Page 62 of Thorn Kiss
I snorted. I wasn't sure who Ms. Carlson was, but I would have assumed she was a monster if I didn't know better. “When do you have them?”
“Come to the one on Friday,” Avery said. “It’s one of my favorites. Oh, let me show you the other space I was talking about since it’s yours to use. I can even get you a key if you want. Are you a late-night artist?”
“Sometimes,” I said. “I certainly have been this week. I was up until midnight last night, but I've been known to work until early morning. It's just like that occasionally.”
She nodded in understanding. “Yep. I'm like that too. I have my own little space, but it's private. Sometimes I'll just work there until Levi or Mateo come looking for me. Then they lure me out with food and sex.”
Our laughs echoed as I followed her down the hall. We passed the locked door she'd mentioned earlier, and stopped in front of an open one.
It gave way to a much smaller room, but one with plenty of natural light. There was a desk and a plush chair, along with a sofa that looked ridiculously comfortable. Plants grew in the corners, keeping everything alive and warm.
“This is perfect. You're keeping this space for artists who visit?”
Avery nodded. “Yes. Hopefully we'll have more after you. It's only annually for now, so I'm a little sad it'll be empty the rest of the year. But I'm excited. It'll be good for Whynot.”
It would be good to work here, I realized. As much as I loved the loft space at the hotel, there was something about this room that made my artist heart leap.
“You can't get rid of me now,” I sighed. “Hating on my ex with me and giving me a cool studio space? I’m never leaving.”
Avery beamed. “I think you'll quickly learn there's nothing I love more than hating on an ex.”
At the edge of my thoughts, I felt the creativity whispering, promising something new. Something I'd always dreamed of.
I drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m really glad I came here. I think I needed this.”
“I’m glad you did too,” Avery said. “Do you want to go grab a bite to eat? I have to be back over here after lunch, but I have time before then.”
“Can you just leave in the middle of the day?” I asked
“Oh yeah. I just flip the sign at the front. People know we work when we want most of the time, believe me.”
“What about that couple?”
“They take the longest meals known to man. They know I’ll be back before closing. Plus, they have my number.”
The idea of being able to just flip a sign and be able to do whatever I wanted nearly made me giggle. “Maybe we could go visit June too . . .” I trailed off then blushed.
Oh god.
Those words had tumbled out before I’d taken a moment to think how it might sound.
Avery raised a brow and studied me a little closer, her cheeks turning pink. “My brotherandmy best friend?”
My mouth dropped. “I didn't mean . . . I mean, I?—”
“It's okay. This must be what Austin and Dallas felt like. Except I'm not an idiot. I heard about thekiss.”
I grimaced. God, I was going to die of embarrassment. Why did I always put my foot in my mouth?
Avery held up her hands. “The only thing I have to say is that I don't care what you do to Dallas, but June is the love of my life. She deserves to be cherished after everything she’s been through. But also, she's an adult so if y’all have a fling, that's your business.”
Then, she got a devious look on her face.
“But who knows, Madi. Maybe you'll stay.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
June
