Magnetic, page 20
“Chickory! Damn!”
The kitten darted off with Stacy running behind him. Layne laughed and looked at the canvases stacked along the wall. The pieces that Alana had described as dark were tucked away in a corner. Layne picked up the painting of herself lying on the bed in Detroit; Stacy had captured everything she felt then. She’d been lost, disillusioned. She set it down and picked up the most recent, and Stacy had portrayed her perfectly—happy, peaceful, and content as she sat wrapped in a blanket watching the sun set on another perfect day.
Layne went to her then, unwilling to be separated by a few walls in the home they shared, drawn like a magnet.
Epilogue
“Welcome to the Sapphire, what may I get for you?”
“A Lebanese tea with extra pine nuts, and I’d like to see your lunch menu.”
Stacy set it on the bar in front of Layne. “Your drink will be just a moment.”
Layne smiled at the woman sitting next to her on the bar stool and pointed at Stacy. “She’s a looker, isn’t she? I might just ask her out.”
“She’s married. Check out the ring finger on her left hand. You’re out of luck, sugar,” the woman deadpanned.
Layne held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger, showing off her own band. “That don’t mean a thing, and I feel lucky.”
Stacy set the drink on the bar. “Have you decided what you want for lunch?”
“You. What’re you doing when you get off work today?”
“I’m going out of town. I’m celebrating my one-year anniversary.” Stacy walked away with a grin.
The woman sitting next to Layne gave her a smug look. “I guess your luck ran dry.”
“I am the luckiest girl in the world, and before this day is over, that woman will be in my bed. I’ll guarantee you that. You, however, are not so lucky because we’re dropping the cat off at your place, and he’s sharpened his claws, Alana.”
“Yippee ki aye,” Alana said drolly.
About the Author
Robin Alexander is the author of the Goldie Award-winning Gloria’s Secret and eleven other novels for Intaglio Publications—Gloria’s Inn, Gift of Time, The Taking of Eden, Love’s Someday, Pitifully Ugly, Undeniable, A Devil in Disguise Half to Death, Gloria’s Legacy, A Kiss Doesn’t Lie and The Secret of St. Claire.
Robin spends her days working with the staff of Intaglio and her nights with her own writings. She still manages to find time to spend with her partner, Becky, and their three dogs and four cats.
You can reach her at robinalex65@yahoo.com. You can visit her website at www.robinalexanderbooks.com and find her on Facebook.
Robin Alexander, Magnetic
