Page 23 of Third Time Lucky

ASHER

As I stroll through Mitzi’s museum of a house, my arms laden with reusable grocery bags, the faint sound of a door opening and closing reaches me.

Lucy appears in front of me, gracefully gliding out of her bedroom. The room brightens as she enters, like a ray of sunshine bursting through the clouds. Or maybe that’s just how I feel when I’m around her. I swear it’s gonna take a while before I get used to seeing her again.

‘Oh! My gosh.’ Her hand flies to her chest with a gasp. ‘I didn’t realize you were already here,’ she says with a shaky laugh. ‘I thought I could hear Mitzi.’

‘I’m sorry I scared you.’

She waves a hand as if it’s no big deal. ‘Can I help you?’

Her hair cascades over one shoulder in a perfect braid, accentuating her delicate features.

A diamond stud necklace sparkles in the mid-morning light beaming through the kitchen windows.

Silver bands haphazardly adorn her fingers, and her nails are painted a vibrant blue, adding to the energy radiating from her.

She’s wearing a charming floral print sundress that hugs her curves – curves I shouldn’t be noticing, but am.

And her sandals are laced up her calves in an intricate pattern.

With each step she takes, her smile grows brighter, and her eyes dance excitedly. She is breathtaking.

‘Bringing all the groceries into the house in one trip has been a challenge I’ve enjoyed since I was a child,’ I joke, offloading the six full bags hanging off my arms. One bag wobbles – causing me momentary grief that I’ll have to pick up a dozen oranges if it falls – but instead, it stabilizes, and I exhale a relieved breath.

‘Looks like I still got it,’ I say, winking Lucy’s way.

She laughs, shaking her head. ‘You’re just full of hidden talents I never knew you had, aren’t you?’

‘You’ve got no idea,’ I tease. ‘How’s your day been?’

The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the windows casts a cozy glow over us as we catch up. I don’t cook on the weekends, so it’s been a couple of days since I’ve seen her.

Her shoulders rise and fall with a nonchalant shrug. She seems more relaxed around me today, which I didn’t expect after learning she knew I knew what she’d said. Thank God she doesn’t know what it’s doing to me internally. Yet.

‘Just the usual,’ she replies, her tone hinting at boredom. ‘Zoom calls that could have been emails, a handful of deadlines – some met, others pushed back. And a new client was thrown into the mix.’

Curiosity kicks in, and I realize I haven’t yet asked about her job. ‘What do you do, exactly?’

Her pink lips quirk into a small smile. ‘I’m a freelance graphic designer.’

I nod, impressed. ‘That’s cool. Do you work from home?’

‘Yeah, I have the flexibility to set my own schedule, so I often work on weekends because Mitzi is usually out with her friends at one of their many social gatherings. Sometimes, the peace can be quite refreshing.’

‘Mitzi’s active still, is she?’

‘Oh, yes,’ she confirms, perching on a barstool at the kitchen island as I unpack bags.

‘What day is it today? Monday?’ She taps her phone screen to double-check the date.

‘Right now, she’s at an upscale Catholic church for Monday morning Mass with her friend Kitty, probably lighting a candle to bless our family with whatever she deems necessary.

Tonight, she’ll call me into her room to tell me she prayed for me and got an immediate answer – then she’ll try to imprint that answer in my mind because she believes she’s doing me a favor. ’

I chuckle. ‘Are the prayers at least good ones?’

Lucy tilts her head. ‘After Vegas, she prayed that a man would enter my life and sweep me off my feet by Christmas.’

‘By Christmas?’ I repeat her words.

We were in Vegas the week after Christmas, so her deadline for answering that prayer is this upcoming Christmas. I’m curious if Mitzi remembers this. I also wonder how often she’s right.

As I continue unpacking groceries, Lucy leans back on the barstool with a wistful expression.

‘You know…’ she starts, absentmindedly swirling the water bottle in her hand.

‘I sometimes envy Mitzi’s optimism – her unshakeable faith that everything will work out.

She swears that people get what they deserve because karma’s never wrong. ’

I pause, meeting Lucy’s gaze. ‘Do you believe in all that? Prayers being answered and fate intervening?’

She shrugs, a small smile playing on her lips. ‘I don’t know if I believe in prayers per se, but I do believe in the power of hope. Sometimes, when everything seems bleak, a glimmer of hope is all you need to keep going. As for fate, I don’t think it likes me.’

‘Why wouldn’t fate like you?’

‘You’ve seen my life.’

I glance around the mansion of a home she’s living in.

‘Not that – I know I’m blessed. Trust me.

I could be lounging around here all day, doing nothing and never worrying about anything.

But that just isn’t me. I was born a worrywart.

It felt weird to live my life on someone else’s dime.

I know the money is there, but it’s nice to say I made a difference in the world.

Even if it is in a tiny way, like business branding. ’

‘That’s not tiny. Every great brand has a graphic that people know them by. The Golden Arches. The black swoosh. The green mermaid. And one of my favorites, the black apple.’ I hold up my iPhone. ‘I’d be lost without this thing.’

Yes, I’d upgraded my phone after we left Vegas because no way was I going back in for the one I’d brought with me. But she doesn’t need to know that.

Her smile exudes sweetness and a touch of humility as she responds, ‘Excellent point. However, my jobs are slightly less important than the classics. I was recently commissioned to design a logo for a bunny ranch near Reno, Nevada.’

‘A bunny ranch?’ I inquire, my curiosity piqued. ‘For meat?’

‘Sort of…’ she replies with a mischievous smile. ‘It’s like a modern-day brothel.’

My eyebrows shoot up my head. ‘A brothel? So, for meat, but not as I intended – interesting. What was your design?’

She blushes as she shakes her head. ‘I passed on the job. It’s difficult to compete with their current logo – a pair of bunnies humping.’

I burst out laughing, causing her to laugh with me.

‘Wait,’ she says, now scrolling through her phone. ‘I’ve got photos.’ She turns the phone to me, displaying a bright yellow roadside sign with two bunnies fornicating.

‘Wow! There it is. Two bunnies, doing it doggie style – unmistakable. Jesus.’

‘Doggie or bunny style?’ she laughs.

Her mischievous smirk dances on her lips. At that moment, it’s impossible to hold back laughter. Hers is infectious, bubbling up deep within her and pouring into the world.

‘What’s so funny?’ Mitzi asks, causing both of us to straighten up like we’re in trouble.

‘Oh, Mitzi, you’re home. I was telling Asher about that bunny ranch job I passed on.’

‘Gracious, darling, don’t remind me,’ Mitzi groans dramatically as she drops her designer handbag onto the kitchen counter.

‘Kitty was scandalized when I told her. I think she thought you were moving into the Playboy Mansion. It took me a week to explain it to her. Though, I must confess, I can’t imagine what logo you would have created for them. ’

‘I’m thinking something with a rod…’ I tease.

At this point, Lucy is practically glowing with amusement.

‘I’m sure your next project will be much more… family-friendly,’ Mitzi suggests. ‘Maybe Asher needs to design some cutting-edge menus!’

I glance Lucy’s way. That’s a thought.

‘Actually, I do need menus,’ I tell her. ‘I’d never thought to go with a graphic designer, though. Aaron suggested a boring old print company. Is that even something you could do?’

Her eyes light up with excitement at the prospect. ‘Of course, I can do menus! It’s all about capturing the restaurant’s essence and enticing people with more than just words.’

Mitzi claps her hands together in delight. ‘Oh, I love it when creative minds come together! Asher, you must let Lucy work her magic on your menus. She’s a genius with designs.’

This is a great idea.

‘We’ll have to discuss it,’ I say, my words low and almost conspiratorial. ‘Do you take private appointments?’

Lucy nods affirmatively, a small flirtatious smile playing on her lips. ‘Yes. My usual meeting spot for local clients is Queue Coffee, off of twenty first. Do you know it?’

Isn’t that ironic? She’s been meeting clients just a block away from my new restaurant, and I had no idea.

I wonder if, eventually, we’d have run into one another.

Perhaps fate is at work here? I’d say that had to be it, but Queue Coffee is in the lobby of the Q21 apartment building, and one of my exes lives there.

Or at least lived there when I knew her.

I haven’t taken the chance to go by it since we broke up and without her suggestion not sure I ever would have.

‘I know the area well,’ I say, a twinge of excitement filling me. Exploring my favorite part of town with Lucy would undoubtedly be an adventure.

Suddenly, our phones simultaneously ding with a message, interrupting our thoughts. We both check our devices.

‘Is this some sort of -A situation from Pretty Little Liars ?’ Lucy asks, her tone laced with both amusement and intrigue.

Aaron

We’re double dating bro!!! STD – next friday, we got a hot 1 – lucy loo’s got the deets.

My eyes scan the message before looking up at Lucy. ‘It’s from Aaron.’

She nods. ‘Madi. I told her our idea this weekend… word’s out.’

‘Not sure we got the same text ’cause I think Aaron’s telling me he’s got an STD?’ I say regretfully. ‘Please tell me yours says something different?’

‘An STD? Mine says, save the date—’ Lucy glances at me with a smirk. ‘You’re officially busy next Friday. Meet us in the Woodstock neighborhood at 8p.m.; there will be a pop-up SBDP.’

‘STD clearly doesn’t mean what I suspected, thank God. But what the hell is SBDP?’ I repeat.