Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Griffin
A million questions are dancing in her eyes and I’ve yet to answer any of them. I’m following behind her and Sem as they tour his exhibit.
He’s taking time to explain the inspiration behind each of his sketches. Piper’s been listening intently, even though she’s stolen a few glances back at me.
I haven’t been able to read her reaction beyond shock and awe.
The awe obviously reserved for Sem; the shock courtesy of me.
“I didn’t know that you’d be here in New York.” Piper turns to her side to look at Sem. “I’ve read online that you don’t attend any of your exhibits.”
“Don’t believe what you read online.” He winks at me. “I make it a habit to be on site when my sketches are being prepared for exhibit. I handle the last minute details before I duck for cover and head out of town.”
“Does that mean you’re leaving before this opens to the public tomorrow?”
“I’ll be on a jet headed back to Amsterdam by morning.” He sighs. “It’s home. It’s the place that inspires me the most.”
“I still can’t believe that I’m standing here talking to you.” Piper’s gaze darts back to me again before she turns her attention to Sem. “I know you must hear it a thousand times a day, but I’m truly your biggest fan. I love your work. You’re the one who inspired me to study art.”
Sem moves toward me with a raise of his brow. I know that he’s asking for my permission to share something with Piper. I nod because there’s nothing he can say to her that I don’t want her to know.
“I’m touched by that.” He whips back around to look at Piper. “Griffin gifted me with three of your sketches earlier.”
A brilliant smile lights up her face. “He did? Griffin gave you my sketches?”
Disbelief circles her words as Sem nods. “He knew I’d love them. He was right. I’m going to hang them in my studio back in Amsterdam.”
She shakes her head as our eyes lock. “When I mentioned your name in class, Griffin didn’t tell me that he knew you.”
I bow my head to hide my smile. “That would have ruined your surprise, Piper.”
“Griffin helped me out of a bind two years ago.” Sem holds up his left hand. “It was a long and very broken marriage.”
“I’m sorry,” she offers.
“Don’t be,” Sem counters with a squeeze to her elbow. “I found my inspiration in my ex-husband once and now that we’ve parted, I’ve found new inspiration.”
She looks over at me. I see something new in her eyes. It’s a softness that wasn’t there before. “You never know where you’ll find inspiration.”
I raise my glass of champagne in a silent toast. Her words ring as true for me as they do for her. This woman is inspiring me to want to give her more experiences just like this.
“Why did you arrange that for me?” Piper slides onto the backseat of the car that I called for after we said our goodbyes to Sem.
She’d spent more than an hour with him discussing the finer details of many of his sketches. He was open and accommodating as he answered each question she had. His patience was admirable given how exhausted I know he is.
When I handled his divorce, he told me he owed me. We’ve kept in touch through the occasional email since and when Piper mentioned in class that he had an exhibit in town, I called in the favor.
Her framed sketches weren’t part of the deal. I gave those to him as a thank you for taking time to meet with her.
“I could tell that you were a fan.” I smile as I settle in next to her. “I knew you’d enjoy the chance to meet the man behind the work.”
“Enjoy?” She laughs. “Tonight was the best night of my life.”
Is not was. It’s not over yet.
“Where are we headed, Piper?” I nod toward the driver. He’s silent, waiting for an address.
“I should get home.” She nervously plays with the edge of her clutch purse. “I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. I just met Sem Jansen.”
Those words are music to my ears. She’s not ready to call it a night. I’m sure as hell not either. “Let me buy you a drink. I know a place not far from here.”
I can see the internal debate in her eyes as she contemplates my invitation.
Say yes, Piper. Fucking say yes.
“I guess one drink would be alright,” she whispers before she looks out her window.
It may not be the exact response I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. The night is still young and anything can happen.