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I placed a palm over my racing heart. “There’s really a waitlist.”
Delilah smiled. “Oh, honey, there’s a list and we are upping the prices next time. Even several of my other artists felt the Faith Waters fame bump. They are thrilled.” She set aside the list and leaned down on her elbows. “Listen, I’m sorry about the little mishap with the flash photography. That person has been banned. For life.” She touched her hair, making sure every strand was in place. “It was gauche, and we can’t have gauche. Now, I’ll be depositing your share tonight. Check your bank account first thing in the morning to let me know it went through.”
“Thanks, Delilah.”
“You have talent, Faith Waters. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.” She winked and went back to combing through the papers on her desk, likely getting ready to “check out” with the rest of her artists.
I took my cue to leave and found Sebastian waiting at the exit with the rest of my family.
Then Charlie came sprinting forward. “Don’t go through the door.”
My dad paused, his hands on the metal bar that would release the door and lead us out of the gallery.
Charlie came to a stop, hands on his hips. “My guy outside just told me there are a few guys with big old cameras in the back alley. It’s not a secure option.”
Sebastian pulled me close to him. “What’s the alternative? The main entrance?”
Charlie nodded. “We can control things better. Not ideal, but we can surround her.” He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. To the driver, by the sound of it. He gave a sharp nod and pointed to the front.
By this time, Delilah had noticed something was up and looked our way. “Everything okay?”
“Just a little security hiccup,” I said with a stiff smile, embarrassed that this was all happening because of me and my family.
We walked in a little huddle toward the front. The partitions were still in place, blocking us from whoever stood on the street. Charlie insisted on ensuring our limo was out front before we left the building.
He went to check on it, leaving us in our little huddle. But at this point our little party was making a big deal of this and my fellow artists were starting to take notice.
I bounced on the balls of my heels. "Let's just go."
Without waiting for a response, I marched forward, pushing open the door.
Sure enough, a few paparazzi stood outside. Some of them yelled for me while others tried to get the attention of my dad and brother.
Charlie clocked us right away. I could practically hear him grinding his teeth over the cacophony of the crowd. In addition to the paps, other people were crowded around the entrance.
I sighed as I saw the limo pulling up. In a few heartbeats, we were all safely secured inside, and Sebastian never left my side.
I pushed back my hair, victorious. "That wasn't that bad."
Sebastian looked about as amused as Charlie. He adjusted his cufflinks, and the little motion sent my heart racing and my brain thinking filthy things.
Until I remembered my family was in the car with us.
"So where are we going?" Aunt Maggie asked the question, and I was eager for the answer. I couldn't stomach much before the show but now that it was over I was famished.
My stomach chose that moment to chime in just as the limo pulled away from the gallery.
Everyone laughed and released a collective sigh of relief once we were on the move.
"So, seriously. Where are we going, and can I get a veggie burger with sweet potato fries because that's what I'm craving? I need all the energy otherwise I'm going to crash."
Sebastian's lips twitched.
"Damn it," my brother swore, pulling his phone from his jacket pocket.
Daisy giggled behind her hand.
"Don't worry. I already told the driver where we should go," Sebastian said. "You can cancel that fancy restaurant you booked."
