Page 35 of Deliverance

“Understood.” She nods. “But if you change your mind or meet someone, don’t hesitate to call my office.” A warm smile tugs at her lips.

“I will.”

Fifteen minutes later, I climb into the back of an Uber that’s waiting for me outside the building, a prescription for more sedatives stuck in the side pocket of my purse. The driver confirms my destination and merges with the loud traffic.

I’m still as a statue for a few moments, needing time to snap back to the reality of the present. Clouds of sleep begin to cloak my brain as the car rolls through the ribbon of other vehicles. At some point, my head lolls to the side and I doze off. But not for long. It’s the ding of my phone that jostles me awake.

We’re passing the heart of West Hollywood with its flamboyant crowd snaking along the sidewalk lined by bakeries and small boutiques, and I’m once again reminded of everything this city has done for me, of all the magic.

I rub the sleep from my eyes and check my phone.

Bae: Ready to Bust Some Moves? NEXT FRIDAY 9 PM - 1 AM Hosted by Layla Rea and DJ Flask

I’ve been to only one of those super-secret dance parties Santiago likes to attend, and I’m not sure I’ll have the time with the event coming up and a small job I just accepted, but I don’t want to upset my friend. We haven’t done anything fun together in ages.

You know I can’t dance to save my life

Bae: You don’t have to. Just come forsome drinks.

Sounds tempting

A grinning emoji pops up on the screen.

I toss the phone into my purse and stare out the window, part of me still rattled but another part of me excited and hopeful, which is an unnerving feeling—being torn apart by all these contradicting emotions.

The driver inches the car toward the corner, rounds the building, and drops me off in the alley near the back entrance. My stomach lurches as I make my way to Tina’s office. She’s seeing the rest of the collection today and, despite the fact that this isn’t my first rodeo, I’m nervous. Her opinion is important. She gave me a chance, saw something in me when no one else did.

The business end of the gallery is quiet, and Lucia greets me when I pass the copy room.

“Morning, Drew.” She grins from behind the whirring printer.

“Hey.” I slow my pace and peek inside, the sharp smell of ink filling my nostrils.

“Tina’s in the vault,” Lucia says as if she just read my mind.

I spy a thick stack of flyers with my name on them sitting on the desk and it only adds to my anxiety. “Thanks.”

“I’m excited for you. There’s a lot of buzz in the press about the event.”

“Do you know who handles the guest lists?”

“Tina. But the names go through me first.”

“Then I’ll email you a couple a little later. Deal?”

“Of course.”

“I appreciate it.”

I steady my breath and head to the basement, where the vault is located, my boots thudding the cement floor. This part of the gallery is off-limits to pretty much anyone but those who work here. Although interns have no access either.

The massive steel-reinforced door is wide open and Tina stands inside, dressed in all navy. My pieces, framed and ready for display, are lined up against the wall.

I pause in front of the door and knock politely to announce myself. “Good morning.”

Tina spins on her heels and gives me a strange look that I can’t read. “Drew!” Two heartbeats later, a smile breaks out on her face. “I’m speechless.” She strides over, her sharp gaze never leaving mine. “You’ve outdone yourself. These pieces are so perverse. There are no words.”

Tina isn’t usually the type of person who’s at a loss for words and I’m not sure what to say, but it feels like a weight has finally been lifted off my shoulders. This collection is darker than anything I’ve created and baring my pain and the pain of everyone else involved was probably the greatest risk I’ve taken with my art.

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