“A breath of fresh air!”
“Or stale, old air.” I nodded at William. “At least as far as art is concerned.”
Jane burst into laughter again. “I like your air just fine, sugah.”
“Thank you. I like your air too.” I sniffed. “It's scented with jasmine if I'm not mistaken. Night blooming jasmine, not the common variety.”
“Good nose.” Jane looked impressed.
“I love fragrances nearly as much as art.”
“Oh, me too!”
“Sir, we're ready,” a man said to William.
“All right.” He let go of his wife, saying to her, “I'm going to check on the pieces one last time before we get started.”
“Go on.” Jane pushed him away and grabbed my arm. “I'm stealing your friend. She's mine now! We're going to drench ourselves in perfume and champagne while we talk about art.”
Goldring laughed. “I thought that might be the case. Have fun, ladies.”
As he left, Jane escorted me to the front row of chairs. We sat down near the aisle, her closest to the aisle.
“I'm using you as a barrier, sugah,” she whispered to me. “I hate having to make small talk with someone who just happens to sit beside me.”
“I've got you.” I nodded. “None shall pass.”
She laughed again. “How long have you been in Nawlins?”
“Oh, well, I've only just arrived. I've been putting my house in order. No time for socializing. But now, I'm getting out and meeting people.”
“You married? Lookin'?”
“Neither, to be frank. I like being on my own.”
She nodded. “There's so much freedom in that. So, no children?”
“No.” I frowned. “I never had the urge. You?”
“I have three.” She shrugged. “To be honest, there were times when I wished I had gone your route. But at the end of the day, it's nice to have family. Do you think you'll ever change your mind?”
“You know, people always say that when a woman meets the right man, she begins to want children.” I shrugged. “Maybe I haven't met the right man yet.”
“What an introduction,” someone said on my left.
I looked over to see a tall, muscular man, dressed in lightweight but expensive clothing. “Was that an introduction? I don't believe so.”
Jane giggled. “She told you, James.”
James nodded at Jane. “She sure did. Care to make me more respectable?”
“It looks as if you won't be alone for long, Ms. Haven,” Jane said to me.
“Don't you dare!” I smacked her arm. “It's Salina to you.”
She grinned. “Well, Salina, this is James Breaux. James, this is Salina Haven, new to town.”
“Oh, I know she's new.” He sat down next to me and held out his hand. “I'd remember you.”
