“I do.”
“What are you going to do?”
Aida rubbed at her temples. “I’m going tojoin him; I’m just not sure when. I have a life here and dreams formy future.”
“You don’t have to give that up. At least notfor a while.”
“I know, but I’m not ready yet.”
“Give yourself time to adjust to the idea,and don’t rush it, because once it’s done, it can’t be undone.”
“The permanence of it is a littleterrifying.”
Mollie chuckled. “Understandable.”
When the door opened, Aida turned. Nicolettestrolled inside and shook out her umbrella. Aida hadn’t expected todiscover a heavy drizzle falling on the city. It was bright andbeautiful when she walked over, but now the gray skies gave thecity a dreary appearance.
“I have to go,” she said reluctantly.
“Give me a call when you get the chance,”Mollie said.
“I will.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Aida disconnected the call as Nicolettestrode toward her. “I want these paintings organized and hung bythree. Diego and Fred are coming in to help.”
Diego and Fred were the men Nicolette hiredto set up everything for the showings and to crate and uncrate theartwork. The two men were surprisingly gentle with everything giventheir bull-like statures.
“I’m ready,” Aida said. “Thank you forchoosing my photograph to display.”
“It belongs.”
Aida couldn’t stop herself from smiling; itwas the best compliment Nicolette had ever given her about herwork.
CHAPTER 34
It was after eight before Nicolette turned off thelights. Despite not having a big showing, the gallery wassurprisingly busy and a couple of paintings sold.
“I’m going home,” Nicolette said. “Can youclose up?”
She’d been closing on the nights she workedfor almost two years, but Nicolette asked this question every time.“Of course.”
“Have a good night, and don’t do too muchcelebrating for your birthday.”
It was the first time Nicolette acknowledgedher birthday. “I won’t.”
“Have a good time.” Nicolette strode towardthe door and stopped with her hand on the handle. “You’re doing awonderful job, Aida.”
Before she could reply, Nicolette vanishedout the door to leave Aida gawking after her before she startedgrinning from ear to ear. When Julian walked by the windows, shealmost skipped over to the door as he stepped inside.
“What has you smiling like that?” he asked asshe locked the door behind him.
“Nicolette told me I’m doing a good job. No,she said awonderfuljob. And come here, you have to seethis.” She dragged him over to where her photo hung in the lefthall. “Look!” She pointed at the photograph. “It’smine!”
He smiled as he slid his hand around herwaist and studied the photo.
