“Absolutely,” Max replied.“Also, if you’d like to come early, I actually might need some help from the two of you in terms of organization?If you’re willing?Tom spoke highly of you both, and I take his references seriously.”
Thankfully, she and Jason had planned on arriving early enough to have a good conversation about the wedding, and to get the contract signed, before the exhibition was supposed to start.
Of course, that made her question what exactly Tom Walker had told his friend.
But all she said was, “Of course,” as Jason nodded his agreement.“We’ll be there.What time?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone.“Exhibit starts at six, so come at about three?Would that work for you two?”
“That works perfectly,” she replied.“Any dress code?”
“No dress code particularly, but this is an opening at a gallery so we’re looking at a lot of clothing on the darker side, you know,” Parker-Roth said, “for a laugh and for the aura.”
“Sounds good,” Naomi said with a grin.“See you soon.”
And after she ended the call, she turned to Jason.“I don’t know how we’re going to pull this off.”
He laughed and she wasn’t sure why.“I guess we’re going shopping.”
She would have to wait and see what he meant.Hopefully, she’d survive it.
Chapter Thirteen
After a successfulshopping expedition, Jason, wearing a pair of black jeans and one of those shirts that didn’t have to be tucked in, led Naomi, very hot in a black dress that showed off her curves, to the gallery.
“You sure this is this place?”she asked.
He looked around for a second, trying to get his bearings before answering.This part of the Village had a bunch of different galleries within steps of each other.They were in the right area for sure.But this gallery…
He turned and saw a small bodega across the street.And over his shoulder, a small burger place.
And the gallery.
Confident in his understanding of the area, he nodded, walking Naomi to the front door.
Except there was…nothing.
No carpet.No tiny platform desk waiting for someone to stand behind it, checking names off a list.
No wonder she was confused; he was too.But, as far as he knew, this was the place.“I’ve seen a few exhibitions here,” he finally said.“I actually think I saw a painter who’s friends with Tom Walker exhibit his stuff here.Oliver…Goldsmith?”
Probably way too many names, but this was Naomi he was talking to; her contact list was as long as his, and she was always listening for names she didn’t have.All the same, Naomi nodded.“Name rings a bell,” she said.
The group of artists Tom and Oliver and Max were a part of, were well connected.If his memory served, the random book signing Max had mentioned wasn’t just any book signing.It was a signing for best-selling author Leonard Abraham that served as a kickoff for the Hollowville Hanukkah festival, and his famous Hanukkah history book.
But if he had to guess, there was another, closer connection that Naomi would recognize Oliver Goldsmith from.“He’s also working with Samuel on projects they can’t talk about.”
And that wave of recognition flew across Naomi’s face like Jason had expected.“Right.The stuff with all the NDAs,” Naomi said.“Yes.Samuel is how I know him.I think he was at the exhibit Tom Walker did last year?”
Jason smiled.“I’ll take your word for it; I wasn’t at that exhibit.”
“It was interesting to say the least,” Naomi said, making Jason wonder what exactly had gone down that night.He knew abstractly about how Leah and Samuel had started their dance around each other that night.
“But yes,” Naomi said with a smile.“I know NDAs a bit too well for my taste.”
Jason looked at her, remembering who she’d worked for and what she’d done for them for as long as she had.“Any events you had to sign one for?”
“Plenty,” she said with a grin, “Still can’t talk about them if I want to work with the clients.”
