"We can't do that in front of the driver!" I hissed.
Archer sighed. "Better not. I suppose I can wait. We're almost there." He looked out the window.
"Wait, we're actually going somewhere?" I asked.
"Of course," Archer said, confusion on his face.
"I thought we would, I don't know, ride around in a limo."
"You have so little faith in me. I'm going to blow your mind."
The car stopped, and Archer helped me out. It was dark out, but the trees glowed with lights. Well-dressed couples milled around, taking pictures.
"Welcome to the Museum of Modern Art!" Archer said.
"Is there a party or fundraiser tonight?" I asked him.
He smiled. "There is a new exhibit opening tomorrow. But we're having a sneak preview."
I hoped I looked okay. I fussed with the dress as Archer guided me into the huge atrium. The museum director greeted Archer. They clearly knew each other already.
"Ms. Hazel," he said, kissing my hand. "Always wonderful to meet a fellow artist. And I believe you attended my alma mater?"
"Yes, well, it was a valuable experience."
"Come," he said. "There is an exhibit of Cecile deGama."
"I love her! I attended one of her lectures last year. She has a new series on love."
"I think you will enjoy this."
Archer and I followed the director to the special event space where the exhibition was set up.
I loved Cecile's style. It was somewhat similar to my own though a bit more abstract. Each piece was of a scene about love. A couple kissing, a girl with a little dog, a grandmother with her grandbaby. Archer's arm was around my waist as we slowly walked through the exhibit.
"Her use of color is extraordinary," I told Archer. "I'm glad we came a little early so I could look at these without a lot of people in the way."
Archer chuckled. "We're the only ones here."
I froze for a moment. "You rented out the whole space?That seems excessive."
"I don't do things halfway." He led me to an adjoining room with a large window that looked out over the garden. There was a table set for two. Archer helped me into my chair.
"I'm really impressed," I told him as a white-coated server poured me a glass of wine.
Archer beamed. "I plan things really well. I'm the master of grand gestures." He clinked our wine glasses together. "To you, Hazel. We're going to win that Art Zurich Expo, and it's all because of your work and dedication."
I sipped the wine. Compliments always made me feel awkward.
"Once we win the expo," Archer asked, "what are your plans?"
My plans? I couldn't tell Archer how my life was currently falling apart.
"I don't know if I'm going to win the individual grant," I said after a moment. "So it would depend on that."
"What do you have to do if you win?"
"It's open-ended. I promised I was going to continue hosting art retreats and do more public art. So probably more of the same. Though I would be able to hopefully have a nicer space and host better art retreats."
