ChapterTwelve
That nighton the beach was magical. The stars overhead twinkled brighter than Josh could ever remember. Somehow, the sea smelled intoxicating. The air turned chilly as the fire dwindled down, and they snuggled closer on the blanket. When the firewood was all gone, it was time to head back to the cottage, but he didn’t want to move fromthatspot.
They walked back to the golf cart hand in hand. While no words had been spoken, promises were made. The promise that each of them would stick around to see where this was going. The promise to commit to each other. Yet deep inside he still feared she couldn’t let go of her ex’s words, that she’d never be free to heal. But when she kissed him, he dared to believe inanything.
“Do you want to fly to New York with me on Monday?” he asked. The idea of leaving her for even two days wasunbearable.
“You want me to gowithyou?”
He couldn’t see her face well in the dark, but he could hear her smile in her tone. “Yes, I do. I could take you out to dinner after my meeting. And maybe you can check out gallery locations, if that’s whatyouwant.”
“Even with the money your company is paying me for my artwork, it won’t be enough to start a gallery, but I think I have an idea. Something Connie had mentioned, but it’ll take a lot to pullitoff.”
They crossed the main road and headed the last two blocks to the cottage. “What can I dotohelp?”
“Do you know of any places we could rent that would be a good spot for an event? And do you know how to fill the place?” She sighed. “I don’t have any connections like that. I just create the art. I don’t sell it. Connie has some of that talent, but not the kind of New York connectionsweneed.”
“You’ll be happy to know I can advertise anything.” He turned into the driveway, but there was a car blocking the garage. “Expectingsomeone?”
“No.” She saw Connie’s car already parked. “Maybe Allen rented his own car so he didn’t have to keep sharingwithyou.”
Josh ignored the thought that if she was right, his assistant would have told him about it. He drove the golf cart through the grass and around the car into the carport. He got out and took the blanket. “I’ll shake outthesand.”
She grabbed their trash, dumped it in the outside can, and headed inside. He followed a minute later, still suspicious of the unknown car in the driveway. What if there was someone unknown inside thecottage?
“Allen?” he called out, but only silence greeted him. He rounded the corner by the kitchen and stopped short, seeing the man from the gallery seated at the kitchen table. The one he’d asked for information about Lily. The one who’d shattered her confidence. His skin pricked with the desire to punch something, but he managed to keep his cool. After hearing about all the awful things this man did to Lily, Josh could barely stand to lookathim.
“What are you doing here?” Lily glared at Stephon across the table, her stance unyielding. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Leave.” To his surprise, her voice sounded solid, steady, with only a hint ofstrain.
Connie and Allen stood a few feet behind the man. “I tried to send him away, Lily. I’m so sorry.” Her face twisted with obviousbadnews.
The man lifted his cleft chin and pushed his shoulders back. “It’s time for you to leave this hovel and come back to New York. I’ve finally been able to resurrect your career. It took great effort, but I have a show scheduled for two weeksfromnow.”
“That has nothing to do with me. I’m washed up, remember? You said so yourself. That I’m done, talentless,” she said, her tone bitter and cold. Colder than Josh had ever heard her speak. Good. If he couldn’t deck the guy, the next best thing was a front row seat when she told the man what to do with hisoffer.
“Yes, well, I found some of your old pieces and decided to use those to rebuild your reputation. If the show in two weeks is a success, I believe I can help you after that. It’ll take a lot of work on my part, but I’m willing to do it to save yourcareer.”
“Why, how generous of you.” Josh stepped forward to join Lily, making sure she knew he’d standbyher.
“Oh, I see you found her. I hear you’re trying to commission her to do some sort ofgreetingcard.”
“It’s not a greeting card. It’s a major department store advertisement,” hegrunted.
“Oh, really? How sad. Advertisement art. How humiliating. Well, no need to worry, Lily, my dear. You don’t have to lower yourself to doing advertisements now that I’m here. I will save youfromthis.”
Josh fisted his hands, but Lily’s arm shot out in front of him, keeping him from stepping forward. “I don’t want to work with you again. I’m going to do this onmyown.”
“You? Without me?” He laughed, a deep, condescendinglaugh.
Connie moved in this time. “Leave. You said what you’ve come to say, but Lily’s already made uphermind.”
Stephon smiled menacingly. “Yes, well, regardless she needs to be in New York for the show in two weeks, or she’ll owe me for loss and damages. It’s in ourcontract.”
“What contract? Any contract I had with you ended the day you kicked me out. You wouldn’t even let me into the gallery or our apartment. You put me on the street with nothing. I had to call my sister to come get me. I will not work for you everagain.
Stephon moved closer, but Josh jumped between them. “You heard her,” hesnarled.
“Then you will hear from my lawyer. Cross me and I’ll ruin you. Forget ever selling your work again. Not to pathetic art enthusiast wannabes who’d commission your second-rate work, or to smalltime advertising agencies. I’ll rake them through the media until the company can’t land even the smallest of clients.” Stephon tossed a manila envelope onto the table. “I’ll expect you on Tuesday, the 14th, by 5:00 p.m. No excuses, or I’ll see you in court.” He hesitated then leaned in toward Lily. “They don’t understand, but you and I both know you can’t do this without me. You’re nothing without me.” He stormed out, leaving Allen, Connie, Lily, and Josh standing in the middle of the roomdumbfounded.
