Page 7 of Colors and Curves
“I’m not sure I’ll tell him how much you admire his work. No need to feed his already large ego.” She winks at me. “My lips are sealed about the switch. You’re brave—no one has ever challenged his requests. But I like that about you. You challenge him, and you’ve never met him.”
Maybe it’d be better not to meet him. I know I have him on a pedestal. I’d hate to be disappointed. I know what the rumors are, but I’ll keep my impression until I’m proven wrong.
Daisy laughs. “You do that.”
“What? Did I say that out loud?” She chuckles again. My cheeks start to burn. I need to save myself.Coffee.I’ll offer her some coffee. “How about an espresso now?”
“Sure. I’d love my usual double. I can’t stay too much longer, though. I have another appointment.” We walk back to the front desk and she sits down.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” As the espresso brews in my office, my thoughts wander. I can’t help but be jealous of all the women he photographs. So many of his photos are of beautiful, naked female bodies. It’s not like I want to be one of them. At least I’m trying to convince myself of that.
“So. Back to Julius,” I say as I walk toward Daisy, and then almost spill the cup when a dog barks frantically on the street. “What the hell?” The barking halts for a second then starts up again, but it’s farther away. I place her cup in front of her, then walk over to the window.
“Did you hear that? I didn’t think I’d be jumpy about a dog. It sounded like it was right outside the door, but I don’t see one.”
“I heard a dog, but it didn’t seem so unusual.” I walk back to her and sit down. She takes a careful sip of the espresso. “Mmm, that’s good. You’re really curious, aren’t you? More than most.”
“About what? The barking dog?”
She shakes her head, then places the cup back on the saucer. “No. Julius.”
“Oh. Yes. Every picture I’ve ever seen of him on the internet or in interviews, they’re only a silhouette. He’s so mysterious. What’s he hiding? I’d love to pick his brain, find out why he is the way he is, how he became a photographer, why he only takes black and white photos. I know some of that information is out there, but I’d love to get up close and personal. Can’t you just introduce me as your friend?”
“I know you’re fishing, but I can’t reveal a thing. Privacy and data protection. You know the drill.”
“I know. I know. It’s just that I love his work, and I’ve been following him for years. Having his work in this gallery is a dream come true. If I could, I’d buy every piece we’ve got on display here. Ugh! Listen to me! Okay, I’ll stop now. It’s probably better that he doesn’t come. I don’t need the pressure or the disappointment if he’s not who I expected.”
Daisy pats the side of the box she brought with her. “Back to work. Do you have scissors handy?”
I take a pair out of a drawer and hand them to her.
“Thanks. Here are the pamphlets to put on display during his exhibit. They list all the photographs you have displayed here as well as others that are available for purchase.”
“I think we’re going to have a full house on Friday. Almost every invitation we sent out has been accepted.” I pull a sheet of paper out of a folder. “Here’s the list of those who’ve said yes.”
“Good, thanks. Hopefully, some of them will be ready to buy.”
“I’m confident it will go well.”I hope, anyway.“I’ve been working social media like crazy. I’ve had a great response. We’ve had lots of page views on the website, and I’ve sent out a couple of newsletters. Plus the ads in the newspaper. I really think we’re in a good place.”And don’t forget the free champagne.
Outside, I look like I have everything under control. And I do, but my insides are in knots. This is the first opening I’ve been in charge of. I’ve been heavily involved with other ones but never the queen bee. Monica has been guiding me, but she’s given me free rein with this one since she’s in Boston. This is my chance to shine.
There’d better not be any unexpected surprises.
Chapter 4
Julius
The woman from yesterday has consumed every ounce of me. No female has ever gotten inside my head just by looking at her. I got up at five this morning because I was tired of seeing her in my dreams. Even work hasn’t been able to hold my attention today.
After we parted ways, Chance tried with all his strength to follow her but what was left of the leash held that time. I found myself disappointed, and it confused the shit out of me. He whined until she was out of sight.
But still, she was on the phone with a girl named Daisy. When I told Daisy what happened, she didn’t act like she knew anything… except I heard the woman mention something about pictures and that she’d meet Daisy at nine this morning.
And Daisy went out early today specifically to stop by the gallery.
What are the chances?
So that’s why I’m here, standing at the corner near the gallery as if I’m undercover. I need to see if it’s the same woman. If it is, her name is Skylar. The name fits her. And what should I do if it is her? Walk in and introduce myself officially as Julius Ariti, dick extraordinaire? Or should I tell her my real name, Julius Levi? Why do I even care?