Page 4 of The Artist
He shook his head as he held his mug.“I like it.It’s refreshing to hear what someone is actually thinking, rather than what theythinkI want to hear.”
She took another sip of her tea.“Why would anyone just say what you wanted to hear?I’ve never understood that.How can you get to know someone if they’re just mimicking your thoughts and feelings?”
Peter set his mug on the table.“You can’t.That’s the point.I don’t want a mimic.I thought I’d found that in Melody.I was wrong.”
“Well, at least she wasn’t a gold-digger, otherwise she would have stayed.”
He shook his head.“Not necessarily.I’d already drawn up an ironclad prenup.Melody was well aware of it, and perhaps that’s why she left.”
“I’m sorry.That’s horrible.I can’t imagine being in your position.You have to hope for the best from a person but expect the worst.That’s not a good way to get to know someone, either.”Alexis sipped her tea, which had grown cold.“So what will you do when we get out of here?”
He shrugged and took a sip of his tea.“I don’t know.I would like to see your gallery.”
“I’d like that.”She looked at her watch.“It’s time for the weather report.”Tuning the radio she kept on the end table, they listened to the weather forecast.When the forecaster was done, Alexis turned off the radio.“It looks like you’re stuck with me for another three or four days.Maybe longer, depending on how heavy the snow is.I haven’t seen a blizzard like this in…well…ever.My mother told me about the blizzard of ’82.They were living in Lakewood then and about two feet fell overnight in Denver.Days passed before the roads were clear.It’ll take longer than that up here.I think you’ll be with me for the duration.There’s no way you’re walking to your cabin.The next cabin is the Simpsons.They’re in Florida but their cabin is about two miles away.”
Peter perked up.“That’s who I rented from…Joe and Estelle Simpson.I can’t believe I got so close when I was lost for an hour.”
Alexis nodded.“Yup, that’s them.It’s a nice place, ten times the size of mine and has a great view when it’s not snowing.I’m not surprised you were lost.It’s easy to do up here in the best of conditions.”
Peter leaned back on the sofa and sighed.“Well, I can think of worse things than being stranded in a remote cabin with a beautiful woman.But what about you and your gallery?You won’t be able to get there either.”
Alexis felt her cheeks heat at his compliment.“With this kind of snow, no one will be out trying to buy or even look at art.I wouldn’t be opening even if I could get there.”He thinks I’m beautiful.No one has said I’m beautiful since Jim died.Not any of the men I dated said I was beautiful, cute, adorable but never beautiful.But does he really mean it or is it just because he’s stuck with me?
