Page 14 of For the Love of Art

CHAPTER

THREE

Iturned around, bumping into Lianne, who must’ve followed me.

“You okay?”

“I, uh….” I looked around. “Saw a piece of art back there I’d like to take a closer look at.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“No!” I looked around desperately, then noticed the man she was eyeing was waving goodbye to whoever he was conversing with. “That guy you were excited to see is free. You should introduce yourself.”

Lianne raised a brow.

“Really?”

I nodded, hoping she’d take the bait before I was spotted.

“This event just got so much better,” Lianne said with a squeal.

Once free of my friend, I quickly walked through another room full of paintings and statues, but I couldn’t help but feel there were eyes on me the whole way. The second room was a bit quieter- hushed conversation as people slowly walked along the walls, eyeing vibrant landscapes.

He was here.

With her.

The woman who could give him the one thing I couldn’t.

I stopped walking, feeling sure I’d saved myself from the danger.

“Isla?” a familiar voice spoke behind me.

No.

I slowly turned to see the person I’d been trying to avoid.

I gave him a sheepish wave.

“Hi, Don.”

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight,” he said, raking his fingers through his hair.

I swear I could still see the slight indent where his wedding ring had sat for a decade. I felt a tug at my chest, realizing taking it off must’ve felt like a weight being lifted.

“I was on the list.”

I felt awkward and uncomfortable as I looked into his green eyes. I’d known this man for most of my adult life, yet I felt like I was talking to a stranger.

Don nodded, a tense silence falling between us.

“Marissa is looking well.”

I didn’t want to talk about her. In fact, just saying her name made my stomach churn with sickness, but I also didn’t want to leave space in the conversation where I might actually ask something stupid like if there was a chance for us again.

“Everything seems good and healthy so far.”

“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”