Before she can get too lost in the artwork, Ella’s voice booms from somewhere in the gallery. “You’re early.”
Camila turns until she spots her near her office door. “Yeah, my lunch plans got cut a little short.”
Ella studies her with a focus that prickles Camila’s skin.
“I can wander around if you’re not ready,” Camila says, grasping at any excuse to step out from under that intensity.
“No need,” Ella says, and her gaze eases a notch. “I was headed to the back now to grab the painting from storage. We can go together.”
“Perfect. Lead the way.”
Ella nods and turns, guiding them down a hallway to a door all the way at the end. She fishes keys from her pants pocket and unlocks the door. Ella steps inside first, flicking on a single overhead bulb that swingsslightly.
Camila follows, the floor creaking under her weight, watching as Ella flips through boxes and canvases.
“Here she is,” Ella says as she fishes a canvas from its cardboard box.
When she turns it, Camila can see exactly why she called. The canvas has a clean tear along the top edge. Nothing Camila can’t work with, though. She’s seen far worse come across her workbench.
“You think you can fix it?” Ella asks before worrying at her bottom lip.
Camila nods. “Yeah, I think all it’ll need is a patch, some conservation-grade putty, and for me to rebuild the color where it was lost.”
Ella sighs. “Perfect. I’m glad I can let the artist know we can get her work repaired. It’s supposed to go up as the centerpiece for a show in a month. Is that enough time?”
“If you can have it delivered to my office this week, I can start on it when it gets there.”
“We can do that. I’ll have Sarah get it all sorted.” Ella nods.
“Cool, is that it?”
“That’s it,” she says, tapping her fingers against her thigh.
“Perfect, I’m going to head out then,” Camila says as she turns on her heel.
“Wait!” Ella shouts, and Camila turns back. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, why?” Camila tilts her head.
“I don’t know. You seem tense.” Ella’s careful gaze locks back on to Camila. “Is Valeria okay?”
“What?” Her voice comes out sharper than intended.
“Brooke was in a frenzy, calling all of us earlier, looking for her, and then you show up looking more tense than I’veever seen you. I’m assuming you were together and Brooke found you and wasn’t happy about it.”
Camila drops her head and rubs the back of her neck. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Are you okay?”
Camila scrubs a hand over her face. “Yeah, I’m fine. Maybe just a little shaken up.”
“What happened?” Ella asks, brows knitted tightly together.
“Honestly, I wish I knew. Valeria and I went to lunch near the clinic, and as we were finishing, Brooke showed up. They got into an argument, and I left, but I only did because Maria Jose was around, otherwise I wouldn’t have.” She doesn’t know why she feels the need to make that point, but she doesn’t want Ella thinking she’d leave Valeria, not unless she were sure she’d be okay.
“Totally understand, and it’s probably for the best that you did. Brooke can be unpredictable and explosive.” Ella bites the corner of her lip.
Camila’s stomach turns with guilt. “You think Valeria is okay?”
