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GALEN GRINNED AT HER across the table. “I still can’t believe it, finding you here like this. Forgive me for asking a personal question but why did you come up here when you don’t ski?”
She raised her wine glass and took a small sip. “I was asking myself the same thing. If I’m honest about it, I think I was running away.”
He raised both eyebrows but said nothing.
“I had an unpleasant experience with a man and I just needed to be somewhere else for a while.” She looked around. “This seemed as good a place as any.”
“Sorry. It’s a bad habit. I always seem to ask the wrong questions.”
“It’s okay. There was no lasting damage done. You know, I was thinking about you when I went back to the condo this afternoon and it dawned on me that you aren’t wearing glasses anymore. Are you one of those people whose eyesight miraculously improved?”
“Unfortunately, no. I wear contacts most of the time but I still wear my glasses when my eyes get tired. I work at lot at my computer, so it happens more often that I’d like, but it is what it is.”
“I always liked the way you looked in your glasses. When we were in school you seemed so studious. At least you were always reading something.”
He nodded. “Mostly graphic novels. I was really into them.”
Frannie brightened. “Really? I did some cover illustrations for a couple of graphic novels. It was fun and I enjoyed it, but I prefer illustrating book covers.”
“Were you always into drawing?”
“Yes, but I didn’t show anyone, or take any courses until I was older and working. My supervisor saw me sketching one day on my break and she encouraged me to take a night course. I signed up, entered a contest which I won and my career seemed to take off from there.” She paused, breathless, and gave him an odd look. “I don’t usually talk this much about what I do. Shayna knows of course, but it’s a solitary sort of work, so I don’t talk to very many people.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just out of curiosity, are you still into graphic novels?”
“Not so much anymore, although I do pick them up from time to time when I’m in a book store. They’ve changed a lot since I read them in high school.”
She nodded, although she’d never really understood their popularity. “What is it about them that appealed to you?”
He thought for a moment. “I liked the fantasy aspect of them.”
“You don’t mean fantasy as in sexual fantasy, like fifty shades or anything like that.”
He chuckled. “There’s a market for everything, but no. I liked the idea of different worlds, different creatures, and the unique problems they face.” He shot her a curious look. “What type of assignment is your favorite?”
“I’ve been working almost exclusively on a fantasy series by one of the publisher’s most successful authors. He writes for what they call the Youth and Young Adult market, but I hear they’re really popular with adults as well.” She’d been unconsciously doodling on the table cloth with the tip of her knife. “Fantastical covers with larger-than-life heroes, dragons, stuff like that.”
He grinned. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. Sometimes I get so immersed in my work I forget to eat.”
“I know what you mean. What are the books like?”
“They’re very popular.”
He grinned. “You said that, but what do you think?”
She ducked her head. “I don’t really read them. I tried a couple of times, and I like the author’s writing style, but I can’t get past the strange names of the characters.”
He frowned. “So how do you know what type of illustration to create?”
“They send me a synopsis and it’s worked out well so far. I’m working now on the concept art for a new series by the same author. I’m not sure when they’ll publish it, but they say it’s going to be epic.” She grinned. “Their word, not mine. Apparently the storyline suits a game and they’re in preliminary negotiations.”
“Would you illustrate it? The game?”
“I’m not sure. Games aren’t exactly my style, but I like to keep things fresh. The publisher floated the idea that they might ask me to submit an illustration for the main characters plus the cover art, but nothing definite has been decided.” She lifted her wineglass and took a sip. “I’ll have to see where that goes.”
“If you do it, make sure you’re well paid. You probably already have a good rep, but if not, you might speak to Benny. He handles a couple of authors.”
She looked at him thoughtfully. “Thanks for the tip.”
Their food arrived and they ate in silence for a moment. After a while she put down her utensils and studied him across the table. “So far we’ve only talked about me. What have you been up to?”
“Well...” He spoke slowly, as though parsing his words. “My first real job after school was in an advertising agency.”
“Really? I never would have guessed. What drew you to that?”
He smiled at her reaction. “I was a quiet kid growing up. With the exception of Benny, I didn’t have a lot of friends. As a result I spent a fair amount of time alone.” For a moment he seemed to drift back to that time. “Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t lonely. I enjoyed observing people. You know, how they interact with each other. Stuff like that. I also used to watch a fair amount of television and became fascinated with the ads. I thought I could write better ad copy than most of what I saw.” He gave her a wry smile. “I went into an ad agency thinking that I’d be writing snappy, unforgettable ad copy within months. Boy, was I wrong!”
She offered him an understanding smile. “Reality rarely lives up to our dreams.”
“Isn’t that the truth! Anyway the work was boring and soul-destroying, so I didn’t last long. After that I tried free-lance writing for a while.”
“Really? Doing what?”
“You’d be surprised how much work there is out there. The internet is full of places looking for free-lancers. Of course they’re hoping for newbies like me who don’t know the value of their work, or are willing to work for free just to see their name in print.”
“Dontcha just hate that?”
This time his smile reached his eyes. “Yes. For a while I wrote for a publisher who produced manuals. You wouldn’t believe how many manuals are printed every year. At least they paid well.”
“You speak as though that’s in the past. What are you doing now?”
“Still scribbling. You know... this and that. Right now, I’m between projects.”
“At the risk of sounding nosy, how do you support yourself?”
“That’s a reasonable question. My grandmother left me her stock portfolio. She’d bought Amazon and Apple soon after their IPOs, and she also had Netflix.” His expression softened. “To say that I was surprised is an understatement. I’d spent a lot of time with her after we moved to Vancouver, and she never mentioned her interest in the market. Mom and Dad didn’t even know how much she’d invested.”
Frannie smiled. “Still waters.”
“You could say that. She was a cool lady.” He drank the remaining beer in his glass and placed it down carefully on the table. “Would you like to go out with me when I get back to Nanaimo?”
“Yes!” shouted the voice in her head. But then common sense prevailed. Galen O’Keefe was attractive, and they seemed to get along well, but he lived in Vancouver, for goodness sake. A relationship with him couldn’t possibly go anywhere. But did she really want to lose contact with him now?
“I’m going back home tomorrow,” she said, watching his reaction. “When did you have in mind?”
His face lit up. “I was thinking about Saturday night. Could I call you to reconfirm when my schedule is a bit clearer?”
She laughed self-consciously. “That’s fine. It’s not as if I have anything else scheduled.” She put a hand over her mouth. “Or should I have pretended that I have men lined up, waiting?”
“You’re too honest for that.”
“I should hope so.”
He watched her reaction. “Some of the light went out of your eyes when you said that. Is there a backstory you’d care to share?”
She looked down at the tablecloth. “Not really. Not the whole story, anyway. Let’s just say that honesty is important to me.”
“Fair enough.” He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Here, hand me your phone. I’ll enter my number and get yours at the same time.”
Their server approached and asked if they’d like coffee and dessert. Galen looked at her for guidance, but she shook her head. “I’m full, and coffee would keep me up, but thanks.”
“Same here.” He handed the phone back. “That skiing today wore me out.”
“Aha, so you prefer skis.”
“Call me old-fashioned, but yes, I like skis.” He looked at her curiously. “You really don’t ski?”
“Afraid not. But I tried stand-up paddling in the harbor last year. Does that count?”
He laughed. “You get partial points for that.” He paid the bill and sat back. “I’ve enjoyed this, Frannie. In some ways it seems like I just saw you a couple of weeks ago.”
“I know what you mean, and I’ve enjoyed it too.”
“I’m sure that when I see you in Nanaimo I’ll have thought of a dozen more questions. In the meantime, it’s been fun.”
The cold was bone-chilling when they stepped outside. “It’s too cold to snow,” he said, reaching for her hand. “Take my hand; the parking lot is slippery.”
The warmth of his hand was comforting. As a matter of fact, everything about him was comforting she thought as he settled her into the passenger seat. Far too soon they were pulling into his spot at the condo complex and he was leading her to her door.
“Goodnight, Frannie.” He kissed her on the cheek and her heart lurched at the innocent touch. But he wasn’t a teenager anymore; Galen O’Keefe was a man now, and she’d do well to remember that fact if she didn’t want a broken heart.
“Goodnight,” she whispered. “See you in Nanaimo.”
