Page 22 (1/2)

The line crackles with electricity "Sara!"

"Ella?!"

More crackling

"I’m okay Travel" crackle "a The line is dead

I sigh and set the phone down next toat the device where it rests Why has hearing Ella’s voice, confirht the comfort it should? I’ just feels sooff

"Is everything okay?"

I look up and blink in surprise to find Chris standing in front of my table and the worries of ht blondish brown hair is h it and he’s wearing a dark blue snug-fitting t-shirt and dark blue jeans Unlike Mark, he is not classically good looking, but more raw male hotness He looks scrumptious and add to that how sexy his talent is to me, and I am suddenly more self-conscious than ever I try to reassure ht have bore witness to I’m fairly certain I inhaled the volcanic muffin in a rather unladylike fashion

"Okay?" I ask,it cool with this man, or really any, for that matter, but this one more than most

"You looked like the call upset you"

"Oh no," I assure hifrom Paris, and we had a bad connection I really wanted to hear how she was doing" I seize the opportunity to find out how long Chris is in town "Didn’t I read that you live in Paris?"

He motions to the seat "Can I sit?"

"Yes Of course I should have offered"

"And yes," he says, settling into the chair across from me "I own a place in Paris but I split my time between here and there San Francisco stirs "

I’ued by his creative process I yearn to ask questions about his work but I hesitate, after Ava’s reference to hi a private person Besides, the table is small and I can sht, and the effect is drugging I’ent questions so I settle on easy, small talk "I had no idea you were local but then, I’ve been pretty removed from the art scene for the past few years"

"But you’re back now"