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“Think so,” Pearl said. “But… this is the third time I’ve seen her run to the bathroom like that.”
“Could be the flight. Only the second one she’s been on, remember.”
“No, I mean third time all day today. This morning I was helping her pack and right in the middle of folding something she threw the damn dress onto the bed and ran off to the bathroom. Pretty sure she was throwing up in there.”
“A lot to be nervous about.”
“That’s true. Anyway, big guy, I need to finish this.”
“Sure.” I stepped over to my desk and sat down, my eyes on the Caribbean below. The sea was vast and endless, and part of me wished that we didn’t have to leave the island.
I didn’t have much time to contemplate the matter before Emily returned from the bathroom. It was impossible to not notice that something was awry. She emerged from the hallway with her arms folded over her middle, a sheepish expression on her face as if she’d done something that she shouldn’t have.
“You OK?” I asked.
“Yeah. Fine.” She didn’t even pause to say the words, instead blowing past me without making eye contact and hurrying over to the couch, plopping down next to Marianne and pulling the blanket over her.
“Something to eat, Mr. Stone?”
Estella’s voice snapped me out of my staring. I cleared my throat and turned my attention to her.
“Uh, sure. I’ll take some blackened chicken and rice, a bottle of mineral water to go with it.”
She smiled before stepping away and asking the same question to the rest of the passengers. It wasn’t long before I had a plate of food in front of me, questions running through my mind. Regardless of what was going to go down during this trip to New York, I had to be ready.
I passed the time with some work on my laptop, figuring there was a good chance I wouldn’t be getting much done while I was there.
When the island of Manhattan appeared in the distance, I took a moment to prepare myself.
For better or worse, I knew this trip would be unlike any other.
Chapter 28
Emily
Logan’s Midtown penthouse apartment was something else.
The place was huge—three stories situated on the top of a prewar tower bordering Central Park, the views from every side of the place sweeping and endless. A huge spiral staircase traveled up through the middle of the apartment, the space sleek and modern.
“I always forget how cool this place is!” Marianne rushed into the enormous main living space of the first floor and fell back onto the long, white couch, her purse sliding off her arm. “I mean, I love the island. But this isNew York!”
Marianne grinned, her eyes closed as if she had nothing but her future success in the art world on her mind. I, on the other hand, didn’t feel as comfortable giving myself over to the fun and excitement of the big city. The view from where I stood looked out east over Queens and Long Island, and I couldn’t shake the reality that my father was somewhere in the distance.
“Mary-Moo, why don’t you get your stuff put away before you start relaxing?” Pearl asked. “And don’t you dare tell me you’re thinking of taking a nap after all that snoozing you did on theplane. You’ve got a show tomorrow, and being an artist isn’t just about wearing a pretty dress and showing off your art.”
Marianne sat up and smiled. “But most of it is.”
Pearl chuckled as she made her way over to the coffee station at the living room bar. “Well, sure. But you’re going to need to supervise your paintings while the crew packs them up and ships them over. Lots of logistical work.”
Marianne cocked her head to the side. “What’s logistical work?”
Logan entered, slipping off his suit jacket and nodding to Pearl to make him one of the espressos she was preparing.
“Logistics is the name for how things get done. For example, if you want to show off your art at a fancy Chelsea gallery, then the logistical aspect is what Pearl mentioned—everything that you need to do to actually get the art over there.”
Marianne’s face fell a bit before brightening. “Well, that might be fun!”
“I like that attitude,” Logan said with a small smile. “I’ve already done the legwork of getting the art movers organized, they’ll be here bright and early tomorrow. You going to be ready for that?”
