Page 28 of Stolen Sun

“If he contacts you in any way, I want to know about it.” His voice is low and threatening.

“Okay. But why?”

“I'm not sure that I trust him.”

His mood has shifted, and he’s quiet as he drives me back to work. After a few minutes, I decide to break the silence.

“Do you remember when you challenged me to paint a feeling?”

“Did you ever do it?”

“I did, and it’s hanging in my house. But I never told anyone it was mine. I said that I bought it locally and didn’t know the artist,” I admit.

“I’d like to see it,” he says, glancing at me.

“I’d like that too.”

“What feeling inspired you?”

I smile to myself at his happier tone. “Let’s see if you can guess when I show you.”

He turns into JV Marketing’s parking lot. Leaving the truck on, he walks around to open my door for me. When both my feet are on the ground, he runs his thumb across my bottom lip and says, “Challenge accepted.”

I smile at him, and he winks.

“Thankyou for lunch.”

“See you Friday,” he answers and gets back into his truck.

Like a true southern gentleman, he even waits until I’m inside before he drives away.

I haven’t heard from Declan since our lunch date, but I’ve thought about him almost nonstop. I’m so thankful I have plans tonight at Joey and Amanda’s to have a way to pass the time. Since my house is in the opposite direction from theirs, I decided to work until it was time to go to their house. Walking through the lobby, I notice through the front window that a piece of paper is flapping on my windshield. I’m surprised Julie didn’t notice solicitors walking through our parking lot. Uncle Joe or Joey usually run them off for her.

When I get to my car, I take the paper out from underneath my windshield wiper to see it’s not an advertisement flyer after all. It’s a handwritten note.

Noel,

I’d like to meet you for dinner this Saturday night. Grant wouldn’t give me your cell number, so I’m resorting to leaving a note for you to find. If you could find it in your heart to see me, I’ve made reservations for us at Chez Fonfon at 7pm.

With love,

Jaclyn

I look around the parking lot wondering how long ago she was here but don’t see anyone lurking around or leaving. Getting into my car, I throw the note onto the passenger seat and drive to Joey and Amanda’s. I suppose I expected her to reach out at some point, but Ihave nothing to say to her. Taking a deep breath, I decide the right thing to do would be to give her whatever closure she's hoping to find.

I pull into the horseshoe driveway in front of the massive red brick house. I grab the bottle of wine from the passenger seat before getting out of the car because wine is the way to Amanda's heart. When I open the front door, I'm bombarded with all the commotion of their five children running around. I make my way into the kitchen, knowing that's where I'll find her.

“Noel!” Amanda exclaims and pulls me into a hug. “I’m so glad you came! Joey invited this friend of his, and I’m not a big fan of his wife,” she whispers.

“Well, I needed a little distraction myself,” I tell her with a smile.

“You know me so well!” She laughs and takes the wine.

While she sets to work opening the bottle and pouring us each a glass, I continue stirring her sauce on the stove. We catch up on life, mostly about her kids' busy schedules, as we sip the wine. Choosing to keep Declan to myself a while longer, I keep up the pretense that work is the only thing going on in my life.

Not long after I arrive, Joey brings the couple he invited into the kitchen. I recognize the man right away as one of our clients. I’ve been involved in several meetings with him, so he introduces me to his wife. She stays in the kitchen while the guys venture into Joey’s bar off of the dining room. While Amanda and I plate dinner and set the table, the other woman stares at her phone without offering to help. It’s pretty obvious why Amanda doesn’t like her before we even sit down to eat.

Dinner is delicious, and the conversation is enjoyable. After helping Amanda clean up, I get roped into putting their three-year-old, Gracie, tobed. By the time I’m able to sneak out of her room, I’m half asleep myself. I tell everyone goodbye and drive home.

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