Some things you just had to learn the hard way, and this was one of them. I saw the expression on his face as he followed Sam’s movements, and I felt bad for him. I walked over and bumped his arm. “You look like a lovesick puppy. Go on over and give her a kiss.”
He looked startled by my suggestion. “That’s not what I was thinking at all. I’m not sure about her and me…”
My mouth dropped. “You mean you want to break up?”
“I’m not sure anymore, and it’s difficult, you know. It’s her birthday coming up and we already have plans. It’s just shitty timing.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. I loved the idea of him being available but hated it too. I didn’t want him looking at other women, I wanted him for me, but I had things I had to do. Would he wait for me?
I’m sure he didn’t know how I felt about him. Men were usually blind as bats when it came down to a woman’s feelings, but they could see the size of her rack from a half mile back. Being with Brett made me feel special. It didn’t matter what I said to him, or if he laughed at me, because I knew that he liked me, the real me, not the outer wrapping that most men see.
J.J. and I didn’t talk. We just had safe sex. He was hot, good in bed, charming when he wanted to be, and I knew what to expect from him. Absolutely nothing. There was a kind of comfort level in that. He would arrive on my doorstep each night, and ’Bell and I would let him in. I kept telling myself that if he slipped up just once, one tiny infringement on my unspoken rules, and I’d kick his sorry ass to hell and back. I also knew there was a time limit on this fling of ours. Either I’d get sick of him, or he’d leave town, whichever came first.
Glancing up I watched J.J. on stage. His cowboy hat was pushed back on his forehead, his shirt was undone, and his low-riding jeans gave a splendid view of his lean stomach muscles. Looking around at the women in the room, I could almost feel the estrogen level heating up to a danger zone.
During a break, I was in the ladies’ room, and heard a couple of girls talking about what they’d do to him if they got the chance. They eyed me with curiosity. “You work here, right?”
“Uh-huh.” Carefully, I applied my lip liner, then filled in the rest of my lips, and ended with a smack.
“Is he taken? I mean,” one giggled, “has he got a girlfriend, or a wife?”
“Who? The singer?” I laughed, “No, sweeties. J.J. swings to a different quartet.”
They looked confused, so I added, “He’s gay.” At their crestfallen looks, I smiled brightly. “But I know a really hot guy who would be wild over a couple of pretty girls like you. Come, I’ll introduce you to Joe.”
* * *
Candy returned a few days later. I was so happy to see her and to hear that Billy was doing fine. His leg had been broken in several places, and he had a cast up to his thigh. He was uncomfortable, but on the mend. She said he’d be good as new in a month or two.
I’ve never seen her look so happy. The week off work was probably her longest time away from the Candy Bar since she’d bought it three years ago.
Instead of relaxing and enjoying herself, though, the week had been filled with worries. The little brat, I thought. I’d like to get my hands on him. I’d shave his head, and tattoo his mother’s name on his pink scalp, for starters.
Candy told me all about Hank, and I thought I detected a romance brewing, but she said no, he was married.
She touched my hand. “I can’t thank you enough for taking such good care of this place. I couldn’t have dealt with my worry over Billy if I hadn’t known the place was in such good hands.”
“Really? What a sweet thing to say. I was surprised you trusted me.”
“Oh, Susie. You don’t give yourself enough credit. You are a very capable lady. Trustworthy, smart, competent.” She shook her finger at me. “And don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.”
I grinned. “Thanks. It was fun. If you ever need anyone to take over so you can have a holiday, I’m your girl.”
“You can bet on it.” She looked at me with a curious gleam in her eye. “You look different. What’s up? A guy?”
“No. Not really.” I didn’t want to tell her about J.J. Truthfully, I wasn’t overly proud of the fact that I was sleeping with him. So I told her about the stormy night and making a wish, and how I was seeing things more clearly than before. “Sometimes I look at someone and I get a flash. It’s like watching a movie that I have no control over.”
“Wow—that sounds kind of cool, but scary too, I imagine.”
“Hmm. Yes, it is a bit freaky. I mean, I don’t want to see these things, and when I do they are usually the kind of private details that a person would never want to share. It makes me feel like a voyeur.”
She laughed. “Oh, Susie, it could only happen to you.”
* * *
My creativity was on fire. I painted every morning for a couple of hours, and the canvasses were pretty much painting themselves, and I had to struggle to keep up.
In the wee hours of the morning as the sun burst on the horizon, I completed a painting I thought was my best work ever. It was my first attempt at a three-dimensional, and I felt reasonably satisfied I’d achieved it.
And like all geniuses I wanted to be appreciated for my talent, preferably before I was dead.
Probably I should have known better than to think J.J. would give a damn about my silly painting, but I was too excited to keep it to myself. Isn’t that what relationships are for? If you can’t share your happiness with someone, or your disappointments, what was the point?
So when J.J. showed up after work, I dragged him into my art studio. “I have something to show you,” I said, with unusual bravado.
He gave me a slow, sexy smile. “I bet you do.” He touched himself and winked, “And I have something to show you.”
“Not now, J.J.” I frowned. “I’m serious. Come on, play along. Close your eyes.”
“Shit. I was hoping when I got here tonight, you’d be in a short skirt with nothing underneath. You know how that turns me on.”
“Jamie. Please? Be nice. This is really special. It’s important to me.”
He gave her a suggestive smile. “The only thing special I want to see is…”
“J.J. Shut up, and get over yourself.”
He sighed. “Okay, if it’s that big a deal. Let’s see it.”
“Are your eyes still closed? Keep them shut until I tell you to open them.” Looking impatient, he did as he was told. “Okay. Now,” I whispered.
“What’s that?” he asked, and I could hear the disappointment in his voice. “I thought it was a picture of the band, or a nude of you. I could dig that.”
“Don’t be an ass. It’s Duval Street. You know, in Key West, but look…” I stepped back a couple of feet. “Look how it changes. The picture is three-dimensional. Isn’t that cool?” I wriggled it around so he could see how amazing it was.
“I don’t get it.” His voice turned mean. “This was the big surprise that couldn’t wait?”
“Yes.” I carefully placed the canvas back on the easel. I was so hurt and angry I could barely speak.
“What’s the matter with you?” He took my chin into the palm of his hands. “You’re gonna cry just because I’m not excited about your painting? Come on, lighten up. It’s fine.” He gave me a little kiss. “Baby, I’m sorry. Come on, let’s get naked, and have some fun.”
“You know what, J.J.? I’ve had just about all the fun I want from you. I don’t like the way you make me feel about myself. It’s over, and I want you to leave.”
He stood there with a silly expression. “No, you don’t.”
“Oh, yes, I do. Right now.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Never been more serious in my life.” I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw what I hadn’t wanted to see. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing at all. He had no substance. The deeper I looked, the more I thought he had th
e texture of a jellyfish, all mucous and slime.
* * *
“Helga, aren’t you proud of me for dumping him?”
“Sure, I am.” She sipped her tea. “What I don’t understand is why you were screwing him in the first place.”
What was I to say to that? “Uh, to prove that I could?”
Helga yawned. “That’s nice, dear.” She handed me a tray of fresh sliced fruit with a yogurt dip in the middle. I took a piece, dipped it in sweet, creamy yogurt, and popped it in my mouth.
“Hmm, good.”
“Have some more.”
I’m not sure what I wanted from her, wisdom, advice, maybe just understanding, but I was searching for something. I told her about the magic and how details were leaping out at me, and colors were brighter than I’d ever seen them before. “It’s like seeing the world in 3D.”
She laughed. “That shouldn’t be too big of a stretch. You’ve always seen things differently than most people.”
I ignored her. “I’m not always sure what I’m seeing. If it’s the past or the future, but I’m seeing stuff I shouldn’t be seeing. It’s kind of cool, but also a little freaky. So, what do you think I should do with it? Should I offer my services to the government, or the police? I might be a huge asset.”
She smiled. “Susie, dear, nobody wants to know what happened yesterday, instead of what is going to happen tomorrow. They have newspapers for that.”
My mind flashed forward and I saw her obituary. It read, Famed psychologist murdered at home by crazed patient wielding a pineapple on a toothpick. I put the fruit down.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was my night off work, but Lydia and Fran asked me to meet them at the Candy Bar for a drink. They’d gone on a shopping trip for Lydia’s baby’s room and were excited but exhausted from their buying spree.
So I got all gussied up, and felt good when I strutted in wearing my new pair of Seven jeans that hugged my ass just right, and a pink tee that was a little low and clingy. Heads swiveled from all directions when I took my customary seat at the bar.
Candy whistled when she caught sight of me. “Wow!” She fanned herself. “Don’t you look hot? You’re going to get some action tonight.” She glanced over at J.J. “Come on, you can tell me. Is he the lucky guy?”
I shook my head. “No. I was seeing him when you were away, but it’s over. It never should have happened.”
She put her hand on her hip, watching the stage. “That guy is in love with himself, honey. He’s no good for any girl.”
“I knew that…but…I did it anyway.”
“Oh well.” Her blue eyes sparkled. “Sometimes we need to do something randomly stupid. We don’t need to validate it. Men do it all the time. Why can’t women?”
“True.” I grinned. “And it wasn’t all bad.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t.” Candy looked past my shoulder. “Here comes Lydia and Fran.”
I twisted my neck around, smiled and waved. Lydia was looking very pregnant, but prettier than ever. Obviously, maternity and Jed agreed with her. Being a cynical divorce attorney, she’d completely sworn off men until Jed came along. She had been representing his wife in his divorce and hadn’t known who he was when they hooked up at the Candy Bar.
Blame it on the tropical storm, and the Candy Bar magic, but sparks flew, and the cynic and this perfect stranger went home together. Short story, the condom broke, they fell in love, and will likely get married after the baby’s born.
Candy came over, fussed over Lydia, and gave Fran a big hug. “It’s so good to see you both. Fran, I don’t know what I’d have done without Hank’s help. Without him, I might not have found Billy, and he took the time to fly out to Vegas with me. That was so sweet of him.”
Fran smiled with obvious pride. “I’m so glad. He’s a great guy, even if he is my brother.”
“Yes.” Candy lowered her voice. “He told me he was a real terror growing up, and that there’s hope for Billy.”
“That’s right. Hank did a little stint in a boy’s home, and it knocked some sense into him. I hope Billy learns his lessons easier than he did.”
“Me, too, but it’s not looking hopeful.” Her cheeks were pink, her blue eyes worried. “I try, I really do. But the boy has never had a father to tell him what to do.”
“You keep on him, Candy. He’ll be all right,” Fran answered.
“I’ll see that he is. So, gals, what are you having? Susie, the usual? Fran, a chocolate martini? Diet Coke, Lydia?”At our nods, Candy left to get the drinks. Fran gave us a little background information on her brother, Hank. “He’s been married for eighteen years to Heather, but I swear he’s not happy. They never do anything together. She’s a librarian and doesn’t like kids, or sports, or any of the things he loves.” She paused to take a sip of her drink. “They never had children, and I didn’t ask why. I don’t know what’s holding them together, they have nothing in common.”
I leaned closer and lowered my voice, “Well, when Candy talks about him, her face lights up. Watch and see. She won’t admit it, but I think there’s a few sparks flying.”
“Really?” Fran lifted an eyebrow. “That’s interesting.” Her lips parted in a half smile. “I tried to like Heather, but it was hard to warm up to her. She was always so cold and aloof, and she has no personality whatsoever. I mean zero.” Fran never speaks ill of anyone, so this Heather person must be bad news.
I came to the conclusion she had to go. “Good. We’ve got to get rid of her so Candy can have Hank.” Fran chuckled as if I were making a joke. But I was perfectly serious. After all, Candy shouldn’t spend her life without love, and Billy needed a father.
“And how are we going to arrange that?” she asked.
Lydia whispered, “Remember that night at the Candy Bar when the four of us held hands and chanted?”
“Uh-huh. I remember. It was the night before the art show. Lydia, you suggested it, because I was so darn nervous.”
“You had no reason to be,” Fran said. “But we thought we’d try and conjure up a little of that magic so you’d feel confident and relaxed.”
Lydia rolled her eyes. “I felt so damn stupid.”
“Duh. Me too.” I giggled. “What was that chant you said, Fran? It went something like this. ‘Oh, gentle spirits, be with us tonight…’”
Lydia remembered some more. “‘We look to your wisdom, we look to your light,’ and then I forget the rest.”
I couldn’t remember either. “It was something about bestowing on us magical gifts. But nothing happened, because Candy says it only happens during tropical storms.” I looked at the girls. “Think the magic has something to do with kinetic energy?”
“Hell if I know,” Lydia replied.
“You’re the lawyer. You’re supposed to be clever and know these things,” I answered.
She laughed. “You’re the artist. You have a better connection with intangible things.”
“Yeah, right.” Laughing, I changed the subject. “So when are you getting married? Before or after the big day?”
“I’m not sure. We haven’t set a date yet.” Fran eyed her curiously. “Don’t tell me you’re still commitment-phobic? Not with that hottie you’ve got. It’s obvious you two are crazy about each other.”
Lydia smiled, and maybe it was because she was pregnant, but she had that special look on her face, as though she knew a secret nobody else did. “I was wrong. Relationships can work. They do all the time. After a couple of failed personal relationships I decided they all sucked, and that lasting love only existed in dreams and romance novels. Trust me, love, marriage, caring about someone, and sharing your life with that person is what makes sense of everything else. The world is a crazy place, but loving someone is the safest place of all.”
“Aw, Lydia. I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said.” I reached over and gave her a hug.
“Yes, and on that note,” she slipped off her stool. “I gotta run. Fran, are you sure
you don’t mind taking a cab?”
“Not at all. I want to stay and hang out with Susie. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her.” “
Okay,” Lydia pecked our cheeks. “Have fun tonight. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
We watched Lydia run off, and then I sensed someone behind me. It was Brett. “Hey!” I gave him a huge, happy smile. I introduced him to Fran and he took the empty seat beside her.
Fran has such a nice way about her and is so candid and direct that I learned more about him in that hour than I had in weeks. I was so into our conversation that I didn’t notice the band had stopped playing.
A voice behind me asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”
I swung around to face J.J. “Talking to Fran and Brett.” I tossed my head back. “What does it look like?”
J.J. snarled at Brett. “I told you once before to back off. You don’t listen, do you?”
“I don’t take orders from you,” Brett responded calmly.
I glared at J.J. “Back off yourself. I can talk to anybody I like. We’re through.”
“I’ll tell you when we’re through.” He grabbed my arm and I looked at it pointedly.
“Take your hand off me.”
“You heard the lady.” Brett stood up, and I noticed he towered over J.J. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized his short stature. The only thing big about J.J. was his ego. J.J. glared at both of us. His voice was low. “You think you can come on to any man you want. I have news for you, bitch.”
Before I had time to react he backhanded me. I heard Fran gasp, but my eyes were glued to Jamie’s. “You bastard!” I was more in shock than pain. “How dare you!” My hand was stinging to slap him, and only the fact that Brett had Jamie’s hands clutched behind his back and was exerting pressure kept me from doing so.
Brett whispered in J.J.’s ear. “You owe the lady an apology, and if I ever catch you touching her again I’ll do more than break an arm.” Candy came up behind Jamie. “I want you to gather your things, and your people, and get the hell out of here. Right now.”
“I’m not done yet.” He gave me a nasty look. “She only got what was coming. The little tramp thinks she can make a fool out of me.”
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 35
