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“I make jewelry.”
His brows nearly reach his hairline. I’m guessing that shocked him. “Really? That’s cute.”
The cute comment makes me grimace a little. “Yeah, I’m pretty good at it. My online shop nearly sales out every few weeks. I have my products in three local boutiques that I have to restock at least once a month.”
“Not a bad way to make a little cash,” he goes on to say taking another bite of his turnover.
“It pays the bills,” which is only partially true. Gabriel pays the bills. But if I had to pay bills, my jewelry income could cover most of my bills.
I don’t know why I’m feeling so defensive. He hasn’t said anything negative. I just don’t like the way he keeps referring to my business as small or cute.
“I thought your child’s father left you that house?”
This time it’s my brows that reach for my hairline. “Who told you that?”
He shrugs. “Your friend, Trina. She wanted to assure me that you were indeed not a gold digger and that you didn’t need my money because your child’s father left you a house and a car.”
I shake my head. Even though my friend was only trying to look out for me, I’m not sure how I felt about her revealing that information.
“He did,” I admit. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t have bills.”
He holds up his hands in a surrender posture with a grin. “You’re right, and I didn’t mean to offend you. I think it’s great the father of your child had the hindsight to take care of you. Many men don’t do that. But it makes it easier for the mother to only have to worry about taking care of the child. Because of his forethought, you get to make pretty necklaces.”
“Yeah,” I say with a forced smile. I turn away from Andrew and glance out the window. This is the reason my dates are usually short lived. Sometimes I think I’m being too picky considering my past.
While I chew on my bottom lip, a tall figure across the street moves. There is a small coffee shop sitting on the corner across the street. Leaning against the light pole is a hooded figure that seems to be staring at me through the window. I lean forward, squinting my eyes.
“Is someone out there?” Andrew asks.
I turn to look at him. “I think there’s someone….” My words die on my tongue when I look back out the window and the person is no longer there.
Did my conscious just make up an image of Gabriel out of the blue? I mean, he isn’t the only tall wide-shouldered person in the world, but the fluttering feeling I get in my belly is only caused by one person. And the way my stomach immediately started to react after seeing that shadow makes me think maybe my eyes aren’t playing games.
But if it was someone, they couldn’t disappear that fast. Could they?
I turn back to Andrew, who is glancing out the window moving his head around trying to see what I saw.
“It’s nothing,” I say.
He turns back to me and smiles. We finish our pastries and head to the house.
The car ride back to my home is silent. Unlike most of the night, I wasn’t in the mood to talk. I guess Andrew picked up on it.
“I’m sorry,” he says, pulling my attention from the window.
I turn to look at his profile.
“I know what I said at the bookstore came off insensitive. I didn’t mean to suggest that your business was something small. The things that you’ve accomplished are downright incredible, Summer. Especially with being a recovering addict. I’d love to see some of your pieces. I bet they’re gorgeous.”
For the first time since leaving Malia’s, I relax a little. I appreciate his apology and for acknowledging his earlier statements were demeaning. Andrew has proven time and time again that he is worth me giving him the attention he deserves. I’ve finally found a guy that I actually like.
“Thank you,” I say. “And you’re in luck. I have some finished pieces in the house.”
“I can’t wait to see them. Tell me about your jewelry.”
For the next ten minutes, I explain my process of making jewelry to Andrew. I discuss how I pick and purchase the stones and what each one represents. I even explain the intricate details of molding and blending polymer clay to make different designs. He listens intently and asks questions. By the time we pull into my neighborhood, I’m excited to show him my work.
“I can’t wait to see the obsidian men’s bracelet.” Andrew says as we turn the corner toward my house.
