“How are you doing?” he asks. “Are you comfortable at Mel’s and Kevin’s?”

“I am. They’re great.”

“How’s Ember?”

“She’s okay. I swear I see disappointment on her face every time someone walks through the door and it isn’t you. She’s probably wondering where you are.”

He clutches his chest. “My loyal little girl. You tell her I’ll be home soon.”

It’s hilarious how he wasn’t a pet person before and now he’s the sappiest dog dad. “Ember and I are anxiously waiting.”

He smiles.

“I have something to tell you,” I blurt out.

Instantly, worry clouds his features. “What’s wrong? Did you have another incident with a reporter? I swear, I’ll—”

“It’s nothing like that. It’s good news... I think.” Taking a deep breath, I ask, “Remember when you asked Cheryl Bardot to reach out to her friend who owns the art gallery in New York about possibly buying some of my art?”

“Sure.”

“Well, the gallery owner reached out to me. He isn’t sure about purchasing my work yet, but he asked if I have any interest in working as a curator in the future.”

Rowan’s eyes widened. “He offered you a job?”

“Not quite.” I laugh. “He offered an internship, which could give me a foot in for a job.”

“That’s great!”

“It is?”

“Of course.” He frowns. “Unless you’re not interested...?”

“I am, but it’s in New York.”

“You don’t like New York?”

Gnawing at my lower lip, I shrug. “I’ve never been, but I’d like to experience it. The internship sounds wonderful.”

“Then why don’t you look happy?”

“I’ll be on the other side of the country.”

Understanding dawns on his face. “Ah, I see. Don’t worry about the distance. By the time you start the internship, I’ll be retired and able to travel as much as I want.” He shrugs. “Maybe even move.”

My heart soars. “Seriously?”

“Of course. We’ll be fine. You should go for it.”

“I feel weird using your name to get things I wouldn’t get otherwise,” I confess. “I have a feeling the gallery owner gave me the offer out of the blue because the Lockwood name is attached. He’s probably angling for a hefty donation.”

“So what? If the Lockwood name can do something good for someone, I’m fine with it.”

My heart melts. “Oh, Rowan. I’m excited about the offer. I’ll check it out.”

“Good.”

“Thank you for being so supportive.”