Free Seeing Clearly by Casey McMillin Page A

of me. "Are you serious? She didn't say anything to you?"
    "Nothing," Rachel said, and I could tell she was telling the truth.
    I looked up at the ceiling and let out a frustrated sigh. "Anyway, I'm comfortable being around her but I don't know how comfortable she is being around me. You should ask her before you go inviting me places."
    "Joel, all I'm saying is… you're not fooling me. Gretchen's not either. You guys better just suck it up and admit it to yourselves already."
    "Admit what?"
    Rachel was smiling, but she shook a finger at me. "I'm not hearing that," she said. "You and Gretchen both want to be all I don't know what you're talking about . I can't believe you're both holding out like this. It makes no sense."
    She gave me another hug to make up for the reprimand before she and Collin headed for the door. I watched as they shook hands, smiled and waved at everyone on the way out.
    I didn't know what to make of her accusations. Had she told Gretchen the same things? If so, I wonder what Gretchen thought. I wonder if Gretchen thinks Rachel's right about us? Did I think Rachel was right? I didn't want to believe it, but something about that girl just tugged at my heart like invisible strings tied between us. I literally felt pulled to her by my chest.
    I couldn't decide whether I wanted to avoid her or try to see her this Friday at the gallery. I could always show up right at seven o'clock and intentionally miss their group, but I figured I would probably end up sticking around even if it was just to get a little glimpse.
    What the crud was I doing even thinking the word glimpse ? I did not like what this girl did to me. I would be going for a long, long run that night before bed.
    "Mr. Perrin?" Betty said, getting my attention. "That Collin Blake! Isn't he just the sweetest thing?" She let out a contented sigh, "Carl's gonna wanna know all about this."
    "Tell Carl I said hi, Betty, and enjoy that Mustang."
    "Oh, we will, don't you worry about that," she said.
    The caterers were already packed up, so the rest of us began making our way out the door. I was the last one out so I could set the alarm.
    ****
    "Did you get a haircut?" Rachel's assistant Bailey asked as I walked in the art gallery on Creswell and St. Ann. It was a cool, funky neighborhood with lots of artsy stuff going on. I ran my fingers through my hair a bit self-consciously at her comment.
    "No, you usually just see me dressed for work. I didn't put anything in it tonight."
    "Well, you look handsome." She smiled and offered me her arm. "Don't worry I'm not hitting on you, my boyfriend will be here in a few minutes. I just want you to come with me. There's something you have to see." I couldn't imagine what could be so amazing she had to show me right when I walked in the door, unless I was in a picture or something. She led me into another room, passing framed photos as we went.
    We approached a wall near the center of the back room and I caught sight of the striking piece of art. Oh boy, was I ever in the picture. It was the centerpiece of the whole show. I stared up at the photo. It was whimsical, colorful and passionate, and looking at it made that all-too-familiar tug on my chest start up again in full force.
    It was a picture of the kiss Gretchen and I shared on the path at twilight. Our identity might not be obvious to everyone, but it was painfully obvious to me… and since Bailey drug me over here, I figured it had been easy enough for her to make out who we were.
    "Is there any way we can get this down from here?" I asked, pulling at the bottom of the frame to peek behind it and see how it was secured.
    I must have looked a bit stressed because Bailey's voice was soothing as she said, "Aww, no, don't do that. It's a beautiful photograph Mr. Perrin. Really, it's the star of the show."
    "Thanks, Bailey, but it's got to come down. Can you just please help me find Ian?"

 
    Chapter 9
    Gretchen
     
     
    Ian Craig was not messing around with this