“The hotel ticks every box,” I snap back. He’s screwing with my Sunday vibe.
He nods in response before tilting his head to the side, studying me. His eyes move from me to the painting and back, slowly, deliberately, the gears of his mind working, almost calculating. “She does look like you.”
“Who looks like me?” What is he talking about now?
“The girl in the painting.”
“Oh.” Just like that, the conversation quickly shifts, smoothly handled in a way only a skilled dodger could manage. He’s a master at twisting things to his favor.
“She’s beautiful.” He takes one step toward me, before bowing his head, moving his lips to the shell of my ear, and I hold my breath for a beat. “Enjoy the exhibition. See you tomorrow, Sapphire.” His hot breath makes me shiver, and I welcome it. Savor it.
Then he’s gone, leaving me standing in the warmth and richness of his cologne.
He’s so confusing, my head is spinning from the dozens of different thoughts twisting my mind like a pretzel. I like him and I can’t help being pulled toward him. That’s the reason he’s here today, because I manifested him unconsciously. Cheers, Universe.
Like a call that needs answering, the painting beckons to me, and my eyes lock on to it like a magnet.
Eli said she looked like me.
And that she’s beautiful.
Does that mean… he thinks I’m beautiful?
No. Impossible.
Ha! As if.
He can barely tolerate being in the same room with me.
Like me?
Nope, not a chance.
Although he spends an unusually long time staring at me.
Pft. That’s just wishful thinking.
I peer over my shoulder and watch him leave, while women ogle him as he walks by, and he’s completely unaware of it.
Then I gasp when I realize he’s wearing a T-shirt in the brightest canary yellow today.
So, he doesn’t just wear monochrome colors.
Now that is interesting.
12
ELI
I don’t understand what Sapphire is saying because I’m not paying attention. I blame the way her glossy lips move when she talks with enthusiasm, and it makes her look like she’s smiling.
Or maybe it’s how she looks at me like I’m the most interesting person she’s ever met. But that couldn’t be further from the truth because she does that with everyone.
Compared to Sapphire, I’m dull.
Where she’s loud, I’m quiet.
She loves EDM and trance, while I much prefer playing chess. In silence.