AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Simone cackles. “I don’t know, Fi, maybe the fact that you were staring at Sebastian’s butt so closely that you could tell what brand of jeans he was wearing?”
“It was before we were on Team Anyone-But-Texas,” Fiona protests. “And it was for research purposes.”
“What research?” Simone says, clutching her stomach as another laugh explodes out of her. “Please explain.”
Fiona just giggles. “Maybe Grant needs new jeans! I don’t know. It felt important at the time.”
I blush and purse my lips. “Sebastian does have a nice butt.”
“Exactly,” Fiona says. “We can dislike him and objectify him at the same time. It’s only fair.”
I fall onto my back again and join them in more laughter.
When we quiet down, Simone nudges me. “You need something to do for yourself, Georgia. You were a CEO. You reached back and helped other women follow in your footsteps. You were busy and driven and successful. I bet you miss that part of yourself.”
Chewing my lip, I meet my new friend’s gaze. She’s right, of course. I spent my entire adult life building a business that I subsequently lost in my divorce. I didn’t have friendships like these women have, but I had goals, ambitions, successes. I miss the thrill of making a sale, of comparing profits year over year and knowing that my business’s growth was down to my own efforts.
I miss feeling accomplished. Right now, I only feel like a failure.
“I have an idea,” I admit, “but I’m not exactly qualified to pursue it.”
Both women sit up straight and turn to face me.
I stare at the ceiling, still lying on my yoga mat. My face feels hot, and I don’t think I can blame the yoga class. “It’s kind of silly, really.”
“Tell us,” Fiona says. “Simone and I started a coffee shop with Candice, and we knew nothing. Trina became a personal stylist and only recently completed a course for it, years after starting the business. You don’t need someone else to tell you you’re qualified.”
“Unless you’re wanting to become a surgeon,” Simone says reasonably.
My lips curl. “I’m not becoming a surgeon.”
“So what’s the idea?”
I sit up and wring my hands. “Well…” Why is this so hard to say out loud? If I was opening a new spa, it would be easy. I’d know exactly how to begin, and I’d even have contacts and suppliers ready to work with me again. But the thought doesn’t excite me the way it once did. I stare at my clenched hands and finally say, “I was thinking of starting an art gallery.”
There’s a beat of silence, and all my fears and doubts compress to a hard ball in my gut…until I lift my gaze to see a look of pure excitement on Simone’s face.
“That. Is.Awesome!” She grabs my forearm. “You know, the only gallery in town closed down when the Lancasters moved away.”
“I noticed you have paintings and pottery in the café, and the hotel has some art for sale, but there’s no dedicated space.” I touch the edge of my yoga mat, tracing the line of foam against the polished hardwood floors. “But, you know, I don’t really know anything about art. I didn’t even think Ilikedart until…”
Until I stood in front of Sebastian Finch’s sculpture andfeltsomething. Until the bastard kissed me in the shadow of his work and tilted my world on its axis.
“I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Fiona announces. “And we’ve cultivated relationships with a lot of the artists in town to get them to display their work in the café. We could introduce you.”
“Not to mention Mac,” Simone says.
“What about Mac?” Trina asks, approaching with her rolled-up yoga mat under one arm.
“Georgia’s opening an art gallery. Do you think Mac would want to exhibit any of his work?”
I put my palms up. “No, wait. This isn’t certain. I just—”
“I’ll ask!” Trina beams at me. “We’re in dire need of a new gallery. They do a pop-up one during the Fringe Fest every year, but Lee was saying he’s been getting inquiries from buyers about the local artists year-round, even more so since they hired Nora to work on the magazine.”
“Lee is Mac’s brother,” Fiona explains. “He’s dating Nora, and they both work for the Fringe Festival in town.”
I nod, head spinning. “That’s great. Listen, ladies, this is all moving really fast.”
