Page 37 of For the Love of Art

He looked back at me and shrugged. “I don’t really notice it anymore.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Why?”

I lowered myself in my seat.

“You don’t notice an entire room of people staring and talking about you? I hope they don’t think I’m with you for unscrupulous reasons.”

Nathan shrugged again. “I really don’t care what this city thinks.”

“What if the city is right?”

“They’re not. I know myself better than anyone. The gossip magazines can say what they want. If following around a less-than-D-list celebrity makes them happy, let them.”

“You’re more than D-list. That’s like a very minor celebrity. Everyone knows the Manning family. Everyone knows you.”

“I wish they didn’t.” He stood up. “You ready to go?”

I looked down at my half-drunk coffee, then back up at Nathan. He looked… tired.

“I’m ready,” I lied.

I followed him out of the cafe, eyes trailing us as we walked by. I did my best to ignore them while Nathan kept even. We walked in silence back to the gallery, where Nathan let us in through the back. When we reached the offices, Nathan touched my arm, and I turned to face him.

“I want you to know you’re not one of the many.”

“Of course not. I’m not sleeping with you.”

The corner of Nathan’s mouth twitched. “What I meant to say is that you couldn’t be.”

I didn’t know why my stomach dropped at those words. It wasn’t like that’s what I wanted.

“I see.”

Nathan wet his lips. “I would never hire one of them.”

He squeezed my arm before disappearing into his office.

“Okay,” I whispered to the empty hall.

It was another confusing moment where I wondered if Nathan was flirting with me or simply stating a fact.

I looked into the main gallery, where Dori talked with a well-dressed couple. I smoothed my jacket as I stepped onto the floor, straightening pictures. I needed to look busy, so I didn’t have to admit that I was thinking about Nathan Manning.