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“Can I show you something?” I asked. She nodded. I gestured for her to follow. I sat on the bed, pulling out my digital camera. I skipped through most of the pictures of the reserve until I got to the ones of Nick. “I took these today. Tell me what you think.” I watched her.
She took the camera and started flipping through them. “I need to get a better look. Can we hook this up to my laptop?” she asked, and I nodded. I followed her back out to the living room and pulled up a chair next to her. She plugged my camera in to her computer. While it loaded, I caught her staring at me. When it was done loading, it made a sound and a window popped up. Claudia clicked on the file, and it opened. She double-clicked on a picture of Nick surrounded by butterflies.
“I really like this one,” she said.
“It was so weird. We were walking back to the car, and then all these butterflies just started fluttering around us.” I smiled.
“I like how he is looking at you,” she said, looking at me.
“Huh?” My brow furrowed. She placed the pointer next to his face, blowing up the picture. Then she flipped to the next one and then the next. His face was the same in every picture. “But—he acted so annoyed—”
“He is far from annoyed.” She sighed, sitting back, flipping through the rest of the pictures. “I think you should add a few of these to the show tomorrow.” She started putting a few pictures in a folder. “Think you can get these ready for tomorrow night?”
“Yes. I just need to know where I can grab some supplies.” I smiled.
“I’ll show you tomorrow.” She got up from the computer. “Night.” She sauntered down the hall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The next morning I got up and walked out to the hall. I could hear the water running in the bathroom, so I walked to the kitchen and took a seat at the table. A few minutes later Claudia came walking down the hall.
“Morning ,” she said and smiled, walking over to the counter. “Coffee?” she asked, grabbing the cupboard handle.
“Yes, please,” I replied.
She pulled down two mugs and poured coffee in them. We chatted a little before she left the room to get dressed. I took a shower and found some clothes on the bed when I returned.
“I chose this dress for you for later,” she said, holding up a short black dress. “It’s simple enough not to take the attention off your work, but you will still look ravishing.” She smiled. I blushed. “What’s your shoe size?”
“Seven.”
“We might have to get you some shoes to match.” She hemmed and hawed a moment. “We’ll stop at my favourite place before I show you where the art store is,” she said, grabbing a hanger for the dress, and wrapped it in plastic. “I’ll keep this at the gallery.”
“Okay.” I was nervous already, and the day had only just begun. I think most of my jitters were because I wasn’t sure if I would run into Nick again.
“I’ll be waiting in the living room for you.” She said and exited the room with the dress. I quickly slipped on my jeans and a black short sleeve off-shoulder t-shirt blouse, and my black knee high boots. I followed Claudia to the shoe store where she picked out a pair of red pumps for me to try on.
Then we drove to the art shop, and she introduced me to the owner. Everything was at my disposal. I thanked Claudia and went about my business. The owner helped me with the laminating of the photographs on the backgrounds I chose. I grabbed a new sketchbook and pencils; I had an idea I wanted to display before the show later. I checked the time, and then drove around until I found the perfect place to sit and sketch. I found a park not far from where Claudia had left me and took a seat on a bench. I looked at the field of lush green grass, people scattered around playing Frisbee or having a picnic. It was like something out of a movie. I pulled my knees up with the sketchpad on my lap and closed my eyes.
When I was done drawing, I closed the pad and put it in my bag, then started back to my car. I had an hour to set up and get dressed.
Claudia was excited to see what I was going to add to the collection. She took me around back, and we carried in each piece carefully.
“This is great stuff , Lauren. You are really talented.” She looked them, over as she displayed them.
“You’re not just saying that because of who I am . . . are you?” I asked.
/> “No,” she said. “Okay, let’s get these up and get you dressed. I have another artist to put on display as well,” she said then held one of my pieces up. “What does this represent?” she asked. I smiled, standing next to her.
“Heartbreak,” I replied.
“Wow.” She couldn’t take her eyes off it. Then as the other artist arrived, she introduced me. We chatted briefly until she scooted me away to get changed.
“Claudia, I’m here. What’s the big rush?” Nick said, coming around the corner as I disappeared down the hall. I glanced over my shoulder hearing his voice but he didn’t see me so I kept walking.
It was time to open the doors and there was a line up already.
Nervously I stood near my work as the place began to fill up. I scanned the room for Nick, knowing he had come in earlier but I didn’t see him anywhere. And I have to admit I was disappointed.
