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Tonight, I’m going to start rectifying my ignorance about Grace Monroe. No more side-stepping her life. Now, I’m more determined than ever to know all I can about this woman.
Chapter 5
Grace
The application on the screen taunts me as I try to find the right words to describe why I am the perfect choice to attend the program. It’s easy to fill in the blanks of the normal questionnaire, but when it comes to promoting my own self-worth, I’m useless. Everyone applying for this program is dedicated, talented, and unique in an exceptional way.
You’d think after all my years of schooling, I’d have something to brag about myself, but nothing comes to mind. I’m Grace… the girl who loves art and wants to make blown-glass pieces as a career.
Rarely do I allow myself to think about how things would be if Grandma were still alive. But today, I’m feeling nostalgic as I sit at the computer and glance longingly at the beautiful piece on display in the window of the gallery.
I want to create pieces like that and extend my knowledge to more intricate designs. At one point, the goal seemed out of reach because I knew where I was needed—first at home, now in Miami. It sounds cliché to say this was a dream I shared with my grandma, or that I swore to my crotchety grandpa I’d follow through with the application.
Last week, Logan walked in and handed me a padded envelope with information on an apprentice program, where I could learn the intricacies of the true science and techniques behind designing the world’s best glass. All the excitement from years before came rushing back to me.
If accepted into the program, I’d be learning from the top designers in the country, the crème de la crème to say the least. This goes beyond high manufacturers and ventures into the depths of the timeless pieces on display across the world.
It’s an unbelievable opportunity, one I never thought possible until now.
I stare at the last question, an essay, and swallow hard, searching for a way to put my thoughts into words. ‘What is the single most occurrence, so far in your life, that has shaped your future?’
The alarm beeps in the back, and I lean to see Logan walking in with a relaxed smile. For so long, he’s been stressed, opening the gallery alone and building the business while I popped into town for brief periods of time. Now that I’m living here, he’s been able to take some time off and actually enjoy his new life in Miami.
“How’s it goin’, Gracie Pacey?” He pats me on the head like a family dog then tousles my hair.
“Stop.” I swat at his stomach.
He jumps to the side, so I miss, and then he reaches back to mess with my hair again. He’s in a great mood, one I rarely saw while visiting because of the pressure he was under. I love seeing this side of my brother.
Tall with a muscular build, jet black hair, and deep blue eyes, there was never any denying he was Carl Monroe’s son. Aside from age, he looks exactly like my dad. And as a big brother, he acts exactly like my dad too often to mention.
“Tell me what’s been happening around here.”
“You only took one day off.”
“A lot can happen in one day.”
“Well, I didn’t burn the place to the ground, I scheduled two events in the upcoming weeks, and I may have found our January showcase with the UM students last night. All in all, I think I did well,” I boast because I’m pretty proud of myself.
&nb
sp; “Awesome! And…?” he questions by wiggling his eyebrows.
“And what?”
“And you had an appointment at nine yesterday morning. How’d it go?”
“Fine.” I close my computer and gather my notes. “He wasn’t really a buyer. It didn’t go anywhere.”
“It didn’t go anywhere? Did he show up?”
When I meet his eyes, I see a flash of disappointment and immediately become suspicious.
“Logan?” My instincts go on alert.
“Did he or didn’t he show?”
“Who are you referring to?”
