“I’m here,” she murmurs, clearing her throat slightly.
“I thought you’d like to know that your sketch was auctioned off for twenty thousand dollars,” Marilyn says excitedly. Caelia’s lips part in shock, but Marilyn isn’t done yet. “Are you interested in doing more work based on commission?”
“I hadn’t thought about it, but I’d love to,” Caelia gasps. “Who is interested?”
Marilyn explains that Harold Livingston is a long time supporter of the arts, and also works at the sports museum as a curator.
“He’s begging for your name, but I expressly told him that I value your anonymity,” she adds, making sure to lay this on thickly. Levon’s eyes roll over her head, making me have to hide my smile. “However, he’d like to commission you for twelve art pieces of the current hockey team members for eighty thousand dollars. What do you think?”
“I’m wondering if my talent is good enough for that,” she wheezes, looking pale. “Is that a serious number?”
“I saw your sketch,” Marilyn reassures her. “You’re definitely up to the task. Would you like me to have him call you?”
“Yes, please. Ah, thank you so much. I think I’m in shock,” Caelia admits.
“That’s perfectly fine,” Marilyn says, handing me her phone for the number. Smirking, I enter it for her before handing it back. “I hope this helps since you’re freelancing now.”
That’s a really nice way to say unemployed, but okay.
“Ah, that’ll help a ton,” Caelia says. “I can’t even fathom that kind of money.”
“Hopefully, it means that you can continue to work on your art,” Marilyn says. “You have talent, please use it.”
Marilyn’s name is called, and she turns her head, sighing.
“Duty calls,” she says. “I’ll make sure Harry is in touch.”
Watching as Marilyn power walks off, Caelia shakes her head in awe.
“I guess we’re celebrating,” Miles says smoothly.
“Isn’t it too early for that?” she asks.
“Every day with you is a celebration, Caelia,” he says.
Walking together toward the exit, Caelia takes the bait.
“So where are we going?”
“There’s a few hours left of sunlight,” Miles says. “Let’s go to the park before heading out to see Angelic Demons.”
The squeal Caelia makes is so loud, I have to make sure it’s her.
“You did not seriously find tickets to see them,” she says, shocked.
“Oh but I did,” Miles chuckles. “Surprised?”
“And Caelia says we can’t pull off a surprise,” Levon smirks. “Okay, I didn’t have anything to do with this, but I can admit that this is awesome.”
“She mentioned them the other day, and I won tickets on the radio since they were completely sold out,” Miles explains as if it’s no big deal.
“That’s…I can’t believe you did that!” she exclaims.
“We do listen,” Miles teases her as we walk out into the parking lot.
“Listening and executing are two different things,” Caelia says happily.
I mean, she’s not wrong. Here’s to a lifetime of surprises.
