Page 32 of Nobody's Girl

“It’s no trouble for a new neighbor – oh hey, Desi?” Sofia grabbed the hand of the owner, a tall, gorgeous exotic-looking woman, wearing a gold shift dress. The woman smiled at him. “Desi, this is our new neighbor, Felix Hammond. He’s taken Mme. Forniere’s apartment.”

Desiree shook Grant’s hand, studying him. “Have we met?”

Grant grinned widely. “I would have remembered. Sadly, we haven’t. Your gallery is remarkable, quite stunning.”

Desi took the praise with a graceful incline of her head. “Well, welcome, welcome. I hope you’ve seen somethings you like. This one’s work, unfortunately for you, is all sold out.”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “Because you bought two-fifths of it. And actually, I wanted to talk to you about that. Felix, would you excuse us for a few minutes?”

“Of course.”

He watched the two women walk back to the office at the side of the main hall. Damn it. He did know Desiree…or rather they’d crossed paths, years ago, when Desiree was still transitioning, and Grant was husting in New York. They hadn’t been friends, as such, just occasionally shared a cigarette at a late-night diner. Grant smirked to himself. Girl done good, he looked around the vast gallery. He had no doubt that Desiree had gotten herself a sugar daddy back in the day and that this was probably the result. How else would she have gotten this far? And smart cookie that she was, she’d moved here where no one knew her history.

Grant was impressed, but it posed a risk to his plans. He knew what to do if it became a problem though. He snagged another drink from the tray and went back to the party.

Desi was already writing a check before Sofia could stop her. “Desi, no. The paintings are yours, I don’t want any of your money. You’ve already given me so much.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Desiree said, blowing the ink dry on the check. “Besides, this doesn’t even begin to cover what your work is worth but you’re at the start.”

She handed the check to Sofia, who took it reluctantly. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the figure. “Oh, no, come on, Desi, this is too much.”

Desi waved her away with a hand. “Stop your griping. The checks for your other pieces were made out to the gallery so when they’re processed, there’ll be more. You sold out, kiddo, congratulations.”

Sofia’s legs felt suddenly very weak and she sank into the chair. “I can’t believe it.”

“Well, believe it. Both Maceo Bartoli and Grady Mallory are already fighting over who gets to exhibit you next and I know Quilla would like to talk to you about maybe teaching a summer class at her foundation. You’re headed for the stratosphere, baby.” Desi sneaked a cigarette out of her bag and grinned at Sofia. “Don’t tell Ivo.” She cracked open a window and blew the smoke out into the cool night air. “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, Sofia, you know? Big things are happening both personally and privately.”

Sofia opened her eyes wide and blew out her cheeks. “You can say that again.” She hesitated for a moment. “Ivo asked me to move in with him.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Desiree smiled. “But, you know, you don’t have to do anything until you are ready. I’d say the same to him. It is fast.”

“It is,” Sofia said, chewing her lip. Desi took another long drag.

“What does your heart tell you, little one?”

Sofia looked at her with shining eyes and Desi smiled. “Guess you’ve already made your mind up. Well, I am happy for you both. You’ll always have your room at my place, though.”

It was almost midnight before the crow started to disperse. Sofia was dead on her feet, and Ivo, seeing this, swept her onto his lap as they sat at one of the tables. Their new friends, Maceo, Ori, Flori, Quilla and Mallory sat with them, chatting. Sofia felt a comfort settling in her bones. She belonged somewhere. At last. She had also found out that it had been Adria La Loggia who had purchased Sofia’s portrait of her son and she was both flattered and glad it was going to someone who loved Ivo.

She heard his voice before she saw him and her heart froze. He was berating the security team in a loud voice as they refused to let him in, and then he was calling her name…no, shouting her name. Oh god.

She leapt from Ivo’s knees and started walking, almost stumbling towards the voice, desperate to stop him making a fuss, ruining Desi’s night. Ivo was at her side, steadying her. “What is it, my love?”

She looked up at him with stricken eyes. “You have to stop him…he’ll ruin everything, everything.”

“Who?”

Sofia didn’t answer but stumbled her way towards the man who had ripped her heart out. When he saw her coming towards him, he smiled beatifically. “Darling Sofia…”

Fergus Rutland pushed past the guards to take his step-daughter in his arms.

Chapter Thirteen