'No, no, of course not. I just wanted to talk with Marc. See what kind of work he was doing.'
'Why?'
'I wanted to see, that's all,' she said defensively. 'I was passing and I thought I'd stop in. I might open my own place one of these days. I miss being in business, you know.'
I nodded, but I didn't know. I'd never thought about owning my own business, or even running anyone else's. These last few days did have a certain element of fun to them, I had to admit, but I was riding this bike with my grandmother grasping the seat firmly. I had no interest in seeing if I could pedal all on my own.
I wanted to ask her why, if she wanted her own business so much, she didn't just open one. But I realized I probably knew the answer. I'd been saying I wanted to be an artist since I was a kid, and so far I had nothing to show for it. So instead I said good-bye and watched Carrie walk down the street. She walked quickly, looking around to see who else she might run into, but when she disappeared around the corner, I opened the door to the shop.
Inside the place was almost empty, aside from a few boxes Nancy hadn't been able to fit in her car. Marc was alone drawing an arch on the wall that divided the shop and diner.
'Is that the opening? It seems small,' I said.
'In order to maintain the structural integrity of the place, I have to keep the arch pretty small, but it's big enough for two people to walk through.' He grabbed me and we leaned up against the wall, both fitting into the space outlined for the arch. 'See?' he said. I saw. 'Maybe it's too much room. Maybe I should make it smaller.' He pulled me closer. I couldn't tell if he was flirting with me because he liked me or making fun of me because maybe I liked him, so I just moved away to another section of the wall.
'If you're not tearing the whole wall down, you'll need to take care of that.' I pointed to a hole in the wall near the corner.
'That mouse hole?'
'If that's a mouse hole, then he has a glandular problem. I could put my fist in it.'
'I never saw it before.' Marc leaned down to examine it.
'It had shelves in front of it, and piles of fabric.'
'I'll fix it, boss,' he said, smiling. He was excited to be there, I could tell. And maybe even excited to see me every day. Or maybe that was just my wishful thinking.
'Why don't I get some coffee?' I suggested.
'I could use the caffeine,' he nodded.
'Late night?' I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
He blushed slightly. 'I was up late, going over the plans for this place.'
'Oh, please. I've heard about your reputation.'
'I've heard it too. I wish I got laid as often as people say, but I actually I spent my night alone.' He smiled briefly, then looked down. 'I better get back to work.'
'I better get that coffee.' I had to get out of there because I knew I was smiling and I couldn't stop. I was almost out the door when I heard a banging.
'We're closed,' I called back. There was a sign on the door that said CLOSED in big black letters, but some people must need more than that to take a hint. The banging started again.
Prepared to be polite and firm to whatever fanatical quilter I would find on the other side of the door, I pulled it open. Ryan was standing there.
'Hi,' he said as he stood just outside the door. 'Your grandmother said you were here.' He looked toward Marc but didn't acknowledge him. Marc even waved hello but got no response. Ryan started to take a step inside with the same angry expression he'd had on the sidewalk in New York, but I put my hand on his stomach to stop him.
'What do you want?'
'I came to see you. I thought we could talk.'
I looked back at Marc, who was watching the scene with a big grin on his face. I wanted to stay and figure out what was so funny to him, but I knew it was better to get Ryan out of there. 'Let's go for a walk,' I said.
'I'll start knocking down the wall,' Marc called after me.
'Tomorrow,' I shouted back. 'Tonight is the club and I don't want any plaster or nails falling on anyone's head. And don't get any dust on that pile of quilts by the cash register. Nancy will kill me if the quilts get dirty.'
'Whatever you want,' Marc said. The grin even wider. Ryan moved toward him, but I pushed him out the door.
'What are you doing?' I demanded.
'What am I doing? What is it with you and that guy?'
'That guy? The guy who is renovating my grandmother's shop?' Ryan wasn't even the jealous type, or hadn't been until he dumped me and Marc came along. Of course, until he broke off the engagement I had been one of those in-love saps who didn't notice any other men on the planet. But if I was noticing one now, it wasn't really any of Ryan's business. 'I don't want to have this conversation standing on the street,' I said.
'So let's walk,' he said as he took my hand. Since I had no choice, I followed as he led me down the street. We turned toward the river, walking two blocks to the edge of town. The river was looking gray and still, reflecting an unusually dark midmorning sky. It was about to storm. 'How long have you known that guy?'
'Oh my God, Ryan. I met him the day after you broke up with me. I told you already. He's my grandmother's handyman.'
'I don't like him. I don't think you should.'
I thought for a second, but only for a second. 'Well, I do like him. He's nice. He's funny. He's really into old buildings and making furniture.' Ryan rolled his eyes. 'Okay, then. He hasn't hurt me, and I like that in a man.'
'Sleep with him, then,' Ryan spat.
'Maybe I will,' I shouted. At that moment I would have slept with Marc just for the revenge.
Ryan walked away from me, back in the direction we came from. The sky opened up and rain started falling on my head, but I couldn't move. What was I doing? I loved Ryan. I wanted to marry him, didn't I? Maybe he'd had a change of heart and I didn't give him the chance to tell me. Marc was a nice distraction, but was a flirtation with him really worth putting a future with Ryan in jeopardy?
I headed up the street toward him. I would catch up and we would talk. I would listen, without being angry or hurt or defensive, and whatever he told me I could deal with. I hoped.
CHAPTER 19
I hurried back toward Ryan, but I couldn't find him. Hoping he was looking for me, with the same need to clear the air, I went back toward the shop. And I was right. When I turned the corner I saw Ryan outside the shop. But I had gotten his intention all wrong. He was standing over Marc, who was flat on his back on the sidewalk.
'Stay away from her,' Ryan shouted and stormed off.
I ran over to Marc.
'Are you okay?' I helped him to his feet.
'Fine. Nice guy, your fiance.'
'Ex-fiance,' I said as I watched Ryan get in his car a few blocks down and drive away. 'I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say.'
'Don't apologize, for starters,' Marc said as he gingerly touched his jaw and winced.
'Why would he hit you? Did he say?'
'No. But he didn't have to,' he laughed. 'He sure takes it badly when somebody gets in his way.'
I was as much embarrassed by Ryan's behavior as I was touched by Marc's reaction. A few seconds ago I was running after Ryan, and now I was watching him walk away while I stood by Marc. The whole situation seemed to be getting out of hand.
Marc didn't seem to need bandages, and I wanted to do something for him, so I headed to the local grocery and grabbed a six-pack of imported beer. Maybe it wouldn't make up for Ryan's behavior, but it was something. And I'd have something fattening to calm my nerves.
