Page 127 of Caper Crush
I’ve lost William in the flurry of everyone arriving and coming over to congratulate me. He’s sitting at our table and talking to Max. As I’m about to join them, Peter comes over and hands me another glass of champagne. I didn’t even realize my current glass was empty.
“Do you have other shows lined up?” Peter asks.
“No,” I say.
“Now is the time to get those shows booked. You’ve got the stolen painting publicity plus this Vertex Art Exhibit.”
“My painting may not break out at the Vertex Art Exhibit.” But I feel calmer about this. If not this time, I will succeed eventually.
“There’s no what-if. You need to control the dialogue about your painting. You can influence that to some extent,” Peter says. “Or your agent. If Jade isn’t doing that for you …”
“Jade is the one who thought to turn the theft into a positive; she’s doing a great job.”
“But maybe she isn’t. You should have broken out already,” Peter says. “Look, I’ll give you my list of contacts to talk to.”
“I’m not giving up Jade after she has stuck by me through the bad times.”
“Your agent relationship is a business deal,” Peter says. “It’s not a friendship.”
Except that Jade and I were friends before we were agent/artist. I trust Jade. Jade works hard for me.
“Let’s sit.” He motions to the couch. “I made a list of shows I think you should apply to.”
“Really?” I ask. “That’s so thoughtful of you. I really appreciate it.”
We huddle on the couch as he shows me the list on his phone, and we discuss pros and cons. Peter searches for more information about one show, and I text William to explain that Peter and I are discussing art show applications so William knows that it’s just business. Jake has put on some party music, and more drinks are being poured.
As we sit there, Tessa comes over and says, “I need to steal you for a bit.”
I excuse myself to Peter, and Tessa and I head to my room. Our coatrack partitions my room into two, blocking the view of the bed and beanbag chair.
“Is this about Thijs?” I ask.
“No, what are you doing?” She hisses. “I thought you reconciled with William.”
“I did,” I say.
“It looks like you’re reconciling with Peter on the couch.”
“I’m not … What do you mean?” I ask, horrified.
“Peter keeps touching you, and your heads are bent together over his phone. If William were acting like this with his ex or Kiyoko, you’d be sitting between them.”
“But I don’t think William gets jealous. And I texted him that it was just business.”
“I’m telling you, it doesn’t look like just business,” Tessa says. “Plus, he barely knows anyone here, and you’ve left him to fend for himself at a party celebrating your teamwork in finding the painting.”
“You’re right. Thanks for telling me,” I say. William and I are stronger, but maybe we are not strong enough for me to hang out with Peter. Especially since I would not be cool if he were hanging out with Kiyoko at our party. “Peter was really giving me helpful advice, though.”
“Well, set up another time to talk to him about it,” Tessa says. “And yes, thank you for introducing me to Thijs.”
“Wait until he plays the guitar for you,” I say.
Tessa shakes her head. “I hate that you may be right.”
We leave my bedroom to return to the living room. I immediately look for William. He’s standing with Zelda, Kareem, Audrey, and Jake, but off to the side. My stomach drops. I should’ve realized Peter was monopolizing me.
I walk over and hook my arm through his.
