She realized Julie was speaking to her. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie. Your mother has told me a lot about the wonderful work you and the Waines Foundation do. She’s understandably proud.”
When the two of them shook hands, the other woman’s hands felt like ice. No surprise there. She had to be terrified about the evening ahead. Affairs like this could make or break an artist’s career. Putting the last vestiges of her own frazzled day on the back burner, Natalie did her best to put Julie at ease. “My mother has been raving about your paintings, and she’s not easy to impress. From what I have seen so far, I understand why she’s been so excited about your work.”
Julie and Natalie both watched as Tracy Kennigan assumed the role of hostess to welcome the elite group she’d invited to the showing. Natalie performed the actual introductions, doing her best to ease Julie’s way as the crowd slowly filed by.
Everything was going smoothly right up until she spotted a familiar but unwelcome face bringing up the end of the line. Her first reaction was a flash of anger. Her mother knew full well that Natalie had no interest in seeing Benton anytime soon, yet there he was. Damn it, there was no way to avoid him without making a scene, which her parents wouldn’t appreciate. It also wouldn’t be fair to Julie, who was supposed to be the star in the spotlight.
“Julie, this is my mother’s dear friend Gloria Humboldt and her son, Benton.”
By now the artist had either lost her jitters or was better at hiding them. “It’s nice to meet you both. Thank you for coming.”
Gloria nodded to the artist. “Tracy has told me so much about your paintings. I couldn’t pass up a chance to see them for myself.”
Then she turned her attention to Natalie. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you. You’ll have to have Benton bring you over for dinner soon.”
She moved on, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, leaving Natalie staring at her back. Seriously, did she not remember that Natalie and Benton were no longer engaged? Speaking of the man in question. She dragged her attention back to her hostess duties to find him impatiently waiting for her to acknowledge him.
Her forced smile made the skin on her face feel tight. “Benton, I don’t see your father, so I assume you got drafted to escort your mother.”
“Actually, I volunteered. Yesterday your mom mentioned you’d be here and didn’t have a date. I tried calling you a couple of times last night to see if you wanted to ride over with us, but you didn’t pick up.”
“I wasn’t home.”
His condescending smile set her teeth on edge. “I would hate to think that you were avoiding me.”
Did he really want to do this here? Fine. “I was out with a friend. It was late when I got back home, but I did check for messages. There wasn’t one.”
And she wasn’t sure she would have returned his call even if there had been. It was time to bring the conversation back to the reason they were here. “I think you’ll really like Julie’s work, Benton. She has an amazing gift.”
He gave her a look that said he wasn’t ready to let the matter drop for good, but he was willing to move on for now. Cranking up his charm level, he turned a practiced smile in her companion’s direction.
“Congratulations on the showing, Ms. Stahl. I’m sure this evening will only be the start of great things for you.”
“That’s the plan, anyway.”
The smile Julie offered in response to Benton’s was but a faint shadow of her earlier ones. She also didn’t thank him for coming, which Natalie found interesting. If he noticed, he gave no indication of it as he moved on to rejoin his mother. Most people—and women in particular—found him charming.
“Conceited jerk.”
As soon as the word slipped out, Julie closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. “Oh, wow, I apologize. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. He is clearly a friend of yours, and I had no business saying something that rude. Please, please write it off to a bad case of nerves.”
“He’s actually my ex-fiancé, so I’m not particularly happy with him these days myself.” She looked toward the door and didn’t see anyone else coming in. “It looks like most of the guests have arrived. Why don’t we get a glass of wine and see what kind of goodies my mom ordered for us to eat?”
As they walked away from the rest of the receiving line, Natalie gave Julie a conspiratorial nudge with her elbow and whispered, “If his mother and mine weren’t best friends, I might have realized much sooner that your assessment of his character was right on target. In Benton’s defense, he’s not all bad, just a bit full of himself.”
The other woman nodded. “I’ve run into a few men like him in my prior job. I ran out of patience with it years ago.”
“What kind of work did you do?”
Julie picked up a glass of white wine and took a sip. “I was an army nurse. After a few too many deployments, I decided it was time to find a job where I’d have time for other things in my life. I’ve always carried sketchbooks with me wherever I was stationed, but I really wanted more time to paint.”
“Good for you! Where are you working now?”
“I took a job at a local hospital as a surgical nurse. The hours are more regular unless I’m on call, which allows me the freedom to take art classes.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but has it been hard transitioning back to civilian life? I’m asking because the friend I mentioned to Benton recently left the army after serving ten years.”
“Civilian life is different for sure.”
When she looked past Natalie to study the crowd wandering from painting to painting, Natalie tried to see her mother’s friends through the other woman’s eyes. The room was full of glittery jewelry, fancy dresses, and hand-tailored suits—the perfect image of money and influence.
Julie was talking again. “But to answer your question, how hard it is to transition back to civilian life depends a lot on what your friend was doing in the army and how many times he was deployed and where. The frontline troops have often seen a lot of ugly stuff that they have to learn how to put behind them.”
Julie finally met Natalie’s gaze head-on again. “If he does have problems, remind him that he’s not alone. There are support groups and a host of other resources out there for him. They helped me, that’s for sure.”
The grim set to the other woman’s mouth had Natalie regretting her question. “I’m sorry, Julie. This is supposed to be your big night, and here I’ve brought up what is clearly a tough subject for you.” Natalie set her nearly full glass back on a passing waiter’s tray. “I won’t hog all your time, but why don’t you show me your paintings and help me pick out a couple before all the best ones are gone?”
“I’d love to show you around, but don’t feel obligated to buy anything. I just appreciate your taking me under your wing tonight.”
Natalie looped her arm through Julie’s. “If it makes you feel any better, some of the money I’m spending is my grandfather’s. He trusts my mother’s judgment when it comes to art, and he told me to choose a painting for him. Let’s go pick out something really nice for him.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll show you my particular favorites. They’re over this way.”
—
It didn’t take long for Natalie to choose three paintings, a matched pair of smaller ones for herself and a larger one for her grandfather’s collection. While taking care of the necessary paperwork with Jacob’s assistant, it was time to decide whether she wanted to buy one more painting, but with the foundation’s money. The one she had in mind was far different than the rest of Julie’s work, which was probably why Jacob had hung it off by itself. Regardless of the reason, she found the painting riveting. It was a swirl of dark colors with only the merest hints of light mixed in. The title was simply “Memories,” perhaps a reference to the reason Julie had needed help transitioning to her current life.
“Don’t tell me you actually like that one.”
She’d been aware
of Benton circling closer for some time. “All right, I won’t tell you.”
He moved up closer beside her, leaving only inches between them. She suspected he was deliberately crowding her and so stood her ground rather than give in to the urge to retreat to a more comfortable distance.
“So you were out with a friend.”
Okay, here it comes. “Yes, I was.”
He turned his back on the painting to look directly at her. “Anyone I know?”
“No.”
“And since your mother wasn’t aware that you’d been out on a date last night, I’m guessing she doesn’t know him, either.”
Damn him, she did not want to have this discussion, especially not here. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find Jacob.”
Before she’d gone two steps, Benton grabbed her by the arm. “Look, maybe I’m overstepping my bounds, but I still care, Natalie. Our parents aren’t the only ones who hope that you and I can work through our problems. I haven’t seen anyone else since you gave the ring back. It wouldn’t feel right, because I haven’t given up on us yet.”
Patience, Natalie, patience. He had no right to question her decision to move on with her life or to make her feel guilty for doing exactly that. She stared down at his hand until he finally released his hold on her.
“I haven’t changed my mind, and I don’t see that happening. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but I really wish you’d respect my decision.” She finally stepped out of his reach. “Now, as I said, I really do need to find Jacob.”
Her father caught up with her while she was writing out the check. “I saw you and Benton talking over there in the corner. Is everything all right?”
It was tempting to lie, but maybe it was time for some hard truths. “No, it isn’t. I realize that you and Mom are still friends with Benton’s parents, which means our paths are likely to continue to cross occasionally. I’m hoping eventually it will get easier, that maybe he and I can get back to being just friends.”
She closed the checkbook and stuck it back in her purse, using the few seconds to regain a bit of composure. “To be honest, Dad, if I’d known for certain he would be here tonight, I might not have come.”
Her blunt statement clearly shocked her father. “Why? What’s he done to upset you so badly?”
“He wants to get back together, and I don’t want that at all. Until he accepts that that part of our lives is over and done with, things are bound to be awkward between us.”
Her dad cleared his throat. “I have to admit that we were all shocked when you gave the ring back, sweetheart. You two seemed like such a perfect match. From what we’ve heard, it wasn’t as if you were fighting or anything. His parents both say that you really blindsided him when you announced you wanted to break up.”
“Dad, this is neither the time nor the place for this.” She blinked back the sudden burn of tears. “It’s been a long, hard day, and I’m tired. I’m long past ready to go home, but before I leave, I’ll say one more thing on the subject. When I do get married, I want the kind of relationship you and Mom have. I’m sorry, but I’ll never have that with Benton. The sooner everyone accepts that, the better. Tell Mom she was right about Julie’s art.”
Then she walked away, wishing she didn’t feel so damn alone in the crowded room.
—
Quitting time had come and gone an hour ago, and Jack was not happy about still being on the job. He clearly would rather be home with his wife than painting this wall. “So, tell me again why we have to finish the job today?”
Tino took a swig out of his water bottle and glared at Jack through sandpaper eyes. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t put in a long day himself. “For the umpteenth time, we need to finish because I’m not available to help you tomorrow. Drag it out another day if you want to, but you’ll be on your own.”
They had only half of one wall left to paint before they could clean up the last of their mess and go home. Tino kept methodically wielding the paint roller while Jack watched him do it.
Jack crowded closer. “Did it occur to you that Caitlyn and I might have had plans for tonight?”
No, it hadn’t. Regardless, if the idiot would shut up and work, they could be done in less than an hour. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“But—”
Tino rounded on his brother. “Look, leave if you want to. I told you I’d help this week, and I have. If you need to get home to the wife and kid, go. Maybe Ricky wouldn’t mind coming back with you in the morning to do the final cleanup and walk-through with the owner. Hell, I’ll even pay him out of my own pocket. Regardless of what you decide, I won’t be here tomorrow.”
Jack muttered a few curses, but at least he grimly set about cutting in the last few edges with a brush. “So tell me about this Natalie.”
How much did he really want to share? Enough to make his brother understand he wasn’t being an asshole for no reason.
“She’s barely over five feet tall, blue eyes, and this wild, curly blond hair that probably has driven her crazy her whole life.” He paused to refill his roller and decide what else he could say. “I like her attitude.”
His brother snorted. “I’m guessing you like a whole lot more than her attitude.”
“Yeah, well.”
Jack dragged the ladder over to where he needed it. When he had himself situated again, he asked, “I take it dinner was a success. Did she like the restaurant?”
“Yeah, she did.” He might as well admit the rest. “And wouldn’t you know it? Of all the bazillion restaurants in the Greater Seattle area, I had to pick the one that her parents consider to be ‘their place.’ Seems that’s where her father proposed to her mom, and they still have a special table there.”
He didn’t mind his brother laughing. Much.
“So on your first date, you actually ate dinner at her parents’ special table? I’m not sure if that’s romantic or kind of creepy.”
Tino would vote for creepy. “The maître d’ actually gave us a nice table in a completely different room right next to the window looking out over the Sound. The view was great and the food even better.”
“How about the movie? Did you tell her you hate subtitles?”
“We ended up going for a walk along the waterfront instead, and then I took her home.” There, that should be enough detail to make Jack happy. It would have to be. No way he’d mention the kiss.
“Did you ask her out for a second date?”
“No, but I told her I’d be back to help at the center tomorrow. She seemed really pleased about that.”
He refilled his paint pan. “Now can we change the subject? This conversation feels a little too gossipy teenage girl for my comfort.”
“Fine, be that way.” Jack pulled out his phone and started texting. “I promised Mikhail that I’d keep him up to date on things and wanted to make sure I had all the juicy details before I texted him.”
Tino held up one finger. “Text him this from me.”
Jack snapped a picture. “Done!”
A few seconds later, Jack’s phone pinged. He started laughing as soon as he read their brother’s response. “He says right back at you and wants to know if you’re going to call her dad to see what other special places you should take her.”
The phone pinged again. “Better yet, he thinks you should see if her folks want to go on a double date. I think that’s a great idea. Maybe you and her dad could wear matching outfits or something.”
God, there was no winning with those two. Knowing any kind of response at all would only encourage them, Tino kept painting, which only made Jack laugh harder. At least the idiot was back to swinging that paintbrush.
By the time they were finished, every bone in Tino’s body ached, but at least they’d crossed the finish line. He’d go home, grab some dinner, and crash early.
When they were both in the truck, Tino leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Thanks again for staying late. Tell Caitlyn I’m sorry if I sc
rewed up any plans you may have had for tonight.”
“Actually, she called while I was inside. We decided to go to the movie tomorrow night instead. Ricky somehow convinced her that he was suffering from severe pizza withdrawal, so I’m meeting them at the restaurant. Mom is picking them up, so they can ride back home with me. I can either drop you off at the annex on my way, or you can come with us and ride home with Mom. Your choice.”
Tino opened his eyes just a slit. “Who’s buying?”
Not that he didn’t trust his brother or anything. Jack laughed again. “How about you and I split the tab fifty-fifty?”
Maybe it was time for a counteroffer. “Sixty-forty, with the sixty being my part if you promise to quit feeding Mikhail information about my love life.”
“Sorry, bro, no can do. I can’t leave our baby brother out of the loop like that. It wouldn’t be fair. Besides, he’d sulk.”
“Like I said, gossipy teenage girls.” He sat up straighter. “But that makes dinner your treat, including the beer.”
“Fine, but the first round only. That’s my best offer.”
“It’s a deal.”
They’d reached the pizza restaurant they all liked best. Jack parked the truck but made no move to get out. What now? Tino waited patiently for the man to have his say. It didn’t take long.
“I don’t know where this is going between you and Natalie, but it’s nice to see you really interested in something again.”
Before Tino could think of a response, Jack was out of the truck and heading for the restaurant door.
Chapter 6
“You can relax now. Your man with the special skill set came back.”
Natalie glanced out the window to see Tino walking in the front door of the building. She would never admit that she’d been watching for him, but obviously, Rosalie had noticed. “He told me on Thursday that he’d be here today.”
As soon as the words slipped out, she winced. It was too late to take it back, and her friend pounced on the admission. “On Thursday? He called to tell you that?”
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