Page 85 of Sawyer
“Clients never interrupt me. I live for them. What can I do for you?”
Shit. How was he supposed to phrase this? “I’m coming very close to the thirteen paintings we discussed, and I wanted to circle back to our discussion about my first show. When we spoke at my studio you mentioned the Anderson Gallery was your choice. I realized I hadn’t asked whether you meant London or Paris. I assumed Paris. One, because the head of the gallery here was the first gallery owner to contact me about a show—I did ask about you knowing Phoebe, if you recall—but also because I live here.”
He cringed. God, that last part was totally lame. Even Brooke grimaced.
“Totally understandable,” Beverly answered. “I suppose the possibility of it being in Paris didn’t cross my mind. I thought Phoebe was putting the Anderson Gallery’s interest in the proverbial hat. Her branch is new, after all, and she’s scouted for her mother for a long time. The famed one is in London. That is where an artist of your caliber should be showing. I didn’t imagine otherwise.”
His heart started throbbing. They’d all built a house of assumptions that had fallen apart, he realized. God, no wonder Phoebe had been so upset. Beverly must have told her this at the party. Worse, she’d thought he knew!
Brooke leaned forward and touched his arm, gesturing for him to continue. She mimed taking a breath, which he did, before asking, “So you don’t feel like the Paris branch is a possibility at all? Even with the Anderson Gallery’s name?”
“Sawyer, you will be showing in galleries around the world with me. New York. Stockholm. Tokyo. I could go on. You don’t have a phobia about flying, do you?”
Jesus, he was bungling this. “No, I’m good with the travel,” he managed as Brooke shook her head along with him. “I only figured that since the Paris representative had expressed the interest, it would be her show, and I was kinda happy about it, being in Paris and all. Itiswhere I live.”
He watched Axel fold his arms across his chest, his expression unreadable. Wasn’t it okay to ask? Maybe he should have talked this out more with everyone before he called. This whole agent thing was new to him.
“Don’t worry. There will be other shows in Paris—down the line after big ones in New York and London. As for thinking Phoebe’s branch would be the venue, I suppose I can see how you might have thought that, but that’s why you have me now. I actually thanked Phoebe last night at a party I hosted that she attended with her father for seeing your talent and having the Anderson Gallery express interest. Although it would have been on my list, of course. Like I mentioned,she’s always had a good eye for talent—a trait she inherited from her mother. But she knows as well as I do that her gallery is brand new, with no track record. She doesn’t have the reputation or clout that her mother, Ivy Anderson, has. Wait until you meet her. She’ll love you.”
Sawyer swallowed thickly. To hear Beverly talk, Phoebe didn’t have much of a chance of being on Beverly’s long list, let alone her short list. Even Brooke was biting her lip now. And what about her mother? Didn’t she have a problem taking a show that her daughter desperately wanted? He knew they had their difficulties, but this had to feel like a betrayal.
“I appreciate you clearing that up,” he managed over the knot in his throat. “You’ve spoken to Ivy Anderson, then?”
“Of course. I’ve known her for over thirty years, and I can assure you she is very respected in art circles. What she did for River Kennison’s career is undeniable—even though I hate to admit it. God, how I wanted to shape his career myself. The things I could have done, which I reminded him of again last night at my party. I think he loves to torment me, but never mind that. We are speaking of you. May I ask if this sudden interest in calling me about the location of your show has anything to do with Phoebe Anderson?”
Brooke started shaking her head, her eyes wide with alarm. Right. This was dicey.
“You never mentioned meeting her,” Beverly pressed. “Only having her card. I didn’t think she’d pitched you. You know… Her father mentioned she was heading back to Paris for New Year’s. Did you two run into each other? Paris is a small place like that.”
He tensed. God, what should he say? Technically, he didn’t know where he and Phoebe stood. It didn’t seem professional to tell her about their relationship. Or was it? Would Beverly feel differently if she knew Phoebe was his muse? Would it change Beverly’s mind?
“Well…I?—”
Brooke reached down and ended the call. Then she whirled on him. “What are you doing?You cannot tell your agent that you and Phoebe have been together.”
He stared at the phone in shock. “You just hung up on my agent!”
“Yes!” She grabbed him by the shoulders. “You were going to spill the beans about what Phoebe means to you and then hope Beverly Merriweather changes her mind? Are you insane? I know you, Sawyer. I could see it all over your face. You’re feeling guilty about the way this went down for Phoebe.”
“Of course I am!” He was ready to fight a duel over it if it would get her back. “She wanted that show. She worked for it. She?—”
“But she didn’t make the cut.” Brooke leaned in and cupped his cheek gently. “Honey, I’m sorry, but to Beverly—your dream agent—she was never in the running. Confessing your love to a woman like Beverly undermines you and your career. It also undermines her and her experience as an agent. This woman is like Jimmy Iovine—the record producer who tells Bono and U2 and a whole bunch of other rock stars what to do. You were about ready to blow it with Beverly. I couldn’t let you do it.”
The phone started to ring. Beverly! “Dammit, Brooke! If it has to be London, not Paris, can’t it be a different London gallery at least?”
She immediately fired back, “No, Beverly will see right through this and will ask questions you cannot answer.”
Panic was licking up his spine. He was flailing now. He doesn’t want to lose Phoebe, so he’s trying to suggest anything, anything at all to salvage what they have. “What am I supposed to say, then? She asked me outright. I can’t lie.”
Brooke declined the call again when he reached for it,making Kyle smother a laugh. “You deflect. You do not under any circumstances tell her you’re in love with Phoebe or that you feel horrible for her about this misunderstanding. That’s totally unprofessional. The reason you and Phoebe had your no-business agreement was exactly because of the possibility of something like this happening.”
“I hate to agree with Brooke here,” Axel broke in, “since I know you’re upset. But this is where your personal and professional life have to run their best course. In this one, in your agent’s mind, Phoebe’s gallery is not the best course.”
“Also—” Brooke picked up without breaking stride. “You do not try and persuade Beverly to give Phoebe the show. She’s one of the best agents in the world for a reason. Sawyer, she’s youragent.You wanted her. You do not want to get on her bad side. She can have you blackballed after dropping you for something like this. Kyle. Axel. Tell him.”
“I’m inclined to agree with Brooke and Axel on this one,” Kyle stated, crossing his ankle over his knee. “Thank Beverly for clearing everything up. Wish her a happy New Year and then end the call. Axel?”
“I think airing personal matters with one’s agent is bad form, as is telling her what is best for your career,” Axel shared in his usual stoic way. “But you do need to call her back now. She is not a woman to hang up on, although it is these moments that make me love Brooke all the more.”
