Top Dog

I pulled her into me and held her close as I tried to settle my mind. Everything felt like it was about to spiral out of control again. So many balls were up in the air, and I only had so many hands. Even with Amanda helping me volley some of this stuff, it was still getting to be too much.

But feeling this beautiful woman against my skin helped to calm me. And I wasn’t sure what I was going to do without her once this was all over.

“I’m proud of you. With the art gallery,” I said. “I didn’t even know you were submitting your artwork to places in town.”

“I do have a life when I’m not here, you know,” she said.

“I just figured you would’ve mentioned it, is all.”

“Do you want me to tell you about that kind of stuff?”

She tilted her gaze up to mine, and it prompted me to cup her cheek.

“Yes,” I said.

“Then, I will,” she said, smiling.

“More?” Lanie asked.

Amanda jumped away from me as her eyes widened. She whipped her head around and looked at Lanie, sighing with relief when she saw the little girl was still turned around. I hated that we were hiding this from Lanie I wanted Lanie to see two people enjoying each other. I wanted her to see that she could have this type of respect from another person.

It angered me that we had to hide this. To protect her from something that felt so real and innocent.

But it wasn’t real. It wasn’t innocent. And as Amanda walked down the hallway to tend to Lanie, my stomach settled down into my toes.

I was in deep trouble.

CHAPTER 21

AMANDA

I was ecstatic for my gallery meeting. I took time piecing myself together, choosing the right outfit and dusting a bit of makeup on. I dug out my portfolio from one of my suitcases I still hadn’t touched, sighing as I opened it. This was it. I had been calling galleries all over the mountainous cities. I was evening calling as far east as Raleigh, trying to find a gallery that was interested in hanging my artwork. This was the only connection that had panned out into an interview, and I was a nervous wreck.

A knock came at my door as I grabbed my coat. I stuck my arms into it as I reached for the doorknob, and smiled when I saw Brian and Lanie standing there. The little girl launched herself into my arms, giggling and smiling as she held me close. Brian was standing there with an exasperated stare on his face, and I reached out for his hand as I held Lanie.

“She wanted to come over and see you before you left,” Brian said.

“And what about you?” I asked.

He bent down and placed a light kiss on the top of my hand as Lanie laid her head on my shoulder.

“Good luck,” Brian said.

“Thanks.”

I gave them both one last hug, then I headed into town. I was rehearsing all the questions I could possibly be asked, making sure I had all the right answers that pertained to me and my style of artwork. I wasn’t willing to sell something that wasn’t my style to get this gallery showing, but when I got there, I found myself in for more than I bargained for.

“Oh, you’re selling the gallery?” I asked.

“I am,” the owner asked. “Isn’t that why you called?”

“Honestly? I thought you were looking to showcase someone’s artwork. But, I’ve always had dreams of having my own gallery one day. Could I still take a look around?” I asked.

“Sure, help yourself.”

The gallery owner seemed flustered. He was running around, trying to pack things up and slash prices. Boxes were strewn about in corners as he patched holes in the walls, sweat dripping down his trembling brow. The space was nice. Clean and simple, with plenty of wall space to hang artwork. There was a cash register area in the back along with a section of the space that was quartered off with another wall.

“What’s back there?” I asked.