We continued on, examining the photographs. I didn't know much about art or photography, but from what I could tell the photos were professional, all clean lines and stark contrasts, but without any sort of depressing, bleak tones. The pictures had clearly been taken with love and care. I examined some of the price tags. My eyebrows nearly rose off my forehead. Those were some expensive pieces of art. That Cassie girl really must have been popular.
"What do you think?" Nathan asked.
"I like them," I said. "They've got a good vibe, if that makes sense."
"They're pretty cool," Nathan agreed. "It's the kind of thing I could see hanging on my wall. Which one's your favorite?"
"Hm." I turned in a circle, looking at all the photos and trying to remember which ones had moved me the most. "I like that one." I pointed to a scene taken backstage at a concert. The band members were cast in shadow, but their instruments were illuminated by ceiling lights. "It reminds me of you. Of watching you in concert."
"I'll get that one, then."
"You're going to buy one?"
"Of course. I've got to support my friends, after all."
I shouldn't have been surprised, considering I'd known that Nathan was wealthy, but damn. Buying something as expensive as that on a whim just because I said I liked it…
"Well, if it isn't Nathan Walker."
A tall woman with striking green eyes and a slash of bright red for a mouth sidled up to him. She pressed a hand to his chest.
"I had a feeling I'd see you here," she purred.
"Stephanie?" he said, surprised. He shot a quick look at me before turning to her. "How'd you get in here?"
"I received an invitation," she said smoothly.
"Did you?" Nathan asked sharply. "From who?"
She turned to me, ignoring his question.
"Who's this?" she feigned disinterest, but I could see the jealously burning in her eyes. "Your latest conquest? Hm." She flicked her wavy chestnut hair over her shoulder. "Not your usual type, is she?"
I laughed out loud, right in her face. "Wow, you're not subtle at all, are you?"
She glared at me, then turned a sickly-sweet smile on Nathan. "Babe, I really need to talk to you."
He gave her a dark look, but looked hesitant to just walk away.
I turned to Nathan. "I'm going to look at the photos while you talk to your friend. Bye, Stephanie," I said pointedly.
The sour expression didn't leave her face as she tugged on Nathan's arm and hissed something at him. He pulled his arms away and folded them across his chest, frowning at her.
I turned and ignored them.
I supposed I'd known Nathan would have tons of "conquests" out there, but I never thought I'd actually run into one while I was with him. Oh well. Whoever Stephanie was, he hadn't seemed too impressed with her. I wondered how long he'd let her blather at him before he showed her the door.
I was contemplating a more abstract photo, brows furrowed, as I tried to figure out the meaning of it, when Nathan returned to my side.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to just abandon you."
"It's all right," I said, still scrutinizing the photo.
"Are you mad?" Nathan asked, sounding distressed.
My brow smoothed as I turned to him, surprised. "No. Why?"
"You look upset." There was an anxious quality to his tone, like he was seriously concerned.
I laughed. "That's my concentration face. I'm just trying to decipher what this photo is trying to say."
The worry didn't leave his eyes. "Is this about Stephanie? She's just a girl I know, nothing else."
"I'm fine," I reassured him.
He nodded, some of the anxiety lifting. It was heartwarming, that he didn't want me to feel hurt or jealous.
Nathan was so determined not to hurt me.
I just hoped I was able to do the same for him.
