My body is a little sore from the first few days at my new job. I had to pull myself from bed this morning, but after a long, hot shower I feel better. My muscles relax, and I feel like maybe I’m going to be able to bend over without sounding like an old lady.

I stand in front of the mirror and take a deep breath. I’m not really feeling myself today. Something is off and I’m not sure what it is. Things aren’t happening like I thought they would. I shake my head when my mama’s words flutter through my mind. “We make plans and God laughs.”

I reach for my ponytail holder I always keep on my sink, but it’s not there. It’s my favorite and has small pink hearts on it. I glance around but don’t see it anywhere. I pull open a drawer and grab a new plain one, then pull my hair up into a high ponytail. I wrap a piece of the ponytail around the rubber band and pin it in place to make it look more polished. It will be functional for both the front and back of the office. I look down at my nails and see they’re in serious need of help, but I know if I paint them they’ll only end up chipped all over again. The look on Fritz’s face when he saw my hands yesterday still sits hard. But yesterday after I got home I didn't feel like doing my nails. I wanted to lie in bed with Bear and forget about how he’d made me feel.

“Get it together,” I tell myself in the mirror. This is my first week. I won’t be like my mama and quit every time something isn’t going how I like. I have come so far already. I need to keep pushing on and take it one day at a time. Maybe this job will grow on me and turn into a chance for something else.

I mean, look at Fritz and me. When I first met him, we were just friends, but as time went on things changed. Maybe the same will happen with this job and I’ll end up loving it. Turning around, I give Bear a kiss on the head followed by a few pets before grabbing my bag and heading out.

“Johnny!” I call out when I pass through my gate. He turns and looks at me. He looks different today. He’s in jeans and a polo. He slips a cell phone into his pocket, and I smile at him. “I never see you this time of day.”

“Got a job interview.” He smiles back, but it doesn't meet his eyes. He picks up a bag that’s sitting on the bench next to him and holds it out for me. “Thought I’d bring you something for a change.” He gives the bag a little shake and I walk over to him as he pulls out a large muffin.

My stomach growls, reminding me I forgot to grab something to eat before I left. “You’re a lifesaver.” I definitely need this because I forgot to refresh the snacks in my purse and I don’t have the time run back if I want to make it in a little early. I don’t care that Gemma is going to be pissy about it. I think being her friend is a lost cause at this point.

“Chocolate. You know the way to my heart,” I tease as I take the wrapper off the bottom and take a big bite. I moan as the flavor fills my mouth. “It’s still warm,” I try to say around a mouthful.

Johnny laughs. “Come on, I’ll walk you to work.”

“Where’s the interview?” I ask him after taking another bite of my muffin.

“Just a handyman for some building.” He waves it off like it’s not a big deal.

“You’re going to get it. I know it. You look sharp today.” I wink at him.

He nods. He doesn’t seem as talkative as usual. “Maybe we’ll get to walk to work together every morning if you get it,” I add.

“That would be nice.” He doesn't sound excited about the job at all. In fact, he seems off today.

“You okay, Johnny?” I ask, looking over at him.

“Change is coming.” He gives a small shrug, and I notice he isn’t smiling.

“Maybe, but change can be good,” I try to reassure him. Isn’t this just what I was telling myself this morning? Change can be scary, but it’s part of life. I should know. I hopped on a bus leaving my old life behind in hopes for a new one. “Someone told me once that with change comes opportunity.”

We stop when we get outside of the art studio. “Good luck,” I tell him, giving him a smile.

“You have a good day, Blair. I’ll see you around.”

“Tonight,” I correct. “I’ll see you tonight.”

For some reason that’s important to me. I need to know Johnny will be there when I walk home, just like I know Bear will be at home to greet me when I get there, too.

“I’ll see you,” he says, but he doesn’t confirm he’ll see me tonight. He gives me a nod before turning and walking down the street.

I watch him go, and the feeling of something not being right settles over me again. I look around thinking someone is staring at me, but there’s no one nearby.

I walk through the gallery doors and I feel a bit lighter when I don't see Gemma at the front desk. It’s good when I can start the day without her scowling at me. I don't see Lilith anywhere either, but she’s probably around because the doors are unlocked. I change my clothes before going into the warehouse and getting to work.

Time passes, and I’m alone in the warehouse. The guys left a while ago for a delivery and said they wouldn’t make it back tonight. So it’s just me and my crowbar popping crates. I’ve been through most of what’s in here by now, and I’ve started going through the ones that aren’t labeled. I figured it’s time to make a list and then go over the items one by one with Lilith. I don’t want to have to go back to her a hundred times over each one. I thought doing it once will probably be painful enough.

I go to open my fourth crate of the day, and I pause when the lid comes off and I look down at what’s inside. At first I’m surprised that there’s not much in the way of packaging material, just a framed painting stuck down in the wooden box.

I’m shocked again when I recognize it. It’s one I remember from my art history class. I remember the picture because I loved it so much. It’s of a couple lying in bed. The man is wrapped completely around the woman. Her head rests on his chest as he holds her in a protective embrace. What caught my attention in the picture was how at peace they looked, and I wasn't sure who was comforting whom. Sure, he was wrapped around her, but it almost looked like he needed her more than anything else in the world. In some areas of the painting it’s impossible to tell where one of them begins and the other ends. This couple loved each other. They were two halves of one soul coming together and forming a whole.

It was the one piece of art that stuck with me from the class, and I remember a lot about it. The one major thing I do recall is that it was stolen years ago. What I’m looking at right now has to be the original. I can’t see Lilith getting something that’s a knockoff, but would she really be dealing in stolen art? It can’t be the original. I’m sure I’m wrong.

I think for a second and then grab my cell phone out of my pocket to double-check that I have the facts of it straight. Maybe it’s since been recovered and now she has it.

I find the painting online and read about how it was stolen along with several other pieces as part of a big heist. I read the article for a second and scroll down to look at the attached pictures. Then I go to where all the unmarked crates are waiting on me and open up another one. When I do, I find another painting that matches one of the images from the article on my phone.

The hairs on my arms stand up, and for a moment I’m still. Then, unable to resist, I jump over to the next create and open it up. I know nothing about art or how to figure out if they’re fakes. So I do what I know and take a picture of them with my cell. Then I put them in a reverse image search on Google to see what pops up.

One after another, they come up as stolen.

I start writing everything down and taking notes in my folder. I’ve got a list of box numbers and all the shipping information. Then I write down the names of the paintings and their corresponding numbers and I save all the pictures on my phone.

The whole time, all I can think is that Lilith is going to be devastated. These boxes were piled up in the back with nothing on them. Lilith might be a lot of things, but she’s not a thief. She negotiates million-dollar deals all day every day. She doesn’t need to hold on to stolen art.

I go over everything twice to make sure I have everything right. As much as I don’t want to be right about these being stolen, I also don’t want to be wrong and look like a stupid drama queen. These could all be replicas and my Google image search skills could be unreliable. I grew up watching old Perry Mason shows and thought one day I’d become a detective. I don’t need to fuel that fantasy right now, so all I can do is present her with what I’ve found.

This just can’t be right. Maybe no one knows these crates are back here, let alone stocked with stolen goods. I never saw them on any list, and it could all just be some terrible mix up. That has to be it. I worry what something like this could do to Fritz and Lilith.

I take a step back and notice a few of the crates on the shelves have been moved around. I double-check the number on the one I was just working on. It seems familiar.

I rush over to the little desk where I keep my paperwork and search for yesterday’s slips. It’s then I notice my name on everything. On all the slips. It’s even signed in a few places, but it’s not my signature. Maybe my name is on it because I’m running the warehouse now?

I let out a deep breath, feeling my stress level spike. Why is my signature on things that I didn’t approve? This is all a mess, but I’m sure we can get it all cleared up. All I have to do is call the right people. I can make things right and sort this out. After all, that’s my job. I was told this warehouse was a mess, and it’s the truth. This place has been chaotic since I came back here, but slowly I’ve been organizing it all. Of course there would be discrepancies, so I ignore what might be a dozen or so stolen paintings and focus on what I can control.

First, I need to talk with Lilith. I know that woman will know what to do. She runs this place like a general on speed, and she always has the answers. I’ve grown to really respect her, and I know I can learn a lot from her as my mentor.

I glance at the clock and realize I really lost track of time. I should have left hours ago, but I got lost in what I was doing.

Gathering everything together, I put my cell phone in my pocket after checking to make sure I have taken all the photos that I’ll need. I hope Lilith is still here. Maybe I should text Fritz, too? As soon as I have that thought I dismiss it. Lilith would want to be the one to control this. And I don’t want to overstep. I can’t treat him like a boyfriend here. I need to go to my superior first.

I pick up the folder full of all the information I have on the crates and everything I wrote down. Then I grab my bag, thinking I’ll leave after I talk to her. I close up the crates and leave them where they are. If Lilith wants to come inspect them she can.

I make my way out of the warehouse and down the long hall to her office. When I see the light on under her door I’m a little relieved. I raise my hand to knock but stop short when I hear a whimper on the other side of it. It’s followed by a deep sound, and I push on the door as I call out to make sure she’s all right.

“Lilith? Are you okay?” I ask softly, not wanting to scare her.

When the door swings open, I stand there in shock.

Fritz is on his knees in front of Lilith, her bare legs are spread wide and his face is buried between them. Lilith’s head is thrown back and another cry of pleasure escapes her.

“Oh my god,” I choke out, as the image of the two of them is burned into my brain.

I feel the warm liquid pool in my mouth—a sign that I’m about to throw up—and I have to fight it back down. I reach out and grab the door as a sob escapes me.

Lilith’s head snaps up at the sound, and her eyes lock on mine. Fritz turns his head but doesn’t make a move to get up, and I stand there like I’ve been struck by lightning.

All this happens in a split second before I turn around and run. I need to get the hell out of here. My mind is racing with too many things at once.

I don’t hear anyone call my name or chase after me as I stumble as fast as I can out of the gallery. I can hardly see where I’m going, but when I feel the cool air hit my face I know I’m outside.

What I don’t expect is the suited man in front of me, and I nearly bowl him over in my attempt to get free of what I just witnessed.

“Sorry, I-I…” I stutter, but the stranger wraps his big arms around me.

For a moment I sob into his chest, not caring that I don’t even know him. I blink back the tears and lean back, trying to apologize again when I happen to catch a glimpse of Johnny standing in a shaft of light behind the stranger.

“Johnny?” There’s a sad look on his face and my mind can’t catch up with everything that’s happening. “What are you doing here?”

I look up to the man comforting me, but there are too many shadows and it’s too dark to see his face fully. The only thing I can tell for sure is that he’s got bright green eyes that I feel like I’ve seen before. Even his smell is familiar.

“Shhh.” In a deep voice, his chest rumbling against mine, he says, “It’s all going to be okay.”

I don’t know why, but I find comfort in his voice. It soothes me, and though I’m not even close to okay, I feel better. But before I can focus on that for too long, I feel a sharp pinch above my elbow, and I look down to see the stranger removing a needle from my arm.

“Go to sleep, little cricket,” he says, and my eyes get heavy as my lids fall closed.