‘Quite the contrary, Miss Mendoza. I find it startling that someone could have such a natural eye for composition. I especially like the shots of the singer. Is he a friend of yours? I’ll bet he’ll be getting a lot of attention following on from the exhibition. Modelling contracts, perhaps.’ He raised his eyebrows and I forced a smile. In all honesty, I had no clue what was going on with Fin any more. In the weeks that had passed since the ball, the calls and messages via Tom had gotten less and less until, I’m guessing, he’d decided to give up. I hadn’t received a call in almost five days, and although my heart hurt at the fact, I knew it was for the best.
‘He’s... um... he’s someone I used to know.’ I dropped my gaze to the floor as my eyes began to sting.
‘Ah.’ His tone told me he understood what I wasn’t saying. ‘Well, they say that the most creative people draw from heartache. Look, I don’t want to keep you as I’m sure you’ll be getting many more offers like mine.’
I pulled my gaze up from the floor to meet the man’s smiling eyes again. Confused at his choice of words, I shook my head. ‘Offers?’
‘Miss Mendoza, I’ll cut to the chase. I want your work for my gallery. In fact, I would like to bringyouout there to work for a while. I know you were born in the USA, and I feel that back home, you and your obvious talents would be appreciatedsomuch more. I’m willing to pay you an advance. And to find and fund you a place to stay until you’re established. Now, I know this is a lot to take in, but I had to get in first with my offer. Name your price. Whatever it takes, Miss Mendoza. I want you and your work in New York. And I want you to produce more of it. I will do whatever it takes to facilitate that.’
I swallowed hard as my heart tried to escape through my ribcage. He wantedmywork?Shit!I opened my mouth and tried to speak, but no sound would come. This was an amazing opportunity for me. But...
Words, Star. Use your words.‘I... um... I...’ I shook my head to try and rid myself of the fog that had descended to rob me of all cognisant thought processing.
Marshall smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. ‘It’s okay. Take some time to think things through. I’ll be in Edinburgh for the next couple of days. If you decide to take me up on my offer then just give me a call. I’m staying at the Balmoral Hotel in the city. Here’s my card.’
I took the card from him and stared at it, as if answers would miraculously appear there for me. When they didn’t, I shook my head. ‘S-sorry, I’m just a little… Th-thank you, Mr Davies.’
‘Please, call me Marshall. And if it’s okay by you, I’ll call you Star?’
I bobbed my head, feeling like one of those dumb nodding dogs that old ladies have in their cars. ‘Uh-huh. Sure.’
He smiled, patted my shoulder once more, and walked away. Before I could process what had just happened, I was grabbed from behind and swivelled around.
Alec was standing there with my mom, dad and grandma. ‘Who was the silver fox, Twinkle?’
I rolled my eyes and made an un-ladylike noise. ‘Urggh. Some dude from a swank gallery in New York. He wants tohireme and give me a place to live or something. I don’t know... I made a complete fool out of myself.’
All of their eyes widened in shock, and Alec dragged me through a large oak door into an empty hallway, the others followed. ‘You’ve been snapped up by a New York gallery? Oh, my gee, Twinks! That’s amazing!’ He pulled me into his arms and swung me round.
‘Honey that’s incredible!’ my mom exclaimed.
‘Amazing!’ My dad agreed.
‘I knew something like this would happen,’ my grandma said with a hint of sadness.
I laughed humourlessly. ‘Guys, I can’t... I can’tgo.’
Alec scowled at me and grabbed me by the arms. ‘What the hell are you talking about? Ofcourseyou can go. This is an amaz—’
‘Zing opportunity. Yeah, I know that, Al, but...’ I dropped my gaze to the floor that had apparently fascinated me earlier too.
He huffed and stepped back, folding his arms defiantly over his chest and glanced at my family before demanding. ‘Is this about Fin Hunter?’
Once again, I did my dumb impersonation of the nodding dog as my bottom lip trembled.
Suddenly I was engulfed in a group hug.
Alec insisted, albeit softly, ‘Twinkle, you need to let him go, darling. He’s letyougo. You need to move on with your life, and maybe this is the way forward, eh?’
My dad tilted my chin up with his finger. ‘I think Alec is right, cariño.’ I gazed up into the compassion-filled eyes of my father and thought about how lucky I was to have him.
The tears that had been threatening only moments before spilled over. ‘Ican’tforget him, Dad. I know I should. But I...I justcan’t.’
He didn’t speak again. Instead, he pulled me into his arms and held me.
44
Fin
