Page 78 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
Rose smiled but her eyes didn’t leave the paintings.Blues, pinks, yellows, and grays, each different depictions of intimacy.“Yes, or in this case where I torture myself with wondering how many I can fit on each wall in the gallery.”
Missy let out the breath she’d been holding.“Then you approve?”
Now Rose faced her.“Missy, there was never any doubt.Your work speaks volumes.I hope you have a stunning dress, because your picture is about to be plastered on every art magazine, local paper, and likely international markets.”
“A dress?”
“You do have a dress, don’t you?”
Missy’s stomach sank.She’d been so busy all week she hadn’t thought much about what she’d wear.She had her black suit and a few blouses to choose from.She wasn’t much for wearing dresses.
“I have an outfit.It’s mostly black.”
Rose walked closer and gripped her arms in a gentle hold.She was chic in her navy-blue sheath dress, with square cuffs that highlighted her fit arms, and blunt-cut hair.
“I’m going to send you to my favorite boutique, and you have a look around.If you see something you like you can put it on my account.My treat for your big debut.”
Missy nodded.Why not enjoy the full experience.She was only going to have her debut once.
“I have a few guests for tomorrow.I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course, just give their names to my assistant and they’ll be added to the list.Sometimes families find it easier to arrive early, so they can get a chance to see you before the whirlwind.”
“Great, I’ll let them know.”
“Now let’s work on a list but I think in total we have thirty-six pieces.You really outdid yourself.”
Missy just nodded.She’d kept a few for herself, one in particular for Levi.
Three hours later she was standing in the fitting room of a posh boutique with price tags that made her cringe.And her phone rang with an incoming call from Levi.
“Baby, are you undressing?”he said in a low voice.
She belatedly realized it was a FaceTime call and he was riding in what looked like the back of a taxi.
“Oh my gosh, I didn’t know this was a live call—and yes, but because I’m in a fitting room.”
“Oh, I thought you beat me to the hotel.”
“No, but I might if I can get out of here in the next fifteen minutes.”
“What are you looking for?Let me see your options.”
She turned the camera to show him several dresses the stylist had picked out for her.“I’m not really a dress person but Rose said there will be a lot of pictures taken.She seems to think some media will want to write about my little exhibit.”
“Little?According to my publicist it’s all over the internet.Atlanta’s art event of the season.”
She sat down on the velvet chair in the small fitting room and groaned.
“Babe, I think you need to wear whatever you’re going to feel the most like yourself in tonight.You’re a talented, beautiful woman, and your art will speak for you.”
“What are you wearing?”
“I brought my tux, with tails.Obviously.”
“What?”
“Just kidding, I brought a suit.Hey, let me see your face.”
