Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 105708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
“But necessary. I’ll deal with a new agent hunt next week.”
I rotate to face the window, the stars and city lights flickering in the night sky. Nick steps behind me, holding me close. “I thought you didn’t like heights.”
“I changed my mind,” I say. “I’m not going to be afraid of anything.”
And as Nick murmurs, “Congratulations, Faith,” I feel as if the past is now behind me, and a new beginning before me. Everything that was once wrong is now right.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Faith
The morning of the show, I’m nervous. By afternoon, I’m so high I’m flying. Macom and Josh stay away from us, and the interest in my work and invitations to events overflow. And Nick and I have so much fun together. Sometime around lunch, we hear that the apartment is ours, and Nick takes me to an incredible restaurant to celebrate it all. On Sunday morning, we have breakfast in our room, and I gift my flowers to the maid. Nick refuses to give up the chocolates, and we proceed to eat most of them on the plane home.
Come Monday morning, Nick is scheduled to begin the negotiations on a merger that he warns me will make for an intense few weeks. He leaves the house wearing one of his sharpest suits and a dark, cutting edge that says he’s already in battle mode. I am feeling rather fancy today, and since a dress doesn’t make much sense for a pre-opening at the gallery, I trade in my jeans for dress pants, boots, and a soft, pink V-neck sweater that pairs with the classic flagship Chanel purse that had been in the items Nick bought me over the weekend.
I arrive at Allure with a smile on my face and a stack of cards in my pocket. I settle behind my desk to find a random list of things Sara needs to accomplish before the gallery opening, along with a formal offer of employment.
Oh yes, I think. Life is good.
Sara appears in the doorway, looking adorable in jeans and Keds. “Well?” she asks, claiming the visitor’s chair in front of my desk. “How was the show?”
“Amazing. The Forum picks one up-and-comer to watch every year, and they chose me.”
“Oh my God. Woohoo! I’m so excited for you. You said nothing of this when you sent me photos this weekend.”
“It just didn’t feel real,” I say. “It’s a bit surreal.”
“Of course it is. Are you still riding the high?”
“In a big way, and even after I fired my agent.”
“You fired your agent?”
“Yes. And it was past due. He’s my ex’s agent, and it just got sticky.” I set the stack of cards on my desk. “And I have all these people wanting to buy work or book me for events. I’m going to start a hunt today.”
“Let Chris help.”
“No. No, I don’t want to intrude or seem like I’m using you or him for my own benefit.”
“I’ll call my agent,” Chris says, appearing in the doorway in a brown Harley shirt after clearly hearing our conversation. “If he can’t take you on, he’ll help you find the right match.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I say quickly.
“Why the hell not?” he asks. “You wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe in you.”
Sara twists around in her chair to look at him. “She won the Forum’s up-and-comer award.”
“Not a surprise to me at all,” Chris says, pulling his phone from the pocket of his jeans and punching in a number. “Gabe,” he says. “Yeah, man. I have a new artist for you. I’m behind her. We’re trying to convince her to work here at Allure with us. She’s helping us launch, and she’s on display here. Yes. Call her here.”
Sara holds up a hand, and when Chris offers her his attention, she points to the stack of cards. “All offers she needs managed.”
Chris gives an incline of his chin. “She comes with offers from an event she just did. A stack of them she needs managed.” He listens a moment. “I’ll tell her.” Chris ends the call. “He’s headed into a meeting. He’s going to call you this afternoon, but he’s on board.”
“That’s incredible of you,” I say. “Thank you. I…hate to seem unappreciative, but I’ve been through Macom being Josh’s star. I don’t want Gabe to sign me because of you.”
“A valid concern,” Chris says, “but that’s not Gabe’s style. He’s got a mind of his own and balls the size of Texas. You’ll like his balls, I promise.”
We all laugh, and Chris glances at his watch. “I need to head to a meeting.” Sara pushes to her feet and hurries to Chris, kissing him before he departs. I smile because I have a lot to smile about, and I sign the offer letter. And when Sara turns to face me again, I hold it up. “I’ll get to work on your things-to-do list, boss.”