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He swallowed hard. Her hair was a complete mess, pulled into a bun with little wisps escaping. Her shoulders were slumped as she trudged behind Megan. Her face turned downward.
He stood when they reached his table. He gave Megan a quick embrace. “So nice to see you.”
Megan flashed him another smile. His heart stopped, but only for a moment. She had moved on with her life and was even married. He was happy for her. Only on occasion did he wonder if he hadn’t left school early to take care of his mom, would Megan and his relationship develop into something more than good friends.
“This is my sister, Suzy.” Megan gestured to the young woman.
Suzy glanced up at him. He sucked in his breath. Wow, she was gorgeous under all that messy hair. She had fair skin, delicate freckles sprinkled across her nose, and large blue eyes, the kind a man could get lost in. Her lips looked extremely kissable.
“Hi,” she mumbled.
He frowned. He had an awful feeling that Suzy was even less thrilled to be here. Some artists dripped with ambition, which made them a little easier to work with in ways. They were willingto put in the hard work to promote their art. Suzy looked as ambitious as a slug.
Megan shot her a look. “Suzy is thrilled to be here and that you can represent her. Aren’t you?”
Suzy managed a nod.
His stomach lurched. Maybe she was super talented, and her work would sell itself. Even he knew that was a fairytale. Sometimes, the most talented artists were never discovered. Like his mom. At least not until she died, and he took over her nearly foreclosed art gallery.
“Sit down, ladies.” He gestured to the table. “Let’s order and then get started.”
“Sounds great.” Megan gracefully took a seat. “Thank you again for meeting with us.”
Suzy simply sat and picked up a menu, biting her lip. Her expression looked like she was waiting for a root canal or something even more sinister.
“Order whatever you like,” he said, picking up his menu. “It is on me.”
“No,” Megan said. “After all, you are doing us such a favor.”
Suzy slumped, looking like a sad, lost puppy. His heart twitched. No, don’t go there. The rule was never to get involved with an artist or their personal drama.
Not only for professional reasons but also because there was no way he wanted to fall for someone like his mom. His mom had been a complete disaster.
Besides, he wanted someone like Megan. A businesswoman who was smart and in total control of her life. Not a scared, fickle artist who couldn't even manage to comb their hair.
“Megan has told me wonderful things about you and your work,” he said.
“I can’t say the same,” she said with clear defiance in her beautiful blue eyes. She just insisted I meet with you, so here I am.”
Shock flittered through him, a buzz of surprise mixed with admiration. Here, he had been thinking she was a mousy little thing.
One thing was for sure: she definitely would cause him one massive headache. Probably several.
“Let’s order,” Megan said with forced chirpiness as she grabbed a menu. “I am starved, as I am sure you both are.”
***
“Megan, you can’t possibly leave me with him.” Suzy followed her sister into the hallway of the overpriced restaurant.
“You’ll be fine.” Megan wrapped her lovely scarf around her neck. She gave the valet her ticket. “Stop being so dramatic. Daniel is nice. I must go to my business meeting. Order dessert. Try to enjoy yourself.”
Suzy crossed her arms. Lunch had already been much too long. Daniel and Megan chatted away about their college days. For all they noticed, Suzy could have been a dead fly on the wall—not that she cared in the slightest.
Daniel was just like her father, a stuffy old suit. Well, he wasn’t that old, just a few years older than she was, but still, he was a suit who was only interested in making money.
She straightened her shoulders. Just go in there and get it over with. She’d decline his offer to collaborate with her. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too hard on his ego.
She strode to the table, eluding what she hoped was an air of confidence. That had always been Megan’s department.
