Page 15 of Colors and Curves

“Hell, I’d quit my job at the studio to work with you as many hours as you’d want.”

I chuckle. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll give you a call in a couple of days, and we can discuss the next steps. Sound good?”

“Thanks, Julius. This means a lot. I won’t let you down.”

“I know. Now go to your party. Don’t drink too much.”

He shakes my hand vigorously, then pets Chance. He and Dylan wave to Daisy on their way out the door.

And then the interrogation begins.

“What the hell is going on with you?” The pleasant facade is gone. She’s still pissed. “It’s like you’re a different person. Did aliens come down and suck out your brain and replace it with someone else’s?”

I tell her what I saw when I went to Cameron’s apartment yesterday and how it didn’t sit well with me. “I don’t know. I feel bad for the guy. He looks so put together when he comes to work. I didn’t expect to see that he lives in a place like we did when we grew up. Ours was worse, though. Aunt Marie took us in and gave us a better life.

“Cameron’s a good guy—he works hard. I can give him a chance to make more money while he learns on the job. Professor Johnson was my mentor and helped me get to where I am today. Maybe I can do that for Cameron.” I shrug. “Pay it forward.”

“Excuse me if I’m a bit stunned. I need to digest this whole evening. Let’s go to the living room to continue this conversation. I can’t stand in these shoes a minute longer. It’s time for my foot massager. That was the best birthday present from you.” Daisy kicks off her high heels and carries her drink to the couch.

I follow her and drop to the couch myself. It’s been a long day. Chance jumps up and lies across my lap. I drape my arm along his back.

Daisy sets up her electronic massager and gets in position on her favorite part of the sectional. The vibration of the massager replaces the silence.

“So what’s brought on this one-eighty change? You never think about things outside your bubble. You are kind of selfish, you know.” She always tells me how it is. No sugarcoating. “First, you’re taking Cameron under your wingandyou showed up at the opening. I know you better than anybody, so I’m sure you understand why I don’t get it and am a little hesitant about all these changes.” She lets her body relax into the couch and drops her head back.

“I don’t know how to explain it. It sounds melodramatic, but meeting Skylar two days ago changed something in me. When she walked away and told me to have fun being a lonely, miserable bastard for the rest of my life, it opened my eyes. You said something similar the same day, and it made me think.”

She sits up. “You never told me how you knew Skylar was the same person.”

“I overheard her phone conversation with you at the park. She said she’d be at work at nine. Then you said you had to go to the gallery at nine. I… kind of followed you… to see if it was true.”

She perks up. “Was that Chance barking? I thought I recognized his bark.”

“Yes. He seemed to see her too, or maybe it was you. When I saw her, I suddenly found myself happy.Happy. Then I had to think about when the last time was that I felt truly happy. Sure, I have my professional success, but what do I have beside that?”

“You have me and Chance.”

“You know what I mean.”

She winks at me. I guess she does. We sit quietly for a few minutes, listening to Chance snore and fart. Just when I think she’s going to let it go, she starts again.

“It’s obvious there’s a spark between you and Skylar. What are you going to do about it? You started off on the wrong foot, and that doesn’t help business relations. She still doesn’t know you’re my brother.” We never got a chance to talk to her alone because Monica was always there. “The night was over when you dropped that glass.” I catch her eye, and we both hold back a laugh.

“That’s the second time she can blame me for splashing her with something. The other day, she had coffee. Chance pushed her over, and it went down like a bomb—hit the ground and exploded all over her legs. I’m glad it was an iced coffee. And now the water. Not that water is a big deal, but…”

“We have to talk to her at some point. I really want to apologize… or maybe you should do it. She’s so laid back, I’m sure she’ll understand. Eventually. Oh, and she’s amajorfan of Julius Ariti, so don’t screw it up.”

“Big deal. Who am I without the title?”

“Ha. You’re the miserable and lonely Julius Levi. Maybe she’s the one who’ll change all that.”

If only it could be that easy.

Chapter 9

Skylar

I unlock the gallery door and swing it open. “I can’t believe you’re here!” I embrace Lacey and then Will once they walk through the entrance. “Welcome to Nouveau Exposures.”

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