AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eloise was certain she misheard Wilhelm. “Wait. What? You like my paintings?”
The three of them laughed, while Margaux beamed.
“Like?” Melody scoffed as she looked at her two counterparts. “Love doesn’t begin to scratch the surface. You’re a very talented young woman and you’re going to go far in this field.”
“Really?”
Wilhelm chuckled and handed Eloise his card. “I’m in the city. Call me. I’d love to have you at my opening in the fall.”
Eloise held his card as if it were her lifeline.
“When can I pick up my pieces?” Roger asked Margaux.
“Tomorrow,” she said. “I want to leave them up until the end of tonight. I’ll have them wrapped and ready for you in the morning.”
“Perfect.” He stepped forward and clasped Eloise’s hands with his. “I’m opening a show in London in six months. Can I put you on the list?”
Eloise nodded slowly.
“I’ll be in touch.” He kissed her cheeks and then Margaux’s.
The others said goodbye or see you later, she wasn’t really sure because it felt like she was underwater, treading through the current.
“What just happened?” she muttered to her aunt.
“You, my extremely talented niece, just impressed the socks off three very important buyers in our industry.”
“I’m just . . . I don’t even know. I feel like this isn’t my life and someone should pinch me.”
Just then, Kiel walked up with a glass of champagne for her. “Why do you need to be pinched?”
“Because reality is setting in for our young artist. She has two offers, one for London and one for New York City, has sold four pieces, and the door hasn’t even opened yet.”
Tears welled in Eloise’s eyes. “I never thought?—”
Margaux pulled Eloise into her arms, careful not to spill her champagne. “That’s because your father never allowed you to believe. Trust me, if I didn’t see your talent, I wouldn’t put you on display like this. Embrace the moment, my sweet girl. You deserve it.” She squeezed her tightly and then let Eloise go. “I’m going to open the doors now. Be ready to mingle.”
Margaux walked away, leaving Eloise with Kiel.
“I’d say tonight has been a success and if the line outside is any indication of what’s to come, I think every painting in here will be sold.”
“I can’t even imagine.”
Kiel placed his hand on her waist and whispered, “Imagine it because it’s all real.” And to send his point home, he pinched her lightly. She squealed and leaned into him.
“Thank you for coming tonight. When you didn’t respond to my text?—”
Kiel trailed the back of his fingers along her cheek. “I didn’t want to give anything away about the invite from your aunt.” He turned and looked over his shoulder in her direction. “Truth is, I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
Margaux’s voice boomed as she welcomed people in. Anything Eloise had to say would have to wait until later.
“Crap, no more hiding.” Since she wore heels, she didn’t have far to go to kiss him. They kept it chaste, but once they got back to her house, she was going to show him how much she missed him.
Kiel laughed. “If I’m not mistaken, don’t you know everyone in town?”
Eloise nodded, shrugged, and grimaced. “More or less but they’ve never seen this side of me. Or you for that matter. You’re the one on the canvases. Not me. I just painted what I saw and put my interpretation into the moment.”
He bent down and kissed her by her ear. “I’ve never been more captivated in my life.” Eloise leaned into him. “I have a whole new appreciation for what you do.”
