Page 73 of The Me I Left Behind

“As Chloe said to me this morning, ‘I sparkle’ so….”

He chuckled at that. “By the way, I’m Andy, in case you’ve forgotten. I own this place.”

The owner? Interesting. “Well, it’s a fine place, Andy. I’m Maggie…in case you’ve forgotten.” She put out her hand and he shook it. The touch was brief, but she noticed the warmth in his palm, and that his hand nearly surrounded hers. How long had it been since a man had actually held her hand?

Don’t go there, Mags.

He glanced over the other items in her cart. “If I recall, you mentioned the other day that you haven’t painted for a while. You know we do classes here.”

She nodded. “You attached a list.”

“Want to join one today? It’s watercolor. I see you are into acrylics, so that might not be your medium, but….”

“I actually don’t know what I’m into these days, but I thought acrylics might be a good place to start. I’m long overdue dustingoff my skills…” Maggie glanced up at the big clock on the wall. “But I’m not sure I have time today. Maybe another—”

He touched her arm, and her immediate reaction was to jerk slightly.

Making quick eye contact, he dropped his hand and turned. “I was just going to say come over and take a peek. This way.”

With a sharp exhale, Maggie followed him to the far corner. Her reaction a few seconds earlier, when he touched her elbow, was unnerving. Why had she jerked away like that? It wasn’t a threatening touch. In fact, it was rather friendly.

A quick flashback crossed her mind—a split-second moment of Max grabbing that same arm several months ago.Shit.He’d done a number on her, hadn’t he?

Let it go, Maggie.

In the class area, she saw several women sitting around a large table, painting a watercolor still life. Andy moved from person to person, looking over their shoulders, and providing quiet guidance. He looked taller as he paused behind the artists. Everyone seemed to take his tips and advice to heart, laughing and agreeing with him. Andy Ryan seemed to have a calm demeanor and relaxed approach to his teaching.

What a nice man.

What might it be like being with an easy-going guy like that?

Forget it, Mags.

He moved to the front of the room, then turned and smiled, catching her eye. Maggie gave him a quick wave, hoping to signal it was time for her to leave. She headed for the checkout counter and placed her items there.

The young woman rang up her purchases. Maggie inserted her credit card into the chip reader.

“I’m sorry, but this is coming up declined.”

Maggie stared, puzzled. “Excuse me?”

“The card has been declined.”

That had never happened to her before. “Declined? I don’t understand.”

“It means you can’t use the card.” The girl sighed.

“Why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Either you’ve hit your limit, haven’t paid your bill, or the card has been canceled.”

“No, no. None of that. Can you try again?” Maggie glanced about. Where was the friendly young woman who helped her and Chloe the other day? This girl appeared annoyed.

“Sure. Remove the card.”

She did.

The girl did her thing.