I scratch my chin. “You want me to work here during the day?”
“The woman I hired to help manage the gallery when we first opened, retired a couple of months ago and I’m not cut out for full-time.” She glances at her watch. “I love taking the boys to school in the morning, but I miss being there when they’re done. I’m looking for someone to take over afternoons here. You’d be responsible for sales and helping me with promotional materials. There’s some light cleaning. It’s all easy and I pay well.”
The burden of looking for a second job is instantly lifted from my shoulders. “I’ll take the job.”
“Can you start after lunch?”
I look down at the red pants and white blouse I’m wearing. “If I meet the dress code, I’ll stay for the day.”
“You look stunning as always, Piper.” She reaches back down to grab the first framed nude drawing she showed me before she hangs it on the wall next to her portraits. “Let’s hope that you sell your first piece on your very first day.”
Chapter 11
Griffin
“You’re skipping out on pool tonight because you have an art class?” My friend, Sebastian Wolf, follows the question wi
th a hearty laugh. “Your bullshit excuses for bailing on me are getting worse and worse.”
“Do you hear me bitching when you cancel on me?” I draw a pull from the beer in my hand. “How many times have you sent me a text saying you can’t make it?”
“I work homicide,” he points out. “A dead body trumps a pool game any day of the week.”
“In that case, a hot art teacher trumps a pool game.”
That catches his full attention. He puts the phone in his hand down on the top of the weathered bar we’re sitting next to. He asked me to meet him at Easton Pub after he was done his shift. I agreed even though it was only five o’clock and I had a meeting scheduled.
I don’t see him as often as I’d like because his work dictates his life. I can say the same for myself. That’s why I had Joyce reschedule with my client so I could jump on the subway and head here.
He twirls the glass of bourbon in front of him. “You’re taking an art class because the teacher is hot?”
“Essentially, yes.” I agree as I take another sip of beer.
He lowers his head to hide the smile on his lips. “You know I need to ask, Griffin. Since when do you put in that much time and effort to score?”
It’s a good question. I don’t have an answer to it.
“She ended up at my office a couple of weeks ago.” I start at the beginning because I’m hoping that will help him piece this together. “She was robbed after a one-night stand. The guy dropped my business card on the floor and she came looking for me.”
“Who was the guy?”
I shrug as I take another drink. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”
“So she shows up and what? You decide to take her class because you feel sorry for her?” He chuckles. “Where the fuck is the real Griffin Kent because he wouldn’t do shit like that?”
He’s right. I wouldn’t. I’m not known for my giving nature.
“I like this woman,” I admit with a shake of my head. “Don’t ask me why, but I do.”
“Apparently, you like her enough to sit through an art class. What kind of class is it?”
I could lie. I should lie, but I don’t bullshit Sebastian. We’ve been friends too long for that. “It’s a nude drawing class.”
He throws his head back in hearty laughter. “You’re shitting me. You’re taking a class where you draw nudes?”
I try not to smile, but it’s useless. “What the fuck is so funny? You don’t think I can do it? Is that it?”
“What does the model look like?” His dark brows wiggle. “Is she as hot as the teacher?”