AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The gesture manages to pry the leeches off of Tessa’s arms as she places her hands in Jonah’s larger ones. Balanced gracefully on her stilettos, she’s his equal in height. They air kiss both cheeks before parting.
By the time it’s my turn to greet her, I don’t have a fistful of fried food waiting to cram down my gullet. “Tessa, such a pleasure to see you,” I say in my best customer service voice.
“The pleasure is all mine. Ugh, let me look at you.” She takes a step back as she would when she inspects the art I handpick for her. “Don’t you look like an art piece yourself? Is this a vintage Raoul?”
I strike a pose for her and beam at Jonah. “It sure is.” With a few Jonah Gray additions.
“The way you pick out pieces is truly inspiring. Just like this exhibition. Tell me, what made you expand to another location, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Out of the corner of my eye, Jonah is dueling Liesl and Addison in a nonverbal battle of side eye and snark. This is my time to let Tessa know—as subtly as I can—that this isn’t my idea. “This is more of an experiment. I’ve been noodling on a way to showcase more artists than I had the space for at Orchard Haus. Seems like Liesl picked up on that and ran with it.” More like running away with my idea, taking my book of business with her.
I want to grow and expand—eventually. The expansion is all part of my five-year plan. I just don’t have the capital to do it at the moment.
How Liesl did is beyond me.
“Don’t be modest, Remington,” Liesl practically purrs. “You practically pushed us out of the nest when you gave the go ahead with this satellite location.”
Liesl’s gamine smile is a study in ice queen aesthetics. Jonah’s gaze could burn holes through her.
To Tessa, she continues. “We have a busy next few months ahead of us, what with a full roster of new artists, with buyers in a frenzy. We’ve had to open up a wait list.”
Tessa’s eyes light up . “New artists? Have I seen a sample of their work?”
“No, but I can show you my portfolio.” Liesl opens up her tablet and taps the screen before handing it to Tessa. Even the way she hooks her clients and presents the sale is a technique I taught her. I want to slap that tablet from her hand.
Tessa gushes over the screen. “Oh my! These pieces are exquisite. I would love to see them in person. Place my name on the waitlist, too.”
“Don’t be silly, Tessa.” Liesl’s needling tone grates my nerves. “You’re among the first on our roster. Come, let’s show you more of the exhibit. It will give you a taste of what the Neue Grove will be about. I’m sure you will find it a refreshing change of pace than other galleries you’ve seen.”
I’m too flummoxed to say much but sputter. I glimpsed the works Liesl showed Tessa on that tablet. They are my artists that I scouted over the last few months. They are among the best and brightest from both classically trained and self-taught styles.
“Come on,” Jonah says, tugging my arm. “Not here. Let’s get some air.” On the way out to the private courtyard, Jonah deftly snags two champagne flutes from a server’s tray.
I reach for one flute, which Jonah pulls out of my reach. “Nuh-unh, these aren’t for you.”
“What?”
He tsks. “Baby girl, you know you can’t handle any bit of alcohol. Now walk it off.”
What kind of dimension did I walk into? “Are you serious? In these stilettos?” I lift my foot to show off the red soles in case he needs a reminder of what I’m wearing.
“You need to work out your anger, and the best we can do for now is walk. So walk.” When I don’t move, he raises a brow and tsks.
I roll my eyes, but immediately start pacing.
Dammit. I hate he knows me so well. I dutifully pace back and forth, and it makes me feel better. Not that I’m going to tell him that. “What I wouldn’t give for a punching bag.” A speed bag quiets my overthinking brain so well. “Maybe I can just call Liesl over and punch her in the face,” I mutter under my breath.
Jonah empties his first champagne flute. “And risk breaking your nails? Here? No. Thank me later. Keep walking.”
“Did you hear them? Did you?”
“Yes, baby girl, I was standing right there. You handled yourself well back there.”
I stop my pacing and look at Jonah to see if he’s been possessed. “That’s a first. Usually you want me to speak up.”
“Yeah, when it makes sense to. This isn’t the time to show your cards. Let them do whatever it is they’re trying to do here. There’s not an original thought in their head. The only play they have is to copy your moves. So what you will not do is hint about your next steps.” He waves a tissue in my face. Belatedly, I realize I’ve been crying. I hate that I cry when I’m frustrated. I take the tissue and use it to dab carefully at my face.
Jonah continues in a softer voice. “You’re known and respected here. You are a tastemaker. You set the standard. Not Tweedle Bitch and Tweedle Bitchier, okay?”
