Page 139 of Caper Crush
“Well, put me down for these stairs. Tessa is at work, so the apartment is ours. You’re going to need all your energy when we get upstairs.”
Chapter forty-one
It’sthenightofthe Vertex Art Exhibit, and Jade texts that my three paintings hang in the back on the right wall. William is holding my hand as we walk in to keep me tethered to the ground. I’m floating. I was chosen as one of their top five artists.
I whisper in his ear, “I’m so happy.”
He squeezes my hand in response. “You’ve earned this, so enjoy every moment.”
The Vertex show curator joins us and says, “Miranda, I’d like to introduce you to a few people.”
“I’ll get you a drink,” William says.
“Ice water,” I say. I’m already drunk with happiness.
I am talking to another gallery owner when Annabelle and Tessa join me.
“This is amazing,” Annabelle says. “I’m so happy for you.”
And then suddenly, Tessa grabs my arm tightly.
“Don’t turn around,” Annabelle says in an anguished voice.
I immediately turn around, pulling away from Tessa’s grip on my arm.
William and a woman are kissing right there, right in the middle of the gallery.
“I’m sure it’s not what it looks like,” Annabelle says.
“It looks like some random woman is kissing William,” I say.
The woman pulls away and darts out. William is standing there, as if stunned. His glance meets mine.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see David, Annabelle’s ex, run after the woman. I feel Annabelle start next to me. “What is David doing here?”
“I invited him. I don’t believe he would kiss another woman.” I walk toward William. “Are you okay? Did you even know that woman?”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t kiss her.”
“I know,” I say.
“You know?” he says.
He wipes his mouth.
“I know,” I say.
He pulls me in for a hug. I rest my head against his warm chest.
“Is that part of some live performance art?” he asks.
“Hardly,” I say. “You can’t randomly kiss people or pretend to kiss total strangers—not even as part of art. Yuck.”
“She didn’t even really kiss me. She put two fingers on my lips and kissed her fingers.”
“No.” Annabelle gasps next to me. David is dragging the woman into the room by her hand.
They stop in front of us.
