She shakes her head as our eyes lock. “When I mentioned your name in class, Griffin didn’t tell me that he knew you.”
I bow my head to hide my smile. “That would have ruined your surprise, Piper.”
“Griffin helped me out of a bind two years ago.” Sem holds up his left hand. “It was a long and very broken marriage.”
“I’m sorry,” she offers.
“Don’t be,” Sem counters with a squeeze to her elbow. “I found my inspiration in my ex-husband once and now that we’ve parted, I’ve found new inspiration.”
She looks over at me. I see something new in her eyes. It’s a softness that wasn’t there before. “You never know where you’ll find inspiration.”
I raise my glass of champagne in a silent toast. Her words ring as true for me as they do for her. This woman is inspiring me to want to give her more experiences just like this.
***
“Why did you arrange that for me?” Piper slides onto the backseat of the car that I called for after we said our goodbyes to Sem.
She’d spent more than an hour with him discussing the finer details of many of his sketches. He was open and accommodating as he answered each question she had. His patience was admirable given how exhausted I know he is.
When I handled his divorce, he told me he owed me. We’ve kept in touch through the occasional email since and when Piper mentioned in class that he had an exhibit in town, I called in the favor.
Her framed sketches weren’t part of the deal. I gave those to him as a thank you for taking time to meet with her.
“I could tell that you were a fan.” I smile as I settle in next to her. “I knew you’d enjoy the chance to meet the man behind the work.”
“Enjoy?” She laughs. “Tonight was the best night of my life.”
Is not was. It’s not over yet.
“Where are we headed, Piper?” I nod toward the driver. He’s silent, waiting for an address.
“I should get home.” She nervously plays with the edge of her clutch purse. “I doubt I’ll be able to sleep. I just met Sem Jansen.”
Those words are music to my ears. She’s not ready to call it a night. I’m sure as hell not either. “Let me buy you a drink. I know a place not far from here.”
I can see the internal debate in her eyes as she contemplates my invitation.
Say yes, Piper. Fucking say yes.
“I guess one drink would be alright,” she whispers before she looks out her window.
It may not be the exact response I was hoping for, but I’ll take it. The night is still young and anything can happen.
Chapter 25
Piper
I gingerly sip the martini that I ordered. It tastes nothing like the ones I used to drink in Denver with my college friends. Ironically, it makes me miss them and the simple life I had back there.
When I left my parents’ house to move into the dorm my freshman year, I thought my future was in the palm of my hand. Four years and one fine arts degree later, I was back on their doorstep with a pile of student debt and no idea how to earn a living.
They took me in, cleared my financial obligations and sent me out every morning with a cup of coffee in hand and a stack of resumes.
I worked in retail, food service and finally landed a job teaching art in a community center.
When the opportunity to move to New York popped up, my mom and dad were hesitant at first, but they let me go with my small savings account and their blessings.
“Are you thinking about Sem?” Griffin taps his fingers on my hand. “You floated to another dimension there.”