Page 65 of Painted Dreams
“I overheard your mother telling your sister that she’d found out you had gone to dinner with Nick in New York and that she was embarrassed you couldn’t manage to find an appropriate person to date. In an effort to…here I quote, ‘run him off,’ she told him you were on medication and fragile.”
Kat stopped short and gaped into the phone. “What? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I believe she hoped he would be shallow enough to not pursue any kind of relationship with you.”
Frowning, Kat processed Nana’s words. A snippet of conversation came back to her. That’s why Nick had asked how often her parents visited. Her mother had–
“She said he drives a piece of junk SUV that broke down at the house and she couldn’t imagine he’d have the means to visit you in New York so hopefully that was the end of that.”
Hot tears burned Kat’s eyes and anger simmered inside. She ground out her words. “She is. The worst. Snob. But you know what? The laugh’s going to be on her. Nick didn’t take the bait, and he just got a contract with HomeBuilders to do some guest programming. He’s going to be on TV, and people are going to love him.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m relieved to hear it. I’m glad he had the good sense to not let it bother him. So now I have to ask, you like him? He’s special?”
Kat gave a blubbery laugh. “Nana, he’s great. I like him a lot.”
“I’m glad I told you then. I’d love to meet him some time.”
“He’s coming to my show opening.”
“Is he?” Nana’s voice pitched up. “How nice. One more thing to look forward to.”
“It’s going to be so much fun.”
“Absolutely. You know, over the years, I’ve bitten my tongue and kept my mouth shut to keep the peace, but I don’t know if I can let this go.”
“Oh, Nana, please don’t confront Mom about it. I don’t know where this relationship with Nick is going, but Mom is not part of the equation.”
Nick Summers was an intelligent, talented, respectable man, and he did not have to prove anything to anyone. Damned if she’d spend one more second of her time trying to show her mother how worthy Nick was of her admiration.
* * *
On Tuesday morning, Kat deliberately walked by Amy’s office in hopes of a casual encounter. But the door was shut, and neither Amy nor her assistant appeared in the common areas.Rats. Kat wanted to clear this off her agenda so she could concentrate on other work. She lingered at the assistant’s desk and wondered how many times she could just happen to pass by today. A small break—
Voices interrupted her thoughts, and Kat swiveled to find Amy and her assistant coming down the walkway.
“Kat?” Amy called. “Did you need something?”
Kat pasted on a smile. “Hey, Amy. Yes, do you have a minute?”
Amy glanced at her watch. “A short one. Come on in.”
Get right to the point. Kat gave herself a quick pep talk. “I was wondering if Cassie’s job is going to be posted.”
Amy shuffled papers on her desk then glanced at Kat. “Of course. It should be on the website today.” She gave a little laugh. “You mean you haven’t applied already? Cassie mentioned you’d be interested.” She gave Kat a pointed look. “We’re obligated to post it, you know.”
“Right. Yes, I’m definitely interested. I– I feel like I’ve learned a lot from you and Cassie in the past few years, and I–”
When Amy held up a hand, Kat stopped talking.
“Not interviewing yet. Start with the application.”
Though the words were delivery briskly, a smile accompanied them, and Kat forced a shaky laugh. “I’ll take a look at the website.”
“We don’t plan to keep the post live for long.”
“Oh, okay.” Kat didn’t know what to make of that statement. Was Amy sending a message? Sounded as if posting was simply a formality.
“Anything else?” Amy asked.
