.”
“And practicality.”
“That too,” he agreed.
“And luck. I never had luck, not a bit of it, not until I met Ben.”
Silence stretched between them. Juli placed her hands flat on the table and stood. “I’ll be right back.”
Luke reached out and took her wrist as she walked past.
“Ben was lucky, too.”
The ladies’ room wasn’t empty, but no one was at the sinks. She took a paper towel, dampened it and held it to her eyes. So much for her eye makeup. She didn’t wear a lot anyway, so he’d probably never notice the difference.
A woman came out of a stall and stopped to wash her hands. Juli tossed the towel into the trash and returned to the table.
Luke said, “The waitress came, but I didn’t know what you wanted to order. She’ll come back.”
Poor waitress. All because of our drama. Well, she probably had drama of her own she inflicted on others. She did return and Juli placed her order.
She folded her hands in her lap and tried to adopt a better attitude. “How are you doing, Luke?”
“Me?”
“I know you’re busy. You have the galleries. Maia told me you’re managing several in different cities and some other business interests, as well.”
“Two galleries. I sold the one in Virginia Beach. Traveling to and from Charleston is enough.”
“Can’t you hire someone to do some of the work for you?”
“I can, but first I have to find that person.”
“Is it so hard?” Or do you not want to replace Ben? That’s what Maia had told her. “It’s no good giving up your life to work. I know what I’m talking about, although, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not comparing the jobs I worked with the work you do.”
He nodded, but didn’t speak.
“It’s summer. You have a boat. What would you be doing if you had time off?”
She stopped talking while the food was delivered. When the server left, he still hadn’t answered.
“Maybe that’s none of my business.” She said it deliberately, knowing he’d protest.
“It’s not a secret. Boat, yes. Take a trip for pleasure, not work. Jog. Swim. Read a book.”
She leaned forward. “Then do it. Hire someone and take a break.”
“It sounds easier than it is.”
“What’s the hard part?”
Luke concentrated on chewing his food and drinking his water. Juli gave him peace for a few minutes.
It wasn’t until they stood to leave that he said, “I’m leaving for Charleston this evening. I’ll be down there for a few days. Maybe I’ll put the word out about the job. There are a couple of people I might consider.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They drove to the Glory in companionable silence. They were almost back when Luke asked, “What about your plans?”
“Plans, me? I’m staying here for the time being.”
“Is that enough for you? You don’t seem like someone who’d be content to sit around doing nothing.”
“I’m taking art lessons and doing some painting. I’m in no hurry. For now, I’m content.” She opened the door and the hot air rushed in. “Thank you, Luke. We accomplished a lot today.”
She shut the door before he could answer. She was feeling teary again.
Who would have imagined a courteous conversation could be so encouraging? Over time, her feelings would settle down and maybe they could be friends, after all.
As for work, she liked being a lady of leisure. Sitting around for a while—not doing nothing, but doing only what she wanted—was a wonderful gift and she intended to enjoy it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Juli dropped by the gallery at the end of September. Maia waved at her when she came through the door.
“Want to get lunch?” Juli asked.
Maia spread her arms as if to encompass all of the displays and said, “I have no help today. None. Brendan doesn’t come in until this evening.” She stapled a couple of receipts together and stowed them under the counter. “If you don’t mind sharing my chicken salad sandwich, we can do lunch in the back room. With the door open, I’ll be able to hear the bell.”
“I doubt you brought enough for two. I’ll go down the block and get some takeout if you can wait?”
“Sounds perfect. Lunch in the back room when you return. I could use a sweet tea with lemon, if you don’t mind?”
“Got it. Be back soon.”
There was a small table in the back room. The door to the room was adjacent to Luke’s office door. His office was open; he wasn’t in.