Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
He caught Jamie as they came back from lunch. “I need you to go pick up the chandelier for the drawing room in Pearl River tonight,” he said.
“Uh. Tonight? Could they deliver it?”
“No. A buddy’s doing me a favor.”
“Dude, ordinarily I would, but I have plans tonight. Since it’s your buddy, maybe you could pick it up?” they asked hopefully.
“No can do.” He gave no further explanation.
“Marty, seriously. I have a date. Can someone else do it?”
Marty’s eyebrows were bushy, aggressive things, and now they drew together in a V Jamie recognized. This was not going to go well for them.
“If you’re only interested in working during certain hours, I know lots of guys who would be thrilled to have your job.”
There was no arguing with that. “Yeah, okay, no problem,” Jamie said.
“I’ll text you the info,” Marty said. “Don’t let me down.”
“Fuck!” Jamie said after Marty had walked away.
See, Mom, this is why I can’t just get some time off for the wedding. Their mother had texted multiple times in the last few days to remind Jamie of their responsibilities.
Jamie grabbed their phone and texted Edgar before they got back to work.
Jamie: I’m really excited to see you tonight, but my boss sprung a last-minute job on me. Is there any chance I can compel you to come on a random road trip with me instead of watching a movie? I’ll bring snacks!
Jamie would just have time to shower off the filth and make groceries before it would be time to go to Edgar’s. If Edgar was willing, that was. He took long enough to respond that Jamie worried he’d back out—and they couldn’t blame him. Going on an errand wasn’t most people’s idea of a good date. But finally, just as Jamie was finishing for the day, he replied.
Edgar: If you’ll be there, then I’d love to go.
Jamie’s heart fluttered.
***
“We’re picking up a haunted chandelier?” Edgar asked when Jamie explained, sounding horrified.
“No, no. Not haunted,” Jamie assured him. “A chandelier for the haunt. My boss needs it to be picked up now, apparently. Asshole,” they muttered.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Sorry to change our plans,” Jamie added, feeling a bit flustered now that they were face-to-face.
“It’s okay. Thanks. For giving this another shot. I—just thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Jamie opened the passenger door for Edgar. He smelled wonderful, like tea and plants and something darker. “Hi,” Jamie said for the second time.
“Hey,” Edgar rumbled, and Jamie felt the softest touch to their hair.
Jamie forced themself to leave the touch and get in the truck. They pointed it toward the I-10, and then they were on the road.
Jamie loved to drive. They felt powerful and free behind the wheel, and now that they were on the road with Edgar, picnic in a bag between them, they found they didn’t mind the trip.
“Thanks for doing this with me,” they said.
“You’re welcome,” Edgar said. “I thought…”
“What?”
“When you texted before. When I saw your name, I thought…I thought you were probably cancelling.” He sounded resigned.
“Nope,” Jamie reassured him. “I’m excited to try again.”
Please, please don’t make me regret it, Jamie added in their head.
“Me too,” Edgar said softly. “I just thought maybe…you know…”
“Yeah. People ghost,” they said.
Edgar coughed and fiddled with the air vent. Jamie spent the first few minutes with one eye on the road and the other observing Edgar, watching for sudden movements, expressions of terror, or any of the other behaviors that had appeared on their date the week before, but when none were forthcoming, Jamie relaxed and let their gaze settle comfortably on the road. Edgar seemed a bit tense, yes, but Edgar always seemed a bit tense.
Once they got out of the city, there were few cars on the road, and the swamp grasses that crept toward the highway rippled in the breeze. A large bird soared overhead.
“Broad-winged hawk,” Edgar murmured, pointing at it.
“Are you into birding?” Jamie asked. That was pretty adorable.
“I love birds,” Edgar said. “All animals, really. I wonder if her nest is around here.”
“Well, I’m glad this doesn’t totally suck for you,” Jamie said, relieved.
“It’s perfect. If I could drive, I’d come out into nature all the time.”
“You can’t drive? City boy,” Jamie teased.
“I can, technically, but I don’t. What about you?” Edgar asked. “Did you grow up in New Orleans?”
“No, Metairie. We came into the city a lot, but it was a really different vibe. My sister and I always used to talk about running away and living in New Orleans when we were younger though.”
They’d sit on Emma’s bedroom rug, heads swimming with all the exciting things they’d seen and done that day. They’d plan what colors they were going to paint the intricate details of their wooden Marigny houses. Emma had been in a purple phase and always chose lavender, but Jamie had dreamed up something different every time.