Page 55 (1/2)

Since I’ement, I decide to blow off the second coffee I’m almost to the door when I hear Monica call out, "Jamie Archer"

I turn "You know Jao with her? One of Garreth Todd’s parties?"

"Yeah," I say

"Well, so was I!" She says it in the kind of excited tone I’d expect if we’d both just pledged the same sorority

"So you’re a friend of Jamie’s?"

She waves her hand in dismissal "I barely know her But I was at an audition with her once, and I re her there And you, too But I think I’ you from the newspapers"

"Great," I say dryly

"That stuff they said about you was shit," she says earnestly "Except the part about a reality show If that’s true you should totally take it and o to hell"

I laugh, because as o to hell sounds like a grand plan

My phone rings, and I balance the flowers on top of the condiment bar so that I can retrieve it froertip on her screenplay "I better get back to this But I’ain I come here all the time"

"Sure," I say, as I answer the call

"Well, Texas? Are you a proud new business owner?"

"Evelyn! Hang on a sec" I wave goodbye to Monica, then tuck the phone under my chin and pick the flowers back up I use a hip to push out the door, then start off down the wide sidewalk back toward rown up"

"I’m proud of you," she says "And Iway"

"In that case, thank you" I actually preen a bit froe the h and no-nonsense and says what she thinks I’ve pretty row up

"So tell me about the place"

I describe it to her in detail, thento coy for that," she says "I know she’s not high on your list these days, but she see it up to you"

"No, no," I say "It’s fine I’ve got my jealousy all reined in, and I know she feels bad about what happened" To be honest, I can’t help but wonder if she didn’t let the truth about the painting slip to someone else who then shot off their mouth to a reporter I don’t h, because I’ht float the possibility by Giselle And if it’s true, I don’t see the point inher feel worse than she already does

"So when can I see it?" Evelyn asks