Looking at the photo in my hand, I realize he’s right. It’s a photo of the statue of Saint Didacus, the patron saint of San Diego. This one photo completes everything. I’m done. No more agonizing over what goes where; he’s done my job for me. How did he know? I put the photo in its place before closing my portfolio and placing it in my large tote bag.
Getting off the bench, I walk to the chair in front of my computer and remove my purse that is still sitting in the same spot I tossed it when I walked in. I sit down and log onto my computer. For the next few hours, I check my email and reply to everyone who needs one. Some I forward to Jenny to handle such as orders and invoices.
At five o’clock, I shut down my computer and grab my purse to leave. It’s a miracle I accomplished anything this afternoon considering my inability to concentrate on things that weren’t hard muscles and fiery blue eyes. Who the hell is this guy? My mind is focused on him as I walk out to the front of my gallery. I decide I don’t need to know, and push all thoughts of Nick out of my mind. I have enough drama in my life already.
I need to stop by a few stores to buy some new clothes to last me until I get mine from my apartment. Luckily, I don’t have to go far. My gallery is in a strip mall that has most of my favorite stores. After locking the door, I head straight to Eve’s. It’s a dressy boutique.
I should have made arrangements to pick up my things today, but I don’t want to deal with it yet. Seeing Luke earlier only made things worse, and it’s not like I know where I’m going yet. How the hell did I get here? Yesterday morning I thought life was peachy. Well apparently, it wasn’t.
Once I enter, Melanie greets me with a warm smile that takes me away from my negative thoughts.
“Hey Shannon, if there is anything I can help you with just let me know,” she says as she goes back to helping a blonde with a blue satin dress.
I’m in here almost every other day, so most of the sales ladies know me by name. As I look around the store, I decide on a pair of jeans, two fitted shirts, a snug black strapless dress, a grey sleeveless dress with a grey jacket and black belt, and black pumps. Melanie checks me out and I head to the next store.
Walking into Dentelle and I know exactly what I want. I pick out two white silk bras and a black strapless one along with three pairs of panties to match. On the way to the checkout counter I grab a pair of black stockings and a pair of nude-color ones.
After walking out of the store, I head to my car with a bag in each hand.
* * * * *
Walking into the lobby of The Cove, I head for the elevators. When I arrive in front of the sleek black doors, I press the up button and wait patiently. The door opens a few seconds later and people begin to file out. Nick is the last to step through the doors when I look up. He stands just outside the elevator doors holding his arms across the opening so it doesn’t close.
I know he’s waiting for me to step in, so I walk forward, but he stops me with his right arm before I am able to enter.
“Hello, Miss Taylor,”
I look up into his eyes. “I don’t like to be called by my last name. Goodbye, Nick,”
He’s still holding my arm so I don’t move. He looks down at my bags. He eyes the Dentelle bag and smiles as he releases me. I like sexy undergarments, what can I say? I move into the elevator, pressing the number seven button.
“I don’t like being called Nick.” He pauses then adds, “Oh...and Shannon, I do hope you bought silk.” He moves his left arm from the door so it shuts. The last thing I see is his half smile. Yet again, I’m left stunned and rendered speechless for the second time today. Apparently, this is an every time occurrence around him.
Don’t get your hopes up, buddy. As hot as you are, I don’t plan on getting naked with you.
I enter my room then toss all my bags onto the bed. I’m exhausted and am in need of a hot shower to help me relax. Walking into the bathroom, I turn on the shower and strip out of my clothes. When I finish, I touch the water before stepping in to make sure it’s hot enough. I enter and stand under the steamy water cascading down my body; a sigh escapes me.
Once my hair is washed, body cleaned, and legs shaved, I turn off the water and towel off. I wrap the oversized white cotton towel around my body, and then saunter over to the sink where I dry my hair. I have long, straight red locks that come down to the middle of my back. Its texture is fine, but thick. I’m lucky; my hair doesn’t require a lot of product to look decent. Just a comb through and it pretty much falls into place.
I walk out of the bathroom to retrieve my makeup bag from my purse. After a little powder, eye shadow, mascara and lipstick, I’m done. My makeup routine takes less than five minutes. I don’t fuss over myself like a lot of women. Sometimes when I oversleep, I’ll go to work without any makeup on at all. My friends would die if they knew this about me, but I’m not a “girly girl” in that sense. I never have been.