Chapter 14 #2
“I hope not. I mean, he’s already agreed to the show and picked the pieces.
” She’d signed a contract, but it was all about her responsibilities.
One line stood out in her brain—the gallery reserved the right to cancel at its discretion.
She sucked in a deep breath. “I’ll just try to keep my distance.
Most of the time, I work with Matt who helps run the gallery. He’s great.”
By the time she stepped inside her apartment, Kat’s anger had worn her out. She heated a cup of chai decaf, kicked off her boots, and flopped down on the sofa. Winslow joined her.
“Hi, baby,” Kat murmured absently, stroking the cat’s head. “Why can’t everyone be as well behaved as you, hmm?” She gently set Winslow aside and retrieved her phone. Nick would be expecting a report.
“Hey, angel,” Nick picked up.
His soft, deep voice made her smile inside. “What are you up to?”
“Just waiting to hear from you. How’d it go?”
Kat tried to infuse some excitement into her voice. “It was great. A nice turnout.” No reason to go into the awkward encounter with Pete. She’d already vented enough over yesterday’s revelation from Cassie.
“Did the owner introduce you?”
“Yes, and several people seemed interested. Maybe they’ll come back.”
“How’d the postcards turn out?”
Kat gasped. Shouldn’t they have been ready for tonight?
“Wow. I can’t believe I forgot about those.
I guess he didn’t get them done in time.
Maybe there was a glitch with the printer.
” She reached for her laptop. “Let me see if it’s been added to the website.
” She opened the Loft Images page and scrolled through the various options.
“Huh. Nothing yet.” Well, she wouldn’t be pestering him about that.
The fewer times she had to deal with Pete, the better.
“There’s still plenty of time,” Nick said. “Most people wouldn’t plan more than a week or two out. Thought I might get a pic tonight. Did you forget that, too?”
“Oh, sorry. Mia took a few, but I haven’t had a chance to look at them.” Jeez, she sounded like an airhead.
“No worries,” Nick told her. “Send them later. Guess what I did today?”
“Ummm…”
He didn’t wait for her to guess. “Put the first coat of stain on your mom’s mantel.”
“Oh, yeah? Got approval from the queen, huh?”
“I did. I ended up emailing her some high-res pics instead of hauling the piece to the house. Told her I was concerned about potential damage. She seemed okay with it.”
“Good. Glad she didn’t make you bubble-wrap it and take it anyway. Or suggest changes.”
“Yeah, I’ll count that as a win. Anyway, I’ll finish staining the mantel this week, then I’ll have to wait for some other things to happen before I can set it. Probably a couple of weeks. On Tuesday, I’ll install the rest of the shelving.”
Kat couldn’t help visualizing that. Too bad she couldn’t be there to watch the installation.
To see Nick in action would be nothing short of eye candy.
The man had incredible biceps and muscular thighs, no doubt from years of hauling heavy pieces of wood around.
She figured it was the complete package that had made him the top choice for HBTV.
She’d bet money ratings were going to skyrocket when Nick’s shows aired.
Part of her was almost giddy with pride, but she admitted a little hesitation at having to soon share him with the rest of the world.
Someday, her mother was going to eat her words.
“Did you tell her about HomeBuilders?”
Nick shook his head. His goal was to stay focused strictly on his work for the Andrews project and steer away from conversation that could lead to anything personal for as long as possible—he hoped that meant until the project was complete.
“Nah. If I’d been there it might’ve come up, but not in emails.”
“Never mind, I’ll tell her, so it won’t seem like you’re bragging.”
“But if you do that, she’ll know we’ve been talking.”
The line went quiet, and Nick waited for a response.
Finally, Kat’s laughter bubbled through. “ Talking, Nick?”
That fast, the memory of their weekend together lit a flame inside him.
Yeah, they’d talked—and a whole lot more.
And still, he wanted more. How was he going to handle this long-distance?
His bank account would take a hit if he started flying to New York every couple of weeks.
But could he wait for HomeBuilders to summon him and pick up the tab?
He chuckled. “Well, that’s all she needs to know, right?
” He glanced at the calendar and February fourteenth jumped out at him.
Valentine’s Day. Would she expect him to be there?
To send something? He wasn’t an idiot. He made a note to order flowers at the least. “Hey, open your video chat. I want to see that gorgeous smile.”
“Sure.”
A moment later, her lovely face filled the screen. And he knew whether HomeBuilders needed him back in New York or not, he’d be logging some air miles soon.
“Hey, let’s just let Mom find out when she’s here in April,” Kat said. “Your installation will be done, and she can still brag at the homes show.”
“Fine by me. But you said she doesn’t like surprises.”
“Honestly, I think it’s a good chance she won’t show up, anyway. If she does, my dad and Nana will be here, and that will keep her from going ballistic.”
Nick rubbed the back of his neck. Something was off here. “I guess I’m a little confused about something. Why would she go ballistic? What’s the problem? Is there someone else she wants you to date? Or is there a problem with me?”
Groaning, Kat put her hands over her face and shook her head.
“Kat, what’s the big deal?” He couldn’t understand the concern in her eyes when she looked at him again.
“It’s a problem with her . She’s a snob.”
“So, the problem is me. She wouldn’t approve of you dating me. Is that right?”
“Because she sees you as the help.” Kat’s voice rose. “In her mind, you’re a worker-bee, not the successful country-club type.”
“Umm. Wow. Okay.” Disgust rolled over Nick.
He almost wished he could walk away from the Andrews job.
Leave her in the lurch. But doing that would only reinforce her negative stereotyping.
And would hurt him more than her. Not to mention possibly bringing down her wrath on Kat.
He couldn’t do that, and he wouldn’t do anything to ruin her big event.
“Nick, it’s her problem. I’m not saying you have to do anything to impress her.
I just think if we can highlight the HomeBuilders show, it might make Opening Weekend go more smoothly.
Is there any kind of an announcement on their website?
Maybe I can send that to Mom in an email and tell her I recognized your name. ”
Nick nodded. “Probably on their website. I haven’t looked.
” This was so messed up. He couldn’t imagine his parents being such a barrier to his happiness.
The thought of spending time with Kat’s parents put a sour taste in his mouth.
No wonder Nana Kitty had been such an important part of Kat’s life.
The Andrews matriarch must be a force to reckon with in her own right.
He couldn’t wait to meet her—and hoped her presence could keep Rebecca’s foul attitude in check.
For Kat’s sake, he hoped they could avoid drama.