Page 49 of The Photograph

The line goes silent for a few seconds and my heart speeds up.Did something happen to him?“Ann? Is Gabe all right?”

The way she clears her throat propels my heart to the bottom of my stomach, and I hold my breath.

“Gabe’s fine. He’s away and will be back on the nineteenth.”

I uncurl my fist on my chest and exhale slowly. Nine days. “Oh, the day before his birthday. Thank you, Ann, I’ll try him then.” Nestling back in the couch, I ask, “When are we going to try the new Japanese place?”

Ann’s voice is once again smiling. “Cynthia and I are going tomorrow. Come with us.”

Nestled deep in the sofa, I nod. “I would love to, but I don’t want to … encroach on your date.”

I smile at Ann’s chuckle. “You’re not, and Cynthia wants to meet you. I’ll send you the details and will see you tomorrow, Aelin.”

We disconnect. I like Ann. We’re not friends yet, but I’m trying to change that. When I met her on my way out of the penthouse a few weeks ago, we talked about this new Japanese restaurant. I also keep her updated of the progress on Holloway House regularly and on the last day of the work, I sent her a video tour of the house.

Nine days before his birthday.I know exactly what I’ll get him. I grab my tea and cookies and spend the rest of the day in my studio making Gabe’s birthday gift.

****

Standing at the reception of Hanzo restaurant, I grin at Ann’s waving hand.

“My friends are here,” I say to the host who bows slightly before asking me to follow him. As the slim man dressed in a red and gold tunic and fluid back pants leads me to our table, I take in the décor. The warm caramel wooden floor, the silver tree pot plant with slim trunked cherry trees that divides the airy restaurant into square sections. I admire the rectangle benches where couples and foursomes of friends and families gather around bamboo tables.

When I get to the table, I clutch my bag a little tighter and take a deep breath as I smile a little too wide at the two women. “Hi.”

Ann stands up to hug me. “Hello, Aelin.” With her hand on my arm, she twists toward the woman who’s remained seated. “This is Cynthia, my wife.”

I turn toward a woman with striking green eyes and blond dreadlocks held in a high ponytail who’s wearing a black pinstripe vest. She studies me for long seconds as I sit across from her and leans in over the glossy table.

“So, you’re Aelin.”

After setting my purse on the table, I smile at her. “I am, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her fingers intertwine with her wife’s. “Annie told me you were a good friend to her when the fire broke out, thank you.”

My face warms up and I flash my eyes to Ann’s grin. “My pleasure, really.”

Cynthia leans back and tilts her head to the side while giving me the once over. “Does this

mean we’re buying you dinner?”

I giggle. “No, but my first two cocktails are definitely on you.”

Cynthia gawks at me before a small chuckle escapes her glossy lips. She winks and kisses Ann’s hand. “You were right, Annie, I like her.”

We dine on the sublime food and sake, talk about life on an island, and make a pro and

con list about the city versus island lifestyle. We find out we have similar tastes in music and promise to go to the next Shadowgraphs concert when they’re in town.

Too quickly, it’s time for us to leave, but unwilling to go our separate ways just yet, we stop in a bar for a couple of drinks that Cynthia pays for.

Around midnight, I say my goodbyes, promising to catch up soon for the opening of a

gallery the next month. I hug them tightly and climb into the car I’ve ordered. Once home, I leave Cara a voicemail, remove my make up, and fall into bed.

****

I’m in my studio finishing the sketches for the two new rooms I’ll surprise Vania and the

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