Page 76 of Marry Me, Right Now

JAC OB

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GALLERY

I only popped into art galleries if I was looking for something in particular, or if I happened to walk by one when I was running ahead of schedule and something in the window caught my eye.

An art opening was a charming ritual that I’d never attended before. The artist was greeting her family and friends, who were all gushing about the latest pieces. The people in the front all seemed to be related, and a group of people who looked like creative types themselves were lurking in the back near the free wine and cheese.

Mia led us around the huge white room while we stared at each piece carefully. “What do you think?” she asked.

“I don’t know anything about art,” I said sheepishly.

“But you like what you like. You have your own opinions – there’s no right or wrong. How does this one make you feel?”

Taking a moment to ponder, I eventually said, “I guess this one makes me think of alien sea creatures. Those deep swirls would be where things hide on the bottom of the ocean.”

“That’s exactly what I was going for!” chirped the artist, a slim woman in her mid-thirties, sporting platinum hair and a grin. “I’m so glad that you noticed it.”

“These are amazing,” I said. “Congratulations on the show.”

“Thanks.”

Mia left to use the washroom, but when she returned, she could obviously read my tense expression immediately. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

I was actually fidgeting, not sure why I was so nervous to tell her I broke our rule

s. “You might be really pissed off.”

“So tell me this second.”

I took a deep breath. “Okay, I confess. I cheated.”

“What?” I hated that her eyes instantly began to fill with tears. I guess it was a weird thing to say out of the blue, and it seemed to rattle her to the core.

“Oh god, baby no!” I pulled her into his chest. “Never. Mia, no.” I tipped her chin up to mine, stopping myself just before we kissed. “Sorry,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

“What do you mean?” she asked softly.

“I really like this artist’s work, and she is so excited about her first show, but hadn’t made any sales yet,” I said quickly. “Once people see that one painting is sold, it sometimes starts a chain reaction, so it will be good for her. They’re all the same price, so the gallery is throwing it on my credit card now. I just need you to pick which one you like best.”

She laughed, then attempted to be stern. “Your generosity is larger than your dedication to our cheap evening out? Okay. I guess I can’t fault you for that.”

“It won’t be delivered until the show ends in a few weeks, so can we pretend it doesn’t count?”

She scowled, letting me sweat for a few seconds before her arms flew around me. “Using your money to support indie artists is always a good thing. I’ll let you get away with this one.”

I relaxed, and held her tightly for longer than I expected as relief washed through me. “I appreciate your lax rules. Where do we need to hang another painting?”

We wandered around the show again and finally selected a deep purple and green piece with a strange symbol that looked organic, but dangerous.

“I think it’s an alien sword,” I whispered.

“I think it’s a plant that swoops in and slashes evildoers,” she giggled.

“Do you want this for your room?”

“We can figure that out when we get home,” she said.

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