On the eveningof December 12th, the gallery walls gleamed in crisp matte white, and the polished floor reflected the warm gold of the overhead fixtures. People were already crowding into the reception area. There were donors in wool coats, Douglas administrators in their formalwear, members of the press, and Blizzard players in outfits that ranged from business casual to custom-tailored suits.
My chest was full to bursting. I’d curled my hair, shaved, and purchased a new dress for this, and it was one-hundred-percent worth it.
I’d helped build this, and it was stunning.
Since it was the press walkthrough and not the official gallery opening, there were still displays in progress. But our featured artist and student artist sections were pristine.
I stopped in front of Bridet’s newest piece. A massive canvas in deep reds and icy blues, layered with palette-knife strokes that carved motion into the abstract outline of a player racing down the ice. The flex of the stick, the angle of the blades. It made my heart race.
Alice Kemp’s paintings hung in the next section. I’d seen pictures, but standing in front of them was something else. Oil on rough-textured board. Creams, golds, sage green, streaks of dark umber slashed like wounds. My heart twisted because I didn’t want to like it, but I did. It was extraordinary.
I forced myself on to inspect the student work I’d helped select. Two pieces stood out under the lights, and there, beside them, was the triptych. Tash’s triptych.
I beamed at the three distorted figures mid-stride. Bodies blurring into motion. As compulsive and cutting and brilliant as the first moment I saw them. None of them knew they’d been chosen yet. They’d find out with the rest of Calgary when their names showed up in the paper. Norman would send them an email tomorrow, as well, but he did enjoy a dramatic announcement.
“Proud?” a familiar voice said behind me.
I turned to see Alison Kerr standing at the door. “I’m so happy for them.”
Alison stepped into the room. “You had input on these selections.”
“I did.”
She inspected the pieces, then turned to me and handed me a card. “Call me after graduation. And,” she leaned in, “don’t tell Norman we had this conversation.” She winked and stalked back out of the room.
My head spun, and I almost put out a hand to steady myself, but didn’t want to leave any fingerprints. I crouched instead, dropping my head to my knees for a few seconds. Alison Kerr from Glenbow wanted me to call her after graduation.
I stood, hurrying to the main hall. Where was Logan? I needed to?—
I pulled to a stop, remembering why I wasn’t already at his side. He was with his team, and I was having a hard time pretending.
I took a moment to pull myself together, then walked into the main reception area. The Blizzard players were already gathered around the charcuterie table.
Davis Rourke waved when he saw me. “Hey, Logan was looking for you.”
I smiled, flattered that he even remembered who I was. “Hi. So glad you all could come.”
He motioned at the spread. “You did this?”
“I helped, but I can’t take all the credit.”
Another player stepped up. “You’re Crystal?” He shook my hand and introduced himself as Jonas, then glanced around the room. “Logan won’t shut up about you.”
My face heated, and I brushed off the comment. “I doubt that.”
He took a bite of salami. “I’m serious. He’s a little whipped, if you know what I mean.”
A thread of warmth braided through my ribs. Rourke laughed, then pointed out another teammate’s plate, and they moved on just as I spotted Logan at the edge of the room.
His suit was black, tailored. His tie was slate grey. His hair was styled, his face clean-shaven. He stood talking to Norman and a few of the people we’d met in Banff. Laughing, his hands gesticulating.
But when he looked up and saw me? His smile softened, his movements slowed. He said something to the others and started toward me.
“Hey,” he murmured, leaning close.
“Hey,” I said.
“You look incredible.” His eyes flicked down my indigo dress, lingering on the deep V cut. Maddie and I found it on clearanceat The Bay earlier that week. It was silky and lightweight and combined perfectly with a pair of Jenna’s heels. I’d never felt so sexy in my life.
