Page 93 of Yours To Hold
“Hi there.”
She turns a beaming smile on me. Bright pink lipstick paints her smile. Heavy gold earrings drag down her lobes. Necklaces too many to count adorn her chest.
“Hi, dear.”
“You’re interested in this piece?” I nod to the artwork in front of us.
It’s a stunning picture. In the Canadian Rockies, flowers are in full color while the starry summer sky is bright behind them.
It’s beautiful in its simplicity. I love it because it reminds me of home.
Home. The one place I never thought I wanted to be turned out to be the place I love most.
“I have to have it. Money is no object.”
I stifle a smile. “Well, that’s an easy sale.”
“I know what I like.”
“I didn’t catch your name.”
“Sasha.”
I hold out my hand to her. “Ivy.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. Do you have other similar pieces?”
Sasha takes a swig of her champagne. “I do. I’m also looking at opening my own gallery.”
“You are?”
She nods. “My husband and I are retiring. We want someone to source pieces for us, but also open our own place to share our love of art.”
“Well, Seattle is a great place for that.”
Sasha waves me off. “Oh no. I’m done with the city.”
I have to choke back the laugh. I’m done with the city and I’ve only been here a few weeks. “How long have you lived here?”
“Too long. I want some fresh mountain air.” Sasha looks back toward the photo hanging on the wall. “Something like this. A place I can explore.”
“The mountains are great for that.”
“You sound like you have experience.”
“I’m from a small town near the Tetons.”
Sasha’s eyes light up. “I’ve always heard how beautiful that area is.”
“Makes for great photos. The lighting. The flowers. And that fresh mountain air you were talking about.”
“Are you a photographer yourself? Do you have any pieces up tonight?”
I shake my head. “Not tonight, no. But maybe someday.”
Sasha pulls out a card and hands it to me. “I don’t want to keep you. I know you’re busy tonight, but how about we grab some coffee tomorrow? I’d love to keep talking to you. Maybe see some of your work.”
