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Oh, no.
“This is the painting that inspired me to become an art investor. Without it, I don’t think I’d be here today. So, when it came on auction a few months ago, I couldn’t resist acquiring it, even though the price was a little steep.”
Emma had heard the price the painting sold for and knew it was more than “a little” steep. All this mixed together to increase her guilt, almost more than she could bear.
“Is everything all right?” Patrick gave her a concerned look.
“Yes. I was just thinking about the painting.” Which was true, or true enough. “It looks almost sad.”
“I think it changes based on the day. Sometimes it looks sad, sometimes hopeful.” Patrick stepped a little closer to the painting and indicated a streak of bold, dark color in the middle of the sunset. “And look at the artistry here. The brush strokes are so refined.”
This was getting worse and worse. Patrick not only loved this painting, but was also deeply familiar with it. He would notice her fraudulent copy as soon as she switched them out.
“Come on. I’ll show you the rest of the collection.” He gestured her into the next room, which was filled with some of the most gorgeous paintings Emma had ever seen. And it wasn’t just paintings, either. There were several statues, some sketches, even a few really lovely tapestries.
Emma felt like a kid in a candy store as she went from piece to piece and took them all in. The room was spectacular enough that, for a moment, she forgot all about why she was really there. Instead, she asked Patrick questions and offered her thoughts.
They carried on for some time before Patrick asked her a different question.
“Are you getting hungry?”
“What do you mean? We’ve only been looking around ten minutes.”
Patrick chuckled. “Well, that’s not exactly true. It’s been more than an hour.”
Emma’s jaw dropped. “Really? I can’t believe it. It feels like only a few minutes have passed. Your collection is just so spectacular.”
“I’m glad you like it. We can come back after we eat if you’d like.”
“Now I’m starting to think you’re getting hungry.” Emma winked. “Okay, let’s go have some oysters and pheasant or whatever you have planned.”
“It isn’t exactly oysters or pheasant.” Emma followed Patrick back through the living room and into a dining area. “Please, have a seat.” He pulled out a chair for her, and Emma sat. Then he disappeared through a doorway.
Emma twisted in her chair to take in this new room. Surprisingly, it was devoid of art. Instead, it was decorated in the same minimalist style as the living room — dark colors, sleek lines, and a very masculine atmosphere. The table had been set with two places and a few candles. The most impressive part of the room, though, was the view. Almost an entire wall was taken up with a huge picture window that looked out over Chicago.
Emma stood and crossed to it, then gazed down at the city below. She could make out the dark expanse of the lake in the distance and a few small cars on the streets below. There was even a single shop decorated in Christmas lights, even though it was only the end of October.
“Dinner is served.”
Emma turned and saw Patrick reenter the room. In his arms he carried, to her surprise, two large cardboard pizza boxes and a few small containers. Emma didn’t hold back her laugh at the sight.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Pizza. Just like you like.” Patrick set the boxes on the table and turned to Emma with a grin. “At the gallery, you mentioned that you preferred pizza to all that fancy food, so I hoped to surprise you with something you’d enjoy.”
Emma pressed a hand to her heart. “Thank you. That’s so sweet that you listened and that you did this. I do love pizza.”
“Now, I’m not sure if this one will be any good.” Patrick opened the first box. “I’ve been keeping it warm in the oven while we looked at the art, but we spent a little longer on the collection than I’d anticipated.”
“That’s my fault.” Emma smiled. “I’m sure it will be delicious.”
“I hope so. According to my research, this is from the best pizza place in the city.”
Emma took her seat again, and Patrick sat at the place beside her. They each took a slice of the first pizza, which was a classic Margherita.
“Mmm. This really is delicious,” Emma said after her first bite.
“I think you might be right about it being better than oysters and pheasants.”
