“Sonia told me we’re putting Stella in an upcoming sale,” I say, half because he should know and half because I want to provoke him.
Gavin laughs, which is exactly the reaction I knew he’d have. Or at least the one I hoped he’d have. To show that we can steal each other’s art and still like each other. “You’re a piece of work.”
“A piece ofart, you mean. Now, come get some food. If you faint in front of me, I’m letting you fall and stealing your phone to get all your sellers’ and buyers’ contact information.” I grab him by the arm and haul him outside to the nice spread he had set up for us. Once he has a full plate in hand and I’ve seen him take a bite, I wander off and take a seat at the bow of the ship.
I’d like to think I went out there for the sun and the gorgeous views, but that isn’t it. A small crowd, with Harrison, has formed at the bow.
“You guys throw the best house parties,” Harrison says as I sit down.
“Just imagine the sale I’d throw.”
“I like you, Priya. You never turn off. You’re like me.”
I don’t know if I should be offended or complimented. I’ll put off deciding until I find out if I get the sale.
“You really won’t do a joint sale?” he asks again, tone in the manner of a toddler asking to go to Disneyland.
“Alas, we can’t. There’d be too much to argue over, too many creative decisions that we would never be able to agree on. Your sale would be us arguing on a dais that’s not completely built, prices we couldn’t agree on, with no catalog because we couldn’t agree on an artistic vision. And not selling anything for you.”
Harrison laughs at the image. “I doubt you two would ever let it get to that. But I’ve met your fathers, so I could see there would be arguments.”
“The arguments might draw some attention because people love to watch drama, but I think the focus should be on your stunning art.”
“Maybe so. But you two would do great things together.”
I laugh, but cringe inside. Is everyone trying to set me up with Gavin? Don’t they know it’s hard enough to avoid the delicious man with my own weak will?
Help comes from an unexpected corner, Pari distracting Harrison with some questions about an upcoming charity banquet. I send a smile back in thanks.
I’m grateful she changed the subject, even though I know she shares her husband’s opinion. So does his daughter. I need to get away from the whole matchmaking family.
I don’t have to be strong for too long. Just two more days left for this working vacation. Then back to my domain, and Gavin back to his.
No more seeing him. No more stumbling on to sex rooms with him. No more sleeping with him. He says we could try to keep this going, but life will get in the way. I know it, even though I wish it was different.
And then there’ll be no more Gavin and Priya time. Just work.
That makes me feel empty. A physical ache in my stomach that isn’t going away.
Sitting on an expensive yacht with a beautiful view of Long Island, eating delicious food and sipping on expensive wine. But I feel empty.
This is ridiculous. I’ve been fine without him for over two decades.
But now that I know what I’d be missing, it feels different.Ifeel different.
And I don’t know what to do with that.
I smile and nod through the rest of the conversation, hoping no one notices the change in my mood.
Gavin comes to the bow of the ship fifteen minutes later, joining the conversation. “The captain says he’ll take us wherever you want. Well, anywhere we can get to and back by the end of the day, at least,” he tells Harrison.
“I’ll go talk to him about the route. And see that show you’ve put on for me in the lounge.”
With Harrison leaving, the rest of the group disbands soon. Cindy and Jack say they’re going to see the art, and Pari says she should help Harrison before he buys the boat from the owner or steals it in a fit of piracy.
But she winks at me on the way out, so I doubt her motives.
Gavin turns to me with an eyebrow quirked. “What’s that about?”
