AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter one
“No.” Suzy waved her paintbrush in the small art studio where she worked as an instructor to the kids. “I don’t need help, nor do I want it.”
“Whether you want it or not, you do need it.” Her sister’s gaze narrowed, tapping her foot on the wooden floors of the Art Creation. “I don’t think you understand the seriousness of your situation. As your older sister—”
Suzy groaned. “Older, annoying sister who is always meddling when you should be—”
“You love me, and you’re stuck with me whether you want to be. Have I ever steered you wrong?” Megan placed her hands on her bright blue linen pants.
Suzy bit her lip. She honestly couldn’t remember a time when her sister had.
“Stop biting your lip. Can’t you see it’s chapping?”
“There you go again.” Suzy plunked her paintbrush into the bottle, causing water to spill over. “Can’t we just go to lunch and enjoy ourselves?”
“No, besides, it’s too late. I’ve already hired him, and that’s it. He’s at the top of the art world in Salt Lake City. He’ll make you into a success.” Megan shook her finger at her. “Speaking of lunch, he’ll be there, wash the paint off your face and comb your hair. Try to look presentable for once.”
“I’m not a child,” Suzy grumbled.
“You’re behaving as one. I’ll meet you in the car.” Megan stomped down the wooded stairs in her practical black shoes. “Hurry, I have a business meeting at three.”
“You sound just like dad.” Suzy twirled in her seat before standing and yanking off her apron.
“The dad who is cutting you off. Be in the car in five minutes if you want what is best for you,” Megan yelled at the bottom of the stairs.
The creaky old door of the quaint little art studio slammed shut. Suzy had been teaching at the Art Creation for months since she received her art degree from the University of Utah.
Suzy loved the older woman, Joann, who owned the art studio. She was more than grateful for the part-time job, but it didn’t pay well, and Joann could not afford to hire her full-time. She came to find out that her dad was right; finding a good job with an art degree was impossible, to say the least.
She moved to the sink full of jars and paintbrushes and stared into the mirror.What a complete mess I am, she thought. She grabbed a paper towel and scrubbed her face. She tended to get messy when she worked with the children. Who was she kidding? She was always messy when she painted.
Longingly, she glanced at her easel. All she wanted to do in life was paint, but it was impractical as a career.
Her dad had been dead set against it from the beginning. Megan convinced him to pay for Suzy’s art degree and expenses, saying it was only fair since he had paid for Megan’s businessdegree. Megan insisted Suzy needed a degree and training to become an artist.
Megan and she were total opposites, but they had no sibling rivalry. As siblings, they only had each other, and now that Mom had died, they only had Dad, who was always in meetings or traveling to more meetings.
Often, it was just Megan, her husband, and Suzy for the holidays. This year, Dad had promised Megan he’d do better. He hadn’t missed any holidays, but it was only early spring.
Suzy took off her old T-shirt and put on the nice blouse Megan had given her for Christmas. Talk about impractical. This was the first time she’d ever worn it.
She slipped on the skinny black jeans. No doubt, the jeans would be covered with cat hair as soon as she got into her apartment. Oh well, it was the thought that mattered.
She walked down the steps. Butterflies danced in her stomach. Why should she be nervous?
There were lots of reasons. As much as she didn’t like to think about it, her dad was cutting her off, and rent in Salt Lake City was expensive. Not to mention, her beloved cat was old and had health problems. He needed to be on expensive food and take medicine. She’d do anything to make sure Stinker was well cared for. She loved the little guy.
***
Daniel sat at the small table at the trendy downtown restaurant. His new client was already late. How he tolerated collaborating with artists was beyond him; some were worse than others. Megan made it seem like her sister would be a piece of cake, but the tension in Megan’s words gave her away.
Even in college, Megan had always had a soft spot for her sister. If he remembered correctly, Suzy was giving Megan trouble back then.
When he declined to take on her sister, Megan quickly persuaded him otherwise. Truthfully, he had a soft spot for Megan, which was the only reason he agreed.
His client list was full, and he didn’t need any more headaches. Megan reassured him that Suzy wouldn’t give him any trouble. As if. He had never yet met one single artist who hadn’t given him at least one headache.
Megan breezed in, looking confident as if she could take on the world. She flashed him a smile and waved. A young woman in her mid-twenties trailed behind Megan.
