Page 35 of Shifted

"Joely, how are you this evening?" She crossed her arms with a pout, evidently still mad about my absence. “You're taking my mummy," she complained, and he stood nodding.

"So, a little salty, huh?" She looked away from him.

"Joely, don't be rude," I say, and she slowly glanced back up at him, her pout and crossed arms remaining. "Mummy," She turned to me, and her arms collected my legs as she didn’t want me to go.

"Don't worry, princess. We'll be home soon, okay? But you'll be fast asleep.” She nodded her head rapidly against my leg, and I bent down and kissed her forehead. “Now we have to go, okay?" Placing her down, she ran to Arabella, who scooped her up from behind, causing her to giggle.

"Bye, Joe." I kiss her as Grayson holds her, and Theo follows me out from behind.

?

After beating me to open my car door, he took my hand and handed his keys off to the valet. He pulled me out as I said, "I can open my own door. Thank you very much." He rolled his eyes and offered his arm out.

"Let's go, Cujo."

"Take that back!" He shook his head with a small smirk. “I'll kick you in the shins!"

"Fine, I'm sorry." We walked towards the stateroom, following the crowds of people dressed in black ties. "So, what's the goal for tonight?"

"Bid for charity, for the Pediatric Cancer Association." They did this for his mother. When Maria was a child, she had leukemia and survived. So they always did events like this in support of her and to help children just like her. However, as time went on, they didn’t seem to go as much anymore, but Theo made sure to go when he could.

"So, bid all my money?" He glared at me, "You don't have to spend a dime; you have a child to take care of and feed.” I cackle at his words, feeling a bit of arrogance come over me from his words. "You've seen my house, right? I think I can afford to buy something." We walked into the venue, and I could feel the burning stares on me, and I hated it. A man came over with a skeletal brunette on his arm.

"Jones!" Theo looked at him and plastered on a fake smile. Somehow, I knew Theo already secretly hated this man. “Mr. Ricardo, how are you, sir?" They shook hands, and his wife just eyed Theo. "I'm very well. Who is this with you?" He now stared at me.

"My wife, Hope Jones. Hope, this is Mr. Ricardo and his wife Aleisha." I shook their hands as my stomach did a soft flip. What the hell was Theo on? "I've known him for a few years." Aleisha nodded, but her attitude towards me changed; it was more malicious.

"They worked together on a project just after Elton graduated with his BA from Harvard," Aleisha boasted proudly, squeezing his arms like he had won the Nobel Peace Prize. I wasn’t impressed, actually. I never really paid attention to one's education; I just valued their efforts. You could go to Harvard and get passing grades or go to any other University and be at the top of your class. I’d value the hard work over the prestige of one's alma mater.

"Good for you." I turned to go towards the bar, leaving Theo behind. As I reached it, I patted the counter, "Scotch neat, please." The bartender nodded and turned, grabbing the bottle.

"You really can't stand being here with me, so you resort to scotch?" His words were just inches from my ear as he spoke; the bartender slid me a drink.

"No, if that were the case, I would've ordered Brandy neat, but maybe I should've since I'm your ‘Wife.’" I swung the drink back and looked over to the stage.

"Elton hates dates or anything that's not a commitment. I didn't want to screw over a deal," I just glared at him. Why didn't he just bring his fiancé? I’m sure she’d be fuming to know her future husband pretended to be mine for the evening. Or that he failed to mention her once around any of us.

A woman stood with a microphone, tapping it as a zapping screen filled the room. "Looks like it's about to begin." I slid the glass back on the bar and moved towards the crowd, filling their seats.

"Miss Hope Taylor." I stared at my seat. “At least my name is actually on a seat and not just ‘Wife of Mr. Jones’." He sighed, knowing all night I wouldn’t let this go. In fact, I was almost seething in anger.

"What can I do to make this up to you?" He whispers to me as I sucked in my lips, "I'll think of something." I wouldn't; I just hope not to see him again after tonight. I took my seat as the auction began with bidding on 18th-century jewelry.

But as the bidding continued, one item on display caught my eye: "That painting." It was placed on a metal easel. It was a vintage landscape oil painting, but not just any painting: "That's Woman at a Window." It was displayed in front, gleaming in the light as people readied their paddles.

"This 1822 piece of history is by Casper David known as 'Woman at a window.’'" I smiled at it as slight gasps were heard throughout the crowd. It seemed to be a valued item, but I wanted it for the sentiment, not the wealth or bragging rights.

When I was a child, my parents took Taryn and me to Germany. I was about seven years old, but they took us to the Alte Gallery. I was mesmerized by this woman. I thought deeply about who she was and what her thoughts may have been. Though we don't see her face or expression, she looks out to the docks, her attention drawn away from anything and everything. I found solace in the painting, knowing it brought back one good memory of my childhood.

"I saw that in Germany when I was a kid. It was beautiful. I still remember it to this day. That's it, that's the painting.” I anxiously waited for them to begin, ignoring any unwanted stares on Theo’s behalf.

"We'll start the bidding at fifty thousand." His red paddle with the number 8 flew into the air, followed by several others.

"Fifty-eight thousand.” A guy in the crowd yelled, upping his bid.

"Seventy thousand!" I stare at Theo in shock as he makes a bid.

"Ninety thousand!"

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