“Well, I’ll enjoy myself and keep my eyes peeled.”
Just then, Gigi—looking smashing in a black sheath and stilettos—squeezed through the A-List crowd congregated near the door.
“Gigi!” she exclaimed. “Sky, this is my sister-in-law, Georgiana Darcy. Gigi, Sky Chesterton is the editor for theTimesArt & Design section.”
The two women shook hands like old friends. “We know each other,” Gigi said.
“Gigi, congratulations on the success of your mother’s showing.”
“Thank you, Sky. I’m super happy you could attend.”
“That’s right, William mentioned you’re on the foundation board,” she said to Sky.
“Yes, but, also …” Gigi leaned toward her ear, whispering, “Sky interviewed me for the article about George. I helped her take him down, and together we visited a police detective.”
Although shocked, she forced a grin, but didn’t verbally reply, just squeezed Gigi’s hand in support.
The editor winked at them, as though she knew her own relationship with George, then turned to Gigi. “I also hear congratulations are in order on your acceptance into American Chamber.”
Gigi shivered. “Pinch me! I can’t believe it, but honestly, I think I’m more excited about my new roles with the foundation and working with Elizabeth on student scholarships and showings. My mother would be really happy about that.”
Grinning, she said, “And I know she’d be so proud of all your accomplishments. You’re going to be stupendously wonderful at both!”
“I agree with Elizabeth, but I’m happy to assist in whatever you need for the gallery, the foundation, and I’ll be yourcheerleading section, too. In fact, I may even attend my first ballet.”
“Thank you. It means a ton,” Gigi said. “I’m a lucky girl to have a sister and a cheerleader.”
“Well, I better mingle. Good luck tonight, ladies. I’m looking forward to telling New York what a fab gallery La Tempera is. You can expect big things after tonight’s exhibit.”
Absorbed into the crowd, Sky disappeared with Gigi hot on her heels, and Guy rejoined her.
“Well, Guy, what do you have say? Anything?”
He cleared his throat, voice cracking slightly. “My little dove, La Tempera has finally arrived,” he said with a swing and snap to his fingers. “Take that, Alberto-The-Snake!”
“You deserve it all, my mucho, mucho fabuloso friend,” she said.
“And look who we have here,” he said, eyes fixed on the doorway. “The man of the hour.”
Her heart skipped at the sight of a grinning William entering the salon. He looked amazing in a tux, but before she could kiss him, he stepped aside, revealing his important “task.”
“Daddy! What are you doing here?”
“Why, I came to support my daughter on her big night.”
She wanted to cry, wrapping her arms around his portly shape. “You flew out here for me?”
“Darlin’, I wish I could’ve come for your wedding, but I’m here now, and I’ll be back when my little mutton buster comes into the world, too.”
“Who are you kidding? You just wanted to get out of Laramie.”
“It’s time I start livin’ on my terms.” He looked around the crowded salon. “You put on quite a show, Ladybug,” he said.
“I couldn’t have done it without my partner, Guy. Guy this my father, Big Tom.”
“Ooo! Big Tom. Well, how do you do?” he said, holding out his hand.
“Any friend of Ladybug’s is a friend of Big Tom’s. Howdy.”
