Kat straightened in her chair. True, she didn’t like to focus on herself, but if she didn’t, who would? Cassie could only nudge so much. The thing was, Kat also didn’t like sucking up and begging for recognition. “If we have time,” Kat said. “The last meeting was rushed and all museum business.”
“Last time was unusual. We had so much to go over with the exhibit, but I think we’ll be able to fit in some personal accomplishments this time.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
“Great. And remember, no matter what happens, you’ve played a big part in getting this exhibit put together in a short amount of time. And that’s a great addition to your résumé.”
Kat offered a tight smile. “Oh, it’s going front and center, for sure.”
Unfortunately, like exposure, résumé-builders didn’t pay bills.
ChapterFourteen
Saturday night looked more dismal by the minute. Kat put her face to the glass and peered out the window again. Snowflakes still swirled in the air outside her apartment, and according to the weather service, all around the city. It was official—she was going to freeze her butt off. Snow or not, for a gallery event only a little black dress would do. At least she had dressy boots.
She pulled from her closet a silk scarf she’d painted several years ago. Loosely a painting of bright orange poppies, it’d add some color and keep her shoulders warm. She’d like to opt out and go to the March opening instead, but Pete wanted to start generating interest a couple of months out. Kat would bet most of the people attending tonight would be friends and family of the showing artist.
“Thanks for not ditching me,” Kat told Mia as they hunkered into their coats and walked the last block to Loft Images. Due to the cold, they’d skipped dinner out.
“Believe me, I thought about it. You owe me, pal.”
“Duly noted.”
Inside, they shed coats and surveyed the crowd of maybe forty people. “Looks like a decent turnout so far,” Kat said.
“Especially considering the weather. Let’s find the bar.”
“You read my mind.”
Kat turned from the bar, glass of wine in hand, and came face to face with Pete Collison.
“Hello, sweetheart.” He moved in and pressed a kiss to Kat’s cheek. “One of my up-and-comings. We must show you off tonight, darling.”
Ugh.Her stomach roiled. Sweetheart? Darling?
He took her arm, but Kat stalled, turning toward Mia. “Pete, I’m sure you remember my friend Mia Hendricks, jewelry designer extraordinaire.”
It worked. Pete turned Kat loose to shake hands with Mia, who sported deep auburn hair that flipped up at her shoulders tonight. The highlights in her hair shone along with her deep red lipstick. As always, Mia made a statement.
“Yes, I remember,” Pete said.
Kat gave an internal eye-roll at Pete’s low, seductive-sounding voice. Did he come on to every woman in his path?
“Jewelry.” Pete repeated as he leaned toward Mia.
Brazenly, he lifted the silver necklace that rested on her chest. “Is this your creation?”
Mia took it from him and slid her hand underneath the necklace, separating it from her skin. “It is, indeed.”
“Very nice,” Pete drawled. “Come see me sometime.”
“Pete! Pete!” Waving wildly, a woman sidled up and grabbed his arm. “There you are,” she gushed.
Kat took the opportunity to slip past him. “We’ll look around and catch up with you in a bit,” she said. Gritting her teeth, she pasted on a bright smile—and wished for more than one reason that Nick was accompanying her tonight.
They stopped for a couple of appetizers then browsed the gallery, which practically glowed from the spotlights. Tonight’s artist was a photographer, and his work featured stunning black and white photos of architectural details with small spots of hand-tinted color.
“These are cool.” Mia pointed to one image that featured the hard lines of steps and a banister with a soft blue door as focal point.
