“Cezanne.” I pull a few racks out of the paintings I’ve hung up already. “Monet, Vermeer, Cassatt, Renoir, Manet, and Degas. Most of the ones I’ve hung up are smaller canvases under four feet. At some point, I’m going to need an assistant to get the rest properly taken care of.
“Right, Cezanne. These are unbelievable. And there’s... whoa. Are you sure they’re paying you enough?”
“I think so.”
“I don’t think so. And I don’t mean to sound like Mom, because you know I love you and I have?—”
“I know you have faith in me. I’ll explain later. Let’s just enjoy this for now.” I’d tell her now if it wasn’t for the NDA.
Wren turns, and her demeanor goes still. “You’ll explain later?”
I shrug.
Wren glares at me. She purses her lips. “Okay. This is unreal. I’m lost... How did you even know where to start? Weren’t you overwhelmed?”
“I just dug in. And yes, I was overwhelmed. I still am, but I can only do what I can do in the amount of time I have.”
“Raine, this is more than the chance of a lifetime.”
“I know, right?” My shoulders rise to my ears.
Wren walks to the end of the hall. “There are so many. And a lot of them are still packed away.”
I nod. It’s like reliving myself seeing it all for the first time. Only now, I know I have a plan, so it will be okay. At least, I hope it will be okay.
I give her ten more minutes to shake it out of her system, sitting at my desk in the alcove in the meantime. It’s notenough, and I’m honestly shocked. Wren normally lasts maybe ten minutes in a museum gallery before she declares herself done. Or asks for directions to the museum restaurant. So the fact that she’s still walking around the room is mind-blowing.
Another ten minutes go by, and the notes on my desk call to me. I’m not sure how much time has gone by when I realize she’s standing over my shoulder. “Oh, these are just notes. Nothing exciting.”
“Sure. I wasn’t looking at the notes but the painting you have over your computer.”
“Oh, yes. It’s... not a well-known artist. No one you would have heard of.”
Wren laughs. “I haven’t heard of anyone unless you’ve told me their names. So I can believe that. I like it, though. It’s really whimsical.”
“I know, right?” I sink down next to her.
“There’s something about it that just feels good. But what do I know?”
“That’s the point of art. You don’t have to know anything about it if it makes you feel good.”
“Well, it does make me feel good.”
“Then that’s all you need.”
“That, a croissant, and a three-hour nap.” She stretches.
“Ready to hit the village?”
She nods. It takes a while to get back to her car. Because although she would never admit it, she’s just as inquisitive as me. We stop several times to take in a carving on the wall or stare at a mosaic beneath our feet.
Iget in the car, putting my overnight bag in the back seat. “You’re sure you’re good? Not too tired?”
“I can drive, Raine.”
“I know you can. I just wanted to make sure you’re not too tired.” I glance back at Cloud Rift. I didn’t say goodbye to anyone, and it felt weird. But then, there wasn’t anyone around to say goodbye to.
I’m nervous. Why, I have no idea. Maybe it’s being in a car with my sister, who isn’t the best driver on the planet? Or maybe it’s leaving the guys in the castle. I’m going to have dreams about Evander’s workout pants for a long time. The pants and his hot abs.
