Forgetting her intention to stay cool until she’d had a heart-to-heart with David, she gave him a big hug. “My work has sold out!”
David grinned. “That’s fabulous! What did I tell you?”
“The gallery owner has said she’s keen for more of my work.”
“Of course she is. This is the start of something big.”
“Oh.” Amber’s smile faltered. “I don’t know that I want anything big.”
“Well,” he said, “the start of something, anyway.” He plucked two champagne goblets from the tray of a passing waiter and handed her one. “Here’s to you, and success.”
How could she not be swayed by David’s version of success, with his seductive gaze captivating her? It wasn’t until sometime later that she remembered her doubts. The stranger who made her remember hadn’t bothered to return her polite smile. Instead, he’d turned a wry grin onto David as he pushed his way through to them.
“David!” said the stranger, clamping his hand onto David’s shoulder. David swung around and didn’t look overjoyed. “I’m surprised to see you here, with all this.” The man waved his glass of champagne at Amber’s artwork, spilling champagne on Rachel’s dress. David interrupted him before he could finish his sentence.
“Angus. And I’m surprised to see you here. Looks like you’re following me.”
Angus positioned himself as part of the group, glancing around before his eyes rested on Rachel, who looked as voluptuous and glamorous as ever in a figure-hugging red dress, her dark hair in big curls framing her face and cleavage. Rachel didn’t return Angus’s smile as she flicked off the champagne which had landed on her breast. Angus’s eyes dropped to her breasts and his smile widened.
Amber looked up to see Rachel’s husband, Zane, scowling at Angus from across the room.
Angus stuck out his hand to Rachel. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Angus, David’s partner in crime.” He didn’t elaborate.
Rachel reluctantly extended her hand. “Rachel Black.”
Despite Rachel’s tugging of her hand, Angus kept hold of it. He frowned. “Haven’t we met before somewhere? You look familiar.”
“I host a cookery program. Maybe you’ve seen it.”
“Oh yes!” Angus turned his back on Amber to get closer to Rachel. “Of course.” But before he could say anything further, Zane appeared.
David’s eyes creased into a small smile. “And I don’t think you’ve met Rachel’s husband before either, Angus. Zane Black.”
Angus turned and had to lift his eyes in order to meet Zane’s glowering look. “Ah,” he said shakily. He immediately moved away.
“I thought you were meeting with some clients at three,” said David.
“Yes, I said I’d be a little late.”
“I think you should go.” said David authoritatively. “They are important.”
Angus moved away but shot David a dirty look. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep the business going while you have your change in direction. I don’t know why you’ve come here to this weird little exhibition. Sort of thing you’d find in a junk shop, if you ask me.”
Rachel gasped as Amber looked away with embarrassment, wishing the cold, gray concrete floor would open up and swallow her whole. But, even more distressingly, she felt he was right.
David shot Amber an anguished look, but it didn’t make her feel any better. “No one did ask you, Angus,” said David firmly, taking him by the arm and walking him away from Amber. Amber watched as David forcibly removed his partner from the exhibition.
“Who the hell was that idiot?” asked Zane, shifting from one foot to another, looking for all the world like he had when he played professional rugby with the All Blacks—as if he’d give anything to leap across the room and bring Angus down.
“Some friend of David’s, I think,” said Rachel, shifting closer to Amber. “Are you okay? He didn’t mean anything by it, you know. He was just annoyed with David, I think.”
“That’s right,” said David, suddenly appearing from behind Amber. “He was just trying to get back at me because he was annoyed that he had to work. That’s all it was.” His eyes were fixed on Amber. “That’s all. Besides, he wouldn’t know a work of art from his elbow.”
“So what are you doing with this idiot then, David?” asked Zane, still fuming quietly at both Angus’s ogling of Rachel, and his insulting of Amber.
“You know?” said David, taking another couple of goblets of champagne and passing one to Amber. “I’ve been wondering that myself the past few days.”
“I think I’ve seen him,” said Amber suddenly, frowning. “Going in and out of the building opposite EarthFoods.” She turned to Rachel. “You know, the building which the owners want to demolish.”
