Page 65 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“I know you feel this thing between us, and it scares you, that my reputation probably scares you.But I promise I’m not bad.I want to be with you, and I think we can make this work.”His mouth was on hers and she stretched up on her tiptoes to meet his kiss.It was the kind of slow, sweet kiss that made her want to believe him.His thumb traced away a tear she didn’t realize she’d let slide down her cheek.And his lips followed the trail before returning to her mouth.“Just don’t give up on me.I’ll be back.”
With a sigh she stepped away and released her hand from gripping his forearm.There was so much between them, so much she wanted to say and explore, but he wasn’t really available for her.Levi Hart was worse than his Bad Boy reputation, he was a heartbreaker.
“Good luck in Atlanta.I hope you get what you want.”
“I’ll be back in two days, and we’re going to finish this conversation.”
She turned away to focus on her paints, even if she couldn’t see them through her blurry tears.
His hand was on her back, rubbing it in comfort, before his mouth placed one last kiss on her neck.And then he was gone.
Missy stayed in her studio the rest of the day and used all her blank canvases.She posted all but one, dark blue and black, a couple embracing in the rain.She would keep this one to remind her how much it hurt to let someone go that you never even had.
*
The next dayMissy woke with a start from an odd dream.She’d been walking through a crowded gallery full of her paintings, and everyone was toasting her.It had felt so real she wondered if it was more of a vision than a dream.Logging into her email she saw she had several more requests from the art gallery in Atlanta to do an exhibit of her work.She finally replied and said she would like to discuss the size and style of an exhibit.The gallery curator replied quickly and they set a time to talk.
Why shouldn’t she at least see about an exhibit?The gallery claimed they could sell her pieces even if they just carried them in the gallery, but an exhibit would help establish her portfolio and reputation faster in the art world.
By the afternoon she’d run into town to get more canvases, because if she was going to have an art exhibit she needed more pieces.And if it went as well as the gallery claimed it could, she could not only drive sales on her virtual gallery but potentially tap into the type of success traditional artists enjoyed.With art exhibits and high-priced sales that would set her up financially for a very lucrative career.
On the second day after Levi left, Missy was still in her art studio, but this time she was trying to figure out which pieces she would want to potentially ship to the gallery in Atlanta.
“What if I send all these pieces, have an exhibit and nothing sells?Is my art career dead then?”Missy said to Mr.Greer who had been stopping by every day to visit with Mrs.Hart.
“I can’t answer that, because it’s based on an illogical scenario,” Mr.Greer said.
“Do I ship them in a big crate, or drive them up in my dinged-up sedan?That doesn’t seem very professional.”
“I’d be happy to help you with that, you know the shop gets large shipments all the time.I have two services I use.I’ll get quotes from each.”
“Wouldn’t the gallery be inclined to use their own service and make sure the pieces are insured?”Mrs.Hart asked.
“This is so strange, to be talking about having my little artworks shipped to a big-time gallery in Atlanta.Do you know they have more galleries in New York, London, and Milan?”Missy said.
“Yes, dear, I think you did mention that,” Mrs.Hart said with a smile, but then her phone dinged in succession.
“Oh I missed a call from Levi.He says he’s going to be delayed on his return.He has a meeting with two new teams.”Mrs.Hart looked up at Missy.
“That’s good news.I’m sure one of them or both will want to sign him.”
“Yes, but if he doesn’t play for Atlanta, we won’t get to see him as often.”
“I’m sure he’ll still find time to come home, at least after baseball season, in the fall,” Mr.Greer said.
Missy’s stomach twisted in knots.The end of the baseball season was months away.He would definitely forget all about her once he was in a new city, with new women to fawn all over him.They hadn’t even exchanged numbers.He hadn’t asked for hers, so she probably really was just a distraction while he was home.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Levi
Breaking the News
Leaving Atlanta hadnever felt so right when Levi got on the flight to Boston, but landing in the city several states away from home wasn’t exactly an ideal place to play ball.Even though the team was one of the best in the league, and had amazing state-of-the-art training facilities, he didn’t think he could play there.After speaking with the team managers, and them assuring him he would have no persona clause, he asked Hal if there was any other interest.
“Once we get this paternity situation settled I think it will help.G has a plan to announce the results, but the teams seem leery about your reputation.Florida has expressed interest, so I set up a meeting there next.”
“Florida would be closer to home,” Levi said.
