49
Emery
82 days since meeting Lisa
Emery lingered over the paintings in Alice’s studio, slowly circling toward the table where she’d almost definitely be keeping the photograph he wanted to see.
Maybe not wanted. Needed to see.
He hadn’t quite made it there when Carey found him, stepping inside the door and to the side, as he always did. Leaving room for escape.
“It’s a great picture.”
Emery turned. “How did you know what I was doing back here?”
“You and Al are a microcosm of my family’s currents and countercurrents. She feels guilty for using a picture of you that you don’t like; it’s not a leap to imagine that’s what you’re in here contemplating. She said she can’t start the painting until you blow up the shot for her, but the sketches are probably here somewhere. It really is a
