Page 102 of Sawyer
“You sound worried, Doc. Don’t be. We were just thinking about your first show and wondering about some stuff.”
“Kyle, I could drive a truck through that. What exactly? That the site of my first gallery showing might end up being like a scene out ofMacBeth?”
Even as happily exhausted as he’d been last night, he’d still had troubled thoughts on that score. It didn’t feel right, and he wanted to feel all-the-way good about his show.
“Sounds like we’re on the same page. We wondered about making it bigger so you can convince your agent to consider a new venue.”
“Tell me! Because I’ve been wondering what I could do to change things without pissing Beverly off.”
“Axel suggested pitching a full show and a longer time frame so a comprehensive marketing plan could be developed.We figured it could be in New York. Which is the art capital, right?”
Not London. His insides cheered. “I would think Beverly believes that, living there.”
“It will mean more paintings, but I don’t think that’s going to be a problem for you now, is it, Doc?”
“No, I had two new ideas come to me just a few minutes ago. And they’re good.”
“I like hearing that swagger in your voice, Doc.”
He smiled as a cluster of partygoers came into view, each carrying their own bottle of champagne and drinking. God, you had to love Paris. He and Phoebe needed a bottle. They had so much to celebrate. “Me too!”
“Ah…since we’re talking and Phoebe’s off doing her hair, it might be easier for me to tell you that we talked about her too. We want to help her. Axel suggested a pop-up gallery after Brooke offered her space. We didn’t want to overstep, but she’s your Plus One now, Doc. Which makes her one of us.”
His throat clogged. “Thanks, man. You have no idea how much that means. To both of us. I’ll talk to her. She ranted a bit about everything last night, then assured me she’d figure it out. It’s all new, you know. We’re going to need to find a new place to live.”
“I’d wondered. You have commissions to cash in on—something Brooke and I talked about today. She also wants to buy the painting from last night. So Beverly is going to have some work to do for you. We wanted to make sure you were flush since you’d resigned. We’ve got you.”
His throat got all scratchy. “Thanks, man. I’m good, but you have no idea how much that means.”
He pressed his hand to the cold glass. Yesterday he’d feared his life had become a barren wasteland, as frozen as this windowpane. Now everything seemed possible. “You guys are the best. We’ll see you soon.”
“Friendly warning. Dean’s wearing a special New Year’s T-shirt that’s got a checklist, and he’s marking things off with a Sharpie.”
Sawyer spurted out a laugh. “I can’t wait. Later.”
He stored his phone in his back pocket and was walking back to the bedroom when he heard a knock on the door. Since no one had called the apartment, he assumed it was a partygoer who’d stumbled to the wrong apartment. When he reached the bedroom doorway, a more insistent knock stopped him. He headed back to tell the person they had the wrong place.
When he opened the door, his mouth dropped.
“Oh my God, River Kennison!”
He stared in shock at the tall, lean man who had the same hair color as Phoebe.
“Phoebe assured me you weren’t an ignoramus when she told me about you. I’m glad you know who I am. Proves you aren’t a philistine. Sawyer Jackson, I assume.”
“Yes.” He was tongue-tied. “PhD.”
God, had he just said that?
River waved for Sawyer to move aside so he could enter. Dammit. He’d forgotten his manners completely. He hit the doorway when he moved before righting himself and resisting the urge to rub his shoulder.
“Where is my daughter?” the man asked.
“Ah… Getting ready. We were heading to a party.”
“Of course you were.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his brown leather jacket, looking like Steve McQueen. “It’s New Year’s. I was going to go to a party too, with a very beautiful woman as my date. Until my ex called me and told me that Phoebe had launched a nuclear bomb, and they’re now at war.”
War? God, that depiction sealed it. He would not have his gallery show at her mother’s gallery. He’d have to convince Beverly after New Year’s.
