Page 40 of Sunrise & Serenity

“In the art scene, that might as well be over-the-hill. They’re always looking for emerging talent. I’m not sure whether someone who’s had a taste of success but then stalled still has what it takes.”

She studies me for a moment, head tilted, and I try not to squirm. Then she sets her mug on the coffee table and turns her full attention back to me. At the seriousness of her expression, I brace myself.

“Sage, I say this with all the love in the world, but it’s time to stop feeling sorry for yourself. And it’s time to stop blaming yourself. Graham took advantage of you. He knew exactly what you needed to hear and gave it to you in a way your parents never have.”

I remember when Graham visited my college. Everyone knew who he was. Students talked about the photographers he discovered and the careers he helped launch. After my portfolio review, he asked me to stay behind. In a room full of talented students, he chose me. It felt like someone had finally looked at me and seen something worth believing in.

Mia studies me. “But somewhere along the way, his opinion became the one that counted, and you stopped believing in yours.” She shoots a look at Ruby, who’s still coloring away, humming to herself, then lowers her voice. “I say screw that.”

I smother a laugh.

“I’m serious,” she chides. “You kicked Graham to the curb, and now you get to choose what comes next. Don’t let him or any other pretentious art-hole convince you that you aren’t good enough.”

This time, I do laugh. “Art-hole?”

Her lips twitch, but she nods firmly. “Yep. Your ex is one of the biggest. Which is why it’s time to stop treating everything he told you over the past four years like gospel. If you want to apply for those residencies, then you should. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. But you won’t know if you don’t try. Just make sure whatever you do next is because it’s what you want.”

I place my own mug down and pull her in for a big hug. “How did you get so smart?”

A low chuckle works its way out of her. “I’m not sure smart has anything to do with it. I’ve got more than a few of my own issues, don’t forget. It’s always easier to see the solutions to someone else’s problems than it is to see your own.”

I exhale. “So true, unfortunately.”

“Mommy, Aunty Sage, look,” Ruby pipes up from her seat on the floor.

She holds up a page from her coloring book, showing us the princess she’s colored in all in blue, except for her pink face and long brown hair. Next to her, Ruby has drawn a stick figure person with a big cowboy hat and a stick figure horse. The top of the paper is covered in a big, gray blob with zig-zags coming out of it.

“Wow, that’s fantastic,” Mia enthuses. “Bring it here so we can have a look.”

The little girl scrambles up and darts over. “Is this a princess and a cowboy?” I ask as I admire her artwork.

She smiles brightly. “It’s you, Aunty Sage. See?” She points to the princess’s brown hair. “And that’s the cowboy prince who rescued you from the storm. Do you like it?”

I blink, catching Mia’s amused gaze. “Of course I like it,” I tell Ruby. “In fact, I love it. You got the scene just right.”

“It’s just like Mommy told me. You can keep it,” she declares magnanimously.

“Aw, thanks, bug.”

With a nod, she skips back over to her book and makes herself comfortable on the floor again.

“She’s too cute,” I say to Mia.

A laugh escapes her. “Yes, she is, when she’s not being a menace. But tell me, did she really get the scene right?” She points to the big smile on the stick cowboy’s face. “This doesn’t quite look like the reaction you said Holden had.”

“Hmm, that detail might be a little off. Though I have actually seen him almost smile a couple of times since then.”

“There you go. I knew he’d warm up to you. How could he resist your sunny personality?”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure he’s into sunny. But we do seem to have reached a truce. He’s even going to give me riding lessons.”

Her brows shoot up. “Really?”

“Yeah. I thought it might be fun to take photos from horseback.”

“I’m sure it would be.”

I nod, nibbling on my lower lip. “Do you do much work out here?”