Page 121 of Say Yes to the Death

Aaron nodded. She led him quickly through the gallery to the back, where a closed door that was usually Nicole’s darkroom had been transformed into a proposal nook. Aaron and Jane would have complete privacy for the big moment until they chose to share the happy news.

“See? It’s quiet, secluded. It’ll be just the two of you.” She gestured to the bouquets of roses and the false greenery they had introduced to disguise the darkroom. “Nicole will capture the ‘yes’ from her strategically placed camera hidey-holes. Now, her family will surely stampede you with love the second you open the door, but you can stay in here as long as you want. And afterward, there’s an open bar.”

“Thank you,” he said on an exhale. He seemed to still be following the breathing exercise.

She adjusted the spotlight below the print. Although his fiancée was the real artist, he certainly knew his way around a sketch. It was roughly drawn, but the similarities between the caricature and the real-life people were undeniable.

“You did such a great job,” she said, patting him on the arm. “And that’s a perfect rendering of the ring.”

He shrugged. “It was no big deal. I took a picture and tried to make it as realistic as Jane would have. She could draw a better sketch in a coma.”

Claire laughed and swatted at him. “She’s going to love it. She should be here any minute,” she said, glancing at her watch. “I just have a couple of things to check on. Don’t forget, I have the ring. I’ll pass it to you when you’re about to go to the back room. Do you want to stand outside until Jane gets here? It’s a little crowded in here.”

He let out another slow breath and nodded before disappearing outside. He cut through the throng of family and friends, wringing his hands and taking deep breaths. Jane’s father clapped him on the back as he passed.

Claire took another glance around, adjusting a frame that was slightly tilted.

Hors d’oeuvres—check. The waiters were passing spinach dip crostini, mini crab puffs, and tiny shooters of tomato soup and grilled cheese. Jane’s favorites. Champagne—check. It sparkled in glasses at the bar, ready to be passed out. The storefront was now gleaming, so Mindy must have finished the glass cleaning job while Claire was with Aaron. Claire had done trash pickup and some light power washing on the sidewalk only an hour ago, so surely it hadn’t gotten out of control since then.

Her phone beeped. Jane had pulled up out front. A thrill ran through Claire. “Faces to the wall, everyone! Talk among yourselves. It’s showtime!”

The guests whirled to face the artwork on the walls. Aunt Muriel pulled out her compact and trained it on the door. Claire shook her head.

She planted herself in the middle of everything, quickly swiping a crab puff that was about to fall from a tray and crumpling it into a napkin. She stuffed it into her pocket. Hopefully, she would remember to throw it out so it wouldn’t become a sleepwalking snack later.

“This is so nice, Aaron,” a woman’s voice said as the couple crossed the threshold. “I never knew there was a gallery here. I wonder if they ever accept local artists for shows.”

Jane stepped confidently inside in a purple kimono romper and combat boots. Her shock of red hair was peppered with streaks of green. A pearl clutch dangled from one hand.

“Couldn’t hurt to ask,” Aaron said, sweating under the overhead lights.His voice cracked.

Friends and family glanced at the couple out of the corner of their eyes, barely concealing wide smiles.

“Oh, it’s my favorite concerto,” Jane said as Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5” played softly overhead. “This is my kind of place. Oh, and spinach dip crostini!” She accepted one from a passing waiter. “I want to live here,” she said as a glass of champagne was pressed into her hand.

“Shall we look at some of the art?” Aaron asked.

“Of course,” Jane said, taking a sip as they walked to the nearest wall. “Wait a fricken second—” Her systematically plucked and groomed brows knit together. “This is my painting.”

Aaron stood next to her and feigned ignorance. “Are you sure? Maybe someone else just painted the same spot in the park as you.”

“No, these are definitely mine. That’s my niece,” she said, gesturing to a young girl with cornflower hair giggling under a sun hat. “What the hell?” She turned, clearly searching for someone in charge to begin asking questions.

Nicole stepped in out of nowhere. “Hi, Jane. My name is Nicole, and this is normally my photography studio,” she said, gesturing at the structure. “Your boyfriend wanted to surprise you for your anniversary, so he asked me to host an exhibition for you. It’s an honor to display the work of someone so talented.”

Jane turned to Aaron and hit him on the arm. “You did not.”

He shrugged, still sweating, and managed a smile.

“I did.”

“Oh my god,” she said, pulling him into a hug. “I don’t even know what to say.”

He kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “You’re the most talented artist I know. Your work deserves to be seen.”

Claire sidled up to Aaron and slid the ring box into his pocket.

“You should really check out the piece in the back room,” Nicole said, gesturing to the darkroom. “It’s one of a kind.”

---