Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Piper
“If Bridget wouldn’t have given me the chance that she did, I would still be back in Denver teaching art class at a community center.” I smooth my tongue over my top teeth hoping to catch any wayward pieces of lettuce that may have settled there.
Beck nods as he chews. “When she first showed me your work, I was impressed. She said she got a recommendation from one of your professors?”
“Sally Dorman.” I fork another piece of lettuce but don’t bring it to my mouth. It’s been tough to eat. I’m too nervous. “She had reached out to Bridget a couple of years ago to purchase one of her portraits and they kept in touch.”
“I asked you to come to dinner because I want to talk about your future.” Beck rests both his elbows on the table.
I take a deep breath. “What about my future?”
“Each year I do a new artist showcase in Boston.” He looks to the table next to us where a woman is eating dinner with her daughter. We were witness to their warm exchange when the daughter arrived.
“I know all about that.” I smile. “Last year one of the artists was Newton Castroni. I’d already been following his career up until that point, but the exposure from your showcase made him a household name.”
“Newton’s incredibly talented.” He grins. “He’s almost as talented as you.”
I don’t know if he’s teasing me or not. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say that you’ll be in Boston for the unveiling of your sketches in the showcase.”
I stare at his lips. “Can you say that again?”
He chuckles. “Your work is going to be included in the showcase, Piper. Six of your sketches. We’ll choose them together.”
“No,” I shake my head as tears cloud my eyes. “This isn’t real.”
He reaches to cup my hand in his. “This is as real as it gets. I’ve already told Bridget. She’s on board for giving you the time off you’ll need to come to Boston for the set-up. She’ll be there too for the unveiling.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.” I cover my face with my hands trying to fight back the rush of pure emotion I’m feeling. “How can I thank you for this?”
“Never stop drawing. This is just the beginning of your career, Piper. The art world has no idea what they’ve been missing.”
“You’re Piper, aren’t you?”
I look at the man standing in the doorway of Griffin’s apartment. He’s dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt. He has black hair, blue eyes and is definitely not the person I expected to see standing in front of me.
I convinced the doorman to let me surprise Griffin. He was wary at first, but when I told him that I was Griffin’s girlfriend and that I had a special gift for him, he agreed to let me come up.
The deliveryman standing behind me holding my framed sketch might have helped my case.
“I’m Piper.”
“I’m Sebastian.”
“You’re the homicide detective.” I arch a brow.
He smiles. “You’re the artist.”
I turn to look back at the man standing behind me. “Griffin bought this today at the gallery where I work. I wanted to surprise him by delivering it myself.”
He moves to the side and waves his hand. “Griffin’s out for the evening, but please come in.”
I heave a sigh as I cross the threshold into Griffin’s home for the first time. I never imagined this would be how I’d see the place that he lives. I wanted that to be with him, so I could see his expression as he watched me taking everything in for the first time.
I do just that. I scan the room. It’s beautiful and spacious. The furniture is dark leather and weathered wood. The kitchen is open with an island that overlooks the main living space. It’s gorgeous and refined, just like the man who lives here.
The deliveryman places the frame on the floor so it’s leaning against the wall nearest the door. “We’ll take off,” I say to Sebastian while he studies the sketch. “Will you tell Griffin I was here?”
He shakes his head. “Stay a minute, Piper.”
I look over at the deliveryman. I never bothered to ask his name when he came to the gallery to pick the sketch and me up after my dinner with Beck.
I was too caught up in my own thoughts to offer even the simplest courtesy to the man.
I reach into my purse to pull out some cash before I shove it into his hand.
“Thank you again. I appreciate you helping me with this.”
He smiles before he turns and walks out the door, leaving me standing in my boyfriend’s apartment wondering where he is.