Page 98 of Painted Dreams
Got it. She was busy and didn’t have time to waste on dead ends. “I’m interested. I enjoyed working with the team.”
“Excellent. I’m sending you an email now. Let’s see…it’s Friday. How about we touch base on Monday?”
“Sounds good. I’ll look at the proposal.”
“I’ll look forward to speaking with you. Cheers.”
“Have a good week–” She ended the call before he finished.
Nick shook his head. That woman moved at the pace of a tornado. “Let’s check out this proposal.” He opened his email and clicked on the one from Liza. And his eyes practically popped out of his head when he saw the amount they were offering—significantly more than what he’d received for the contest-winning spots.
Wow. He let out a soft whistle. This was… He blinked at the screen. This was exactly what Kat had predicted. Should he tell her? Would she care?
ChapterTwenty-Five
Nick adjusted the cummerbund and checked his look in the mirror. In his opinion, the tux was overkill, but he’d agreed to the gig and was playing along.
The Friends organization had kindly booked him a room at the hotel so he didn’t have to drive from the Springs in his tux or drive home tonight, which meant he could have a couple of drinks. He stepped up to the tables outside the ballroom to check in.
“Oh, Mr. Summers,” the attendant squealed. “Just a moment.” She disappeared under the table then popped up holding a red rose boutonniere. “This is for you. We so appreciate you being part of our event tonight.”
So much for blending in with the crowd.
She leaned over the table and pinned the flower to his lapel. “You’re at table seven. Have fun, and please let us know if you need anything.”
“Will do. Thanks.” He picked up a program and headed inside wondering whether the other guys in the auction were also at table seven or if they’d been sprinkled around the room. Even though he was selling himself as a date, it was awkward to be here without one. He plucked a glass of wine from a server’s tray and surveyed the twinkling room.
A low din of conversation hummed throughout the room full of penguin suits and glitzy sequined dresses. Multiple lines at the two bars were easily a dozen deep. Candles flickered on the tables alongside colorful floral arrangements that cast dancing shadows across the white tablecloths. A large floral arch for photos stood in one corner, and a small dance floor and DJ set-up took up a chunk of space toward the back. The rest of the perimeter was full of tables stacked with auction items. Nick searched the crowd for a familiar face—and found none.
Instead, he found table seven and took a minute to open the program. The bachelors were to be part of the silent auction. Six of them, including a banker, a public relations manager for the Rockies baseball team, and a real estate broker. He read the names and thought he recognized one.
In the booklet, he flipped to the live auction items. Those were usually the big-ticket items. He scanned the page and nearly choked.Mountain Meadowby Katlyn Andrews. The words leapt off the page. He jerked his head toward the stage. On either side were tables and easels displaying the live auction items.
His pulse quickened as he moved forward. He spotted the painting immediately and recognized her signature style and vibrancy. He also recognized it from the video she’d shown him—it was one of the pieces that was supposed to be in the gallery show. He blew out a long breath. She wouldn’t get any money for it, but this was a crowd of people who bought original art. Maybe there would be a payoff later. The information card attached caught his eye. The bidding would start at five hundred dollars—a respectable price.
She should be here to see it. She should be here on his arm.
“Good evening, Mr. Summers.”
Nick swiveled to find Kat’s grandmother standing beside him. With her hair swept into a jeweled comb and wearing a strand of pearls and a sparkling champagne-colored dress, she looked the part of fairy godmother. “Nana! Er, Kitty. Hello. How are you?”
“Doing well, thank you. I see you’ve found Kat’s painting. Isn’t it marvelous?”
In theory he heard her question, but all he could think about was what she knew about him and Kat.
She looked at him expectantly.
“I…yes. This is one of my fave–” He stopped short. Is that why it was here, the one she chose to donate—to get rid of? A hollow feeling stole over him. He couldn’t believe it was a coincidence. So she was erasing him from her life.
“Everything all right?” Kitty’s brows rose.
“Fine. Love the painting. I hope it brings a nice amount.”
“Me, too. Especially since I’m the one who encouraged her to auction it. I can’t help myself. Want to share her work with everyone.”
“She’s lucky to have you,” Nick said. “I know you’ve been a big supporter.”
“Yes. I’m hardly an objective fan, but I adore her paintings.”
