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Piper

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“So what’s going on between you and the suit?” Rufus asks casually as we sit at a table on the patio of his favorite burger place after class.

“The suit?” I place my purse on my lap for safekeeping. Since I was lucky enough to get almost everything back after that horrible night, I’ve been diligent about where my belongings are at all times. I even lock my purse in the desk in the gallery’s office ever since Bridget gave me a set of keys. I know that the door to the office is locked too, but I like the added assurance.

Rufus looks over the paper menu with a quick glance. “You had your hand on his shoulder. There were little pink hearts in your eyes. I saw it all from where I was standing.”

“You’re talking about Griffin?” I prop my elbows on the table. “Nothing is going on between the two of us.”

“You should tell that to the chemistry sparking between you two that every person in our class could sense.” He points at the menu. “I’m going to order us both cheeseburgers. You’re not a vegan, are you?”

I give my head a shake. I usually don’t eat dinner this late at night, but I’m starving. “I love burgers too much. Do they come with fries?”

“The best fries in the city.” He looks over at the sidewalk and the pedestrians passing us by before he gazes across the table at me again. “You need to watch out for guys like Griffin.”

I cock my head to the side. “Why?”

“They run through women like water.” His hand moves to cup the empty water glass in front of him. “I’ve had too many female friends hurt by guys just like him. They’re always one and done.”

“One and done?” I repeat back with a laugh. “As in, one night together and then it’s done?”

“You know it.”

I’m not bothered by what he’s saying. I’ve suspected that Griffin isn’t looking for anything but a casual hook-up since we met. How can I fault him for that when I jumped into bed with a complete stranger less than a month ago? “I try not to judge anyone before I know them. Griffin asked his assistant to help me when I was in a bind. I don’t think he can be all that bad.”

“Don’t let those little pink hearts in your eyes blind you.” He studies me. “Keep your guard up at all times. You don’t want a man to get in the way of your career.”

I know Rufus means well, but his words irritate me. I don’t need him to be a protector, just a friend. “I can take care of myself. I’m not as naïve as you think. I am hungry though. Can we order?”

Rufus considers what I said before he raises his hand in the air to signal a server. “I have no doubt you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, but if you need a shoulder to lean on, I’ve got two.”

***

I scan the wall of portraits in the gallery before I look over at Bridget. “Did you change out my other drawing for this one?”

She doesn’t look up from the screen of the open laptop in front of her. “No.”

I study the sketch again. I thought she hung the sketch of a woman I drew when I was in art school, but now it’s a piece I completed a few months ago of a man.  I turn back to look at her. “Are you sure? I could have sworn that you hung up the sketch of the woman.”

“I did.” She finally glances in my direction. “I sold that this morning so I replaced it with your other drawing.”

I stand in stunned silence. This is a moment I’m never going to forget. I’ve waited my entire life for this and now that it’s here I don’t know how to react.

“You should be proud of yourself.” Bridget walks to where I am. “It sold as soon as we opened. In fact, the man who bought it was waiting outside the door before I unlocked it. He’s been in before.”

I look down to where my hands are shaking by my sides. I grip the skirt of my red dress to quiet them, but it does little good. “I’m surprised it sold so fast. I expected it to be sitting there for months.”

“He walked right over to it.” She touches the corner of one of her framed portraits to straighten it. “The last time he was in the gallery he was looking for you.”

“For me?” My stomach flips. The only man who would hunt me down at this place is my dad and since he has an extreme fear of flying, I know it can’t be him.

“Yes. I told him to check out the website for your classes. He might be one of your students. He’s about six-foot-two with brown hair and blue eyes. He’s super handsome.”

Griffin Kent.

“I don’t officially start my shift for another hour. I’m going to run an errand.” I walk toward the office where I left my purse. “You’re good with that, right?”

“Take your time,” she calls after me. “You should go out for a celebratory drink. It’s not every day an artist sells their first piece so fast.”