“That’s fantastic.”
I’ve never had someone sit me down and talk seriously about my career and future before.The gallery was small but beautiful, and the pieces on display blew my mind.
“But he only deals in sports art.I think I’d like to branch out.”I tug my collar closer to brace against the brisk wind.
“Brand is everything.You can attach yourself to this niche, Nova, then do whatever you want.”
The possibility is thrilling.
Growing up, I thought I saw the world by moving from place to place in a trailer.Now, I realize I only saw part of it: the landscapes and small towns, not the style and the wealth I’ve seen since I first came to Denver for my sister’s wedding.
It’s not better, only different.
I check the map to see how I get to our meeting point.
“Are you heading to Neiman Marcus?”she asks.
“Yeah.I’ll be there in five minutes.”
When I get to Brooke, she embraces me.
“One of the girls from my sorority works here.”
She introduces me, and the other woman reaches for my hand, displaying a huge diamond.
“Wow, you’re engaged?”Brooke asks.
“Mhmm.You seeing anyone special?”
Brooke tosses her hair.“I have a bunch of guys I’m testing.”She eyes up a few racks and mannequins and gestures to a bunch of items.“We want to try those.”
“I’m afraid we only have one VIP dressing room.”
“We’ll share.”
We’re shown to a private dressing room as big as a bedroom.
“Think she’d wear that ring on her forehead if she could?”Brooke asks under her breath.
My lips curve.“She did seem proud of it.You could buy yourself one if you wanted.”
“I don’t want to settle down.Being tethered to a guy forever is my nightmare.But it drives me crazy how some of the girls from school lord it over other people.”She shudders.“What about you?You and Clay seem to be getting cozy.As much as I’m not the biggest cheerleader for relationships, I’ve never seen him make so much effort.”
My heart skips, and I glance back at my friend.“Really?”
“Oh yeah.It’s the way he looks at you.The way he looks for you when you’re not next to him.”
I shimmy into a dress and check out my reflection.“He wants to tell the world about us.”
“And you don’t want to?”
I turn the idea over.“I thought I did.But maybe I’ve gotten used to the privacy?I like that our relationship is ours and no one else’s business.The other day, I finished painting early and stopped by to see him after the game.There was a line of people wanting selfies and autographs, wanting to just be around him.If we come out to the world, it’s a big deal.Not only for friends and family, but it’s an actual story just because it’s Clay.”
“When you’re in public, people are in your business, but that doesn’t mean they know your business.They don’t know what goes on between you, and they don’t have to.”
I think about making him laugh and smile.
I love how hard he works, how kind he is to those who need help, especially when no one’s looking.
