Chapter 19 #2
“Thanks, I’ll think about it, but my goal isn’t just to sell a few paintings.
I’m looking to gain recognition, to build a reputation.
I doubt I could charge the same prices in your shop as I would the gallery.
And if I reduce the prices, it might not be worth the shipping cost.” And marking down her art would devalue her name as well as the pieces.
“Well, we’re not in a big hurry. You could put them on a cheap, slow truck. When they get here, they get here. Up to you, of course, but I’d love to have them.”
“For now, I guess I just need to get them out of Loft and over to my studio space.” She sagged against the counter. “And I think I’ll call in a personal day tomorrow. I need a mental health day.”
“That’s a good idea, and you deserve it. Can you go to a spa? Go skating? Do something fun?”
“Maybe,” she barely whispered. “I’ll have to let people know. I’ll have to call Nana. And…my parents.” Her voice broke. “Can you imagine my mom’s reaction?”
“Oh, babe.”
She raked a hand through her hair. She’d probably kept him too long already. “I better let you get back to work. Someone could be stealing from you as we speak.”
Terrible choice of words, as they brought the horror of her predicament rushing back. She’d been robbed. But there was no police report to file. No investigation. No recovering her losses.
* * *
Nick stood holding his phone long after Kat ended the call. What was the right move here?
Kat was a strong woman, but he knew what a big blow this was.
Probably the worst thing that ever happened to her.
The thought of her alone in her apartment drowning in disappointment was a tough visual.
If he was her significant other, the first person she called with the news, shouldn’t he be there for her?
He swiped a hand over his jaw. How fast could he get to New York?
Wouldn’t be ideal, but he could have Trena cover the meeting on the tax district.
He blew out a long breath, debating his options.
Did this illustrate everything that was a problem with a long-distance relationship?
He shoved the phone into his pocket. He had to do something.
Seven hours later, Nick closed the cab door, picked up his bag, and sprinted up the steps to Kat’s apartment.
For the second time in a few short weeks, he made a surprise visit.
He knew it was warranted—he just hoped it was welcome.
There was always a chance she’d taken a sleeping aid and crashed to take her mind off the situation. He rang the bell and waited.
After another minute, he set down his bag and pulled out his phone. Closing in on midnight. He punched her number. With any luck, she’d hear a call.
“Lo?” Kat’s groggy voice came on the line.
“Hey, babe. Sorry to wake you up.” Sorry, not sorry . “I’m at your doorstep. Want to buzz me in?”
“You what? ” Her voice was awake now. High-pitched and breathy with surprise. “I’m coming.”
A moment later, the buzzer sounded. Nick hurried up the stairs to find her waiting at her open door, bleary-eyed in soft peach-colored pajamas.
Her mouth dropped open, then she flung herself into his arms. “Nick! Oh, my gosh, Nick.”
Her shoulders shook as she clung to his neck, her tears wet on his skin. And he had no doubt he’d made the right decision. He squeezed her to his chest and buried his face in her hair. “Got here as fast as I could.”
“Thank you for coming,” she whispered. Sniffling, she pulled back and raked a hand through her hair.
Nick moved inside with her and closed the door. “How you holding up?”
“I’m not.” She rested her forehead against him. “I’m seriously not. I’m so devastated. I feel cold and sick. I don’t even know what to do.” She lifted her face and met his eyes. “How do I do this? How can I face my friends and family? I…I told everyone.”
Her voice quivered, and Nick brushed tears from her cheeks.
“True friends and family have your back. And we’re all going to be mad as hell about this.
” He folded her into his arms again. “We’ll make a plan later.
For now, just take it easy.” He slid an arm around her shoulders and steered her to the sofa. “Come on. Let me get you something.”
When she curled onto the sofa, Nick grabbed the throw blanket and tucked it around her. He pressed a quick kiss to her hair. “Wine? Tea? A warm bath?”
“Some hot tea would be great.”
Nick remembered his way around her kitchen and quickly brewed a cup of caffeine-free tea for her.
“Thanks,” she murmured when he handed her the mug.
He moved behind the sofa and began massaging her shoulders.
Kat rolled her head to the side and let out a soft groan. “Mmmm. That’s awesome.”
He continued kneading her muscles, stroking her neck until her head bobbed. “You ready to call it a night?” Nick asked.
“I can’t sleep. I was mostly awake when you called. Come sit down.” She patted the sofa cushion next to her. “And let’s talk about anything except Loft Images and my defunct show. How are your parents?”
Nick sank down beside her and took her hand. He appreciated her ability to think about someone else under duress. “Pretty good. I think everyone’s ready to put winter behind us.”
“Are there any signs of spring?”
“Not really. Still a lot of snow on Pikes Peak.”
“Can you see the mountain from your place?”
“Sure can. Want to come see for yourself?”
“I do. Can’t wait to meet your parents.”
“We could book some flights tomorrow.”
“Yeah, we could.” She went quiet and tilted back her head, gazing at the ceiling.
And Nick felt like the biggest idiot on the planet. He knew exactly where her thoughts had gone. Of course, her family already had flights booked for the show opening. As did he. “Sorry, babe. Do you still want everyone to come or would you rather–”
“Nope. Not talking about that right now.” She leaned into him. “Tell me about your favorite artist at your shop. Then tell me more about your family. How about a funny story about something you and your sister did? Or something you did in college?”
Nick swallowed hard. She was obviously not ready to close her eyes and be alone with her thoughts.
But all the topics she mentioned were easy to talk about, so he launched into a story about the time he and his sister got into a fight and knocked down the fully decorated Christmas tree.
“It was one of the few times my mom was steaming mad at both of us.”
Kat smiled. “But makes a good story now. Did it ruin anything?”
“Broke some ornaments. Got glass in the carpet. Big mess. That sort of thing.”
“You know, this totally lets my mom off the hook. She won’t have to make up excuses for not coming now—if she’d ever planned to.”
Nick slid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, resting his forehead against hers. “That’s a forbidden topic.”
But the tears came, anyway. The more she swiped at them, the more they spilled down her cheeks. He hauled her onto his lap and rocked her. “Maybe you should go ahead and let it all out. You could stab these pillows. We could go outside, and you could scream and throw things.”
She gave a choked laugh. “I’d wake the neighbors. Pretty sure I scared Winslow earlier.”
Nick glanced around. He hadn’t seen the cat.
“Probably on the bed or one of the dining chairs. Giving me some space.”
“Smart cat. What about ice skating tomorrow? Take out some frustration on the ice?”
“Maybe. If the rink is still open. We’ll have to check. They close sometime in March. Not sure I want to be around people, though. I’m pretty sick of them in general.”
He pressed a kiss to her hair. “Fair enough. I’m up for whatever works for your mental health.”
“We could paint angry.”
He shot her a sideways look. “Is that a thing you do?”
“Maybe.”
She looked away and then glanced back at him. And for the first time tonight, a spark lit her eyes.
“We’d have to go to the studio, though. Gets a little messy.”
“I bet. Could be fun. Let’s keep it on the list.” He wouldn’t mind seeing Kat let loose and unleash some anger.
Might help her get over the shock. Anger was one of the stages of grief, and she was grieving the loss of her show.
“Hey, why don’t we try to get some sleep now?
I can take the couch tonight.” He looked at his watch. Almost two.
“Are you kidding? No way.” She reached up and touched the hair that had fallen onto his forehead. “You’re the only good thing that’s happened to me lately. I want you with me.”
Her words and gentle touch sent electric sparks through Nick’s veins.
His pulse hammered, and he had to force himself to remember the circumstances—to keep from caressing her bare shoulders or claiming her lips in a long, searing kiss.
Swallowing hard, he spoke quietly. “That’s a great place to be.
” Then he helped her up from the sofa. “What’s gonna help you sleep?
Need a glass of water? Any meds? Music?” He bent to look in her eyes. “Cucumber slices for your eyes?”
She smiled and linked her arm through his. “I don’t need anything. Just keep me warm.”
“No problem. For now, we take care of you. Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, we make a plan.” He switched off the lamp and took her hand again. “Not sure how yet, but we’re going to fix this.”