Page 94 of Shattered

“Is it though?”

“According to every artist I’ve ever talked to, yes.”

Daniel appeared with Maria, both dressed up and looking proud. “Mom would have loved this,” Daniel said, his voice doing that thing where it tightened.

Maria squeezed my hand. “This is beautiful, Delia. All of it.”

Gianna pulled me aside later when the crowd had thinned slightly. Her expression was strange. Careful.

“I need to tell you something,” she said.

“That sounds ominous.”

“It’s not ominous. Just… interesting timing.” She glanced at Archer, who nodded. “Your ex. The one who left you at the altar. That was Jake Foxx, right?”

My stomach felt like it dropped. “Yes? Is there a problem?”

“I mean, I knew about your ex, but I’d never seen him. So, I didn’t make the connection.” She lowered her voice. “I know him now.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.” She looked uncomfortable. “Listen, you dodged a bullet there. I have some gossip. But I’m not sharing it here with all these people around. Girls only. Later.”

“That’s cryptic.”

“It’s juicy. Trust me.”

I glanced toward where Axel was talking to Caroline. “Let’s save the juice for later. I don’t want Axel getting jealous or weird.”

Gianna laughed, “Absolutely, this is your night. Let’s keep it about your success.”

“But I’m still dying to know.”

“Later. I promise. Full tea. No detail spared.” She grinned. “But seriously, you upgraded dramatically. Axel is gorgeous and clearly worships you.”

I laughed despite myself. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It absolutely is.”

By the time the gallery closed for the night, I was exhausted. Exhilarated. Overwhelmed. All of it at once.

Axel drove us back to his penthouse in comfortable silence. I leaned my head against the window and watched Manhattan slide past.

“You did it,” he said finally.

“I did it.”

“How does it feel?”

“I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine. I sold three pieces.”

“Four actually. Someone bought another one right before closing.”

I turned to look at him. “Four pieces?”

“Four pieces. And you have a meeting with Savannah Reyes next week. And an interview in ARTnews coming out next month.” He glanced at me. “You’re officially a professional artist. I’m so proud of you.”

His words made my heart melt, my eyes filling with tears. I nodded, my throat too closed for words.