Cam stopped beside me. I felt his hand fall away from my back as he followed my gaze.
“That’s...” His voice trailed off.
My brain stuttered, trying to process what I was seeing.That’s mine. That’s my art. On their wall. In their home.
“Emily!” Audrey’s voice came from somewhere ahead. “Come on!”
But I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. The room seemed to tilt on its axis, the sounds of the house fading into a dull buzz behind the drumming of my own pulse.
They bought it. Janice and Dale Rockford bought my painting. The thought crashed over me like a lightning storm.
I somehow managed to drag my eyes from the painting to Cam, who was looking just as shocked.
“Oh!” That was Janice’s voice, warm and delighted. She stood there with a dishtowel in her hands, smiling at me like I was her favorite person. Emily, sweetheart, I was hoping you’d notice it right away.”
I opened my mouth but nothing came out. My vision was going blurry at the edges and I blinked hard, trying to clear it.
“I couldn’t resist.” She came closer, her eyes on the painting. “I kept thinking about it after we left the show and I wouldn’t shut up about it on the drive home. Dale said if I loved it that much, I should do something about it. So I rang the lady, what was her name?”
“Diana,” I supplied weakly.
“That’s the one! Anyway, she was just lovely and we got it all sorted out in no time. And now I can’t stop looking at it.” She sighed. “There’s something about it that just stays with you, you know? I wanted it somewhere we’d see it every day.”
Every day.
She wanted to see my art every day.
“It’s beautiful work, honey.” She turned to me then, her expression so genuine it hurt. “You have a real gift.”
The words hit me square in the chest.A real gift.
“I don’t know what to say.” My voice was shaky as fuck, but there was nothing I could do about that.
Janice’s expression shifted, concern flickering across her face. She stepped closer, speaking softly, her hand on my arm. “Oh honey, if this doesn’t feel right to you, we can absolutely put it away. I should have asked first. I just got so excited and didn’t think about how it might feel for you to see your work displayed without warning.”
Oh fuck, she thought she’d done something wrong. She thought I was upset, when really, I was just trying not to dissolve. “No.” The word came out too fast, too desperate. Icleared my throat, tried again. “No, it’s not that. It’s just... I’m surprised. In a good way.”
“You’re sure?” Her hand was still on my arm, warm and steadying. “Because we want you to be comfortable. This is your art, your heart. If it’s too personal to have hanging in someone else’s home, I completely understand. We’re just honored to have it.”
Honored.
I was going to cry. Right there in their living room, I was going to completely fall apart.
“No, please.” I forced the words past the tightness in my throat. “It’s me that’s honored. I was just surprised, is all. But it would mean a lot to me if you keep it.”
Janice’s face softened, relief and warmth flooding her expression. “That’s settled, then. Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” I managed.
“You’re more than welcome. I’ll be out back. You just come through when you’re ready.”
She squeezed my arm one more time before heading back toward what I assumed was the kitchen, leaving Cam and me standing there in the sudden quiet.
“Emily.” He spoke hesitantly, like he was afraid I was about to fall to pieces.
“I’m fine.” I clearly was not. I was touched, overwhelmed, honored, confused and a thousand other things I didn’t have words for.
“Is that so?”
