Page 155 of Love Among Vines

“That’s too bad,” Jade said, but she felt lighter than she had since coming back to the city. Maybe this was the universe’s way of making it up to her.

Her spine was tingling again. She needed to go home and paint.

“There will probably be more pieces coming. I’ll try to get them dry as soon as I can,” she said. “You’ll hold on to these?”

“I will protect them with my life,” Lyric whispered reverently. “We’ll start the advertising push today. I’m so happy you’re back, Jade.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

Jade left the gallery with a full heart and, for the first time in a long time, hope.

The eveningof her first showing in two years, Jade paced nervously in her apartment. True to her word, Lyric had put out a media push announcing Jade’s return to the art world. She had put together a showing remarkably fast, and twenty pieces madeup the roster. It was nothing like any of Jade’s earlier shows—there wasn’t as much social commentary, just raw emotion and imagery.

Lyric had hinted that the number of RSVPs was very encouraging, but Jade shied away from the specifics. Tonight would make or break her.

It was her triumph, her comeback story. And with any luck, after tonight she wouldn’t have to worry about finances for a while.

She slid in a pair of dangling gemstone earrings. Her hair was swept back and bobby pinned in place, and a simple black dress adorned her figure. She paired it all with knee-high boots (mostly for warmth).

“Come on, Penny.” She whistled to the dog, who was wearing a bowtie collar and black tutu.

Lyric gave her artists a number of allowances, including bringing their pets with them for support. Penny was sure to knock over a buffet table or snatch an hors d’oeuvre out of someone’s hand, but at least Jade would have her furry companion there.

Maybe tonight would be an opportunity to make some new friends. Hell, maybe she’d even meet the future love of her life. Stranger things had happened.

Penny, at least, seemed to be happy to be back in the city. During their walk to the gallery, she ducked her head from side to side, dragging Jade all over the pavement.

Finally, after Jade had nearly face-planted thanks to Penny’s desire to chase an errant squirrel, they arrived at the gallery. A crowd teemed inside, people filing around the space and staring at her paintings. The light had been lowered, with beams of red and deep purple mood uplighting spaced evenly in the front room. Golden light was just visible between the branches of some faux greenery at the back of the gallery.

There was no time to waste. People were more likely to buy if she schmoozed them first, and her future was riding on this showing.

With a deep breath, she flung the door open and stepped inside.

“Here she is!” Lyric’s voice rang out loud and clear in the gallery. People turned towards the door. A hush fell over the crowd, and classical music tinkled softly in the background.

Clapping broke out until the entire crowd applauded. Heat rose from deep within Jade. Between the nausea and embarrassment, she probably looked like a half-ripe tomato.

Penny’s nose was pressed to the floor. She tugged hard and disappeared into the crowd. Traitor.

Jade finally remembered to smile and waved sheepishly. Half a dozen people converged around her.

“Jade, tell us about your new collection.” Oh, this one had a voice recorder. Must be from some sort of publication.

She chatted and made small talk with a number of critics, potential buyers, and previous customers.

It was an overwhelmingly positive flood. People gushed over the juxtaposition of the dark and the light. For the first time, she even felt comfortable answering some overly personal questions—the inspiration behind the darkness, why she had disappeared for a number of years.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around, already mentally steeling herself for more small talk.

“Kenya! What are you doing here?” She leaned forward and was wrapped in Kenya’s sculpted arms.

“I was in town. Blake’s here too,” she said, pointing at the corner of the room. Blake appeared to be chatting up a Wall Street-looking thirty-something with carefully slicked-back brown hair. At least someone was meeting the love of their lifetonight. “We saw the announcement and had to come. I’m so happy everything worked out for you.”

“Well, almost everything. Rett dumped me. Long story,” Jade said.

Kenya frowned. “You say the word and I will burn that winery to the ground.”

Jade laughed. “As fun as it would be to see you do some kind of prison bootcamp workouts, maybe we should avoid arson. Thank you so much for coming.”

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