32. Bailey-Rose
The studio was located in the heart of Windermere’s art district.
It was down the street from the acclaimed Museum of Modern Art, making it an incredibly sought-after piece of real estate.
It was surrounded by boutique shops, galleries, and one of those paint-your-own-pottery places that held lots of classes and events.
Many of the buildings had bright, colorful murals sprawling along the sides of the buildings.
Two years ago, they’d started a campaign to make it the social media hotspot—a destination to capture the best pictures with interesting architecture, creative art, and a beautiful grotto with a gazebo covered in twinkle lights. All in all, an artist’s paradise.
Amazingly, the hard work put into the project paid off, and Windermere Art District won an award for being a travel hotspot.
It made me sad that everything that happened with Randall had kept me from coming to my favorite place in the city.
From time to time over the past four years, I rented space at other studios to work on projects for school I couldn’t do at home.
Pottery wasn’t my favorite form of art. I was passable at best, but it wasn’t something I would invest in buying all the supplies when I knew I wouldn’t use them long-term.
Crew was the first to suggest seeing if there was a place to rent, and it started my love affair with this part of the city.
We pulled up outside the two-story, red-brick building with a wrought iron balcony wrapped around the front and side.
I should have known this was the building they’d buy out of the ones I knew were for sale.
It had been announced the owner was going to tear it down and build an expensive apartment complex, taking advantage of the boom in this area.
The moment I knew that was what was planned, I got on the phone with anyone I knew who held sway in the city to put a stop to it as this building had enormous historical value.
“Wow, this is your parents’ idea of a graduation gift?” Gareth asked, covering his eyes to peer up at the place.
I couldn’t blame the man for having that reaction. When I opened the box with the keys in it, I thought I was going to pass out.
“They knew my dreams when it came to the gallery I wanted to start. It also might have something to do with the fact I was a one-woman army, determined to rescue this building from being torn down,” I shared, pulling out the keys from my purse.
“Don’t just leave us hanging, Care Bear. Did you win the battle?” Warrick pressed as we walked up to the thick wooden double doors.
Sliding the key into the deadbolt, I turned the key.
When the bolt slid back, I did a silent happy dance as the reality this place was truly mine set in.
Trying to keep my cool, I pressed down on the vintage handle and shoved the door open.
My cheeks hurt as I smiled and entered the building I’d fought for.
Spinning around, I faced the guys, barely containing my joy as I answered Warrick’s question, “You bet your ass I won. She’s still standing, isn’t she?”
“Did kitten swear?” Vili asked.
“Yeah, she sure did,” Ulysses confirmed with a smirk. “Look at her. That’s the face of a woman who beat the pants off some unsuspecting man.”
I rolled my eyes. “I did no such thing. Besides, I didn’t do this all on my own.
The whole neighborhood was up in arms about what this man wanted to do.
This was one of the last buildings designed by a famous architect, Rosco Reign, who used his buildings to support the arts.
In a way, you could say his aspirations for his work inspired my dream studio.
Once I got the city to put a hold on things while the Historical Society did their investigation on my claims, the builder couldn’t move forward.
They even told him he couldn’t pre-sell the apartments since, as it stood, the property wasn’t zoned for residential.
Without the final word from the Historical Society, they refused to change it should they claim it as a historical site. ”
Yun-Sun let out a low, impressed whistle. “That, sweetheart, is some brilliant thinking. Are you sure you never thought about being a lawyer?”
“Trust me, I never would have come up with that idea myself. One of the other fighters in this cause gave me the idea. I was just the one who had connections to people who would listen to what I had to say,” I admitted with a shrug. “The last name Thatcher has its perks, but I hate to use them.”
Warrick pulled me into a side hug and kissed my head. “Care Bear, this was absolutely the right time to use that power. Saving history, helping a community, and ensuring a legacy continues to support others? Yeah, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over that man not getting his luxury apartments.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, hugging him tightly. “I needed to hear that.”
“Hey, baby girl, why don’t you take us on a tour? We still have an hour before we need to head out,” Gareth suggested.
“Would it surprise you guys to know I’ve never been in this building before? It’s been locked up and sitting while the previous owner tried to get things settled with the city. I’ve peeked in the windows, but that’s about it,” I admitted.
Gareth reached out a hand to me with a grin on his face. “Then let’s get exploring.”
Since Warrick refused to let me go, I walked between them. My parents told me they had been working on it while I was away at school to ensure it was up to code and safe for me to use. The main area was open to the roof with windows everywhere, letting light flood in.
“I’m thinking this would make an amazing gallery space,” I commented, taking in everything.
Yun pushed open a set of barn doors on a track, revealing an entire workspace setup.
Gasping, I dropped the guys’ hands to cover my mouth, tears welling up at the sight of my very own studio.
Of course, I had one back at my parents’ house, but it was a sitting room no one used that I took over.
What I was looking at now put that studio to shame.
“Whoa…” Ulysses said, clearly as shocked as I was.
“Damn, if this is the gift game your parents have, we’re gonna need some lessons,” Gareth muttered.
Still too shocked to address their worries, I walked up to the shelves mounted on the wall stocked with every kind of paint known to man.
Tool chests were set up as well, with drawers full of anything and everything I could possibly need to create whatever I wanted.
While on campus, I’d started to explore more with oil painting, loving the different effects I could get with the thicker paint.
Now lying in front of me were various palette knives, scrapers, and mixers with reusable paint palettes.
I saw a pottery wheel with a note taped to it, so I plucked it off and unfolded the paper.
Just couldn’t pass up the chance to make sure you had something in here that I could mess around with while you work. You might have space outside the house now, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily, LouLou.
- Love, Crew
P.S. I can bring girls here, right, because a man doing pottery is sexy as hell!!
Laughing, I plopped down on the stool near the wheel, picturing Crew trying to impress a girl making an endless supply of ashtrays. Vili took the letter from my hand, glancing over it before he laughed too.
“Tell me, kitten, would this work?” Vili asked, gesturing to the note. “Is he lady killer of pottery?”
That had me laughing even harder, clutching my stomach. “God, no.”
“Who’s the lady killer?” Warrick inquired, snatching the note. “I mean, he has a point. Have you seen that movie? The one with that super-hot pottery scene.”
“Ghost?” Ulysses guessed. “Wait, wasn’t he dead the whole time?”
“No, that’s The Sixth Sense,” Yun-Sun corrected.
“Hold up,” I cut in, waving my arms like a referee. “Ulysses was right, the guy does die in the beginning of the movie, but he knows it. The other one Yun is talking about, no one knew until the end of the movie.”
“Huh, it’s been ages since I saw either of them,” Warrick mused aloud. “We should add that to the list of movie choices for movie nights.”
“I’m game,” I said, pushing to my feet. I grinned at the wheel again before exploring the space further.
Some of my favorite pieces were hung on the walls, but there was plenty of space for me to add more.
Along one wall was a row of tall, empty metal-locking cabinets.
I’m sure they were meant to keep whatever I was working on to be stored safely when I was gone for the night.
When I came to a door, I opened it, assuming it would be more storage, but instead, I found a set of stairs.
“Hey, guys,” I called over my shoulder. “There’s more.”
When we entered this studio space, I’d noticed the ceiling was what you’d expect for a two-story building.
It had me wondering if my parents had opened up that front half, thinking, like me, it would be the gallery.
Making my way up to the second floor, I was greeted by the sight of an office space of sorts.
There was a simple sitting area with a full coffee and tea bar as if it was intended to be a space to meet with buyers or artists.
All the furniture was white and of a simple style with no personality.
While my family was trying to give me the basics, they knew I’d want to decorate things myself, which I appreciated.
In a corner set apart and walled off with iridescent walls was an office, or what could be turned into one.
Right now, it had a desk, chair, and shelving behind it, but everything, including the walls, could be moved to another location, allowing me the freedom to do as I pleased.
Hands rested on my shoulders, and a sweet, chocolaty scent spiced with cinnamon told me it was Ulysses. “Well, Rosie, it looks like we aren’t the only people who think your plan for the future is brilliant.”