Chapter 25 #2
“I think she was feeling a little shy about it. As you know, her confidence has taken a hit recently. Hopefully this will help.”
Nick swallowed hard as guilt punched him in the gut. “Hope so.”
Kat’s parents filed in beside Kitty. Rebecca’s puzzled gaze turned from Kitty to Nick.
“Kitty, Mr. Summers is one of the bachelors tonight, but he’s also the person who created our new mantel and bookcases in the front room.”
“Yes, I know. We’ve met.”
Nick enjoyed Rebecca’s confused frown.
“How did you two meet?” she asked.
“We met in New York. At Kat’s museum exhibit,” Kitty said. The smile on her face and in her voice told Nick she was enjoying this as well.
“Good to see you again, Rebecca. Jim.” Nick nodded and extended his hand to Kat’s dad.
“I don’t understand,” Rebecca said. “You were all in New York City at the same time and place?”
“Honey,” Jim said. “Nick is a friend of Kat’s. Small world, right?”
Nick nearly laughed. Jim had obviously missed all the tension.
Rebecca gave a brittle smile and patted her hair. “And now you’re going to Hollywood? How exciting.”
“Well, not Hollywood, but New York.” He didn’t mind letting her wonder if he’d be seeing Kat again.
“And just you wait.” Kitty practically bounced in her shoes. “Kat’s paintings will be in one of those cream-of-the-crop New York galleries in no time.”
“Absolutely. Kat is a gifted artist.” He looked specifically at Rebecca. “You must be very proud of her.”
Rebecca had the grace to blush. “I…we….” She put a hand to her chest. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
Nana turned sharp eyes on him.
His tone may have been a little curt. But he wasn’t backing down. “I’d love to hear you tell her that.”
“ Excuse me?” The woman’s eyes narrowed, and her face darkened.
At the same time, Nana’s eyes widened, and a smile lit her face. “So would I, my dear. It’s long overdue.”
Rebecca’s mouth dropped open. “What is that supposed to mean?” She turned to her husband.
Expecting him to defend her?
Jim put an arm around her shoulders “Let me refresh your drink, dear.”
“I know.” Kitty clapped her hands together. “Let’s video call her right now and give her the news. She’ll be delighted with the sale of her painting.”
That sounded awkward. Nick moved sideways, intending to take his leave.
Kitty placed her hand on his arm, halting his progress. “Nick, wouldn’t you like to say hello?”
For a moment his thoughts stuttered. Was Kitty up to something? She knew all was not well between him and Kat or he’d have been part of their weekend in the city. “I think I’ll–”
“Kitty, for heaven’s sake,” Rebecca broke in. “It’s eleven-thirty in New York. We’re not calling Katherine.” She gave Nick a cool glare.
And he took the hint. “Again, congratulations on the big night for Kat. Nice to see you all.”
He turned and didn’t much care if he’d burned any bridges with Rebecca Andrews.
* * *
As Kat removed her first cup of tea from the microwave Sunday morning, her phone pealed into the quiet apartment. She glanced at the screen then became instantly alert. She opened the video call. “Nana?”
“Kat, darling. I hope I didn’t wake you, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
Kat let out a sigh of relief. Nana seemed perfectly fine, bubbly even. She took a sip of tea. “What’s up?”
Nana laughed. “Did you forget about the museum gala last night?”
Oh, yeah. Her stomach dropped. “Wasn’t thinking. How’d it go?” Nothing embarrassing, please.
“It was so much fun. Honey, you were the star of the night.”
Kat sputtered her tea. “What?”
“People kept stopping by our table to sing your praises. I wish you could’ve been here.”
“I’ll be there in a week and a half.”
“Yes, and I can’t wait to see you, but you missed a good time. Everyone loved your painting. Loved that you donated it. And, oh my, you’re going to have the fall banners. You didn’t tell me that.”
“Really? I guess I forgot.” She gave a nervous chuckle.
“I didn’t know they were going to make an announcement.
” Two questions burned inside Kat’s brain.
Was Nana going to make her ask? “The banners turned out really nice. My old boss at the museum sent me one. Hang on. I’ll show you.
” She turned the phone to the back of the sofa where she’d temporarily draped the banner.
“Oh, my goodness. That’s gorgeous. Outside in the sunshine, those will glow. Absolutely stunning, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Nana.” Always her cheerleader. But was it a cover for disappointing news? Kat sucked in a deep breath. “Did you stay for the auction of my painting?”
“Of course. Highlight of the evening. Are you sitting? I have wonderful news.”
“I am.” She held her breath.
“So many people wanted your painting. It sold for five thousand dollars.”
The air whooshed out of Kat’s lungs. “Are you serious?”
“I am. Are you pleased?”
“Yes. That’s awesome. Do you know who bought it?”
“Daughter and son-in-law of the Gormans. She was thrilled.”
“I’m glad.”
“Also, I caught Nick Summers staring at your painting before the auction. Did you know he was one of the bachelors being auctioned for a date?”
“I knew. How much did that raise?”
“I’m not sure. That was a silent bidding process. I think they didn’t want to risk hurting anyone’s feelings.”
“Ah. Makes sense.”
“He had a few words with your mother.”
Kat slammed the mug onto the table. “He what? ”
“I probably shouldn’t tattle, but he forced her to say she was proud of you. And then told her he hoped she would tell you that.” Grinning, Nana shook her head. “It was priceless.”
Finally picking up on Kat’s less-than-enthusiastic response, Nana’s smile faded. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t a scene.”
Blood pounded in Kat’s ears. Why would he bother confronting her mother? And in public ?
“Seems to me that young man still cares for you,” Nana added quietly. “Have you spoken to him since we saw him at the museum?”
“No.” How had it been two months already? And why did she still think of him every day?
“Have you ever seen him in a tuxedo?” A light danced in Nana’s eyes.
And Kat rolled hers. “No, never have.”
“Would you like a picture?”
“You took his picture?”
“Took a few of the whole line-up. They aren’t very good because the lights were dim, but I think you’ll get the idea.”
Kat couldn’t help laughing. “Nana, you’re incorrigible.” She fumbled with the phone a moment to receive the photo without dropping the call. Then her heart bounced. She zoomed in on the primary subject. He looked amazing. That smile…
“He seems like a nice young man,” Nana said softly. “Is it definitely over?”
Her gaze slipped past Nana. How to answer that? “I don’t know. We had some good times. In some ways, I miss him, but then I look at all the issues and differences, the long distance, and I think it just isn’t meant to be.”
“I understand he’ll be spending more time in New York City.”
Kat’s eyes snapped back to the screen. “What do you mean?”
“When they introduced him last night, the announcer said he’d signed a contract with HBTV. You thought he’d become a celebrity, and it sounds as if that’s happening.”
Mixed feelings churned inside Kat. Wow. Nick’s career was taking off while hers stalled. She could be happy for him…she was happy for him. But it felt as if a knife was twisting inside—she should be celebrating with him.