Page 6 of Take This Heart
She turns now, fully facing me. “Talented. Celebrated. Used to being the one who gets the last word.”
“You think I don’t listen?”
“I think you don’t like being wrong.”
She’s not wrong there.
I take a step closer. “You hovered over the installation like you were falling in love, right until you gutted it in one sentence.”
She lifts her shoulder. “I never said it wasn’t beautiful. I’m just not willing to sacrifice history for it.”
“You really think you’re the only one in this room who understands intention? Don’t you want to be part of progress?”
“When it matters, yes.”
The silence between us sharpens.
I can’t decide whether I want to kiss her or walk away forever. Both, I think.
Before I can say anything else, I hear my name, and from the way everyone’s turned to stare at me, I think maybe it’s not the first time I’ve been called. I’m too busy watching this obnoxious woman, watching me.
Luna clears her throat at the mic and smiles at me.
“Friends, thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the intersection of community, art, and innovation,” she says.
I tune in and out, too keyed up while standing next to this woman.
“…transforming the way we think about public spaces…”
“…a visionary who’s brought something truly unique to our city…”
I hear the woman groan next to me and turn to glare at her. She looks at me with innocent eyes. Little minx.
“What is your problem?” I say under my breath.
Just as Luna says, “And now, please welcome Milo Lombardi.”
Applause circles through the room.
I step forward, moving to the low stage near the model and blinking beneath the lights.
I give the speech I prepared. It’s smooth, a nice mix of humble and polished. I wonder what the beautiful woman is thinking the entire time. I need to get her name before the night is over. When I finish, the applause is louder. A few of the board members shake my hand, pausing me mid-step. When I look back at the corner where we were standing together, she’s gone.
I find her on the rooftop terrace. I tell myself that I came up here to get space, not that I was hoping to catch a glimpse of her again. She’s there, overlooking the sculpture garden, Spoonbridge and Cherry a touch of whimsy for the towering Basilica of Saint Mary in the background. She’s not overshadowed by the splendor behind her, not in the slightest. I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful than her, and for a second, I allow myself to enjoy the view.
She turns and meets my eyes.
“You again,” she says, but her words have no bite this time. “I didn’t come up here for company.”
“I didn’t come up here for you,” I lie.
She looks away. “But you’re staying.”
“Maybe I like the view.”
She looks at me over her shoulder, the corner of her mouth twitching when she sees my eyes on her. “Are you always so insufferable?”
“Maybe,” I say, stepping closer. “But you haven’t walked away.”
