Page 10 of Isabella and the Slipper

She measured them, keeping notes for the website, and thought about how she would rearrange the other paintings to make them fit. It wasn’t just about hanging them up. Each piece needed to be highlighted and to have enough space around it so it could be appreciated on its own. She worked on it all morning, taking only a short break for lunch.

Once she had a basic floor plan ready, she went to work taking down paintings and making room for the fifteen new ones. It was always a tedious dance, moving things around after a painting sold, and then again when new art came in. She’d just finished hanging the third one when her phone beeped.

What did Elenore want now? She wiped her hands on her jeans and pulled out her phone. She swallowed hard when she saw Chase’s name.

Why did you delete my texts??

Her heart sped up. Chase. Even though she didn’t want to, she felt happy that he somehow still had her number. She swallowed, trying to think about Delilah and why she’d cut off contact. And yet, a smile crept onto her face.

How are you still texting me? Did you memorize my number or something?

She clicked on her contacts and saw that Chase not only put his name and number in, he’d entered his address and birthdate as well.

555-0155 isn’t easy to forget. So many fives!

She giggled and then felt ridiculous.

Another text came through.

Are you done putting up the new artwork?

Elenore. Ugh. She really thought it would be done by now? She texted back.Not yet. Still working on it.

Hurry up. It’s not good to be slothful.

She curled her fingers so she didn’t reply back with curse words. She switched to her conversation with Chase.

Duty calls. I gotta run.

Since you won’t tell me your name, I’m going to call you Five.

She grinned.Fine by me.

OK, Five, have a good day.

You too, Chase.

SO not fair.

She laughed and stuffed her phone back in her pocket.

Isabella continued hanging the rest of the paintings. By the time she finished, it was nine o’clock and time to close the gallery.

Leilani surveyed her work. “Looks really good. You have the eye, child. I like this new artist. What’s his name?”

“Cinthia Gregory. The artist’s a woman.”

“Ah, Gregory. That’s why I thought she was a man.” Leilani grabbed her purse and shut off the lights. “You want a ride home, honey? It’s dark.”

“Thanks.”

She was hungry when she arrived home, so she grabbed a personal frozen pizza and stuck it in the oven. As she waited for it to cook, her phone rang. For a second, her hands grew sweaty thinking maybe it was Chase calling, but when she looked at the phone she saw Savannah’s number on the screen.

“Hey, Vannah.”

“It’s so cool, being able to call you anytime now.”

“Yeah. Although it gives my step-beast more ammunition. She’s already threatened to take it away if I don’t do her every wish.”

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