They had to move past it if there was any chance at a future.
Macie stared at her painting. She’d taken the bigger canvas and painted a larger spiral with the colors at an opposing line and the spiral churning in the opposite direction. Very carefully, she cut a square in the larger and inset the smaller canvas. She left a half an inch out, giving it more of a 3D appearance. Then she’d reinforced the backing. The effect was face-slapping. There was more work to be done, but Macie loved what she’d created. It was the first time she’d loved her art in a long time.
Everything she’d done in college felt forced. This was a piece of her.
She opened the portfolio on the table. The majority of her art was stored at her Mom’s house. There wasn’t a lot of it, either. Macie had destroyed most of her artwork. Not for any other reason than they weren’t good enough. She’d kept the pieces she’d deemed okay. Looking at them now, they didn’t speak to her. They were just there. Sellable, maybe, but not inspiring. Art should be inspiring.
Her phone lit up with a text from Lauren, but what really caught her attention was the time. It was ten after seven. Zac was late. That never happened. Macie’s heart leapt into her throat, choking her on the intense beat. Where was he? A million things ran through her head, each disastrous thought cut off by the next then the next then the next. She watched another five minutes tick away until a soft knock pulled her from inside her head.
Macie ran to the door and threw it open, leaping into Zac’s arms.
“Whoa, neighbor. It’s nice to meet you, too. But, damn.”
Macie jumped back and stared at the man standing in front of her. “Omigod.” He grinned, and over his shoulder Zac did the same. Bastard. “I’m sorry. I thought you were...”
Her neighbor turned around, following Macie’s pointed finger. “Lucky guy.” He faced Macie, grin still intact. “Anyway, awkward as this has been, I just wanted to introduce myself.” He held out his well-manicured hand. “I’m Barton Wilkes.”
“Macie Regan.” His hand was softer than hers. “Nice to meet you.”
“Well, if you want to meet me again, I’m in 3C.” He motioned to the door across the hall. “I make a mean chai latte.”
Macie tried not to wrinkle her nose. “Thanks.”
Barton brushed by Zac who raised his eyebrows. Once Barton was inside his apartment, Zac stepped forward. “What? No hug?”
“You’re late.” Macie crossed her arms. Yet again, Zac Sparks witnessed another embarrassing moment. And he made a fucking joke.
“Yeah, I lost track of time.” He held out a manila file folder. “Research for starting a business.”
Macie’s eyebrows crashed together. “How did you know?”
He snorted a laugh. “You asked about setting up an online store, remember? What else would you want to talk about? Money, sure, but that didn’t seem likely. And I have no idea how or where to sell artwork. I figured you might want to do something like this. Besides, Ford told me about his student loans coming due.” He shrugged. “I know you had less scholarship money than he did. So...”
Macie stepped back, allowing him to enter her apartment. Logic. He’d just blindsided her with logic. She’d been prepared to tell him everything, basically pitch him the plan. He sat the file on her coffee table. The need to hug him overwhelmed her. He’d done all of that work for her. Without her asking. Without her begging, which she’d been fully prepared to do. He really was the guy she’d ‘met’ online. She just needed to show him she was that girl.
“Zac...” she whispered. He turned toward her. Nerves racked her body as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her head fitted perfectly against his shoulder. She relaxed against him as his hands touched her waist. “I was ... You’re never late.”
He squeezed her gently. “Not usually, but it’s been known to happen.”
“Don’t let it happen again.” She let go, realizing how that sounded. It sounded way too... girlfriendy? Needy?
Zac’s mouth twisted into a knot. “You were... worried about me?”
“You’re never late.” Macie sat on the futon, hoping that would be the end of it. She wanted to say more, to tell him she was his mystery girl. God, she hated how she lied. “Show me what you brought?”
Zac settled in next to her, but Macie could feel the tension rolling off him. She closed her eyes. She’d royally fucked this up already. It was time to get back on track. Refocus on the plan to start her own business, and not on the plan to get Zac to see her for who she really was.
BIPOLAR? NO, THAT WAS not how bipolar people act. Macie didn’t suddenly worry about him after years of animosity. Something else was going on. What would Ford call it? Transference. Yes, that was it. Macie transferred her emotions onto Zac’s tardiness. That made more sense. Focusing would be a better idea.
“So, it’s not that hard. I can set you up as a corporation, but the fees can be high once you take in the city and state requirements.” Zac rubbed his hand over his face. “You could probably get away with no business license for a month or so if we don’t incorporate right away, but that leaves you at risk for liability. Personally, I mean.”
“A corporation would protect all this?” Macie deadpanned as she motioned around her small apartment. “I think I’ll be fine.”
Zac shook his head but hid his growing smile. “Fair enough. Other than selling your art, you didn’t tell me what this business was for.”
Macie stood and paced the short room. She kept
