Page 64 of Omega's Refuge

My cheeks warmed and I dropped my gaze in embarrassment. “No. I… I went to college for four years, but I switched up my major and never finished. It was too expensive to keep going, so I quit and just started freelancing.”

“I see.”

I laughed self-consciously, glancing up nervously. “Do I sound like a slacker to you? You have a law degree and I couldn’t even get a damn art degree.”

He squinted at me. “There you go again putting yourself down. I really wish you wouldn’t do that, Tanner.”

I sighed. “I can’t help it. I always feel inadequate. Maybe I should have taken on more debt and just finished college with a degree. But it felt like such a waste of money. Especially when, what I really wanted to do was sell my own art. Not do commercial art.”

“Yeah?” He looked intrigued. “You wanted to sell your art?”

I nodded. “That was my original dream. But it’s hard to get shows at galleries unless you have a name, and if you don’t really have a way of promoting yourself through shows, it’s hard to sell anything. I tried for a bit, but then gave up and started taking the free-lance graphic artists jobs. They don’t pay great, but they pay better than nothing, which is what I was getting trying to sell my art.”

“I’d love to see your work,” he said softly.

I smiled. “Why?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I have a feeling it’s great.”

I laughed gruffly. “You can’t know that.”

He touched his temple. “Logically, that’s true. But you’re such a compassionate, creative type. I’m sure that comes out in your work.”

I couldn’t help smiling wider. “You’re so damn nice, Rex. I mean, you make me feel so good, just being around you.”

“Yeah?” He looked pleased. “Well, I’m not doing anything special. I’m just being honest.”

I hesitated. “Maybe when we get back to the ranch, I’ll show you some pictures of my work. I have some photos on my phone.”

His face brightened. “I can’t wait to see your work. I used to collect art when I lived in the city. I even brought some of my favorite pieces with me here. They’re hung in my cabin on the ranch.”

“Seriously?” I asked in surprise. “That’s fantastic. What kind of art do you like?”

“All of it.” He shrugged. “Modern, impressionist, anything. I’m blown away by the creativity of humans.”

My chest warmed at how sincere he sounded. Rex had so many more layers than I’d ever have expected. I’d dismissed him as “just a cowboy” but nothing could be further from the truth.

Rex added, “My brother, Jack, he runs a gallery, and he sells art to hotels and businesses. He makes a great living doing that. Maybe I could put you in touch with him.”

Shocked at the offer, I froze. “No. You’ve never even seen my work. I can’t let you do that.”

His expression softened. “If it would help you improve your life, I’m happy to help.”

“It’s awfully kind of you to offer to connect me with your brother, but I wouldn’t want to impose on you like that.”

“It’s no imposition. He’s always looking for new talent.” He tilted his head. “Why do you hesitate, Tanner? I’d think you’d want to make a connection with someone like Jack. Especially if you want to sell your own art.”

“I guess the idea of showing him my art makes me nervous.” I grimaced self-consciously. “What if he hates it?”

“Or.” Rex pursed his lips, his expression thoughtful. “Maybe you’re afraid he’ll love it.”

I frowned. “What do you mean? Why would I be afraid of that?”

“Well, if he loves it, you’ll be given an opportunity to change your life. Maybe that scares you. Even if you’re unhappy with how things are now, they’re familiar. Better the devil we know than the devil we don’t know, right?”

My face warmed because he was right. I tended to hold on to things too long just because they were familiar. I’d done that with Steve. I’d continued on with Steve knowing deep down we’d probably never make it.

I met his gaze. “Jesus, maybe you’re right. Maybe I am just really scared of new things.”

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