sense, and yet it was the lack of sense that made it brilliant.
Compared to this place, her bedroom had a frenetic pulse that made you want to touch, to examine, to study while recognizing the hint it gave into the head of the woman who’d tossed it all together.
There was warmth in Adeline once that is utterly lacking now.
My jaw ticks to realize it, my hand extending to accept the drink Adeline hands me with a scowl adorning her pretty face.
“Thank you.”
She nods and hands Grant his drink before taking a seat close enough to be available to jump when something is demanded of her, but far enough to be excluded from the conversation.
I won’t allow it.
“You know,” I say, cutting into whatever Grant was rambling on about, “I notice you don’t have much art in this room. It’s a shame, really. I think some photographs would be a nice touch with the design you already have in place. A splash of color, you know?”
Grant sits with his jaw slack while Adeline tosses a not so well hidden sneer in my direction.
Shaking himself of his shock, Grant smiles. “Are you a photographer, Harrison?”
“Me? No. But I do collect it. I’m impressed by people who are able to show the world what they see through the images they capture.”
A light goes off in his head, one I’d planted, although he’s too stupid to realize it. “My wife happens to be a photographer.”
“Really?” I turn to her. “Have you done any gallery shows recently?”
Blue eyes meet mine with enough hot anger behind them to melt a person to the ground.
“No,” she says simply.
“Actually...”
My gaze darts to Grant.
“Adeline did do a show before we got married. It was very successful from what I remember. The prints sold out within the first hour.”
I know they did because I bought them.
Eyes back to Adeline. “Which gallery? I might be familiar.”
Her lips move to answer, but Grant’s annoying voice interrupts. The asshole can’t stand not being the center of attention.
“It was the Weeping Willow, wasn’t it? A smaller place downtown. I believe Rebecca Oliver owns it.”
I take a sip of my drink and resist wincing at the bitter, yet sweet, flavor.
Eyes locked on Adeline, I ask, “Do you have any work you can show me? I’d love to see it.”
Her eyes flick to Grant to see if he’ll allow her to talk for once. When he manages to keep his big mouth shut, she brushes her hair over a shoulder and explains, “No. I haven’t used my camera in a while. I’m busy with other things.”
Like dinner parties and following orders.
I won’t let that continue.
Gaze sliding to Grant, my mouth tugs into a thin line of disappointment. “That’s too bad. I would have been so impressed to see her work.”
That’s the only hint Grant needs to believe he’s sinking a hook in me when really it’s the opposite.
“Rebecca offered Adeline another show if she ever wanted it.” His head turns to Adeline. “Why don’t you give her a call and set that up?”
Quiet for a few seconds, Adeline clears her throat. “I’m not sure I have time. The company event is coming up, and I need to see to the details-“
“Nonsense,” he dismisses, “Gloria can handle the rest of it. Do you think you can have a show ready within the next month?”
I can feel Adeline’s gaze stabbing me in the back, every hit coming with expert precision. Had it been actual knives, she would have taken out every vital organ I have.
Eyes back to her. “You wouldn’t happen to have a macabre taste, would you? It’s my favorite.”
“Her stuff was a little strange from what I remember.”
Brilliant is the word for it. Grant can fuck off.
Still pinning Adeline with my stare, I fire back with my own knives. “Are you familiar with the Hidden Lake Cemetery nearby? There’s a mausoleum there that would be a beautiful setting for anything you do.”
Adeline’s gaze snaps to her husband and back to me, heat coloring her cheeks. I know what she’s remembering, and the comment had been intended just for that.
“Isn’t your father buried there?”
Turning to her husband, Adeline answers, “Yes, and I’m familiar with the mausoleum.”
Proud of himself for finding yet another way to reel me in, Grant boasts, “Well, then it’s settled. You’ll be extremely impressed with Adeline’s work. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Yes. That’s settled. But I’m still not done.
“What is this about a company event?”
Grant’s eyes widen, he takes a sip