Surprise flickered across both their faces, but Sebastian gave my hand a quick squeeze before ushering her friends toward the champagne.
Left alone, Janine glanced around, her brows arching in measured appreciation. “This is truly lovely work.”
“Thank you.” I meant it. Her approval mattered to Sebastian, and now, somehow, to me too. “There’s something I’d really like to show you.”
I guided her toward theManhattan Womenseries. When she stopped to take them in—hands loose at her sides, lips curving just slightly—I felt the nerves prickle up my spine.
“I love this,” she said, almost under her breath.
Her expression told me she was more than polite. She was engaged, and that gave me courage.
“I made this collection as a tribute to modern, strong, fashionable women,” I explained softly. “I sketched the women who inspire me most. My closest friends.” I pointed them out—Sue, Lily, Ange, Nikki—all marked with discreet red dots. Then, heart thudding, I gestured to another. “And… I made one of you.”
The drawing showed a slender woman in a crisp white blouse, red skirt, and black heels, sitting in the middle of an empty Madison Avenue with a martini in hand. A definition of confidence and composure—that’s how I saw Janine Wright.
Her lips parted as she stared at it, then at me. For once, the sharp lines of her face softened.
“Jesse… this is beautiful. And so thoughtful.” Her voice dropped, almost reverent. “Thank you. I would love to buy this.”
“Oh, no.” I shook my head firmly. “This is my gift to you. See the red dot? That means it’s already spoken for.”
A faint, lopsided smile tugged at her lips. “Then I’d better be gracious about it. Truly, this is the most meaningful gift I’ve ever received.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “And yes, that includes all of Sebastian’s gifts. Please don’t tell him, but he’s terrible at it.”
I laughed, the tension easing out of my shoulders. “I don’t know about that. His first gift to me was a stack of waffles buried in berries, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. That was enough to get me hooked.”
Her eyes warmed with amusement. “Well, I’ll give him credit for originality. He had to learn, you know. I was rarely home, never had free time, so he learned to cook when he was a teenager. Good thing he likes it.”
My smile softened. “It couldn’t have been easy for you, being both his sister and his mom at the same time.”
Janine’s expression shifted, something nostalgic flickering in her eyes. “It wasn’t easy. But we managed. And looking at him now…” Her gaze drifted across the gallery, where Sebastian was trying to point out brushstrokes while her friends blatantly ogled him. Her lips curved. “I think we did alright.”
I followed her gaze, my own chest tightening with affection. “You did more than alright. He’s incredible.”
“Yes, he is,” she said simply.
Then she turned back to me. “You really are very talented, Jesse. I’m glad Sebastian convinced Malcom to offer you this exhibit.”
Chapter Twenty
Jesse
The floor wavered. My blood surged hot through my veins, burning my cheeks. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to Janine.
“I’m sorry, did you just say Sebastian got me this gig?”
Confusion flickered across her face. “Yes. I thought you knew. Malcom is an old friend of his. Actually… I assumed you’d asked him to do it.”
I swallowed hard. My eyes were locked on Sebastian, but instead of love, they now shot arrows of rage. “I would never have asked him that. I had no idea he even knew Malcom.”
My fingers trembled against my lips. I needed out. “Excuse me, Janine. I have to use the ladies’ room.”
Her hand darted toward me. “Jesse, wait. Sebastian just wanted to help—”
But I was already moving, slipping past her grasp, my eyes burning. I barely made it to the bathroom before my vision blurred. How could I have been so stupid? I had truly believed Malcom had approached me because he valued my art. That he was kind and supportive because he admired my talent.
It had all been a lie.
To Malcom, I wasn’t Jesse Nielsen, artist extraordinaire. I was Sebastian’s girlfriend—another accessory to his charmed life. And Sebastian… he’d robbed me of the one thing I craved most: proof that I’d made it on my own.
