Page 31 of Stroked
“Valentina, what’s wrong? I really need to get back to, well, your mother! I work here, tonight is a huge deal for me, for this gallery, and well, for your mom.” She reached her hand up toward my arm and I backed away again.
“Amy, I was going to discuss this with you this weekend. I hate to do this here, on your big night, but this is important.”
Her brows pinched and her eyes were searching mine. The look of concern on her face made a small ball of warmth gather in my stomach, but I couldn’t reach out to her, stroke her face like I wanted to do.
“I don’t want to rush you, but I need to get back inside. What’s up? Did I do something wrong? I really like you and–”
“Amy, they do not know that I am gay.”
Her mouth formed a perfect O and she took a step back. “Oh, I see.” She straightened her posture and adjusted her blazer again. Her soft brown hair whipped in the warm breeze as cars rushed by. “Well, yeah, I can’t really have this kind of conversation right now, so…”
“Amy, I am sorry. I did not wish to tell you this way, but I did not know this was your gallery. I just…they cannot…Can you pretend we have never met?”
Amy let out a small sigh as her eyes grew wide. “You want me to lie…to your parents?”
“Please, trust me. I promise we can talk about this later, but I am begging you, please do not say anything now.”
“What about Lucy?”
“I can say she is a business associate. And I already asked her the same. I wish it was not this way, but please,” I begged.
She nodded. “Okay, but we are going to walk in together. Is that not obvious? We’ve been out here.”
“If it comes up, I will talk, you just play along. Please?”
She nodded, rolled her neck, then went back inside. I waited a minute before heading back into the reception area. I stood in the air-conditioned room, letting myself calm down and giving plenty of time after Amy went back inside before I went to the atrium. This was going to be a long night.
Chapter 17
Amy
What the actual fuck just happened? And right now? Of all times? I put on my fierce and professional face and headed back inside, but my heart was about to jump out of my chest.
But why?This was stupid. I just met this woman and barely knew her. She didn’t know where I worked, and I didn’t even know her last name. Still, I went from confused excitement seeing her standing there looking absolutely amazing to feeling like a ton of bricks fell on me. She not only was denying there was any kind of relationship, she asked me to outright lie. I hadn’t lied, well,ever.
I prided myself, even as a child, on being honest, even if it meant hurting someone's feelings. And once I eliminated the idea of ever being attracted to men, I told my best friend, then her parents, in case mine disowned me, then my own. That wasn’t a lie, more like a secret. Nobody ever asked me outright if I was gay or if I liked boys. Now this woman was asking me to lie about even knowing her.
“Amy, I know I told you yesterday, but everything looks absolutely wonderful,” Maria said as she reached her arms out to me.
I leaned in and allowed her to kiss both cheeks. “I’m so happy you’re happy! This must be your husband.”
Maria waved him closer, and he grabbed my shoulders, kissing both cheeks. “Hello, I am Filipe. Maria just raves about you, dear. Our daughter came, but she is so curious she was still out front. I am sure she will be in soon.”
My jaw clenched as I held my smile. I saw Lucy over his shoulder. “Oh, have you both met my friend Lucy and her fiancé, Jason?”
They turned and we walked to them as everyone did introductions. James came rushing over and grabbed my arm.
“People are showing up, shall we open the doors?” He squeezed my hand, then leaned in for a whisper. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine. Yes, please, prop the doors. And have the servers immediately start circulating drinks and tapas. Thank you, James.”
He smiled but gave a quick raise to one brow that he was onto me before he headed to the doors.
As bodies started filing inside, Maria and I greeted them and thanked them for coming. Eventually, I saw Valentina wander inside, but she was practically hugging the wall.
“Val, Valentina, over here,” Maria called. I took a deep breath as she walked toward us, her curvy hips swaying as she stepped, causing the flowy skirt to swing wildly. “Amy, this is my daughter, Valentina. She lives nearby. Val, this is Amy, the curator I was telling you about.”
Valentina reached her hand out. “Nice to meet you. I have heard many good things.”
