Page 83 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
Rose smiled like a proud mama.“What do you think?”
“It’s perfect—shocking really how you can plan the display in such a way that you take the viewer on a journey.
“We’ve been calling it theOh Mycollection,” Rose said, and glanced at Levi who had one hand wrapped around her middle.
“I like that,” he said.“No one knows what will happen next.”
She looked up at him, and he kissed her with a light peck.
“I know, but they’ll have to wait to find out,” he said.
She shook her head and looked back at Rose.“So, then, we’re ready?”
“Yes.If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a few photos taken of you for press releases.”
“Okay.”She followed Rose, and Levi hung back.
Before she knew it the gallery was filling up.There was even a bouncer at the door making sure only people on the list could get in, and she hadn’t seen one familiar face until Declan arrived.
He hugged her, lifting her off her feet.
“If Mama and Daria could see you now…but I know they’re watching from above,” he said.His voice rough with emotion.
“Do not make me cry in front of all these strangers.”She hugged him and turned him toward the space where her work was hung.
Rose stood at the entryway and smiled at Declan.
“You must be so proud,” Rose said.
Missy introduced them and squirmed when Declan spoke about how talented he always knew she was.Then Rose offered to walk with him through the pieces.And then she was caught up in another hug when Brooke, Dalton, Mrs.Hart, and Mr.Greer found her.
“This is so amazing and I’m so proud of you.Did you know we got to walk a black carpet out front and the press took our picture,” Brooke said.
Before she could respond Mrs.Hart cupped her face.“You enjoy every bit of this night and know it is just beginning, my girl.And to think you did all this in my little old sunroom.”
Dalton and Mr.Greer also gave her big hugs and it was nice to feel like she had her own team there to root for her.For so long she’d felt alone in the world but now she realized family weren’t just the people you were related to.And even if things ended with Levi tomorrow, these people would support her; they were hers too.
“Now where is that handsome grandson of mine?”Mrs.Hart said as she looked around the room.
“I’m right here, Gran,” Dalton teased.
But they all looked around until they spotted Levi in the back of the entry space with several young women smiling up at him as he signed napkins.
“Hmmm, baseball bunnies,” Gran said.
And as if Levi could hear her his eyes found them, and he walked away from the crowd he’d amassed.
“Gran, thank you for saving me.”He gave his grandmother a kiss on the cheek and then slipped his arm around Missy’s back.“What a crowd, right?”
They all chatted but Missy wondered how much Levi enjoyed the spectacle of attention from random women.Was it like that everywhere he went or just because he was a prominent athlete in Atlanta?Would it be like that now in Tampa too?There were several flashes of lights as more photographers joined the event and snapped pictures of the crowd and her.Two hours later and it was a complete crush.While the numbers of people allowed into the actual showcase were limited by a red rope and several gallery attendants, the anteroom was filled.Jazzy music played, people were enjoying the open bar, and Missy was both ready for the night to end and hoped it never did.
“It’s so strange to see you in this setting,” a voice she recognized said from behind her.
An unsettled feeling washed over as she turned to find her ex, Peter, standing there with a glass of champagne and a cocky grin.
“I was shocked to learn you had another hidden talent.”He stepped closer and wound an arm around her back to embrace her.But the feel of his hand on her bare back made her freeze and she pulled away, bumping into another guest.
“I’m working for the Ballard firm, just like we talked about doing.How come you never told me about your art?”
