Trying to park my unwieldy pickup on Broughton Street in downtown Savannah was a nerve-wracking experience, both for me and the homeless guy sitting under the eaves of the vacant storefront next to me. I normally considered myself pretty adept at handling my truck, but my mind was scattered and tired today.
I finally got the truck situated snugly alongside the curve without incident and climbed out, not bothering to lock up behind me. If someone needed something out of my truck that badly, I’d just as soon not have to pay to get a window fixed.
Heading up the street past the Trustees Theatre with its large old school marquis, I did a double take.
The Princess Bride, One Night Only.
I seriously did not need to start seeing signs pointing to Jack everywhere I went, but there it was in black and white. Shaking my head to dislodge memories of the ridiculous flirting we’d done when we first met, one–upping each other with lines from the movie, I crossed the street.
I’d deliberately parked far away from Colt’s office on Bull Street where he worked with a team handling the private banking needs of the high net worth families of Savannah and surrounding areas. I needed time to walk, clear my head and get my game face on. I could also hit Blick, the art supply store, before heading back and not have to lug stuff around town. After lunch with Colt, I also needed to shop for a dress.
The sun shone valiantly through the canopy of live oaks in historic Johnson Square outside Colt’s office, creating a crisscross of shadows. I passed the fountain, putting flight to a kit of scrounging pigeons, and found a bench dappled in sunlight where I could text and wait for Colt.
Now that I’d resolutely put the idea of any kind of future with Jack out of commission, an idea that made my chest ache, I needed to address the situation with Colt one way or another. He’d intimated he wanted to be my date for my art opening at the Westin, and I’d been putting him off. I wished there were more time before the event so I could mourn and come to grips with everything that had just happened with Jack. Then at least, I could give Colt a fair chance. But to be honest, I wanted to go back to being on my own.
I looked up in time to see the tall, well-defined frame of Colt striding across the street in a dark suit, accompanied by an elegant and exotic creature in impossibly high red heels and a grey pencil-skirt and fitted jacket trotting as fast as possible next to him. Her dark hair was swept into an elegant chignon. Yikes. I couldn’t remove my eyes from her, and I felt instantly dowdy, plain, and unkempt. And really, really short.
“Hi, Sweetheart.” Colt leaned down, and wafting expensive cologne onto me, kissed my cheek. “This is Karina Knowles, she works with me. Karina, this … is Keri Ann Butler.”
Karina’s exotic face with its flawless skin and almond shaped eyes immediately broke into a smile of beautiful teeth as she stretched out a soft hand to shake mine.
“Wow, you’re really stunning,” I said, out loud, and immediately felt my face flush warm.
Karina tilted her head and laughed delightedly. “Colton. You were right, she’s delightful.” Her British accent took me by surprise. “Nice to meet you Keri Ann, I’ve heard lots of great things about you. And thank you.”
“You’re British?” I blurted.
“Mmmm, well I was born here, grew up there, British father, Indonesian mother, time in London, time in Kuala Lumpur, and now Savannah, Georgia. The quick history.”
Wow.
“Karina overheard me talking to you about your big event and offered her input on places to shop, get your hair done, etc.”
I instinctively brought a hand up to my hair. I hadn’t even thought about getting my hair done. Or makeup. I blinked.
“Yes, here,” said Karina, handing me a thick business card. “I called and set up your appointments, I hope you don’t mind. It’s just that I had to pull some strings, they’re normally pretty booked up. One for today and also the day of the event to do the styling.”
I nodded, like I totally understood. “Uh, thanks. Thank you.” Spa appointments were a bit alien to me, Jazz’s attempts to keep me groomed notwithstanding. I had a feeling the place Karina was talking about was altogether different than the Korean girls who painted stars on my toes for Fourth of July.
She smiled and reeled off the boutiques I should visit after lunch. When I’d said she was stunning, it was an understatement. Why wasn’t Colt dating her?
I glanced at Colt, who winked at me. Then we said goodbye to Karina.
As we strolled down the street, I became aware Colt hadn’t taken my hand. He’d been holding my hand a lot recently, and the fact that he didn’t was unnerving to say the least, even though part of me was relieved. I slid my eyes over to him as we walked. He seemed lost in thought. We reached the small gastro pub, and he held the door open for me as we entered.
Colt removed his suit jacket and rolled up his crisp white sleeves as we sat down. “So, have you seen him again?” he asked over the menu.