The room was buzzing.
‘The turnout is amazing.’ Judy, the owner of the gallery, was on her second glass of champagne. ‘Do you see who is over there? Cristiano Ferrara. He owns an exclusive hotel chain. Sicilian.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Very sexy.’
‘And very married. He commissioned a piece of jewellery for his wife, Laurel. She’s pregnant.’
And that, Sky thought, was romantic. Not a stark piece of paper that declared you husband and wife, but thoughtful, loving gestures that showed how much you cared.
It was her favourite type of commission.
A gift designed as an expression of love.
And there was no doubt about how much Cristiano loved his beautiful wife. When people approached him he was polite, but it was obvious that tonight was his wife’s treat and she was the focus of his attention. He looked at his wife as if she were the sun, the moon and the stars all in one perfect package.
Sky watched them wistfully.
She wanted that. She wanted that intense passion. But most of all she wanted someone who thought she was the best thing on the planet.
Confused, Sky glanced across at Richard, who was working the room.
Did he feel that way about her? And could she feel that for him? Did she feel enough? Was this all there was?
Her head was full of questions she couldn’t answer.
She’d always believed that if she ever fell in love she’d recognise the feeling instantly, but maybe it wasn’t that simple.
Richard had been the last to arrive and had barely paused to greet her before vanishing into the crowd. Now he was now talking to Nik Zervakis, the wealthy Greek-American owner of ZervaCo, who had flown in with his fiancée, Lily, an archaeologist friend of Brittany’s who had helped Sky with ideas for her new collection.
‘Nik has given me free rein to buy anything I like,’ Lily confided. ‘So far I’ve bought those gorgeous starfish earrings and that pot in the corner. It’s similar to one he already has at his home in Crete.’
‘Your home too.’
‘Yes, my home! Unbelievable, isn’t it? I still want to pinch myself every day.’
‘How did you know?’ Sky’s mouth was dry. ‘How did you know he was the
right one? That this really was love?’
‘I don’t know—I can’t describe it. But sometimes it feels as if my heart is too big for my chest.’ Lily walked over to the pot. ‘I really do love this.’
‘I should be giving you that—no charge. None of this would have happened without your help. You’re the Greek ceramics expert.’
‘Not any more. I’m turning into a corporate wife. My choice.’ Lily glanced towards Nik, her eyes sparkling like the lights on a Christmas tree. ‘Give my love to Brittany when you see her. Will you be spending Christmas on Puffin Island?’
‘No. I’ll be spending the holidays with my family.’
Her family and a hundred and forty strangers.
People of influence.
It would be as much fun as a trip to the dentist.
Trying not to think about that, she mixed and mingled, accepting compliments and answering questions about her work.
It occurred to her that the only person who hadn’t congratulated her was Richard.
Even after the two wealthiest people in the gallery had left to go on to another Christmas event he continued to mingle, pumping fists and slapping backs as he made his way round the room.
Sky was starting to wonder why he’d bothered coming when she saw him speak to the gallery owner, clear his throat and get ready to make a speech.