Page 1 of Nico
Chapter 1
"I think you should marry him."
"What?"
Startled, Sadie stopped rearranging the framed artwork and stared at the elegant man in the three-piece suit. Andre Sinclair was the owner of the gallery she managed and was also her best friend. He was also unapologetically gay and had a penchant for expensive clothing and falling in love with completely unsuitable men who took advantage of his romantic character and his wealth. Over the last two years, Sadie had stepped in and started running interference in his personal life.
"We just started seeing each other." She righted the dull gold frame on the wall and studied the painting absently. Late eighteenth-century watercolor done by a little-known artist. It had been unearthed at an estate auction in Italy and turned out to be worth a fortune. She loved the subtle drawing and lines that made the painting pleasant to the eye.
"He's a hottie." Andre sighed longingly and stepped back to admire his own magnificent work. Pates, canapes and tiny sandwiches to entice the taste buds. Champagnes, buckets of the most expensive bubbly were already cooling. Tonight was going to be wonderful.
He expected a full house. "And he's loaded."
"I don't care about that." She picked up another painting and frowned at the vivid splash of color. A Jackson Colby original which belonged with the others on the first floor. "We're having fun."
"The man is totally goo-goo over you." At her raised brows, he grinned. "It is a word. He is delicious. How's he in bed?"
"Delicious and intense."
Andre sighed again. "Any chance he swings both ways?"
"Nope." Sadie told him cheerfully. "Totally straight."
"My loss." He added a few bowls of fruit and considered his work finished.
"Is he still painting you? Or was that a euphemism for tearing up the sheets?"
"He is still painting me and refuses to let me see what he has so far. What do you think?" She held up the complicated metal sculpture in both hands.
Andre studied the intricacy of the twisted metal and shook his beautifully cut chestnut brown hair. "The man definitely has talent. Have I thanked you enough for getting him to start showcasing his work here? If he had not been so charmed and taken with you, we would never have landed him."
"I would like to think it's more my professional mannerisms and persuasive arguments that got him to sign with us."
"Nope. It was your sexy body and beautiful face. Kind of why I hired you in the first place. You bring in the clients. And the patrons." He smiled blithely when she threw him a dirty look. "You know I'm right."
"Sexist and proud of it."
"Oh absolutely." Crossing over to her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned in to kiss her on the lips. She was not only his best friend but had saved him from countless heartbreaks and bad decisions. He had no idea what he would do without her and did not want to find out.
Sadie squeezed his hand affectionately, shaking her head at his antics. "One day, you'll meet someone who actually deserves you, Andre. And when you do, I fully expect you to listen to my advice."
"Are you kidding? I depend on your advice. Without you, I'd be weeping into my caviar and making tragic life choices. Again." He glanced at the clock. "We've got twenty minutes before the first guests arrive. You ready to charm the crowd?"
She gave a half-smile, nerves fluttering in her stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be. Nico promised he'd be here early, right?"
Andre's eyes twinkled with mischief. "He did, and you know artists. Always fashionably late unless there's free food involved. Speaking of, have you seen the gallery's Instagram today?"
Sadie rolled her eyes, reaching for her phone. "Don't tell me you posted the photo of me asleep under that pile of bubble wrap."
"Not yet. But I will if you ever think of quitting." He winked, then turned to adjust a vase of white peonies on the central plinth. "Seriously, Sadie, tonight's big. His first solo show, and yours as manager. Try not to hide in the storeroom."
She grinned, the tension easing as she surveyed the elegant space, the art shimmering in the soft golden light. "No hiding. I'll even smile at the board members."
"That's my girl," Andre said with pride, straightening his tie. "I'll go check the wine. You make sure your dress isn't inside out."
She laughed, glancing down at her sleek black dress, and for a moment, all the anxiety slipped away. Maybe tonight would be wonderful, after all. Maybe Nico's mysterious new painting would be the start of something neither of them could imagine.
*****
