“So you liked his work?” Olivia asked.
“I did. There were a couple of pieces I’d love to own.” Whitney lowered her voice. “Not like the ones Mom picked out. I mean, they are fine and artsy, but he’s got a wide range in his portfolio. He had a great night from a business perspective. People were spending thousands on his paintings. I couldn’t believe how many red dots there were.”
“They were on sale?”
“No. I thought the same thing. Apparently, in the art world, those red dots mean the work is sold. Who knew?”
“Not me.”
“It was more the crowd who pointed and said, ‘I’d like that one, please.’” She pursed her lips, looking like a prissy aristocrat ordering others around. “You get the picture. A no-haggle environment.”
“La-di-da, like your dad with your mom,” said Carina. “I need William to learn that.”
They laughed. “Your husband is a work-in-progress,” Whitney said. “You’ll get him trained, eventually.”
But Whitney’s mind wasn’t on William—it was on Katherine Grace, and her husband who, like Dad, was clearly picking his battles last night. Whitney’s phone pinged again, and she grabbed it, wondering if it might be Matthew, but not wanting to check. She hated it when people were ruled by their phones.
“Is it him?” Carina’s brow raised.
“I didn’t look.”
“Look.”
Whitney turned over her phone. “It’s him checking on lunch plans.”
“Good.” Carina clapped her hands. “Ask him to Casino Night right now.”
“No. Don’t text.” Olivia stopped Whitney mid-text. “Call him. He can’t say no to you over the phone. Texting is too easy to wiggle out of,” she said. “Trust me. This is Dating 101 in this century.”
“What if he says no? Then I’ll feel even worse about having to go by myself.”
Carina shook her head. “He won’t, but if he does, Olivia will go with you.”
“I don’t want to go either.” Olivia pulled her hands to her hips. “How do you know I don’t have plans?”
“He will not say no, but you two can go together if he does. He won’t. I’m telling you.” Carina pointed to Whitney, miming air-dialing the phone. “Now.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “Quit staring at me. You’re making me nervous.” The phone rang, and then he was on the line. “Hi, Matthew?”
She spun her chair, turning her back on the girls, snickering behind her. “Yes, I had a great time too.”
She felt Carina creeping up to the desk, trying to overhear.
Whitney waved her hand, shooing Carina out of her space.
“Actually, instead of lunch, I’ve got this thing tomorrow night. We’re one of the sponsors of the Chamber of Commerce Casino Night. You wouldn’t want to come with me, would you? It’s sort of a command performance, but it really might be fun. And it’s casual.”
Carina stepped in front of her. “Let him answer. Shut up!” she whispered with her teeth clenched.
Whitney clamped her mouth shut and flinched.I’m rambling.
“That sounds fun,” Matthew said. “What’s the dress code?”
“Casual. Well, actually it’s like Denim and Diamonds. I’ll probably wear jeans and some blingy stuff.”
“I’ve got boots. I can do Western. Sure. I’ll pick you up. What time?”
“It starts at seven. There’s music, and if I remember correctly, that comedian who had the sitcom is going to be doing a show at nine, but we don’t have to stay that long.”
