“Do you want to go and speak to any of the artists?”
I grab him tight and pull him back to me. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” he laughs at me, unsure about my reaction.
“Because they are legit artists with a show and everything. I’m just…”
“You’re at the stage they were once upon a time. Just starting out.”
“I don’t know. The art world can be really harsh. They might not like me.”
For a moment, I think he might be about to push me, but then he nods and lets it go. Thank goodness. I didn’t even know that I was coming tonight. I don’t know if I’m ready for more.
“What the…?” All of a sudden, I see something that makes my heart stop dead in my chest. “What’s this?”
I turn to see Noah giving me a self-satisfied smile, one that suggests he’s behind this. I don’t even know what to think about this, at the back of the gallery one of my paintings hangs there. One of my early pieces which is filled with passion and desire. The whole world shifts beneath me as I stare with wide terrified eyes at it.
“Oh, it’s very good, isn’t it?” a woman standing in front of it comments. “It’s raw.”
“Yes, I love it,” the man next to her remarks. “Who is the artist? Is it someone well known?”
“A Mia Clark…” The mention of my name twists everything again. My knees knock together. I’m going to end up a puddle on the floor if I’m not careful. “Not well known, but someone up and coming.”
“I think I might buy this piece you know…”
I grip onto Noah’s arm as all the color floods from my body. “Buy it. Someone said they are going to buy it.”
“Of course they are. It’s amazing. Why wouldn’t they?”
“Because no one knows who I am…”
“But everyone has to start somewhere.”
I give him a look, melting inside, this man is incredible. He’s given me something that I didn’t even dare dream of and now it’s everything to me. I might not make it enough to become a full time artist, that’s incredibly rare in this day and age. I might not be able to leave the bank quite yet, but this is a start.
“What am I going to do with you?” I pinch his side playfully. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“I did it because I love you and I want you to know that.”
I rest my head on his shoulder, letting all of that sink in. “I love you too, Noah. So much.”
We stay where we are for a while, just admiring my painting. I even snap a picture of it on the wall with the red dot to indicate that it’s sold, to send it to Kayleigh. She’s understandably over the moon for me, glad to see that I’m doing so well. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for her. She’s everything to me.
Eventually, one of the other artists comes to speak to me, and introduces me to the others, creating the start of a network for me. There’s no telling where this might lead, and I’m very excited for it.
* * *
“That was amazing.” I press myself up against my apartment door swooning. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Of course I did, I would do anything for you. And just so you know, I’m buying some of your work as well. You can argue all you like, but you promised me some pictures for the gym and I want them.”
“I suppose I’m not there so much now, am I? Now the marathon is done, so I can’t complain.”
“Exactly. That’s where all of this started from, so I think I deserve my reward.”
“Speaking of reward…”
I shimmy over to him and slam his back up against the wall before I press my lips to his. My hand hooks possessively around the back of his neck as I dart my tongue into his mouth. I’m on fire, everything that he’s done for me today has me more turned on than any dinner ever could. And now I want to reward him.