Page 107 of How to Get Even

This way, everyone came out looking like they’d won, especially if it was presented as having been the plan all along. Zadzisai would provide a few unseen pieces for the gallery that worked with Sascha’s debut exhibition.

How better to debut the gallery than with a debut artist?Bella had asked.

Of course, it had all been her suggestion. And that was what he was struggling with. He wasn’t jealous, or resentful, but deep down he knew that itshouldhave been his idea. That if he was any good at his job, it wouldn’t just be relief he was feeling. It should be excitement, right? Pleasure? Pride? Anything but plain and simple relief.

‘Everything is ready,’ Bella informed them all, cutting into his thoughts. ‘The tweaks to the final news blast for the subscribers and the fresh website content. Just say the word.’

‘The word,’ he said wryly and everyone laughed. Bella did too, but he’d seen the small second’s-worth of frown as if she could sense something was wrong.

‘Okay, people, we have just four days before the pre-opening. I’m sure we have better things to do than sit round my office, let’s get to it,’ he commanded. Bella left him a lingering glance, but she was probably the busiest of them all, so she smiled before returning to her desk.

Everything would be better after the pre-opening, Chase decided. It would be easy after that. And maybe he’d stop feeling like such a fraud.

* * *

Private WhatsApp Group, 3 members. 16.42EST.

Sienna

So I’m setting this chat up without Bella because, has anyone heard from her recently?

Astrid

She’s pretty busy with the gallery opening.

I still feel bad about the article.

Sienna

Me too. But she’s worked her ass off to undo the damage from it.

Paige

She absolutely has.

And, so I had this idea…

Astrid

?

Sienna

I just think… what if we went to support her?

Astrid

Ohhh! I’d love that.

Paige

Do you think she’d want me there? I wouldn’t want to spoil the night.

Astrid

NOOOOO! Not at all. You HAVE to be there.

Sienna

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