Page 114 of For the Love of Art

Dori's cheeks grew a deeper shade of red. “Not much. I didn’t see fireworks, at least not outside.” She giggled. “I’ll grab that painting, and then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Have a good night,” I said, swallowing back the words I wanted to say.

I wanted to tell her that Andrew was talking to another woman, but what good would it do? He was waiting on Dori, and really, it was Lianne who needed to know. The sooner Lianne cut off contact with him, the better for everyone.

I sighed as Dori lifted the painting off the wall and carried it into the back. She passed Nathan on her way by, and he offered her a smile and a few words I couldn’t make out. He stopped, watching over his shoulder momentarily, then came toward me again.

“Hey, baby.” He kissed my cheek when he reached me.

I swallowed. I worried Dori heard, but I couldn’t say anything after telling him we could let the world know we were together.

“You certainly are ready to tell everyone. I’m sure Dori heard that,” I teased.

“I doubt it. I watched her put the painting in the back and then head out,” he said. “You worried about that now?”

I shut down the laptop at the front. “No. Just admiring your cockiness.”

He chuckled, then took me in his arms. “Come to my place, and I’ll show you how cocky I am.”

He kissed me, and I felt both rejuvenated and upset.

I thought back to Frankie, saying that I had a chance to change the trajectory of this relationship.

“I suppose I could.”

“Great. Sven’s making steak, and he pairs it with this incredible blue cheese sauce and–” Nathan stopped, running his fingers through his hair. “I sound like a billionaire, don’t I?”

I shrugged. “You are one.”

Nathan nodded. “I am.”

He pressed his lips together, and I wondered if it was to stop him from saying something. It didn’t matter. I was the one who needed to talk.

“Is everything closed up?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, I just need to grab my purse.”

I quickly returned to my office and grabbed my purse off the hook. I came back out into the main gallery and let Nathan take my hand and lead me to the town car that took us to his apartment.

We ate dinner, talking about the next opening, followed by sitting on the couch and reading New York Art Life together, and then finally getting tangled between his Egyptian cotton sheets.

Nathan was asleep as I sat up, staring out his window at the lights of Central Park. For every moment I had to tell him that I could never give him children, I squandered it by talking about something petty to hold onto him for as long as I could.

Maybe I couldn’t give him children, but I could give him the knowledge of knowing I was truly divorced. I vowed that tomorrow, the very first thing I would do was sign those papers.

I took a deep breath, and as I was about to snuggle up to Nathan, my phone vibrated on the nightstand beside me.

Nathan stirred and groggily asked, “Is that mine?”

“No, it’s me.” I picked up my phone, and my eyes widened when I saw the picture of my ex-husband. I turned it to Nathan. “It’s Don.”

Nathan sat up. “You should answer it.”

I swallowed, then hit the green button. “Hello?”