Page 20 of Love Is an Art
“Okay. You get returns like your last two investments, and I can make the case that we need your talentssolelyon the venture capital side,” Charles says. “Keep it up.”
Yes. I’m back in the game. The Paisley breakup derailed me, but I’m back now.
Chapter six
Tessa
Mirandadecidedthatweneed reinforcements to brainstorm about how to catch Scammer Guy and has called in our group of friends to meet with Yvette. As I wait for the gang to join me outside Banter & Books on Amsterdam Avenue, I call Zeke. I’m excited that we can now go on a date.Was I just imagining that electricity?He can’t really be friends with Jurgen.He picks up immediately.
“Hi,” I say. “I cleared up my schedule, and Thursday now works. Are you free to hang out?”
“Definitely. Hold on.” There’s a pause. “Sorry. I’m still at work.”
“Oh, you also work late a lot?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” he says. “But Thursday is great. I thought you might want to go to this event. Let me find it.” The clicking of a keyboard comes through the phone. “It’s the Dumbo Arts Center Auction. Would you like to go?”
“Yes.” That’s such a good choice for a date with an artist. Impressive. “My roommate, Miranda, donated a piece to it.” Miranda’s latest painting is spotlighted in the window of Banter & Books. It’s a mesmerizing pink and yellow—the feeling of joy practically jumps out of it.
“Did you?”
“I wasn’t asked.”
“Here’s your chance to have artwork in it. You can paint something there, and then it will be auctioned off to benefit selected charities, right alongside works by some famous artists.”
No.
How am I going to get out of painting in front of him? I can’t tell himnowI’m not an artist. I need to be able to see his face when I ask him how he knows Jurgen. “But won’t you be bored if I’m off painting something? I—”
“I definitely won’t be bored. I’d love to see you paint. Plus, this would be great for your career.”
I clear my throat. “Oh well, then. It would be great for my career.” If I was an artist.
“Maybe you can even provoke a bidding war.”
If I hire people to bid.
“Let’s hope,” I say. We set the details and hang up.
It’s fine. I’ll ask Zeke how he knows Jurgen when we meet. If it seems like he’s not going to reveal anything to Jurgen, I’ll tell Zeke that I’m not an artist and that I’m actually a lawyer, and then I won’t have to paint anything.
I should have confessed over the phone.No.The mission is what’s important here. Not dating some guy.
Miranda waves from down the street, her red hair vivid against the green jacket she’s wearing. We hug hello.
“I asked Zeke out,” I say.
She high-fives me. “But you need to make sure he’s not good friends with Scammer Guy. You can’t risk our scheme to catch Jurgen.”
“I know.” I can’t disappoint Miranda.
“I’ve found your next chance to trap Scammer Guy. Yvette said he’s going to be at the Dumbo Arts Center Auction.”
I stare at her. “So am I.”
“Exactly. You can pick him up. I’ve thought about it some more, and the problem was that last time you looked like you hadnomoney. This time, you should dress up to look like a good target. And we shouldn’t take any chances. You should engage him in conversation. Discuss whatever artwork he’s looking at.”
“That’s a good plan, but I’m going with Zeke. Who wants me to paint. I’m going to tell him I’m a lawyer before I have to paint,” I say. “But I’m afraid he’ll dump me the minute he finds out.”
