I am excited when I get an invitation from Mikaela to come to an art show. She thinks that we might be able to find some additional pieces for the restaurant there, and on top of that, there is an open bar. What’s not to like? She is picking me up at home in about an hour. I even went dress shopping for the occasion, and got myself the must-have of every woman’s closet, according to Amber. My very first little black dress, a.k.a. LBD. I add a colorful scarf to break up the darkness and wear some fun earrings. I paint my lips fire engine red and wear my red five-inchers to finish it off. I am actually pleased with the result when I assess myself in the mirror, and I am ready about thirty seconds before my buzzer rings.
Mikaela Kingsley travels in style and with an entourage. When I get downstairs, there is a large, luxury SUV waiting at the curb. The door swings open, and a tall man with sunglasses steps out. He scans the area, mumbles something, and then crosses his arms in front of his body.
“Hey, M! Get in!” Mikaela calls from inside.
I eye the tall guy.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s just security. Pretend they are not here. I do,” she says with a chuckle.
“I’m sorry about this. I have a very overprotective brother. I used to have just one, but I ditched him, and the next day it was him and another guy. I then managed to give the two of them the slip, and now I have three of them.”
She rolls her eyes.
“He has no sense of humor, that man. Luckily, he has mellowed since he married Rae. But he wins because I don’t wanna be stuck with four of them.”
I can’t help but giggle at the exasperated look on her face that matches the tone of her voice. We get to the gallery fairly quickly, and I am giddy. The gallery is large and well-lit, and I can’t help but notice the few pieces showcased right when I enter the open concept-entrance.
“I have never been to one of these before,” I tell her, wide-eyed as we walk in. “I feel so grown-up now.” Mikaela smiles.
“I’ll go grab us some drinks. Why don’t you look around?”
I nod enthusiastically and start to wander around the freestanding walls that appear to guide people where to go. I start walking through the obvious trail and stop at the first painting I see. There is a petite redheaded woman standing in front of it, inspecting the painting. I really know nothing about art or what you’re supposed to see in it.
“It’s a very pretty painting, isn’t it?” I say with a smile, as I try to make conversation.
She scoffs, and I am taken aback.
“I mean, the colors are nice,” I add.
“Bless your heart. You really don’t get it, do you?” she says as she saunters off while shaking her head.
“Ouch,” I call after her.
What a bitch. I shrug it off, walk to a random painting, and try to decide what I’m looking at. It’s hard to tell. I cock my head as if that’s going to help the situation.
“The brush strokes are reminiscent of an early Van Gogh, don’t you think?”
Oh great, another one of them, I think to myself.
I turn to find Ashton Walker standing next to me, looking like he has just stepped off a magazine cover, dressed in a suit that was obviously made to fit him perfectly. He peers at the painting, a thoughtful look on his face as he pinches his chin with his thumb and index finger. I have no idea what to say, and not just because I’m finding it hard not to stare at those smoldering eyes.
“Um, I guess?”
He chuckles.
“I’m sorry, I just pulled that out of thin air. I was just messing with you.”
“That was mean!” I tell him as I playfully hit his arm.
“I couldn’t help myself. You looked so adorable and lost.”
I shake my head.
“So, what are we looking at then?” I ask.
He leans in slightly and beckons me closer with his index finger. I eagerly lean in, curious what his answer will be.
“Don’t tell anyone,” he whispers, and he looks around the room before continuing. “I have absolutely no idea.”
I purse my lips and shake my head.
“I must really look out of place here, huh? Not knowing anything about art.”
He smiles.
“I come to these things all the time, and I have no idea what I am looking at most of the time. In fact, half the time they are selling things that are so ridiculous and ugly. It’s like slapping lipstick on a pig and calling it beautiful.”
I laugh.
I tell him about the run-in with the redhead, and he tells me to point her out.
He extends his arm.
“Let me show you how to have fun in a place like this.”
I look at his extended arm and then try and find Mikaela in the crowded room. I’m sure we will find her at some point if we walk around the gallery, so I accept his arm. We walk over to the middle of the room, and Ashton scours the place. I guess he’s found what he’s been looking for because he nearly drags me across to the other side. There is large canvas on the wall, and it is completely blank but for a small black dot in the upper corner.
“Okay, here she comes. Just follow my lead,” he says.
Sure enough, he has placed us in her path.
“Your interpretation is genius. I didn’t think there was anyone brilliant enough to get it,” he says, shaking his head.
“Oh? I am sure I’m not the only one here. Ask anyone,” I reply.
“I am telling you, you’re the only one.”
“Well, actually,” the redhead says. “If you would like my opinion...”
“I don’t,” Ashton says coolly.
“Oh,” she says.
“I’m actually dying to hear your opinion,” I say with a smile. “I’m sure that someone like you—you know, someone who gets it—can explain what the artist is trying to tell us.”
“Clearly, this painting is about the struggle of being different in a world that is full of clones,” she says smugly.
“Or, and I am just spit balling here, but that may just be an empty canvas to replace the painting I bought twenty minutes ago.” Ashton says.
The woman’s face turns bright red.
“I...uh...” she stammers.
Ashton holds his arm out again, and this time I take it with no hesitation. We walk off, as I try my hardest not to laugh.
“Ashton, my hero,” I joke as I dramatically drape a hand across my chest.
He chuckles.
“Did you really buy a painting?”
He throws his head back and laughs.
“Nope. I have no idea what that painting was. Maybe she was right, but she is pretentious and had it coming.”
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“You do know how to have fun in these places.”
We walk around the gallery some more, and by the time I spot Mikaela, she’s in deep conversation with some guy, and it’s almost time to go home. Ashton is super easy to be around; he’s funny, very intelligent, and very charming.
Mikaela spots me and waves.
“There you are,” she calls from across the room. “I’ve found some great pieces for the restaurant. Come look.”
“I guess I should go over there,” I say, surprised at how disappointed I am. “Did you want to join us?”
He smiles.
“I actually have to run,” he says.
“Yeah, I guess it’s late.”
“I had fun, though.”
I smile.
“Me too.”
I look back over to Mikaela, who is waving me over.
“I guess I’d better go,” I say with a chuckle. It looks like she’s getting impatient.
Without thinking, I throw my arms around his neck and give him a hug.
“Thanks for defending me earlier. I owe you.”
“Hey, I’ll take you up on that. I’d like a whole platter of those appetizers you made the other night next time you have a dinner party.”
“Deal.”