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“I understand you paint.”
“A little,” I admit. “I’m still getting started, really.”
“Hm.” She studies me over the rim of her glass. “I’d be interested to see your work.”
“Why?”
Her chin lifts. “Because I enjoy art, of course.”
I take a drink of my wine, searching for courage. I know I have no right to pry, but of all the questions I have about Nick, this woman is the mystery that troubles me the most.
“What happened between you and him?”
“He hasn’t told you?” She doesn’t pretend to misunderstand. Her shrewd eyes bore into me, searching for truth the same way I am. She tilts her head. “No. He hasn’t told you anything, has he?”
I’m not expecting those words. I’m not prepared for the chill they send through me. Or the questions—the uncertainty—that suddenly begins to flood my heart.
What does she mean?
Aside from Kathryn, how much more don’t I know? Is she only trying to shake me up, knock me off balance? If so, it’s working.
“You betrayed him.” I blurt the accusation. It’s a hollow one, since Nick hasn’t elaborated beyond the basics of his falling out with Kathryn. But I see how it hits her. She flinches as if I’ve struck her. “He trusted you, Kathryn. Now he hates you because you betrayed him.”
“Dear girl,” she says, and that cultured voice of hers falters just a bit. “Dominic hates me because I loved him.”
I’m still processing the weight of that statement when Lita comes toward us, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Avery, oh my God! You’re not going to believe it.” She grabs my arm in both hands, her eyes wide and her grin beaming. “Derek Kingston just invited me to propose a sculpture design for Dektech’s lobby!”
It’s impossible not to share in her enthusiasm, no matter how distracted I am by my conversation with Kathryn. “Lita, congratulations. That’s great.”
“I know, right? And I’m talking about Derek-fucking-Kingston besides.” Belatedly, she glances away from me to look at Kathryn. “Gah, sorry. I’m totally interrupting.”
“Not at all,” Kathryn replies smoothly. She glances at me. “I’ll let you get back to your friends, Avery. But I meant it when I said I’d love to see some of your work. I’m always looking for new pieces to add to my collection.” She opens her small handbag and withdraws an ecru card with elegant script lettering. “If you’re interested in talking some more, get in touch.”
I take the card from her impeccably manicured fingers. Even though I’m tempted to tear up her contact information as soon as Kathryn dissolves into the crowd, I can’t bring myself to do it.
Slipping the card into the inside pocket of my purse, I look up at Lita and return her giddy smile. “We should go find Matt and celebrate your good news.”
She beams. “I approve of that plan. First round of champagne is on me!”
Chapter 16
The penthouse is empty when I return later that evening.
Nick texted me around three o’clock to let me know his business meetings had run long, and that he’d made commitments with Andrew Beckham to take a couple of prospects out to dinner. Rather than come home and eat alone, I joined Lita and Matt for celebratory burgers and beer following her successful exhibition.
The time out with
friends was fun, but it didn’t make me forget about Rodney. It didn’t make me forget about Kathryn or the fact that answers about Nick’s past—and, hell, possibly even my best shot at making some money off my new art—is just a phone call away.
Kathryn’s card has been a temptation ever since I slipped it into my purse.
I should have torn it up. I probably still should. But I have to admit I was more than tempted by her offer. I am even now, as I sink into a tub full of sudsy, warm water in the penthouse’s master bathroom. Nick has come right out and demanded that I stay away from her. But why single her out? He’s had other discarded lovers—Margot Chan-Levine from his gallery, Dominion, to name just one. He hasn’t forbade me to talk to her.
Only Kathryn.
Kathryn, who had been as close as family to Nick at one time, according to Jared Rush.
