“Sure.” Something in Hayes’ tone told me he didn’t completely believe me.
He shouldn’t. It was so much more than that. The more I got to know Addie, the more I saw her resiliency and strength in action, the more I hated the world that had tried to break her.
7
ADDIE
I palmed my knife, the heft of it reassuring somehow. The switchblade typically had a home in my bag, but I wanted it in my hand after the run-in yesterday. I should’ve taken comfort in the fact that I could protect myself if needed. Instead, it fueled my anger—the fact that I felt forced to carry the knife at all, and that my gaze kept jumping around the street as if I’d had ten cups of coffee.
My pace slowed, and I closed my eyes for a moment. I breathed through the hot waves of anger coursing through me. I couldn’t change that I was scared, but I could step forward anyway.
My eyes opened to take in the windows of the art gallery. From this angle, I saw two paintings that I hadn’t glimpsed the other day. One was a lush and beautiful landscape, and the other was some modern piece that captivated me but that I didn’t truly understand.
I couldn’t seem to look away from the second painting, my gaze tracking over the splatters of paint that made up a whole that was breathtaking. A man bumped me as he passed, muttering an apology as he went. It startled my eyes away from the piece. As they tried to return, I caught sight of a sign that read: Help Wanted.
My palms dampened, and I forced myself to slip the knife back into my bag. The last thing I needed was to slice my hand open because I’d lost my grip on the thing. I stared at the sign. It seemed to taunt me—a silent challenge.
I wiped my palms on my jeans. All I had to do was ask the question. What was the job? Maybe they needed someone to clean. That would be mostly people-free, and I’d get to stare at the beautiful art.
I took a few steps towards the door and then stopped. My pulse thrummed in my neck, and my lungs seemed to have trouble doing their job. I reached for the door and pulled it open before I had a chance to chicken out.
A bell tinkled, and a woman’s voice called out, “Be right there.”
I clasped my hands in front of me, my fingernails biting into my flesh.
A young woman emerged from somewhere in the back, her eyes brightening as she took me in and picked up her pace. She walked with the slightest of limps. The average person wouldn’t even have noticed, but I was used to looking for people’s weaknesses, anything that would give me an advantage if the worst happened.
“I was wondering when you’d come in.” There was nothing but warmth in the woman’s expression.
“I’m sorry? Wondering when I’d come in?”
The bracelets lining her wrist caught the light as she gestured towards the window. “I’ve seen you looking at the art. I kept waiting for you to come in so we could talk ab
out it.”
My face flamed. “I didn’t mean to be a bother—”
“You’re not a bother. I love meeting someone who really appreciates the work.”
I nodded, unsure what to say next.
The woman held out a hand. “I’m so rude. I’m Laiken.”
“Addie.”
“Nice to meet you, art-lover Addie. What can I do for you today?”
My stomach cramped and twisted, but I forced myself to get the words out. “I saw the sign in the window and was wondering what kind of help you were looking for.”
“I’m looking for part-time help. I manage The Gallery and usually have a couple of employees, but the last girl helping me out just headed back to college, so I’ve been floundering ever since. I need someone to memorize the information about each piece, talk them up to customers when they come in, ring people up, and arrange for shipping. The computer system is quite simple. What do you think, Addie? Are you interested?”
My throat burned as it clamped shut, and I struggled to get my words out. “I don’t think I’m qualified for that. But thank you.”
Shame swirled around me, thick and oppressive. The idea of mastering an intricate computer system when I didn’t even have an email address was almost comical. And the idea of pitching paintings to patrons had my palms sweating just thinking about it.
Laiken opened her mouth to say something when a little jingle sounded behind her. She turned, revealing a tiny dog coming towards us in what looked like a harness with wheels. The smile that split Laiken’s face was one of sheer adoration. “Gizmo, you done with your nap? Come meet Addie. I’m trying to convince her to work with us.”
I crouched on instinct, holding out a hand. The little pup came right to me, licking my fingers and moving in for a cuddle. I scratched behind his ears, looking up at Laiken. “He’s so cute.”