Page 21 of Definitely (Maybe) Dating
“We’d need a venue that would give us a deal on rent. We’d set it up like a real gallery and showcase local teens from the program. We can invite the public in hopes that they buy some art.” Piper’s chest filled with excitement and a few nerves.
Skye thought for a moment then clapped as if everything were kismet. “Oh, just think. The girls can earn money from their beautiful work.” If this worked, Piper could help a lot of people who deserved to have someone in their corner. It might not bring in the tens of thousands that Bid for the Cause would, but it would impact a group of people who were often overlooked and help local youth display and, hopefully, sell their works.
“Forty percent of the proceeds go to the artist’s college fund and the other forty percent goes to Skye’s the Limit, and what’s left over will go to the venue. And if we hold it in November, we can cash in on the Christmas crowd.”
Piper thought about all the people looking for a unique present for a loved one.
“We can charge admission,” Skye suggested.
“I say we make it free. The whole point of the show is to get bodies in the room to look at the art. If we charged, we might lose a good percentage of shoppers.”
“This all sounds wonderful, but the first payment is due by September fifteenth.” Skye rattled off an insane number, and Piper’s stomach churned. “Maybe they can move the date.”
“How many times have they already moved it?” Skye went uncomfortably silent. “Okay, then we have to have it sooner than we’d hoped. That means we need to get moving.”
Skye smiled as if she liked the plan. “We can have it here, like a block party. But with that many people coming and going, I’d have to get a permit, which the city won’t give me on account of the time the police did an illegal search of my house.”
“You bought ayahuasca from an undercover agent.”
“He said he was a shaman from the rainforest,” Skye said as if that made it less of a felony. “Who lies about being a shaman?”
“A police officer trying to catch drug dealers.”
“I’m not a dealer. It was for personal use, for the summer solstice.”
Of course, it was. “You’re lucky they didn’t press charges. I’m not looking to add a Thelma and Louise trip to my passport.”
“Oh, but imagine having that sexy Brad Pit in the back. Talk about a way to go.”
Piper wasn’t looking to “go” anywhere. She’d felt as if she’d only arrived at a life of her own choosing. Six years art school—on the ‘support as you go’ payment plan—and another three apprenticing under one of the town’s most acclaimed urban landscape photographers, she was at a place in her career she could be proud of. A struggling artist with a boatload of connections and experience, which she planned on using to help Skye help other girls like Piper.
“So you can’t have it there. No biggie.” Piper shrugged. “We can move it.”
“How about one of those fancy ballrooms downtown?”
“I can check.” But she was sure it was a big fat not going to happen. There were only so many venues in the greater Portland area that donated space for discounted rates. And with the limited time, they’d have to get more creative.
“There has to be a hundred parks or outdoor space we can use. Like Art in the Park.”
Skye let out a strained sigh. “They still won’t issue me a permit.”
“I can put it in my name. Next problem.”
“September in Portland?”
“So it has to be inside?”
“Maybe you can ask your friend with the big house on the hill.”
Darcy was the first person Piper thought of too. She didn’t want her new boss to think she was taking advantage of her generosity, so Piper would pay her the percentage of the proceeds. That was, if she was on board—and that was a big if.
“I know she’s booked solid, but maybe she has an afternoon open. As for the money, this is as much about saving your house as it giving the girls a chance to shine. Next problem?”
Skye was too busy tearing up to go for problem number three. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you.” Even hug, apparently, because when Skye pulled her in for a soul-to-soul embrace, Piper did more than endure it. She actually hugged Skye back.
“Thank the Universe,” Skye whispered, still holding firm. “I thought I was going to need to bake some special cookies to calm down.”
