Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“I have a game on Saturday evening, but I will do everything I can to get to your opening,” Ryder promised me as he stepped closer to cup my face. I had a brief thought about his reaction to Lucas should he see something he shouldn’t. Ryder could defend what he thought was his, and Lucas had been flirting with me at the bar. When Ryder kissed me, I pushed the thought away and slipped my arms around his neck.
I went to the gallery with Tori to look it over. It was all ready for the showing, and the dim lights and intimate vibe of the building were perfect. Lucas showed us the mini bars, and Tori squeezed my hand as we grinned at each other. The paintings were in the backroom and would be placed in their spots the following day. Tori assured me that catering was all set and it was going to be amazing. She picked the newest and hippest company in the area. That was something she liked to do because in Tori’s eyes, people deserved a chance. She was also firm in telling people that it was important for everyone involved that they did a good job. Tori had a way about her that made you want to do your best. It drove me crazy at times, but I loved her for it.
Lucas looked into my eyes before we left, clasping my hand between his large ones. “I look forward to tomorrow night, Elyse. I am planning a perfect show for you, and you are going to be the next name all over town.” He looked sincere, and I smiled with a nervous giggle.
“Thank you.” I meant it. He told Tori that he’d see us in the morning, and we left as she let out a breath.
“He is so obviously into you.”
“Yeah. I’m worried about something, Tori.” My best friend glanced at me as we paused near her car. “What if people look into my background?”
“Oh, honey. Nothing that happened to you is your fault. I know it’s all public record now, but if anything, it shows you as the strong woman that you are.” She pulled me into a hug.
“They might feel pity for me. They might not see any talent. I haven’t even told Ryder what happened.”
Tori tensed, and I waited for her reaction.
“You haven’t told him?” she asked in a low voice.
“No.”
“Well, now that you’re going to be a public figure, he’s likely to find out. You had to know that going in. I don’t know why we didn’t discuss it before.” Tori held me tighter. “There’s nothing we can do now. It’s public record. It happened years ago. You were the victim, and while life was so hard for you, you were merely the victim. You pulled yourself up, and you are going to be successful. People will see that work over anything else. I also have a great PR contact for you, if needed.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” I told her, and she chuckled.
“It’s my job.”
We had dinner, and she looked over the dress and shoes that she picked for me to wear the following day. It was a purple flirtatious boho number that Tori swore matched my artist personality. The shoes were a high Mary Jane style in black that I was a little worried about. I made Tori promise me that she’d limit my drinking of the Champagne that would be flowing so I didn’t make a fool of myself. She was having hair and make-up done at my house, and I thanked her again before she left that night.
Tomorrow. My art was being shown tomorrow. This was getting real, and I sipped the wine from my glass. I wasn’t sure that I could handle any of this at the moment, and paced my small living room.
I thought about my past being possibly revealed, and repeated Tori’s words out loud. I was the victim. I suffered but worked hard to overcome that stigma. I did it by myself, and Tori always told me how proud she was. My mother’s killer had never been caught, but the detective on the case promised that he kept an eye on similar crimes. This one had not appeared to be personal, and they assumed it was a robbery gone wrong. My dad never told me anything about it, leaving me with broken memories that therapy could only do so much for.
I thought about the invitation to the showing that I sent my small family. My aunt, Diana, was excited to come, but I heard nothing from my father. Diana was coming early to have dinner with Tori and me and take in the entire experience. I couldn’t wait to see her again, and I forced myself to the fridge for more wine.
The following morning, I woke up early and started drinking coffee right away. I knew it wouldn’t help my nerves, but I sipped it as I walked through my studio to make sure everything had been taken to the gallery. I knew it did because Lucas was all over every detail, and Tori was second in command. Well, probably first as she always had a stronger personality.