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I guess Delilah knows what she’s doing.
Sebastian stuck close, as promised. Charlie was stationed out front, glaring at everyone like they were at the top of the America’s Most Wanted list. I would say it was excessive except I could hear the mutterings and feel the stares of the people around me.
Sure they were here for the art, but I think some of them were here for the free show too.
The other artists were thrilled with the attention because it meant more eyeballs on their work. Over the course of the next two hours, most of the paintings in the gallery were marked with a sold sticker.
“Tell me more about your work,” said an older woman. Her pitch-black hair was cropped bluntly around her chin and she pulled off a heavy bang that most people wouldn’t dare attempt. Her chunky eyeglasses were stylish and yet timeless. “These paintings seem more…personal.”
I swallowed. “That’s because they are. They were all done over the span of a couple of very difficult weeks for me and I wanted to reflect on those feelings, and bring them to the canvas.”
She eyed me intently before glancing back at the painting we stood in front of—the self-portrait with the black eye. It was admittedly more abstract than I usually went for, but you could clearly make out the purple, blue, and yellow of the bruise. My other eye might not have been black, but it did have dark circles underneath. I even dared to highlight a few wrinkles that the past year had carved into my face. I couldn’t even be mad about them because they were well earned through tears and life lived.
I didn’t explain all that, of course. I was trying to balance honesty and forthcomingness without compromising myself.
The woman gently grabbed my upper arm and said, “You’ve captured something very raw. I want to buy it.”
“Seriously?” Of all the paintings, I thought this was the one that might not sell. It was just a picture of me after all, kind of vain if I thought about it too deeply.
Delilah swooped in to take over, just as she had done all night. “You have impeccable taste,” she said to the woman with the glasses. I barely managed to wiggle my fingers in goodbye as they left to figure out payment.
The crowd ebbed and flowed all night. An hour later most guests left and only a few stragglers remained, talking to the artists, trying to figure out if they wanted to go through with a purchase.
It was then that Sebastian broke from where he stood sentry. Despite Dominic and Daisy’s attempts to bring him into conversation, he remained focused on the crowd, never taking his attention away from the strangers that milled about.
I even heard him telling my brother that he’d convinced the gallery to upgrade their security and set them up with his app and system. He used that to monitor the comings and goings of people, the back entrance, everything.
Finally Dad arrived with Aunt Maggie. I squealed, “Dad.”
I swallowed the short distance between us and hugged him. He carefully tucked me into his chest. Then I stepped back and straightened my arms to get a better look at him. His face was shaved, his suit was well fitted, and he looked trimmer than before. His skin didn’t have that sallowness that had appeared after Mom’s death.
That little vice around my heart loosened slightly. Someone tapped on my shoulder. “Where’s my hug?”
I let go of my dad to hug Aunt Maggie, squeezing her extra tight. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “You’re a miracle worker.”
“Oh, honey, no thanks necessary.” She squeezed me right back, and I soaked up the maternal love.
I blinked a few times, pushing back the tears.
“You should do a loop, then we can head out.” It was almost closing time and with another sellout evening, there wasn’t much else for me to do. I pointed Dad and Aunt Maggie toward my other favorite installation, but they shook their heads and stayed put.
“I want to look at your work,” Dad said, cupping my chin and planting a quick kiss on my cheek before going to greet Dominic, Daisy, and Sebastian.
Sebastian held out his hand, but my dad refused it, pulling him in for a hug instead. “I heard you’re taking good care of my girl.”
Sebastian’s ears turned crimson. I’d laugh if I hadn’t been so surprised. I went and stood right next to him, lowering my hand to fit in his. He startled at the connection, looking down briefly before searching my eyes.
Take my hand, I all but broadcasted with my eyes.
He loosed a relieved sigh and threaded his fingers in mine.
“Much better,” I said, bringing my other hand up to hold on to his arm, anchoring myself to him and feeling completely steadied by his presence.
Aunt Maggie practically beamed at me, and my dad seemed equally pleased.
“I always thought you two would get together,” my dad said smugly.
I must have misheard him. “Wait what?”
