Page 84 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“Why are you here?”Missy said.
“What do you mean?I had to see you.I had to see your work.”He turned his head to look into the gallery.“I have to say it’s much more intense than I imagined, but to be honest I didn’t know what to expect.Since you never told me about it.”His tone made it sound as if he were the injured party.
But before she could respond he was ushering her to move to an alcove off the main gallery.“Are you back in Atlanta for good?I want to see you.”
“See me?What, why?”
“I think I made a mistake.I was stressed out in school and if I’m honest I was jealous of how easy everything came to you.Then what happened, it was all too much.”
“I thought you said you never loved me, and I was pathetic.”
“Because I thought we couldn’t have two attorneys just starting out in the same house, but things have changed.You could do your art, and I’ve settled in at the firm.”
She couldn’t understand what she was hearing—now he wanted her back?After almost a year of never hearing from him, after he chose another woman over her?
“You shouldn’t be here.I’m not moving back to Atlanta.”
“But you could.We were so good together.”His hand reached out to her again and she didn’t want to cause a scene.
This was the man she’d thought she’d been in love with.They’d been inseparable until he broke her heart.Now he wanted her back, on the biggest night of her life.Before she could respond Declan approached and had an odd look on his face.
“Missy, is everything okay?”
“Um, yes.”She hesitated on what to say because she’d never told Delcan about what had happened.
Declan put his arm around Missy possessively.“I think Rose is looking for you,” he said.
“Okay,” she said, searching the room, eager to get away from Peter and this awkward moment.
Finally Levi came into view but he was in the middle of what looked like a heated discussion with another tall man attending the event.Levi had his hands at his sides and his fists were clenched.Then she spotted the man had a press tag on his lapel.They were required to wear them for entry into the event.Levi’s eyes flashed to her but then he shook his head before he looked away again.In the next moment he walked away from the reporter and headed for the back door.He didn’t so much as stop to say goodbye or look back at her.
She wanted to go after him, but then Peter put out his arm to give her arm a stroke in front of Declan.And she shirked it away.
“I was just trying to convince Missy to come back to Atlanta full-time, so we can give things another shot.”He smiled down at her.
“Peter, I’m never getting back together with you.You’re a small, cruel, insecure person, and I can’t believe I wasted any time on you.You need to leave.”
Declan moved to stand between Missy and Peter.“I’ll walk you out.”Then he ushered her ex out the front of the gallery.
Her mind was swirling and she didn’t know what to do about Levi.He looked mad when he left, but this was her event.
Then another photographer stopped to take her picture and Missy forced a smile.This had been a magical night until Peter showed up and now she started to wonder why she put herself out like this.
But then Rose found her.“Missy, I have to tell you, we’ve had offers on twenty of the paintings.And multiple people have asked if you have any more pieces.”
“Oh, I do.I mean I will.”
“I know, dear, this is just the beginning, but we have to play this evening out a little longer.Your debut is a huge hit.”
“Okay?”She let Rose guide her to speak with several journalists for major art magazines and before she knew it, it was midnight.She’d said goodbye to the Harts and Declan.Brooke gave her another huge hug and made her promise to call her later this week, after things settled down.
She wanted to find Levi.He’d texted to say he had to step out but that the car would be waiting for her.After toasting with Rose and the staff on a successful night, she stepped out back where the SUV waited.The valet opened the door for her and she was surprised to find Levi inside.
“You’ve been sitting out here all night?”
“I’m sorry I wanted to be with you but I didn’t want to spoil your night.”
“What happened?”
