Page 76 of For the Love of Art

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

“What can I get for you today, ma’am?” a perky young redhead asked.

“Can I get a medium caramel macchiato, please?” I asked as I reached for my purse.

“Name?”

“Isla.”

I handed her some cash, then walked to the end of the coffee bar and waited. My phone vibrated, and my heart fluttered. I hadn’t heard from Nathan since we returned from San Francisco yesterday, and I kept hoping I would. My heart sank a little when I saw who it was.

Frankie

You still a virgin?

I rolled my eyes just as my name was called. I grabbed the drink off the counter and stifled a laugh when I saw the girl had drawn an eye and then put a dash with an ‘a’ next to it. I had to give her points for the gorgeous lashes I only dreamed of having added to the eye.

I never said I’d lose it.

I worry your hole is going to close up like wounds do.

Frankie. Ew.

From the inside out!

It just keeps getting more and more shallow until you can’t take a dick! Not even a micro one!

Going into a tunnel! Signal fading!

I put my phone back in my purse. I ignored the continued vibrations as I walked to the gallery. My mind was spinning, and I felt nervous with each step closer. We had said the trip wouldn’t affect our professional relationship, and I had to hope that was true. The idea of having nothing with Nathan made me feel empty.

The gallery was still locked when I arrived, so I unlocked it and went in. It didn’t look like anyone was here- not even Dori. As I walked toward the offices, I noticed the light on underneath Nathan’s door. I knocked lightly.

“Come in,” he said.

I opened the door. “Good morning.”

He smiled. “Good morning.”

We held each other’s gaze for a second. I opened my mouth, but he spoke first. “Everything coming along for Victoria’s opening? Did you need me for something?”

“Oh! Uh, no. I’m… everything is going great,” I said, a little taken aback by the formality in his voice.

“Glad to hear it. I have a few things I need to do here, and then I have a meeting at the bank uptown. I’ll probably check on my other gallery while up there, but I’m available by phone should you need me.”

I changed my mind. Not having Nathan in my life in any capacity would probably feel better than being held at arm's length by him.

“Okay.” I pointed over my shoulder at the door. “I better get to work.”

Nathan nodded, and I left his office for mine.

I sat at my desk, setting my elbows on the hard surface. I let out a breath as I laced my fingers together and set my chin on them.

Answering that phone call had been a mistake.

I looked around my office, and my eyes landed on an easel in the corner of the room. It had a blank canvas, and I wondered if Maggie had been an artist herself. It didn’t matter.