Chapter 41
It’s the night of the 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.
“Tell her the truth,” David says.
“I was paid to pretend-kiss him,” she says to Annabelle.
“I told you I didn’t kiss her,” David says to Annabelle.
“And were you paid to pretend-kiss William here too?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says.
“Edmund,” both Annabelle and I say at the same time.
“Exactly. A guy named Edmund paid me,” she says.
Shocked, Annabelle says, “He’s crazy.”
“I told you he was crazy,” David says.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you,” Annabelle says.
“It’s also my fault. I was too focused on my career. Let’s go talk,” David says. Annabelle suddenly smiles and looks like a huge weight has been lifted from her face. She glows.
“I knew it,” I say.
“I’m beginning to think you really should open up a detective agency,” William says.
Advik and Saanvi come over to say hello. Saanvi says, “I’m so happy you guys got together.”
Jade brings over Bangles Woman and Coiffed Woman.
“Here’s the artist, Miranda Langbroek,” Jade says. “These two women bought your painting from that gallery in Tribeca.”
“Oh, hello again,” Bangles Woman says to William. “How wonderful to see you.”
“And you look familiar,” Coiffed Woman says.
“That was your mom at the show!” Bangles Woman exclaims. “You guys look so similar.”
She suddenly clocks that William is holding my hand.
“And you are her boyfriend,” Bangles Woman says. “Oh, you and her mom are quite a tag team, getting us to buy.”
“But we’re happy you did,” Coiffed Woman says.
“Thank you for buying my painting,” I say. “That wasn’t actually my mom.” My mom is at the exhibit, and they might meet her. I look over to where my mom stands with John. Our glances meet, and she gives me an approving nod.
“It looks amazing in my study,” Bangles Woman says.
Surrounded by friends, my art on the wall at the Vertex Art Exhibit, I suddenly turn away to face the corner. I’m too happy for words, and my eyes tear. Again.
William hands me a handkerchief. I take it and open it up. This one has M.W.L. + W.H.M.embroidered on it. I look up at him.
“Shouldn’t it also say Detective Agency?” I ask.
He says, “I was thinking Forever.”
“That works for me,” I say.
He puts his arm around me, and we both gaze at Playing Around 1:30, ready for anything.
THE END