The Art of Zen, page 14
“Mm-hmm,” Tia sighed. “I like that.”
“Are you kidding me?” Vivian cried. She reached across the table and smacked Tia’s hand, causing her to drop her fork in the process. “Would you pay attention?”
“I am paying attention,” Tia defended herself.
“What did I just say?” Vivian demanded.
Tia picked up her fork and sat up straight as she looked at an irritated Vivian. “You said you’d have the frittata.”
“Ten minutes ago!” Vivian laughed. “What is going on with you?”
“I’m sorry, I’m distracted.”
“You think?” Vivian snickered.
“Wait.” Tia stopped as what Vivian said sunk in. “You are not going to make my paintings a coloring book!”
“I finally got your attention. Are you working, creating a new painting in your mind, or is this about The Chadwick?” Vivian’s mouth dropped open in surprise when Tia averted her eyes and a deep shade of pink crept into her cheeks. “Did you have sex with him?”
“Lower your voice,” Tia admonished. “No, I did not have sex with him. Why are you so fixated on my sex life?”
“Because you’re not.”
“That might change,” Tia disclosed with a soft smile.
Vivian raised a brow and propped her chin in her hand. She was anxious to hear what put this silly grin on her best friend’s face and hoped it would continue. The glow was beautiful on Tia. “Do tell.”
Tia took a drink of her sangria and began to fill Vivian in on the previous day. “I overslept yesterday and didn’t show up at the restaurant until after noon.”
“Oh, no,” Vivian groaned. “With how stressed out it sounds like Spencer has been, I’m sure that didn’t go over well.”
“You have no idea.”
While Tia recounted the events of the day, Vivian listened with interest. She was shocked to hear that Spencer demanded to see Tia in his office. Her eyes popped open wide, and her jaw dropped when she found out he ripped a piece of Tia’s work. A loud gasp escaped her lips when Tia told her what she saw in the kitchen with Ainsley and Mario.
“Oh, wow!” Vivian exclaimed. “Why am I only hearing about this now? Why didn’t you call me last night?”
“I was so upset, I just wanted to be alone. I ordered a pizza and thought I’d probably call you after I ate. When I opened the door to get my dinner, Spencer was standing there with a bottle of wine.”
“How did you not know it was him? Did you buzz him up without asking who it was?”
“Oh, geez,” Tia mumbled. “You and him both on that topic. Rose’s Trattoria is like clockwork with their deliveries, so I fully expected it to be them. The pizza arrived about a minute after Spencer got there.”
“And?” Vivian wondered.
“And Mr. Smooth finagled himself a dinner invitation by paying for the pizza.”
“It’s the least he could do,” Vivian commented.
“We had dinner and wine and he apologized for his poor demeanor lately.”
“Did you tell him what you saw in the kitchen?”
“I did,” Tia answered. “It was difficult to bring up, but I felt like he had to know. I guess he walked in right after I did.”
They both sat back as their entrees were served. Vivian cut into her frittata while Tia took a bite of chef salad.
“Well, those two have to be over,” Vivian stated.
“Oh, they are. According to Spencer, he broke up with her the previous night and this was her way of trying to win him back.” Tia left out what Spencer disclosed to her on the topic. She knew he would want it kept confidential.
“Are you two on the same page now with the timing of the mural?” Vivian asked.
“Yes. I told him I’ll be there Monday on time and it should be done in two weeks.”
“Ok.” Vivian set her fork down and took a drink of her sangria. “It sounds like the two of you have found a common ground. Now tell me what the smile is all about.”
The soft smile made another appearance as Tia also drank her sweet wine. Her voice was just above a whisper as she confided in her friend. “He kissed me.”
Vivian smiled right along with her. “Finally. Now tell me how it was.”
“Unexpected,” Tia admitted. “I had no idea there was any interest. On his part, or mine. I mean, I think he’s attractive, just look at him. But, I had no idea there would be any spark inside of me, or between us until we kissed and now he’s all I can think about.”
“How was it?” Vivian repeated.
“Amazing,” Tia breathed. “His lips were warm and soft, but firm and demanding at the same time. His arms were strong around me, his shoulders are broad and firm. The feel of his face against mine, the smell of him...” She trailed off with a dreamy sigh.
“Oh, wow,” Vivian chuckled. “You’ve got it bad.”
“I don’t want to have it bad for him! He’s everything I don’t like in a man.”
“Clearly he’s not if you’re having feelings for him.”
“I don’t know if they’re feelings. Maybe they are. I drew him while I cleared my head in Central Park. A woman watched me working without me knowing, and she said something along the lines of, ‘Wow, you must really love him.’ I do not love him. Yes, he’s attractive, and yes he’s nice to talk to, and yes, he’s an amazing kisser, and will you please stop looking at me like that!” Tia stopped her rambling to snap at Vivian as she sat across from her with an amused smile on her face.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this flustered. It looks good on you.”
“I don’t know what to think,” Tia confessed.
“Where did you leave it?”
“I told him I need time. He just broke up with Ainsley and I was caught off guard.”
“How much time?” Vivian wondered.
“You sound like him,” Tia responded. When Vivian only stared at her waiting for a response, Tia continued. “I told him to let me finish the mural. He agreed and asked if he could take me to dinner to celebrate once it’s done.” Tia fought the sigh that begged to escape. “I told him, yes, but I have to get the mural done.”
“And until then?” Vivian questioned.
“Until then I work,” Tia confirmed. She looked past Vivian’s shoulder at the shops that beckoned. “And shop. There’s a Michael Kors handbag in that window I think I may need.”
Vivian held her tongue. She was all for shopping, after all, that’s what they planned for their day. To know Spencer kissed Tia and to see Tia flustered had her intrigued. Paris beckoned in two weeks, but she saw nothing wrong with stopping by the restaurant on Monday for personal and professional reasons.
Monday morning, the cab pulled up outside of the restaurant. As Tia paid her fare and wished the driver a good day, she noticed the black BMW in front of her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the car door open and Spencer step onto the sidewalk. He wore a black suit with a classic white shirt, paired with a black silk tie with white geometric patterns. Tia felt frumpy in her paint-splattered leggings and white t-shirt but knew their work clothes were very different. If her heart skipped one beat to see him, it skipped two when she noticed his face scruffy with growth. Spencer always looked so polished and perfect. It was nice to see him with a more relaxed look.
“Good morning,” Spencer greeted with a smile.
“Good morning.” Tia returned his smile and walked with him to the front door. “Bright and early, as promised.”
“I appreciate it.” Spencer stopped when they reached the door and pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Yes?” he asked when Tia stared at him.
“Um... nothing... it’s just...” she stammered. She gave herself a moment to calm her nerves, then ran a hand over her cheeks and down her chin, indicating the growth of hair on his face. “Nice touch.”
“Thank you,” Spencer replied. “You mentioned something about scruff. I can do scruff.”
“You wear it well.” She nearly sighed. Her fingers itched to trail along his jawline and feel the stubble.
Spencer slid the key into the lock and turned to Tia before he opened the door and gave her a playful grin. “Want to feel it?”
“Yes,” Tia blurted, then giggled as she realized what she said and corrected herself. “I mean, no.”
“You sure? Because you said yes.” He didn’t give her a chance to protest, simply took her hand and placed it against his cheek.
Tia fought the blush that threatened to creep up her neck. His cheek was firm against her palm. Cool with the early morning air. The stubble on his face was both silky and rough against her fingertips as she allowed herself a few seconds to indulge. She pulled her hand away and held onto her crossbody bag. “It’s a good look on you.”
“Thanks, but don’t get used to it. I don’t shave on weekends, and normally I’m ok with that. Come Monday, I get rid of it. It’s driving me a little nuts.”
“Shouldn’t,” she answered with a shake of her head. “I like it.”
“You like it enough to pick up where we left off on Friday?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
“No,” Tia said quickly. “None of that.”
Spencer unlocked the door and stepped back to let her in first. “What about when you finish the mural?”
“I said I’d go to dinner with you, I never said I was going to make out with you.”
“We weren’t making out on Friday, but I’m up for it if that’s what you want.”
“That’s enough,” Tia decided. She set her bag down on a table by the mural.
“Coffee?” Spencer offered.
“I would love some, thank you.” When Spencer walked into the kitchen, Tia turned and studied her work. She had to take a few steps back to see it in its entirety. To be up on the scaffolding and even when she began to work on solid ground, made her forget how large it was. With a glance behind her to make sure she was alone, she turned back to the mural to say goodbye. Distancing herself toward the end of her work was her normal process, saying goodbye was crucial to let it go in her heart. She placed her hands flush against the wall. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked over her work. One tear trailed down her cheek as she sniffled and released her attachment. This was no longer her mural, it was Spencer’s. She turned when she heard Spencer’s footsteps approach her.
“It’s impressive,” he complimented. “Please tell me you don’t have to go back on the scaffolding.” Spencer offered a mug of coffee to Tia, his eyes widened when he saw the sadness on her face. “What’s wrong?”
Tia blinked the moisture out of her eyes, and accepted the mug from Spencer. “Nothing.”
“Then why are you crying?” he asked, his voice full of concern.
“Just saying goodbye.” Her voice quivered on her admission.
Spencer could see real pain in her eyes. He wasn’t artistic by any means, but he understood what it was like to build something and then let others enjoy it. “You’ve done a great job.”
“Thank you. It’s no longer mine. It now belongs to you.”
He found himself getting a little choked up with her, to know what a gift it was to receive, even if he did pay for it. He stepped closer to her and slid his arm around her shoulders.
The contact felt good. Tia never had anyone comfort her when the time came to say goodbye. She indulged and rested her head on his shoulder. Her heart picked up speed when she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head. She stepped back from him. “I don’t want to get your suit dirty and I better get to work.”
Spencer understood her need for distance. If he stayed close to her much longer, neither one of them would get any work done. He gave her a nod, then turned to look at the mural. “Two weeks? Looks done to me.”
Tia’s emotions subsided as she studied her work with him. “I see a few things that need to be tweaked. It’s almost done.”
“How do you know when to stop?”
“The great Leonardo da Vinci once said, ‘Art is never finished, only abandoned’.” She gave a subtle shrug. “The painting lets me know.”
“Seriously?” he asked, confused, though his blue eyes sparkled with humor. “Do you hear voices?”
“Sometimes,” Tia whispered as she played along. She set her mug down and started to prep her paints. “Go, Spencer. You have work to do and so do I.”
“See you at noon for lunch.”
Tia focused on her work. Final touches were made on trees, flowers, and foliage in Central Park. She barely stopped to take a break, only when she needed water, or bathroom breaks couldn’t wait any longer. During those rests, her mind drifted to Spencer. Did he forgo shaving from the weekend just to have the facial hair she mentioned she liked? Over the weekend, her thoughts were all over the place. Had his thoughts about her consumed his days? She forced herself to focus. The final touches on her work were important and time-consuming. Letting her mind drift to Spencer and his thoughts and feelings wouldn’t help her finish.
When noon rolled around, she blinked out of her artistic reverie when she smelled lunch. Carlos appeared periodically to walk past her and say hello whenever he walked to Spencer’s office. Mario was conveniently gone for the day. She guessed that Friday’s circumstances were why he wasn’t there but didn’t ask. The smell of something magical wafted through the room. She pressed a hand to her stomach as it growled.
“You hungry, Tia?” Carlos called.
“Starving,” she responded. “I didn’t realize how much until just now. What are we having?”
“Chicken tortilla soup. Have a seat,” he offered.
“Give me a minute to clean up.” Tia set her paints aside and went to the bathroom to wash her hands. As she came back into the room and saw two bowls placed on the table and Spencer sitting at the table, the sound of the front door caught her attention.
“Hello!” Vivian greeted when she walked into the restaurant.
“Hi!” Tia waved. She stood up from the table and walked to Vivian with the intent to hug her. She didn’t want to mess up her friend’s suit, so they opted for comical air kisses instead. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the area and thought I’d stop by to see your progress.” She nodded hello to Spencer. “I leave for Paris next week and I’m booked solid, but had a little time today. Oh, Tia,” she gushed. “This is fabulous!” She pulled a camera out of her bag and started snapping shots.
Tia rolled her eyes and smiled at Spencer. “She’s like a proud parent.”
“She should be,” he commented. “Vivian, would you like to join us for lunch?”
“There’s plenty here,” Carlos said with a grin. “Have a seat, I’ll get you a bowl.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Vivian made herself comfortable across from Tia, unable to resist a playful grin as Tia looked at her suspiciously. This was a nice turn of events. She’d be able to see Tia and Spencer together and size up their situation. She thanked Carlos when he set a steaming bowl of soup in front of her. The spices were fragrant, the chunks of chicken were savory. The soup was topped with strips of fried tortillas and a generous dollop of sour cream. “Oh, my,” she sighed when she took a taste. “If this is how you eat every day, I’ve been missing out.”
“It’s always great to see you,” Tia stated. “But really, what are you doing here?”
Spencer gave Tia a playful wink and grinned between the two women. He turned his attention to Vivian. “Are you here to see her mural, or because Tia told you what happened between us Friday evening?”
“What happened?” Carlos asked from the bar. “Did you two finally have sex? What?” he asked innocently when Spencer turned his blue-eyed glare on him. “The way you two banter, it’s bound to happen.”
“I agree,” Vivian said. She nodded at Carlos before he walked back into the kitchen, then turned to Spencer. “I’m here because I have an honest interest in my client’s work, but also because she’s my best friend. Therefore, I’m entitled to be a little nosy.”
“A little,” Tia snorted. “You’re nosy, pushy, and embarrassing the way you take pictures of my work.”
“That’s why you love me,” Vivian stated. “And I take pictures of your work because you don’t. You need to document what you have, then print the best ones for your portfolio.”
“I haven’t needed a portfolio in years,” Tia said with an air of haughtiness.
“Wait a minute.” Spencer looked between Tia and Vivian. “You don’t document your work?”
“Here comes a lecture,” Tia muttered.
Spencer gave Tia’s foot a playful nudge under the table. “No lecture, but Vivian is right. You need to document your work. What if something happened to it?”
“Oh, God.” Tia held a hand to her heart and closed her eyes. “Please don’t say that. The very thought of something like that happening makes me sick to my stomach.”
“Then start documenting it,” Spencer urged.
“Oh, I know!” Vivian snapped her fingers with enthusiasm and pulled her planner out of her bag to make a note. “I’ll get a professional photographer to your place this weekend to get what you have there.”
“No,” Tia protested. “You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can. I’m your manager now,” Vivian reminded her.
“Let’s make sure she also has a camera so she can take her own pictures,” Spencer suggested.
Tia’s face was a mask of confusion as her eyes volleyed back and forth between them. “Just because my parents are out of the country, doesn’t mean I need a local set.”
Spencer leaned toward Vivian and tapped his finger on a note in her planner. “Let me know what photographer you find. I might have them come here to photograph the mural.” He addressed Tia. “We’re not acting like your parents-”
“Good,” Tia interrupted. “Because I’m not into the whole ‘daddy’ thing.”
He gave her a half-grin, then continued. “We’re looking out for you. Vivian is your manager, and I’m...” He trailed off, uncertain what his title was.
“Yes,” Vivian encouraged him. “Tell us what you are.”
