Page 115 of Lost Love on 6th Street

“Ha, yeah. I don’t know about girlfriend, but . . .”

Purple hair gets a serious expression. “Say no more. Yellow Rose and shot coming up.”

She works quickly, snatching a bottle of whiskey from a high shelf and pouring a shot. She slides it over to me. “You need the good stuff.”

I try to laugh. “You didn’t have to—”

“Oh, I did. Trust me. I know how Luke can be.”

I swallow. “You and Luke have . . .”

“No, no. But we’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve seen the shit he gets up to. Of course, it’s been a while since he’s broken a heart, but if you’re the latest, I’m sorry. I thought he was really getting serious.”

I take the shot instead of responding. The whiskey doesn’t burn nearly as much as I’d like it to as it slides down my throat.

The bartender works on making my Yellow Rose, managing to field conversation with me as she does. “You know, men in this industry are commitment-phobes. When they’re ready, they’ll just pick a woman and decide they’re ready. It’s ridiculous.”

“He seemed pretty ready to me,” I say, glancing back at the stage where the cellist is really going to town, sawing at her instrument.

“Well, maybe he is, but he scared himself. Isn’t that what happens with men? They always talk themselves out of a good thing.” She places the drink in front of me. I unzip my fanny pack and fish out my wallet.

“On the house, babe.”

I shake my head. “No, really, I—”

“I insist. It’s not every day Luke Wyatt fucks up.”

It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks so.

“Just know, he’ll be fine without you. I’m sure if you go off and live your own beautiful life, he’ll realize one day you’re the one that got away. They always do.”

I try to smile and thank her, but all I manage is a grimace and a nod of my head.

He’ll be fine without me.

Austin will be fine without me.

Hell, what do I have going for me here, anyway? No job and no prospects. I’m just a person in a sea of people. At least back in Chicago, I own those streets. Here, I’ll walk around and see Luke everywhere I go. Especially if I start doing event photography, I’ll be in his world, having to deal with the memories of us and his ghosts.

Above it all, maybe I should give up the ghost. He lied. He betrayed my trust.

From the beginning it was wrong.

So, I’m going to make life right again.

38

LUKE

When Claire’s name pops up on my phone, I’m surprised by how excited I am. We had decided to stay in contact after the revelations we had in her office. But I didn’t expect to hear from her so soon.

I answer, though I’m at my desk: “Claire! Good to hear from you.”

“Hey, Luke, do you have a minute?”

“Yeah, of course.” Mom and I discussed having Claire come out to the house so she could meet Mom, and maybe go through some of the photo albums and things so she could get an idea of who her father was. It’s not a lot to offer, but it’s something.

Claire clears her throat. “Well, I’m sorry that things didn’t work out with you and Eleanor.”

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