AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He looks around, pride visible in his gaze as he settles his hands on his hips in a look that on others might seem like they don’t know what to do with their hands, but on him comes off as relaxed.
“I’ve been fortunate to showcase some great talent.” His discerning gaze comes back to me and glances down at the canvases in my arms. “I’m Jared. My niece spoke very highly of you.”
My cheeks flush with a blush. “I’ve never really showed my work to many people,” I admit. “I might’ve only had the courage to show her because I’d had slightly too much wine.”
The corner of his mouth tilts up in a small smile. “Well, let’s see if we can put those negative thoughts to rest, hmm?”
I nod, although now the tightness in my stomach has turned into a sharp nausea that has me struggling to breathe as I lift the canvases and place them on the table he gestures to. He doesn’t say a word as he lays them out and then looks them over, his gaze serious and focused. I nibble on my thumb before I realize what I’m doing and then drop it to my side. I shouldn’t be nervous. It doesn’t matter if he loves them or hates them. I have a job. I don’t need my art to be seen by the masses or sold or—
“These are spectacular,” he says as he turns that sharp gaze to me. There’s almost a hint of accusation in it like he doesn’t trust why I was so nervous, but that also might be me projecting.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
That hint of a smile makes another appearance and then he stands tall. “Tell you what. I just had an artist vacate, so I’ve got room if you’d like to put these up for display. We can negotiate the price, but the gallery will take a partial commission.”
My head spins. “Wait. Are you serious? You want to sell these?”
“Yeah. That’s why you’re here, right?”
“To be honest, I figured you’d tell me they were great for amateur stuff and send me on my way.”
His smile grows. “Alayna, I can assure you these are definitely great and not at all something I’d consider ‘amateur stuff.’”
I open and close my mouth like a gaping fish, trying to wrap my head around what he’s telling me. The whole time he just continues to smile a knowing smile like he’s used to this kind of reaction—and maybe he is.
I can’t believe he really wants to put up my artwork for sale—my artwork. What is even happening right now?
“I can see you’re reeling, so how about you go home and think it over. If you’ve got more like these, I’ll gladly take those too. You’re very talented, Alayna, and I have no doubt this will be a lucrative partnership for us both, if you’re up for it.”
“Um…I…yeah, thinking on it would be good,” I say, stumbling over my words. This is surreal.
It’s not until I get back in my car that his offer hits me with the full force of a linebacker. He wants to sell my art, and more than that, he thinks it’ll actually make us some money.
I don’t know if I’m brave enough to take him up on his offer, but a big part of me wants to, and if there’s anything I’ve learned this last week, it’s that doing scary things can sometimes be really rewarding.
Maybe I’ve been looking at this art thing wrong the whole time. Maybe it’s possible to have both a career that I’m good at and make some side money off my art. I don’t have to sacrifice one or the other.
For the first time in weeks, I feel hopeful and excited about what the future holds.
By the time I get home, I’ve already decided I’m going to partner with Jared and let him try to sell my art. I’m all about taking chances now and this feels like a potentially really rewarding one. I’m on cloud nine as I get settled in comfy clothes and get to work on a new art piece. I have work in the morning so I can’t stay up too late, but I’ve got a ton of ideas and one in particular that I really want to get down on canvas. I’ve got everything set up when there’s a knock on my door.
My stomach feels like it’s doing somersaults as I walk over to it. Is it Dom again? I can’t decide if I’d be happy or frustrated if it is him. So far, he’s been respecting my space edict, but it’s been over a week now since we talked, which is the longest we’ve ever gone without speaking, and I hate to say it, but I miss him.
I peek out the peephole and pause when I see it’s a woman. I open the door and take in the stranger who’s dressed in an elegant pantsuit—or as elegant as a pantsuit can be. Her hair is swept back in a chignon, and on her face is a smile that is just shy of authentic.
“Are you Alayna Pritchard?”
“Yes. Can I help you?”
“Actually, you can. May I come in?”
“Not until you tell me who you are and why I should let you.”
Her smile grows and this time it’s real. “I can see why he wants you.”
I frown. “Excuse me?”
She extends her hand. “I’m Shawna Cramer. I’m Dom’s new PR rep.”
