Page 25 of The Art of Taking Second Chances

“Hm, seems you’ve made some pretty influential friends here too.” I meant to tease him, but he squared his jaw and looked away.

“Well, anyway, I’m also helping curate a new wing they’ve donated. And I get to showcase my work at the upcoming exhibition.” I smiled. “I have three pieces, including the one you extorted from me.”

“Extorted. Right,” he replied, his smile brimming with mischief.

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll have you know, I’m donating that money to a very good cause.”

“It’s your money. You can do whatever you want with it.”

“Are you upset I’m giving it away?”

He shook his head. “Never. Are you upset you had to sell it?”

“I was furious. But I’m grateful for it. I’ve been intending to donate to a scholarship program for girls in my hometown, and this money is enough to set up a decent endowment. And my agent says it’s upped my cachet in the market.”

“You’re welcome.”

“That wasn’t a thank you,” I said, and he laughed. The laugh that made my heart take a tumble.

“Are you happy, Tara?”

“Yes. This is a big break for me, and a huge show of confidence from Dr. Hadden.”

“When I spoke with her, it looked like she knew you well.”

“She and I go back a few years. I first met her when she was at a museum in Boston. They’d hired the firm I worked for to appraise some paintings. She was impressed with my attention to detail and my breadth of knowledge, as she put it. I didn’t know how big of a deal it was until the firm’s director sent me a bouquet and personally came over to congratulate me. Then, after I quit and started my consultancy, she sent many clients our way. She’s an institution, and her word carries weight. I wouldn’t be here without her, in every sense of the phrase.”

“Then it’s safe to assume the paintings are worth your while.”

“Oh yes! They’re specially commissioned pieces of the family and the estate created during the early twentieth century and of great significance to the history of Texas art. But there are these two artists that have me puzzled. I feel like there’s some connection between them. I still haven’t figured out what. Their styles are different, as is their palette choice, but I feel it in my gut—” I recognized the smile in his eyes and stopped. “What?”

“I’m happy to hear you talk like this again, passionately. I wish I could see the paintings. They sound intriguing.”

“I can sneak you in someday if you’re interested. Maybe you can help me solve the mystery.”

“I’d love that.” He smiled, and my cheeks warmed. “But that’s not what I asked. Are you happy?” His voice was gentle, bordering on concern. “Is this what you want?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re an exceptional artist. Are you happy with this advising slash consultation business?”

It was my turn to shrug. “Even exceptional artists need to put food on the table. I couldn’t afford to remain jobless for long, waiting to be discovered. It’s not a fair world.”

“It isn’t.”

“Do you know I got to work with D.G. Groh?”

“Groh! The Devon Groh?”

“The very one.” I grinned. “I was in a month-long student apprenticeship program with him. He’s so humble and unassuming. It’s unreal for such a famous artist.”

“Unbelievable.”

“He’s the one who referred me to my first job as an advisor. I was a struggling student with visa restrictions, and it gave my career a new lease. I learned a lot, the pay was decent, and they eventually processed my green card. I worked there until my mentor convinced me to go into a partnership with her at the new firm she was starting. I did, and now, here I am.”

“I’m very happy for you, Tara. And proud.”

The sound of those words, the look of authentic care in his eyes, knocked down the wall I had built between us. “Until last year, I worked around the clock, till my eyes wore out and my body gave up. I was so tired, Sameer. The opportunities felt surreal, and I couldn’t afford to waste a single second. I read and learned and did everything I could, like a greedy, starved person, and yet I felt I wasn’t doing enough. Now, I embrace every success and every bit of happiness that comes my way.”

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