Page 95 of Pining for Pierce

“Okay.”

“So, you’re happy to continue?” I nod my head and he smiles. “In that case, I’ll get my people to look at a social media campaign. We’ll need to get that started in the next couple of days, and there are few things I’ll need from you…”

Chapter Nineteen

Harley

It’s been a crazy few days, but I’ve enjoyed every second of it.

When Pierce came back on Tuesday evening, he was torn between excitement, confusion and fear, and for a while, he veered between those three emotions as we sat together on the couch and he explained what had happened. I’d thought we might discuss it over dinner, but he was way too wired to eat, so I kept the chicken warm, and sat facing him, trying to understand it all.

“You’re not disappointed that you’re filling in for someone else?” I asked, once he’d told me everything, although it was kinda disjointed.

“No. I was to start with, but Mr. Bowman said he’d have given me an exhibition anyway… sometime later in the year.”

“I see. And they’re really gonna sell your pictures for that much money?”

“That’s what he said.” He stood up, wandering to the window, and pushing his fingers back through his hair. He stared out at the street for a moment, and while I was tempted to ask what was going through his mind, I thought it best to leave him. It didn’t take long before he turned and rushed back to me, kneeling at my feet. “It’s too good to be true, isn’t it? I mean, it can’t be happening.”

“It’s happening,” I said, putting my arms around him. “And you deserve every part of it.”

He kissed me and then sat up on the couch again. “They want as many paintings as I can give them, so I’ll probably have to work every spare second I’ve got.”

“That’s okay.”

“You won’t mind?”

“No. As long as you won’t mind me sitting upstairs with you.”

“Not at all.”

“I guess this means you’ll have to stop working for Mom and Dad?” I asked, wondering what might happen if he left their employment. Where would he live? Where would I live, for that matter?

He shook his head, surprising me. “As I was leaving, Mr. Bowman explained that the gallery handles all the sales, and that someone in the finance department will report to me at the end of each week… but that I won’t get paid until the end of the exhibition.”

“I see. So you’ll leave then, will you?”

“Who knows? I mean, this is great, and I’m so excited, I don’t really know what to do, or what to say, but this might be all there is, so I don’t wanna make any decisions about the future… not yet.”

“Why not? You’re being given the opportunity of a lifetime, Pierce. This is what you’ve always wanted… the chance to fulfill your dreams. You should grab it with both hands.” I couldn’t let my fears hold him back, and I didn’t want to.

“Except that’s not the most sensible thing to do, is it? There’s nothing steady about this. I can’t guarantee I’d have a regular income, or where I’d need to live, or… or anything, really.”

“And? That’s never worried you before.”

“I know. But it was only me before, and now I’ve got you to think about.”

I pulled away from him, shaking my head. “You think I’d stop you from doing this, when I know it’s the only thing you’ve ever wanted in life?”

He moved closer, pulling me into his arms. “Not the only thing. I’ve spent ages trying to find someone to share this with, and now I have, there’s no way I’d give you up. Not for this, or anything else.” He stared into my eyes. “The truth is, you’re the only thing I’ve ever wanted. None of this means anything without you.” I opened my mouth to contradict him, but he shook his head, and I waited while he added. “I’m not saying I won’t follow this particular dream. But I’ll need to think it through a lot more seriously than I would have done before.” I nestled against him and he kissed the top of my head. “You don’t need to worry, babe. It’s not as though I’ve gotta decide straight away. It’s one exhibition that could amount to nothing more than a bit of extra cash in the bank. So, let’s enjoy it while we can.”

I appreciated his logic and the love that lay behind it, and as he seemed to have calmed down a little, I dished up our honey-glazed chicken and salad, and we sat at the table to eat.

“I didn’t explain to you about Kaiden’s involvement,” he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze.

“Of course… I’d forgotten about him. Will the two of you have to work closely together?”

“No.” He shook his head, taking a sip of water. “He’s been suspended.”

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