But even they can’t argue with a Rolex.
“Why don’t you let me help? I can point out pieces here that aren’t going to be that expensive at auction. I can also take you to furniture shops and other dealers who sell great pieces for reasonable prices. No stuff from rulers of any kind, promise.”
I get more excited as I talk. I already have contacts with sellers around the city because of work and my love of decorating and redecorating my own space. I can convince them to run this trial with me, where Loot gets part of any resulting sale. And Beau gets help with his offices. Everyone would win.
Especially me, if everyone sees how profitable this can be and lets me do more of it.
“I don’t know anything about art.” He says it as a warning.
“Not a problem. I’ll make sure you get the best help that Loot can provide. So good you’ll be able to pass a college-level survey course on art history when we’re done.”
“If you want to take on an art newbie, then I won’t say no to your help. But please don’t actually test me after this.”
“Great!” I yell just a little too loud, drawing attention from the patrons around me. “Why don’t we start by checking out your office space?” A much softer volume now.
“Do you have time for that?”
“Of course; this is my job. I can call us a company car and then get started on plans tomorrow.” I already have my phone out to make the arrangements before Beau fully agrees.
“I can call the car.”
I smile. “No worries. This is what the company cars are for. You don’t want my uncle to pay for them for nothing, do you? Plus, it’s already done.”
“Well, all right.”
I finish making the arrangements, go to my office for my purse, and lead Beau out to the curb.
“I hope you’ve been enjoying the best city in the world.” I give him a practiced smile. The one to lure rich people into my web of art sales, so I can get commission off them.
Hazel Eyes quirks an eyebrow. “I didn’t know I was in Monetta.”
“What is a Monetta?” I roll the word around in my mouth like it’s a language I’ve never heard before.
“A small town in Aiken County. In South Carolina. We have a drive-in.”
Okay. No small talk I can relate to with this one. Luckily the car gets here, and settling in makes the silence less awkward.
Then I remember I have to get to work, because I’m going to be in so much trouble if this doesn’t work. Since I never actually asked for permission to offer an entirely new service to clients. “Why don’t you take me through what you want out of this to get me started?”
I take a spare notebook out of my purse, one of a lot I buy because they’re cute even though I haven’t finished, or even started, any of the notebooks piled haphazardly on the corner of my desk.
I look expectantly at Beau in the seat next to me, fresh notebook ready to be defiled.
“My family co-owns a peach farm around Aiken, called Dolly Belle Orchard, with the family of the man I was talking to on the phone earlier, Daniel.” He clears his throat, probably remembering how I reacted to that conversation, but then he soldiers on. “But Daniel and I have recently decided to diversify the business into renewable energy. We got advice that some nice pieces around the new offices will make us look serious.”
I nod. “Legitimacy is a pretty common reason for purchasing art, so you’re in good company.” I raise my pen and start jotting down notes as I talk. “There’s a few ways we could go with this. We could search for some agrarian pieces, paintings of wheat, people harvesting, pretty fruit baskets, to reference the original company and remind clients you’ve already got one successful business. Or we could focus more on the renewable energy. It’s modern and cutting-edge, so we can get some contemporary pieces and give clients the feeling they’re in on a trend before everyone else when they come to your offices.”
I take a deep breath. “Or we could do neither. You can always put up some military scenes. Or the old standby...naked gods, athletes, something Biblical. The staples. That’ll give a general feeling of class that can make Western clients feel comfortable even without knowing why, because they associate those paintings with wealth.”
I look at him when I finish, expecting him to decide now even though he’s just been inundated with options.
“Well... What do you think?”
“It really depends on personal preference...and what you want your brand to be. I don’t think there are any wrong answers, although there may be better ones based on what you want.”
More silence.
“Sometimes it’s easier to start with furniture, if you have an idea about that. Again, you could do antique—leather couches and wood everywhere to make people think you’re more established, or metal and glass modern to show you’re trailblazers. Then I can pick art pieces around that theme for you to look at.”
