Page 41 of A Legal Affair
Giving her classmate a wink, Daniela stepped into the narrow confines of the room and wandered from one mounted photograph to the next while she waited for April to finish with her customers. She was pleasantly surprised by the collection of rich candids that captured the essence of San Antonio: a wide shot of a tourist-packed barge drifting down the sun-dappled River Walk; a close-up revealing the crumbling, faded glory of the Alamo; a festively attired mariachi band; a vibrant blanketing of wildflowers along a Texas highway; the historic Majestic Theatre framed against a glittering night skyline.
She turned as April approached, her dark eyes shimmering with excitement. “I made my first sale!” she squealed, throwing her arms around Daniela’s neck.
Daniela laughed, hugging her back. “That’s wonderful! Congratulations!”
April drew away on a breathless giggle. “I was so worried that I wouldn’t sell anything,” she confessed.
“I don’t know why. You’re very talented. These photos are amazing, every last one of them.”
April beamed. “You really think so?”
“I know so. You have a real eye, April.”
“Thanks, Daniela.” April’s proud gaze swept across the photos displayed around the room. “I see life in frames, captured in the blink of an eye for all eternity.”
Daniela grinned. “That’s pretty deep, Kwan. Are you sure you want to become a lawyer?”
April’s expression clouded. “I don’t really have much of a choice,” she said wistfully. “Everyone in my family expects me to become an attorney. The day I graduate from law school will probably be the first time I ever see my father cry. But don’t worry,” she added quickly at the concerned look on Daniela’s face. “I’ve got a plan. See, I’ll use my lawyer salary to support my photography side hustle until my work ends up on exhibit at theGuggenheim. After that I’ll quit my day job and travel around the world selling my art.”
Daniela chuckled warmly. “Sounds like a plan, kiddo. In the meantime, allow me to domypart to hasten those plans along. I want to buy the Majestic, and the hauntingly beautiful photo with the Swahili mother and child.”
Blinking back tears, April wrapped her in another tight hug. “Thank you so much, Daniela,” she whispered fervently.
While April rang up her purchases, Daniela wandered around the corner to check out the works of other exhibiting artists. When she returned, she discovered that April had lured two new potential customers.
Daniela’s heart sank when she recognized the couple: Caleb and Shara Adler.
Shara was elegantly gorgeous in a silk sheath dress that accentuated her sleek curves. But it was Caleb who captured and held Daniela’s attention.
He looked dark and devastatingly handsome in a black button-down shirt that hugged his powerful chest, and expensively tailored charcoal trousers that rode his long legs in a way that would make Giorgio Armani weep with pride. He exuded such raw magnetism and sex appeal that it was all Daniela could do to keep from rushing over and pouncing on him.
April saw her and waved her over excitedly. “Daniela, look who’s here! Not one buttwoof our law school professors!”
Daniela wanted to disappear through the floor as both Caleb and Shara turned to watch her slow approach. While Shara’s eyes narrowed in displeasure, Caleb’s impassive expression betrayed no emotion.
Daniela forced herself to smile civilly at each of them. “Good evening.”
Caleb inclined his head. “Miss Moreau.”
Shara linked her arm through his, staking her claim. Her cool, appraising gaze ran the length of Daniela, taking in her simple black cocktail dress and black four-inch heels.
“You look nice, Miss Moreau,” she said, a malicious gleam in her amber eyes. “Hot date tonight?”
“Afraid not,” Daniela murmured. “You?”
Shara’s laugh had all the warmth of a polar ice cap. She cast a demure look at Caleb beneath her lashes. “We shall see.”
Cheerfully oblivious to any undercurrents between the threesome, April said to Daniela, “I was just thanking Professor Thorne for coming out tonight. After class today I was telling him about my photography exhibit. I had no idea he would actually show up.”
Humor threaded Caleb’s deep voice as he said, “I think you mentioned the time and location at least three times during our conversation.”
April grinned unabashedly. “Never underestimate the power of subliminal messaging.”
Caleb chuckled, drawing away from Shara and stepping inside the room. “Come talk to me about your work. Sell me something.”
“With pleasure,” April said, eagerly leading him to the first wall.
Daniela started to follow when Shara’s low, mocking voice stopped her. “You reallydolook nice tonight, Miss Moreau. I like that dress. Chanel, isn’t it?” At Daniela’s brief nod, her lips curled derisively. “A bit of a change from your usual jeans-and-miniskirt look, isn’t it?”
