Page 16 of For the Love of Art

“Out the back door?”

I shrugged. “It’s a door, isn’t it?”

Nathan chuckled, once again advancing. This time, I couldn’t step back without stepping into my vomit. My breath faltered now that there was only a foot between us, and his spicy cologne encircled me.

He pulled a pack of gum out of his pocket. “Want a piece?”

My mouth tasted rancid, so I was more than happy to accept a piece.

“Thank you,” I said once I had safely chewed the gum enough times to activate the mint.

He finally stepped back, and I felt both a small amount of relief and sadness.

“So, you really want to stick to the story that you’re okay?”

I sighed. “I saw someone I didn’t want to see.”

“Ex-lover?”

“Husband.”

Nathan’s eyes widened. “You’re married?”

“Separated. Heading toward divorce. He’s here tonight with his new girlfriend and figured it would be a great time to tell me that he’s drawing up the divorce papers. He’s such an ass.”

“Oh.”

I suddenly felt very vulnerable, and I looked down at the ground.

“I don’t know why I told you all that,” I whispered.

“Do you feel better having said it?”

“A little.”

Silence.

I moved my line of vision up to Nathan. His thumb glided across his lower lip, and he wore a small smile. I looked back down.

“I guess I should go,” I said to the ground.

My brain began to try and work out how I would get into the gallery again and out with Lianne without Nathan, or worse, Don, noticing.

“I don’t think you should go.”

I finally looked up at him. “You don’t?”

So far, I’d run into my ex, vomited in an alley, and walked out an exit door without meaning to leave. All signs pointed to go home to bed.

Nathan shrugged. “The night is still young, and so is this party.”

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I don’t know.”

“I could use a break from all the people, too.”

“They’re here for you.”

“I know.”