Relish

CHAPTER THREE † FRIENDS

CHAPTER THREE † FRIENDSTRUE TO HIS word, Larry stayed by my side the whole week I worked on finishing my introspective. He held my hand during my doubt-triggered panic attacks

and cracked the whip when I thought I couldn’t go on. When he left for class, he sent over Silvia, the features writer for the Daily Gossip who I usually teamed up with when covering clubs.

Between the both of them, I had no time to think about how weird my dreams had gotten, let alone find time for sleep. I considered myself lucky if I got a couple of hours a night.

I was adding the final touches to the tenth photo—a mosaic of Luka’s face that I created by shrinking every photo I’d taken of the band into tiny dots—when Silvia handed

me a refilled mug. I’d lived on coffee and whatever food Larry brought to my apartment. It reminded me of being under Deidra’s care again. Too tired, I barely felt the pain attached to

the memory.

Without taking my gaze off the picture of Luka’s face, I brought the mug to my lips.

“Ow!” I stuck out my tongue and fanned it.

“I would have told you it was hot if you gave me the chance,” Silvia said belatedly. She sighed, placing her hand on the back of my chair. “God, he’s gorgeous. I get that

you had to sign an NDA and can’t spill, but know that I’m dying here.”

Burning my taste buds became the distraction I needed to break my intense concentration. I leaned away from the screen and tilted my head to enhance my view of the photographic mash-up I’d

created. From afar, people would see Luka’s face, but if they lean in they would see all the miniature pictures that made up his face.

“I love how you interpreted your theme this way.” Silvia pursed her lips like an art connoisseur studying a painting. “You have the bigger picture, which is Luka. Then the

minute details tell the story of the band. I can smell the A.”

I crossed my arms. My eyebrows came together. “You think so?”

“Take it from a features writer. I’ll be covering the Showcase and can already see that you’ll be a hit for your subject alone.”

“The subject would be popular, yes.” Even I couldn’t deny that. “But I’m too close to the project. I can’t see straight anymore. I think I’ve lost my

perspective.”

Silvia squeezed my shoulder. “Look, you’re done. Let’s bring these babies to Eddy so he can frame them and you can get some much needed rest before you start on that

paper.”

My fingers glided over the touch pad so the cursor moved. “Maybe if I tweaked it a little more…” Silvia moved her hand from my shoulder to slap my wrist. “Ow! Alright!

Let me just save the damn thing.”

“When was the last time you took a shower?”

I minimized the screen and absentmindedly replied, “Why?”

“If you have to ask then it’s been too long. You’re wearing the same shirt I saw you in when I came over last Wednesday.”

“What day is it?”

“Saturday.”

Hearing the disgust in her tone, I sniffed myself. “I don’t smell anything.”

“That only means you’re way past due.” Silvia yanked me out of my seat and shoved me toward my bathroom. “Once you’re done, we’ll head for

Eddy’s.”

At the door to my bathroom, I stopped and stared at Silvia. In my four years at Wexler, I never thought I would make friends, let alone actually know someone like her. Granted, being on the

paper brought us together, but she jumped at the chance to help me with my final project. Maybe it had to do with the diamond tennis bracelet I’d given her from the goody bag I had swiped

from the New Year’s Eve party before I left. I suspected the bag possessed some sort of wormhole where the other end was located inside a Neiman’s. It provided the wool robe I wore

around the apartment and the sheepskin booties I simply adored. Larry’s scarf came from it, too, along with my new cellphone and tablet. The spa treatment and silk scarf went to my mom. Did I

mention the members of Vicious were insanely rich? No? Well, they funded their world tour and produced their own albums. They made up the ultimate indie band. My heart crumpled at the memory of

them.

“What?” Silvia looked up from the magazine she was flipping through.

I leaned my shoulder against the doorframe. “Just wanna say thanks. You didn’t have to babysit me.”

Her eyebrow arched. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t? Besides, I got to see all the gorgeous pictures you took of the band. I want copies of the ones with Demitri and Luka

in kilts, by the way.”

A chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head at her. “You know I can’t do that.”

Crestfallen, she fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist. “At least I got this baby out of it.”

“I knew it! It’s the bling that kept you here.”

She treated me to an overdramatic eye roll. “Will you take a bath already? We may have to burn that T-shirt just to get the smell out.”

I threw my head back and laughed before backing into the bathroom and closing the door. The rapid inhalation and exhalation spread endorphins all over my body, giving me a much needed boost. I

hadn’t felt this good in weeks. With the help of Larry and Silvia, I came back to myself. I never thought it possible.

Buoyant, I removed my clothes and jumped into the shower.

Refreshed, and the weight of my project off my shoulders, I walked with Silvia toward Eddy’s. We’d taken the subway since cabbing it through the heavy snow seemed

ridiculous. Last thing I needed was to die in a horrible car crash because of icy roads. Okay, morbid, but I’d read somewhere it was normal to think the worst when approaching the end of

something. In this case, the end of my college life.

“Stop checking your bag,” Silvia admonished for the hundredth time. “The USB is there.”

“I know.” I checked anyway. The tiny thing that held my entire future sat beside my camera. I finally started bringing my baby with me again and taking random pictures. I already had

seven of Silvia in the ugly multi-colored scarf her grandmother had knitted for her.

“You are so buying me a cup of hot cocoa after this.”

“I can do better than that,” I said with a grin and she waited with raised eyebrows for me to continue. “How about we go shopping?”

“But you hate shopping,” she replied, her bright eyes narrowing. She may be a few inches shorter in height, especially in snow boots, but Silvia still intimidated me. She stuffed her

mitten-covered hands into her jacket pockets as her perfectly arched eyebrows came together. The powder really started coming down over our heads then. If we didn’t reach Eddy’s soon,

we might freeze to death. Okay, I was really having a Final Destination moment. I blamed the weird dreams. Now that I relaxed, they haunted my thoughts again.

To distract myself, I replied to Silvia’s statement. “I know, but I figured I’ll need stuff to wear for my travels. How about you help me pick?”

Despite the possible hazard of slipping and breaking her neck, Silvia squealed and danced circles around me until we reached Eddy’s. I still promised her hot cocoa, though, feeling the

need for a cup when we squeezed ourselves into the shop.

“Dakota!” Eddy waved at us from behind the counter, his dreadlocks longer than from the last time I’d seen him—when I’d printed out my presents for the band. I

swallowed the lump forming in my throat and waved back.

“You’re cutting it a little close, aren’t you?” he asked when Silvia and I reached the counter.

“Call it artist’s block.” I pulled off my gloves and stuffed them into my bag. “Can you get the frames done before Friday next week?”

“It’ll be a rush job.” Eddy scratched the back of his neck.

“I’ll double your regular fee if you get it done and discreetly. Nobody can know about these pictures.” I leveled my most serious I-mean-business stare at him. My heart

attempted to carve a hole out of my chest. “I trust you on this, Eddy.”

The Rastafarian store owner crossed his heart. Good enough for me.

“Will you hand me a dozen pieces of the matte photo paper?” I pointed at the glass case and Eddy retrieved what I’d asked for.

“What kind of frames will you need?” he asked as he handed me the paper.

“I was thinking black with two-inch cream matting on all sides.” I knew what I wanted even before I started preparing the pictures for the Showcase. But it didn’t mean my chest

didn’t tighten at the doubts creeping back into my head. “Use non-glare glass as well.”

“Pricey.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin.

“Call it an investment on my future.”

He nodded. “Go print them out. I’ll have everything you need by Friday.”

Without waiting for him to say anything more, I hurried to the developing kiosk and plugged in the USB.

“Well, look at you, big spender,” Silvia finally said, sidling closer until her shoulder bumped mine.

I loaded the photo paper and clicked print. “I earned quite a bit for the promo shots I took of the band. I actually think Yana was overpaying me.” I shrugged as the first picture

slid onto the holding tray of the kiosk. “I can’t complain.”

“And this sudden shopping spree?”

“Christmas gift from Phoenix and Yana. They think I need a wardrobe update.”

From my periphery, I saw Silvia’s eyes grow to the size of large pizzas, reminding me how hungry I was. My stomach growled to prove it.

“Shut the f**k up!”

That got my full attention. “You cussed.”

“The lead singer of Vicious and the band’s manager actually gave you something for Christmas?” She couldn’t contain her excitement, so she bounced in place like a lottery

winner.

“They all did.” I realized my mistake the second Silvia’s next question left her glossed lips.

“What did Luka give you?” she whispered as if we were about to commit a crime.

Answers.

My heart stuttered and my lower lip actually quivered. Ugh! I wasn’t quite myself just yet when all the memories of New Year’s Eve came flooding back. I staggered a bit. Silvia

noticed my mounting distress and dropped the matter. She took me into her arms. Who knew a hug could feel so good? I returned the comfort she gave me with a squeeze and a wobbly smile.

The kiosk dinged, announcing to the world that it had completed the printing process. I swiped at the stray tear that dared to fall then took a deep breath before stepping out of Silvia’s

embrace.

“I’m sorry,” she said as I gathered up the photos.

“I’m fine.” I sniffed. “Really.”

Even if I couldn’t talk about what happened, it seemed anyone who knew about my stay with Vicious drew the same conclusions. Something happened that caused me to become a blubbering

mess.

Unwilling to ruin my afternoon with thoughts of Luka breaking my heart, I shuffled to the counter and handed over my future to Eddy. He scrutinized the pictures for the longest minute of my

life. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until my lungs burned. I forced myself to exhale.

“Your best yet, Dakota,” he said after seeing the final picture—the composite of all the pictures that created Luka’s face. “When you get famous you have to promise

me that I get to put a sign in front that says this is the place you have your pictures framed.”

Tears welled for a whole different reason. I could barely speak when I said, “You’ve got a deal.”

Eddy gave me a proud smile, like a father seeing his daughter all grown up. Come to think of it, Eddy was the closest to a father figure in my life. I had no memories of mine, and Mom never

talked about him. I never asked. Anyway, all photographers consider framers their family. A good frame makes the picture. I certainly thought so.

I rounded the counter and gave Eddy a hug. He returned the gesture, engulfing me in the scent of sandalwood and something else. Something sweeter. No matter how focused I’d been at getting

my degree, I still managed to surround myself with good people. I considered myself lucky as I stepped back. The shimmer of unshed tears in Eddy’s eyes sealed the deal for me. He’d take

good care of my photos.

“Well, come on then.” Silvia tugged at my arm. “You owe me a cup of cocoa and a shopping trip.”

Steeling myself for the torture to come, I waved at Eddy while he laughed at Silvia dragging me out of the store.