The Persistence of Memory

Chapter Twelve

"They were great before, but yes, today has been non-stop."

"Well, that's something, at least. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I'm already regretting coming down here.

"Yes!" She claps her hands together in that way she does. "So most of the buyers have paid holding deposits, some have even paid in full and no one has rescinded any offers -  which is all good news," she informs me.

I nod in agreement, wondering why she couldn't just have told me this over the phone.

"But Jordan and I were speaking and we wondered if maybe we had valued the pieces a little low considering your popularity."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "I'm a virtual unknown in New York. Your words when we spoke in London. I think the prices were reasonable."

"Yes, we did say that when we spoke, but there has been something explosive about this show. I think mainly it's you; the critics loved you at the opening and the reviews have reflected that."  I'll need to take her word for it because I hadn't read a single one. "And well, we wanted to know how you felt about letting it run a little longer? Maybe even have a second exhibition of sorts. There were lots of pieces you chose not to feature I understand?"

"Yeah, for legitimate reasons."

She nods, disappointed. "I see. Patrick said you were working on something new right now? Is this something you'd be looking to exhibit at some point?"

"Absolutely not." As the words leave my mouth I realise that not only do I not want to exhibit it, I don't want Eloise's husband to have it either.

"Of course," she says with a tight smile. "Well, in any case, the offer to extend the show stands. I don't know if there's anything I could do to persuade you to stay around a little longer? Maybe work on a few pieces exclusively for us?" She leans back in her chair and gives me the oddest look. I take my time before responding. Mainly because I don't know how to. Is she propositioning me? Surely not. She means money. She has to mean money.

"To be honest Nicole, I don't think there is. My aunt has been ill for a few years now which was one of the reasons I had to think long and hard about coming over here in the first place. She had to convince me herself in the end. I've enjoyed it, but staying on really isn't something I've considered." I can think of only one reason to stay and she wasn't coming back.

Nicole purses her lips and sits forward, templing her fingers underneath her chin. "I understand. I just wanted to make it clear how serious we are about you. I've also spoken with some contacts on the west coast who are interested in talking with you, they'll be at dinner tonight. Maybe LA would be a little more tempting?"

"Dinner?" I ask, confused.

"Yes. Tonight? At our place? You'd forgotten?" Her voice is high, panicked almost. I had, in fact, forgotten. Fuck. Eloise was going to be there. With him. How could I have forgotten that? Where the fuck was my head? Oh, I know. Stuck on the repeat of a wet day, a warm kiss, and the words 'Please don't kid yourself this means that you know me.'

"To be honest, Nicole, I had. I've been working constantly this week. It went right out my head, Sorry." I scrub a hand over my face as I let out a breath.

"But you can still make it? Oh, I hope so, you're the guest of honour." She smiles brightly.

Eloise is going to be there. How could I not go? Either way, I'm a fucking masochist. Or is it sadist? I could go and watch her play the happy couple with her grinning cunt of a husband. Or I could not go and likely never set eyes on her again

"Yeah," I nod.  "I'll be there."

She claps her hands again. "Perfect! And please bring someone along. I've set a place for you and a date. We've brought in a renowned chef from one of our favourite vegan restaurants uptown, Buxus, I don't know if you know it but it's fabulous." Again, I'll need to take her word for it. Though I can't imagine a vegan restaurant could ever get me as excited as Nicole seems to be about it. Instead, I rack my brain for who the fuck I can possibly bring as my 'date'. There'd been two women since I'd got here that I'd spent the night with but never called back. Plus Laurel. I doubt any of them would be happy about me calling to ask if they fancied being my dinner date in order to test out Patrick's theory.