Page 82 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“We can go back to the hotel if you want.We don’t have to be out,” she said.
“Nah, probably not a lot of die-hard Atlanta fans at the art museum today,” he said, gripping her hand.
“Do you still have a place in town?”
“I had it listed last week.Speaking of, I think I found a place in Tampa you’ll like.The top floor has a sunroom and there are views of the water.”
“You don’t have to buy a place with an art room.I mean, I can paint just about anywhere.”
“But I want you to crave painting in my house, so you’ll come visit me a lot.And then when you’re ready you can just move in.”
Missy was holding his hand but stopped in her tracks just inside the impressionist exhibit.
“I know it’s a big step but why would we want to have two places—then we have to cart stuff back and forth, two toothbrushes to keep track of,” he said dramatically.
And she laughed but still shook her head.“I was thinking I’d visit next weekend, if that’s okay?”
“Absolutely.I’ll get us a room in Tampa so we can explore the city together.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon walking through the rooms and he watched, riveted, as Missy sketched a few statues in one of the ornate galleries.There were pieces of art hung on every corner in the two-story room.
Once they got back to the hotel they made love again and got ready for her big night.Her cousin was coming, and so were Gran, Dalton, and Brooke.He was counting on the art world not crossing with baseball so he could have an easy night supporting Missy and then not returning to this town again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Missy
My Moment
Feeling confident inthe black sequin dress that looked demure and professional in front but had a low-cut sexy back, Missy walked into the gallery with Levi.They were at least an hour early.She’d wanted to see all the pieces hung and just take in the exhibit before anyone arrived.She was surprised to see a small black carpet lined the front of the gallery, a valet stand, and there was already some press out front.
“I wonder how many people she is planning for?”Missy said to Levi who sat in the back of the black SUV he’d hired to take them to the gallery.
He instructed the driver to take them to the back entrance.
“Babe, I think you’re in for a whirlwind event tonight and you’ll be Cinderella at the ball.Just remember, if you get overwhelmed, you’re an amazing talent.”She squeezed his hand and then he nodded outside the window.
“Looks like the welcome wagon is here to greet you.”
Missy spotted Rose holding a bouquet of flowers and several of the staff waiting with big smiles.
The driver popped out of the car and opened her door, and she was greeted by Rose who also seemed to know Levi.
“Rose is married to one of my former teammates,” Levi explained.
Missy realized that must have been how Rose had learned about Missy’s paintings.And she gave Levi a knowing look.
“Missy, we’re so excited to be showcasing your talent here tonight.And I for one am eager for you to see all your pieces hung together.”She handed her the flowers and gave her a big hug.
After walking in through the gallery’s side door, Rose led them into a back hallway that had a sign with Missy’s name in bold letters.Levi had her stop next to the sign and took her picture along with someone working for the gallery.
“Now you’ll want to make sure we got the flow right and we still have time to change the placement of any pieces.I want you to be sure it’s right.”
Missy just nodded, unsure she could ever find anything wrong with seeing her own works of art hung in a prestigious gallery for anyone besides her family to visit and look at.They walked through the large open main room of the gallery where there were two small bars set up on either end, and a dozen tall cocktail tables with black tablecloths.Then Rose led them into the primary gallery space and hanging on the tall two-story wall was over a dozen pieces of her work.As she stepped farther inside the space she could see how they flowed into the next room, and she followed them to the smaller space that held the darker, more intimate pieces she’d done.Several that Levi had not seen yet were the primary pieces of this showcase.The black frames made the art pop, and the smaller room walls were painted black, giving the art the illusion of floating.
Levi took her hand and squeezed it before his mouth was on her ear.“I’m buying this piece, no matter what you say.”
She shook her head.“I saved a few other pieces I thought you might like.”
