Free Switch by EllaArdent Page B

you going there?”
    “My flight’s at seven tonight,” Athena said and ran a
fingertip down his arm. “I’d say we have time for one little farewell, don’t
you?”
    “We’ll make time.” Julius spoke with conviction even as he
ran one hand possessively down her thigh. Now his expression was filled with an
intent that made Athena’s heart skip. “It’s a long time to April 13.”
     
    * * *
     
    Charlie was glad he’d found Louise at the Plume site. She’d
looked lost and as much as she wasn’t his type, he wanted to cheer her up. Her
show had been good and he guessed that she’d launched her career in the arts.
    He could understand feeling a bit blue after the thrill of
the moment was over, though. He encouraged her to order and then to eat,
thinking that she needed a bit more meat on her bones.
    The waif look had never worked for him.
    Too bad. She might feel grateful to him later.
    Zeke stepped into the restaurant, looking as much like
trouble on a stick as it was possible for one person to do. The younger man was
tall and lean, his black leather jeans tight, his artistry impeccable and his
manner commanding. The owners of the restaurant smiled at him, but their manner
was a bit wary. Respectful. Customers unfamiliar with the black-haired
blue-eyed troublemaker slid away from him with awe. Zeke marched through the
place like he owned it, smiling his crooked smile.
    He pulled out a chair and sat down with them, claiming a
pair of chopsticks and commandeering some of Charlie’s noodles. “My favorite,”
he said, his voice a low growl and his eyes dancing with devilry.
    Louise was staring at him, her lips parted.
    But then, Zeke had that effect on pretty much all women, and
more than a few men.
    Charlie did introductions, seeing the subtle signs that his
old friend was attracted to Louise.
    “You’re the one who wants the tattoo,” Zeke said, cutting
right to the chase in characteristic fashion.
    “Yes. Charlie’s tattoos are so awesome...”
    “They are.”
    Charlie smiled into his noodles. Zeke had no lack of
confidence.
    Louise blinked. “Well, I’d be honored to wear your art.”
    “And you’d pay for it, too.” Zeke stole another bite. “Fuck,
this is good.” He turned and waved to the waitress. “Can you bring another
order of that, please? I’m going to eat all of his dinner.”
    She smiled and nodded, scurrying away to place the order.
    “Well?” Louise prompted.
    Zeke shrugged. “No.”
    Louise’s face fell. She turned away and put down her
chopsticks, her earlier mood reclaiming her too easily. “Thanks for dinner,
Charlie. I should get home.”
    Charlie reached out and put his hand on her arm, stopping
her. “Why not?” he said to Zeke.
    “Amanda says she wasn’t a member.”
    “But she did the sculpture show. She’d applied.”
    Zeke looked up. “Amanda said Rex nixed her application.
Twice.”
    “It’s okay, Charlie,” Louise said, clearly fighting against
her tears. He hadn’t expected her to be so emotional, but he realized she had
been really low. He couldn’t stand when women were vulnerable, and he had to
fix this.
    “What if she proves it to you?” he suggested.
    Zeke glanced up, intrigued. His gaze flicked to Louise and
back to Charlie again, and Charlie recognized the attraction that his old
friend was trying to hide. “How?”
    He turned on the pitch, confident he could make the sale.
    “Plume-style,” Charlie said in a tone that allowed no
argument.
    Zeke sat up straighter.
    Louise swallowed, her eyes wide.
    Charlie knew he had them both. “You know what the real
problem is? Louise here snuck into the Plume after her application was
declined.”
    “No shit,” Zeke said, really looking at her.
    Louise blushed a bit. “I wanted it.”
    Zeke started to smile.
    “She tricked Amanda and Amanda doesn’t forget shit like
that.”
    “No, she doesn’t.” Zeke was studying Louise as if he
couldn’t look away. Louise was staring back at him, some