Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,74
pictures being taken are blinding. I spin her back out and use some of my best moves, and she squeals with joy when she spins around me. I figure if they're all going to watch and document the moment, I might as well put on a good show.
Van Morrison ends, and a slow song comes on. I pull her in nice and close. "You ready to hear my plan?"
"I think now is a pretty good time since I can't show my face at work again."
I've never been so nervous. What if she hates my idea? What if is she’s pissed that we didn't come out with our relationship on her terms. I've essentially just outed us, and all her worst fears are coming to fruition.
"I've started a new business, and I want you to run it."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You have a degree in Business Management, and I have every bit of faith in you. And I think you'll like it."
"Start talking, handsome."
"I've started a company called Luna Enterprises."
She smiles because she gets the meaning of the name. This is just another way of sharing my moon with her.
I smile back and give her a conspiratory wink. "It's going to be a business that helps up-and-coming artists. Not just at the gallery in Laguna, but in cities all over the country and abroad. I'm an investor in several galleries on both coasts and in Europe. We will plan events that showcase artists from all parts of the world. I have a vision, and I hope you'll be a part of it. We'll help get new artists out into the art world while continuing to host events to raise money for organizations that mean something to the both of us."
We're moving back and forth to the tempo of the music, but we aren't moving around the dance floor. We're grounded in deep conversation and deciding our future right here in front of everyone at the gala. Not how I had planned it but nothing I can do about it now.
"Ronan, I don't know anything about art."
"But I do...and so does Ava. Besides, you're a quick study and you'll pick it up. What you do know is event planning, and this will essentially be an event planning business for artist events. Not just up-and-comers but established, well-known artists. We'll become the go-to event planners of the art world and both get to work in a business we love."
"Do you have any clients yet?"
"Nope, not a one."
"It doesn't sound like a full-time job, at least not yet. What do I do until then?"
"There's a lot to do to get started, and we need to get our name out there. I have big plans for Luna and my hope is to get it going and eventually leave EVC. I have investments all around the world that are my own and not connected to my father's company. I have my own money, plenty of it. I don't need to work there. It has just always been expected of me. Besides, being with you is worth every penny I have. I would be happy to live as a pauper as long as it's with you, gorgeous."
Her eyes glisten and one lonely tear falls. I wipe it away with my thumb.
"Good tears?"
"Great tears."
Not giving a good God damn about who sees us, including my father, I crash my lips to hers and let everyone in the room know who I'm leaving with tonight.
I may have had to lay my plan out sooner than expected, but I'll figure it out. I'll pay her out of my own pocket for now, even though she doesn't need a paycheck. My reason for living is now to take care of her, whether she knows it or not. My talk with Evelyn earlier today went well, and she is already on board with coming back as my assistant. Now, it's time to groom Allison and Leslie for promotions, and eventually, promote Gloria to VP and someday soon, I'll disconnect myself from EVC for good.
Olivia
Silence fills the car as Baxter drives us back to Ronan's. The night was a success with a lot of money being raised for the kids. I couldn't be more pleased, if only the evening wasn't over-shadowed by the uncertainty bubbling within me.
In the moment, out on the dance floor with the world watching, Ronan's plan sounded perfect. I couldn't believe this man had done this for me, for us. But now, here alone in the back seat of