Time Stands Still by E. L. Todd

Author:E. L. Todd [Todd, E. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fallen Publishing
Published: 2016-10-07T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

Silke

The timer went off, and I pulled the sculpture out of the furnace. I used gloves thicker than dragon hide and placed it on the cement countertop where it could cool and harden further. Once it was room temperature, I would add the final glaze and color.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

I almost knocked the sculpture onto the floor because I was caught by surprise. I thought I locked the front door but I probably forgot because I was running late together. Arsen took too long in the shower and we barely got Abby to school on time.

I threw my gloves off before I turned to my first customer of the day. “You aren’t. I just—” I halted in mid-sentence when I saw Pike standing there. He wore a collared shirt with dark jeans. Vans were on his feet—the same ones he used to wear.

He was the last person I expected to walk in.

He put his hands in his pockets and approached the sculpture sitting on the counter. “I’m not sure what it is, but I have no doubt it’ll be great when you’re finished.”

I tucked my hair behind my ear as the nerves got to me. I purposely left my wedding ring at home because it would get covered in gunk if I wore it at work. Guilt washed through me in waves. I felt like a terrible person for being anywhere near Pike without wearing it. “Thanks…”

He examined it for a few more seconds before he turned to me. “The door was unlocked.” He stepped away from the sculpture and watched me with his piercing blue gaze. It wasn’t intimidating like Arsen’s. It was more thoughtful and expressive.

“Yeah…I always forget to lock it.”

“I’m sorry. I should have knocked.”

“No, it’s okay. You’re fine.” My voice shook because I was nervous. When I saw him at the art gallery, other people were around so it didn’t feel so intimate. But now we were alone—completely. I would never stop feeling guilty for the way I treated him. He told me he loved me—and I left him. “What brings you here?” I tried to change the subject as soon as possible.

“I’m having dinner with the manager of Pieces and Cracks. I told him about your work and I thought I could make an introduction or you.” Pieces and Cracks was one of the largest art distributors in the world. They could get pieces in museums, galleries, and even stores. It was a big deal.

“Uh…you’re serious?”

He finally smiled. “Absolutely. I’ve been selling my artwork to him for years. But I know he’s interested in sculptures as well. I already put in a good work for you, but it would really help if you met him in person.”

I wanted to pass out—then and there. “I don’t even know what to say. That’s so nice of you.”

“Friends forever, right?” His voice didn’t contain his bitterness but the sadness was in his eyes. He discreetly glanced down to my left hand, searching for the wedding ring I wore to the gallery.

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