“Are you ready to order?”
“Yes.” Gabriella hands the young woman the menu. “I want the fry up, while she’ll have the Eggs Benedict.”
“Perfect.” The waitress’s attention turns to my assistant with a blush. “And you?”
“Same. Fry up will do.”
“Okay.”
“Nothing for me. I’ve already eaten.”
“Would you like me to get you some fresh coffee instead, or something else?”
Mine has gone untouched so I nod, pushing the ceramic cup toward the center of the table. “An orange juice will suffice.”
“I’ll go put those in and be right back with your drink.”
Once the waitress is gone, Gabriella turns to look at me. And I love it. Her attention. “We could wait if you want, and go through the contract first?”
“Very thoughtful, Miss Moore, but what kind of man would I be if I made you starve on your birthday?”
There’s that hint of a blush again. So pretty. So innocent.
“To be honest, not a very nice one.” At her response, I chuckle. Beautiful and sassy. “But I also understand that you are a busy man and this isn’t your only stop for the day.”
“It isn’t.”
“All the more reason to—”
“Let me buy you breakfast and kick off your birthday celebrations.”
She nods and then takes a sip of coffee. “You only turn twenty-one once.”
“Happy Birthday, Miss Moore,” Tero says from beside me, holding his own cup up in salute. “I hope it brings you joy, love, and peace.”
“Thank you.”
“Add to that a showing at such a prestigious gallery, and Gabby has the kind of life most would kill for.”
“Indeed.” It takes everything in me not to glare at her friend. Something isn’t right with her, the backhanded comments showing her jealousy—the desperation to be the center of attention. “But Gabriella isn’t getting a handout from me, Elise. On the contrary; I’ve seen her work and have heard the admiration some of the most respected in the community have for her, especially her lack of need for constant validation from her peers or art enthusiasts. That shows maturity and confidence in her pieces. Miss Moore knows her worth.”
“That’s very kind of you to say...” Elise pauses, but I shake my head before she continues digging herself a bigger hole.
“It’s not. I’m merely stating a fact.” Holding a hand out toward Tero, I wait for him to place a file in my palm, and a few seconds later when he does, I put it next to Gabriella’s coffee mug. “My plans for the exposition are big, Miss Moore, and I will be demanding, but I believe that this business relationship can be more than beneficial for the two of us. You can go ahead and go through the file, or as much as you can while we wait for your meal.”
“I can read the files, but I’d much prefer to hear your thoughts and what you’d need from me.” With two dainty fingers, she traces the top of the manila folder and levels me with a serious stare. No playfulness, and I find her business face quite adorable. “What part of my soul are you looking to uncover?”
“Spoken like a true—”
“Mr. Astor doesn’t have time to detail a plan out, Gabriella. Read the files and sign.” Elise huffs out while I grit my teeth at her blatant disrespect and bite back the retort that sits on the tip of my tongue while she’s giving me what she thinks is an apologetic expression and Gabriella watches us with uncertainty. Moreover, had the little beauty not been sitting right beside me, I would’ve put Elise in her place long before now. I have no patience for the kind of woman I know she is. “Don’t play into the poster-child syndrome of a temperamental artist when he’s doing you the favor.”
“I’m going to ask that you either remain silent or leave, Miss Scott, as you have no stake in this matter. You are neither employed by my employer nor Gabriella, and are hindering this meeting.” Tero’s voice comes across as a low hiss, his posture a little imposing, and I shake my head. This is neither the time nor place to lose our cool, even if Elise is becoming rather obnoxious in her pursuit of importance. “Please let them speak, as at the end of the day, those are the two names that matter in the contract.”
“How dare you—”
“Enough.” It leaves me on a low growl and all three at the table pause, not a sound or movement from any of them. My glare settles on my assistant and Elise, but I can’t help but soften my expression when my eyes meet hers. She looks a bit scared and a lot embarrassed and to me, that is unacceptable. “Please accept my apologies, Miss Moore. It seems hunger has made those at the table a bit pushy.”
“Apology accepted.” Her voice is a bit shaky, but I’m proud of the way she squares her shoulders and meets my stare head on. No hiding. “We’ll leave it at nothing more than a weird morning meeting.”
“Thank you.” Our server chooses that moment to drop off my juice and I smile, shaking my head before she has the chance to ask if we need anything. “And as for your question, I want it all. The beautiful and ugly. The smiles and tears. Your blood on each canvas.”
“That’s a bit grandiose while being vague, Mr. Astor. I’ll need more than that.” If she’s surprised by the request or my wording, Gabriella lets neither show. Instead, she takes a sip of coffee while eyeing me over the rim with the smallest hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.
Tero chuckles beside me at her quick wit, while I fight back my own amusement. “My vision for this season is the jungle of sin, with a macabre theme. I want to highlight the seven deadly sins through your eyes as the main attraction, Miss Moore.” She’s intrigued, her smile widening, and those pearly whites bite softly
