Page 73 of The Vow Thief

Sarah:You don’t waste time.

Eli:I think you are wonderful, Sarah. I want to get to know you.

I pressed send and smiled to myself. I downed another Scotch and headed to the Velvet Bruise.

Chapter 31 - Matt and Jay

Matt’s POV

It had only been a few days since the gala, but Julianne kept showing up in my head like an earworm. I wasn’t trying to think about her. It just happened in the quiet between emails, in the middle of a meeting, even standing in line for coffee.

I was scrolling through social media, half-bored, half-avoiding another night alone with takeout. Her name showed up twice in ten minutes. A tagged photo from the event, a repost from one of her foundation’s donors. Same composed smile, same sharp presence. She looked like she belonged everywhere.

Then I saw the ad for the Harborview Art Exhibit: Modern Realism. It sounded like the kind of thing she’d appreciate. Or maybe it was just the excuse I needed. I called her.

She answered on the second ring.“Jay Raines. How may I direct your call?”

I laughed.“You answer like that for everyone?”

“Only the people I want to impress.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

If she only knew just how impressed I was with her.

“You have no idea, Julianne.”

“You caught me mid–takeout decision,” she said.“Thai or tacos. Choose wisely.”

“Depends,” I said. “ Wait. Is this a trick question?”

“Well, if you choose wrong, I may never speak to you again. No pressure.”

I smiled, leaning against the counter.“Then I’ll say Thai. More interesting leftovers.”

“Good answer.” A pause, faint rustle on her end.“Did you call to give me food advice, or is this the part where you ask me out?”

“I was working up to that.”

“Well, don’t overthink it.”

“There’s an art show at Harbourview tomorrow,” I said.“Modern realism. Supposed to be good.”

She laughed.“You mean the one with the three-thousand-dollar paintings of clouds?”

“That’s the one.”

“I like clouds,” she said.“Especially expensive ones.”

We both laughed.“You know, I don’t usually say yes this easily.”

“Seven at my place? We can Uber to Harborview so we can have a few drinks.”

“Seven sounds perfect.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jay Raines.”

I set the phone down and leaned back against the counter. The air felt lighter somehow, like she had walked into the room without being here at all.

The next evening, I stood in my living room checking the clock for the third time in ten minutes. I’d straightened the space out of habit, but it didn’t look lived in, only staged.