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My head spun to hers. “What?” I’d been too busy spying on Daisy to notice.
“In minutes, actually. We’ve decided to auction the last one off.”
“Holy shit.” My eyelashes fluttered back to Lanie in disbelief. “I never expected that.” I wondered if Daisy knew. I gazed around the room until I found her staring up at an abstract piece of art. My shoulders lowered instantly. “I didn’t think I was good enough.”For her.
“True artists can be very self-critical,” Lanie said, seemingly bemused by my lack of attention. “Is that what you want to be? A professional artist?”
Realizing I was being rude, I turned back to Lanie. “I like the thought of getting paid for something I love doing, but it also feels kind of empty. I want to do more than fill someone’s wall.”
A hint of a smile played on her lips. “Flynn mentioned you do a lot of volunteering.”
My cheeks warmed. “I run some art classes for a group of kids from troubled homes. I grew up in the system, so I understand what they’re going through.”
“That’s amazing, Ethan.” Her smile grew wider. “I’d love to discuss a job opportunity with you while I’m in town. Are you free for lunch tomorrow?”
“Um…yeah.”
“Great,” she uttered, sliding a yellow business card from her handbag and into my hand. “Here’s my number. Call me after your hangover subsides, and we’ll organize a time and place.”
“Sure,” I uttered, glancing back at Daisy as I slid the card into my back pocket.
Daisy’s face flicked back to the painting in front of her.
“You should go talk to her,” Lanie said, squeezing my forearm before waving to a man waiting by the entrance. “Enjoy your night.”
“Thanks,” I muttered before closing my eyes with a grimace. How obvious had I been?
Flynn appeared at my side only seconds later. “That looked promising.”
“She wants to meet tomorrow to discuss some sort of job opportunity.”
He patted my back with a grin. “I knew they’d want more from you.”
Flynn’s enthusiasm evaded me. I’d been let down too many times in my life to enjoy these moments. “I’m not a factory, though. I paint when I need to, not because I have to.”
“Well, see what she says. You never know where this will lead you.”
I sipped the beer that had been growing warm in my hand. “I’m not after fame and fortune.”
“Well, it may be too late for that.” He nudged my arm and motioned across the room. “You’ve already got a few admirers.”
I looked over to see a group of women smiling our way. “I’m pretty sure they’re looking at your fancy Rolex, Flynn.”
“Hey, I’m trying to fit in here,” he said, grunting at my black leather high-tops. “Artists can get away with anything.”
“Hi there!” A dark-haired woman posed in front of us like a supermodel. Her confidence amused me.
“Hi,” Flynn said, holding out his hand. “I’m Flynn, and this is my brother, Ethan.”
“Brothers?” She giggled. “You look nothing alike.”
“We’re not blood related,” I uttered, taking another sip of my warm beer as I peeked around our flirty friend in search of Daisy.
“My name’s Estelle, and my friends and I were wondering if you’d join us for a drink.”
Flynn grinned. “Why not?”
As I mindlessly followed Flynn and Estelle to the flamboyance of long-legged beauties, I panned my gaze around the gallery, searching for the shortest girl there. I found her instantly.
