Page 9 of Colors and Curves

“Can you watch Chance for me again? It’d only be a couple hours. I have somewhere to go, and Daisy will be at that opening for my bodyscape collection. You can hang out at my place and order in. My treat.”

He cocks an eyebrow skeptically. “Can my boyfriend come with me? I know how private you are, but—”

“He touches my shit, you die.”

His eyes widen.

“Cameron, lighten up. I’m just kidding.”

“I’m the one who should lighten up?” He points his thumb at his chest. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you have a fever? You… You’re different today. I guess I don’t see you outside of work much, but… And why didn’t you just call me? Why the hell did you come all the way over here?”

“What’s with all the questions?” My voice is harsher than I meant it to be. Cameron’s face deflates. Truth is, I don’t know the answers. I just know I feel like a different person than I was yesterday.

“Sorry. I’m just surprised you came here. Forget it.”

“Okay. So you’ll come?” My voice is a little friendlier this time.

“Yeah, sure. What time?”

“Does six thirty work for you?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll let you know if something changes.”

“Great. Don’t say anything to Daisy, though. She’ll be busy with the opening.”

His eyebrow tweaks upward, and I can tell he wants to ask more questions.Time to escape.

“Thanks for your help.” I reach out my hand. Now both of his eyebrows touch his hairline.What the hell?He glances at my hand, then slowly wraps his around mine. I shake it firmly, then let go. “See you tomorrow night.”

Once I’m out of the building, I take a deep breath. Daisy and I grew up in a place like this. Only our place wasn’t just decrepit or old. It was dirty, dangerous, and deadly. I look back at it and wonder where we’d be right now if Aunt Marie hadn’t taken us into her Brooklyn home when we were in high school. I don’t think I’d be a successful photographer. And Daisy or I might’ve ended up like Mom or our father. It gives me the chills just thinking about it.

Aunt Marie was a saint for taking in two fucked-up kids the way she did. She knew it wouldn’t be easy, but she refused to let us be separated and sent to different foster homes. Once she died, I kind of closed off again. I let my work become even more of an obsession, and I kept everyone at a distance. I felt safer and less vulnerable that way.

But what I plan on doing tomorrow will rip my world wide open.

Chapter 5

Skylar

“Look! It’s gone!” Daisy turns me around to face the mirror in the bathroom. She clasps her hands to her chest and leans in, waiting for my response.

I twist back and forth. “Either you’re awesome or the makeup is. One less thing to worry about. I don’t know which was worse, my blotchy chest from my nerves or the scratch from the dog. Anyway, you fixed it!” I use my hand to fan the air in front of my face. The AC is running full blast and I’ve got my hair up in a classy bun to help me stay cool, but it’s not working. I’m sweating like hell.

“I know this is a big night for you, Skylar, but you need to bring your nerves down a notch,” she says, placing her makeup in her makeup case.

“It’s ahugenight for me.” This opening could make or break my career. If tonight isn’t a success, Monica could easily decide I’m not the one for this job.

“You’re right,” Daisy says. “It is huge. But the gallery looks awesome. Everything’s ready to go, and we still have time before the door opens.” We head over to my office. I take a deep breath and then blow it out.

“I can’t thank you enough for all your help and encouragement. You’d think you worked here. You’ve gone way out of your way, more than any agent I’ve ever met.”

She leans in close and whispers, “You’re one of the youngest I’ve worked with, not as annoying, and you’re just plain cool.”

“What’s all the whispering about?” Monica joins us, holding three flutes and a champagne bottle in her hands.

“Look, Daisy made that scratch magically disappear.”

She places the glasses and bottle on the desk. “Even more reason to celebrate. Let’s have a little sip before we open the door.”

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