A Girl by Any Other Name (27 page)

“Can I have some?” she pouted.

“You can have whatever you want, baby.” I put the flat square of chocolate halfway in my mouth,

holding it with my lips, and moved toward her. She bit off the other half. A long line of the sticky

caramel center wavered between us before landing on her chin. I made quick work of sucking it off

her. “Damn, I don’t even like chocolate that much, but it tastes so fucking good off your skin.”

“Since when don’t you like chocolate, Tex? We used to pig out on it all the time.”

“I don’t know. I guess a lot of things lost their flavor for me.”

She had a sullen look and I really hadn’t meant to go there.

“Don’t you think it’s weird that we’re like this after all these years? That we love each other

still like this? I worry that it’s too bright of a fire, and we’ll burn out. I don’t want you to regret this,

Cal.”

“I think you want a fire to be bright. After all, who’d want a dim fire? I will never regret

anything I share with you. Don’t ever think that. I loved you then and I love you now. That’s not going

to change. You’re in my heart and you’ll live there forevermore. Do you not feel that?”

“Yeah, I feel it so much it’s like a physical ache. I don’t want this to end.”

“It won’t. We won’t let it. How about another piece?”

She nodded. I unwrapped another of the foil squares, wondering what surprise this had in the

center. I moved it against her lips again, waiting for the chocolate to melt slightly. When it did, I

moved it across her body, using it as a writing utensil to mark her waist.

She crooked her elbows and peered down at my etching. “What are you doing?”

“I was just thinking of another tattoo that you should get. What do you think?”

She giggled. “Your initials? Classy, Tex.”

“Hey, I just want to make sure it’s clear who you belong to.”

She grabbed the chocolate out of my hand and carved her own initials into my biceps, drawing a

heart around the letters. SC, Sylvie Cranston.

“I like it.”

“I was just kidding.”

“I wasn’t,” I said, popping the chocolate halfway into her mouth. She bit into it and I helped

myself to the other half. “Mmm, mint.”

“I have to get ready for work, Cal.”

“I’m driving you.”

“I can take the bus, that’s what I usually do.”

“No, that’s what you did. I’m driving you, but first, let me help clean you up.” I rolled my tongue

over her waist, wiping away the chocolate signature I’d left on her body, which elicited a deep moan

from her.

She then did the same on my arm, tracing her drawing with her tongue. I piled kisses down her

neck. “I have to get ready.”

“I promise I’ll be quick.”

“Ha, I don’t think so, but tell you what, if you promise to use the time wisely, why don’t you take

a shower with me?”

“I’ll use it wisely,” I promised, before I tasted the last of the chocolate off her lips.

Chapter Fifteen

The following Sunday, I arrived almost twenty minutes early to pick her up. I usually waited for

her in the car, but I decided to go in. The art supply store wasn’t what I was expecting. They had all

the typical artists’ tools you would expect lining the walls, but there were also several canvases and

sculptures for sale. It was like part art supply, part art exhibition.

“Can I help you?” a young guy with Jim Morrison hair and a button-down shirt with a

psychedelic pattern asked me.

“I’m here to pick up Sy—Sophie,” I replied, catching myself. Maybe her idea of calling her

Sophie was better. I couldn’t exactly say ‘I’m here to pick up my sweetheart’.

He regarded me for a moment, giving me an up-and-down look. “Are you a friend of hers?”

I wanted to tell him it was none of his damn business, or better yet, that she was mine in every

way possible. There was a set to the square of his jaw that was challenging. “She’s my girlfriend,” I

replied, with a cheerful smile.

“I didn’t know she was dating anyone.”

“I’m glad I can clear it up for you. Is she here?”

“She’s teaching a class in the back.”

I didn’t ask if it was all right, I made my way to the back. Luckily, Jim Morrison was busy with

new customers so he didn’t stop me.

I stepped into the small classroom area and there she was with about twenty kids of various ages

surrounding her. “All right, ladies and gentleworms, let’s finish up.” They all laughed at her joke.

“Miss Sophie, I got the paint on me!” one girl in pigtails cried. As I looked around the room, it

was clear that these children were disabled. Sophie wiped the girl’s fingers and spotted me in the

corner.

“Almost done, Cal.”

I nodded. “Take your time. Is it okay if I sit here?” I asked, gesturing to an adult-sized chair in

the corner. She nodded.

I watched as she treated each child’s painting as if it was the next Picasso or Rembrandt. Sylvie

would make a great mother. It hit me that I really didn’t know how that would work. I had no doubt

that I wanted a life with her, but how would I explain to Mandy and Momma that they couldn’t meet

my wife? We’d have to talk about that, but now was not the time. There had been so many bombshells

that I wanted to hold off on any more serious discussions.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I checked it. Tony’s name popped up asking me if I wanted to

meet for drinks. I responded back that I was too busy. The fact was I didn’t like being away from

Sylvie, even though she insisted we keep living our lives. I just felt a sense of dread when I wasn’t

with her.

Busy with what, Ringo?

Tony texted back.

None as in none of your business, Doc.

Come on, Tanner.

I have a new girlfriend.

Can I meet her?

I don’t want to scare her off yet.

I replied as a joke, but the truth was I wanted to keep Sylvie to myself a while longer.

Lenore?

I’m done with my quest. It was a dumb idea anyway.

Let me know when you’re free.

Will do.

The class dispersed and an ambush of kids rushed out of there, leaving paints, brushes and half-

done projects in their wake. Sylvie started cleaning up.

“Let me help,” I offered.

“I won’t say no. The paints go in there. Make sure the caps are on tight,” she said, gesturing to a

drawer.

“How does a girl with a degree from UCLA work here?”

She shrugged. “I tried the nine-to-five thing. I really did. I got a job in the marketing department

of a huge company, but it just wasn’t for me. This isn’t my ideal profession, but I love teaching the

classes, and the discount on supplies is a nice fringe benefit too.”

“Maybe you should get certified as a teacher and do it full-time. You’re very good at it.”

“Thanks, but this is my favorite class so you’re seeing me at my best. These kids really love

being here. They communicate differently and I think expressing themselves through art helps them.”

“What kind of class was this?” I asked, putting away the last of the paints.

“It’s for autistic children. There is a school nearby and I used to walk by there on my way to

work. I asked my boss if we could do a free class if any of them were interested.”

“It’s free?”

“Yes, I told him it would be good publicity for our store.”

“Has it worked?”

She smiled coyly. “No, but don’t tell him that.”

“You’re amazing, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “They’re amazing.”

“You’re very good with them.”

“They’re good for me, Cal.”

We finished putting away the supplies and cleaning off all the tables. I wrapped my arm around

her waist as we made our way out of the store. “Bye, Rome,” she said, waving to the man who had

greeted me. Of course, the Jim Morrison-looking fellow would have a name like Rome.

“Taking off?” he asked as if it wasn’t obvious.

“Yeah. Oh, um, this is my—”

“We’ve met, but not officially. Like I said earlier, I’m her boyfriend, Cal Tanner.”

“Nice to meet you,” he replied, with a suspicious glance toward my arm around her waist,

telling me he was not at all pleased.
Yeah, back off, buddy
. He cast his attention toward Sylvie,

turning on a bright smile. “Are you still coming to my exhibition? I really need you there. After all,

you’re the star of the show. There’s already buzz about the painting I did of you.”

She smiled. “Of course, I’ll be there.”

“Call me later,” he yelled out as we exited.

“What’s your deal with Jim Morrison in there?” I asked when we were on the street.

“Who—Rome? Wow, he does kind of look like Jim Morrison, interesting. He’s just a friend and

co-worker.”

“You posed for him?”

“Yes. It’s my body, but my face isn’t in it.”

“Is it a nude?” I asked, barely able to unclench my fist as I opened the door for her.

“Would it upset you if it was?”

I made my way to the driver’s side before answering her question. “Very much so. I’m not

particularly keen on a bunch of strangers viewing you that way, especially Jim Morrison in there.”

“Tex, it’s not a nude like you’re thinking. It’s more abstract than that, not a literal interpretation.”

“But you were naked in a room with him alone, correct?”

“Yes, I was, and nothing happened. We are friends. You have to quit being so jealous, Tex.”

I took a deep breath, “In case you didn’t know, I’m pretty much a caveman, at least when it

comes to you. I don’t like other men looking at what’s meant for my eyes only.”

She shook her head, putting her arm on my shoulder. “I love you, and it’s really not that big of a

deal. It was professional, and I think you’re overreacting.”

“He’s got a crush on you.”

She looked down. “I know. He told me afterwards, but nothing happened between us. I’ve let

him know I don’t share his feelings.”

“And you think that’s going to stop his pursuit?”

“I think the smug way you introduced yourself in combination with your arm around my waist

will do the trick.”

Despite the intensity, I laughed. “I hope so, but don’t pose for him or anyone else again. It’s

really hard for me to deal with.”

“You have to get over this, Tex. I would never cheat on you. Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not you I don’t trust. Let me give you a counterpoint to crystallize my reasoning. Are you

okay if I pose nude for a female artist?”

Her face fell so suddenly that I smirked in response. She swallowed. “Point taken. I won’t do it

again.”

“Thank you, we can drop it now, but I’m going with you to this exhibit.”

“Of course, I was going to invite you.”

“Good, now enough salt in the wound. How about some sugar?”

She leaned in and I met her halfway, pausing before I crushed my lips into hers. She moaned

against me. We were both breathless when I pulled away. “I have to talk to you about something,” I

said, starting up the car.

“I’m listening, but I really hope we’re off the topic of Rome.”

“Oh, I’m totally off Rome, and I’m glad to hear you were never on him.” She punched me in the

arm lightly. “Will you go to church with me next weekend?”

“That would be nice. There’s one I go to that’s not far—it’s non-denominational. Or we can go

to yours too, I don’t care either way.”

“You started going to church?” She nodded. “We’ll go to yours. I don’t have a church. I actually

haven’t been in a long time.”

“How long?”

“Almost ten years.”

Her eyes widened with my admission. “Did I make you lose your faith?”

I put my hand on her knee, squeezing it. “No, baby, nothing like that. In fact, I don’t think I’ve

ever prayed so hard in my life. Of course, Momma would have said I was doing it wrong. I made a

lot of bargains that if God let me find you again, I would bring us both back to the church.”

“Why didn’t you go?”

“The church at Prairie Marsh reminded me too much of you, especially the swing set. When I left

I just never found another. I didn’t want to go without you.”

“Well, I guess we should make sure to go every week then, to make good on those promises

since you found me.”

“Actually,
you
found me, and I knew you would. I shouldn’t have spent all those years acting

like such a fool. It was the way it was meant to happen, right?”

She nodded. “What did you do to find me, Cal?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” I shouldn’t have brought it up. I knew it would only make her feel

guilty.

“Please, I’d like to know.”

“I annoyed everyone at the police station, the FBI and the hospital. Over the years, I hired three

private detectives. They never found anything, but then again, I couldn’t afford anyone that good. Oh,

and I wrote a book. I even stopped random girls on the street to ask if I knew them.” I chuckled

cynically. “They all thought I was trying to pick them up.” When I turned back to her, I immediately

regretted the honesty. She was crying. I pulled over into a vacant parking lot and rubbed her arm.

“Hey, it’s okay. I—”

“No, it’s not. I’m so sorry I caused you so much pain.”

I wiped her tears. “I told you, it’s in the past. I’m sorry I brought it up.”