Page 91 of How to Get Even

He bit his tongue. She was right. But so was he. His gaze bore into hers. ‘You didn’t tell me about this because you knew I would be upset.’

‘Yes,’ Bella replied. ‘But I also know that a one-to-one with someone rich enough to win this bid is life-changing not only for the charity, but also the artists in your gallery. Is it really so bad that we not only get to help families who desperately need it, but the artists too?’ Bella asked. ‘Youdid it. You met someone who changed the journey of your art. Is it so bad that we give the artists in Nayak the same chance?’

He stared at her, not having seen it like that before, and his head swam. Was he holding the artistsback? What kind of gallery director was he, if he let his own prejudices prevent them from moving beyond what he could help them achieve?

‘Chase?’ Bella asked, concern in her gaze.

‘Fine,’ he bit out, wanting a bit of space to think this over.

‘Fine as in “Bella Jar” fine?’ she asked, wincing hopefully.

It was damn near impossible to argue with her. Especially as it was so different to when he’d argued with Annalise. That was lava-hot rage and cryogenic levels of cold, furiously slammed doors and silent treatment on both sides. But Bella was like the tide, she might not keep her cool, but she explained herself, her thoughts. She used her words to open doors, and show him corners, there was heat and fire, yes, but it didn’t burn everything down, it brought everythingin. And they could agree to disagree which was why itwasimpossible. She drove him mad. In a way that made him want to consume her whole.

She waited. She stood there and waited until he wrestled his feelings and thoughts back together. She gave him the time he needed to be able to answer coherently, where Annalise hadn’t, because it always had to be her way, on her time scale, on her terms. Even the end of their marriage.

‘As in, fine, I’m okay with the donation, if not entirely with how this came about,’ he grudgingly admitted. There was understanding in her gaze and he almost wished there wasn’t. Because it was that that would get them into trouble, he just knew it.

He watched her move around the space, making bids on auction items. He’d wanted to hold onto his anger. Needed to. Because without it, his desire for her began to spin out of control. And when their gaze met across the room, wide glistening grey eyes capturing his, he saw surprise, accusation, and something he shouldn’t see.

Want.

* * *

No one would know, to look at Bella Carmichael, that inside she was trembling. Having placed bids on behalf of Nayak on items she didn’t actually care about, she made her way towards the dinner knowing that he was following her.

Bella located their seats at the table, feeling Chase’s gaze on her the whole time. She smiled and introduced herself and Chase to the other people on the table, one of whom – Amanda – she vaguely knew from the ‘circuit’ of gala dinners and foundations. She tried to focus through the painstaking small talk that seemed all the more derisible with Chase beside her.

To her surprise, Chase entertained the table with stories of various artists he’d known, or met, galleries he’d showed at and art scene insider gossip. He charmed the women at the table and involved the men. Amanda was practically drooling in her soup by the end of the first course and Bella was irritated beyond belief.

It was exactly what she’d wanted though. Chase, proving that he was nothing like the article. The redemption not only of the gallery’s reputation, but his too.

So why was she practically flinching every time Amanda laughed at something Chase said?

Astrid

How’s it going?

Bella

A little too well. I think Chase is flirting with someone.

Astrid

Is that a problem?

Yes. No. Bella bit back a groan.

Bella

Of course not.

Astrid

You sure?

Bella

Yes. I am.

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