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The ringing sounded just a second later, followed by Delilah’s signature stern voice. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
Groan. I deserved that and Delilah deserved for me to be honest. “Was it that obvious?”
“Only because you were so easy to work with the first go around and because I saw the stories about your dad.”
The air punched out of my lungs. The constant news cycle reporting on my family, my dad especially, had only amplified my anxiety since my dad’s heart attack.
It was hard to try and move on and get into a healthier headspace when reminders of my dad’s attack kept being flung in my face. He might be a hell of a lot better now, but it still didn’t stop the sting.
It didn’t stop me from remembering finding my dad on the floor of his library. I sobbed so hard that it took me three tries before I could get 9-1-1 right. It didn’t help me forget the long minutes it took for the ambulance to arrive and the horrible ride to the hospital, watching as the first responders did everything they could to help my dad.
“I hate to ask, but do you think you’re going to be able to make the gallery show? It’s six weeks away and I need to confirm all the artists so I can start promoting it correctly. If you can’t commit, I need to give your space away to someone else.”
My stomach twisted, an unfamiliar feeling for me.
Just the thought of giving up my slot made me feel like I’d failed in this new career before I’d even started.
I didn’t want to fail anymore.
People hadn’t expected much of me.
Until now, I wasn’t responsible for much. As the daughter of a man with an empire that spanned many industries, I hadn’t had to work hard in life.
I had started to question that way of life a little over a year ago when I lost my mom. When my dad had a heart attack last month, it was the metaphorical straw that broke the camel's back. It was time to get my shit in order and make something of myself.
And I loved art. After trying a multitude of careers, I found my way back to something I’d always loved. I had taken art classes as a teenager and audited a few in college. Now it felt like my destiny…
A destiny that could be compromised if I didn’t deliver. If the mental block was something I couldn’t overcome.
Between focusing on my dad’s recovery and dodging aggressive paparazzi, I was mentally drained.
But I’d be damned if the idea of spending time with Sebastian didn’t ignite something in me. A small spark I wanted to kindle.
Perhaps that spark would help with my painting. In fact, I was betting on it.
“Yes, I’ll be ready by then.”
She hesitated. “Are you sure? I can’t have you backing out on me in a few weeks’ time. If you do, I’ll never work with you again.”
It also meant other galleries wouldn’t work with me either. For as big of an island as this was, the gallery world remained small and consisted of an inner working of talented folks trying to make a profit with high rents to pay. It meant that flakiness wouldn’t be tolerated, and a career could be ended with a small misstep.
My stomach twisted. “I’m positive. I’ll have the paintings ready to go in six weeks.”
Delilah was quiet on the other end of the line for a moment as if she needed a second to think things through. “Fine. I trust you. Don’t fuck this up. And make sure to answer my calls.”
The call ended abruptly.
“I guess we’re done,” I mumbled to myself as I stared at the black screen. I tossed my phone onto my bed and a quick glance at the clock confirmed I had a few more minutes before Sebastian would be here to pick me up.
My suitcase nearly burst at the seams. It was winter after all, and winter coats and boots took up a lot of real estate. I snagged a few packing cubes from my closet and tossed in a few swaths of cotton and some period underwear for good measure.
As I stared at my haul, I wondered if I shouldn’t pack something a little more exciting. My fingers hovered over the lingerie drawer and before I could think twice, I found a couple of my sexiest pieces and packed them away at the bottom of the suitcase.
Just in case.
I hauled my suitcases to the door and applied some plum lip stain while I waited for Sebastian.
I nearly vibrated with nerves. Perhaps I should have asked how long the drive would be. The thought of being alone in a car with Sebastian Steele… it was unfathomable.
