Page 139 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Twenty-Four

Callie snuggled against Nate as the cab took them closer to the Marion West Gallery. They’d had an amazing time over the last couple of hours, settling in at her place and officially beginning Nate’s tour of the Big Apple. She’d taken him to dinner at JoJo’s, her favorite French restaurant, then to Serendipity’s for a cup of their famous frozen hot chocolate. The list of things to do was endless—so many adventures to cram into three short days. She smiled, staring out the window, content to be back in the city. She loved it here—the energy and lights. Best of all, she got to share her world with Nate. “We’re just about there.” She turned her head, looking into his eyes.

“Short trip.”

They could have walked. She would have preferred to drag out the time until she was forced to deal with the press and see Marion again. Unfortunately, her reprieve from reality was over. Carter Island was a couple hundred miles away, and her life was here. “It’s cold—especially after the frozen hot chocolate.”

“I thought maybe it had something to do with where we were going—who we were going to run into.”

She wrinkled her nose as he grinned. “I guess it could be that too.”

He chuckled, wrapping both of his arms around her and nuzzling her neck. “Everything’s going to be fine. We’re here for your friend.” He kissed her temple. “Plus, you look insanely hot in that getup of yours.”

The clichéd little black dress: strapless, clinging fabric, high-thigh hemline, daringly plunging in the back. She’d bought the statement piece to wear to her own exhibition, but that wasn’t happening anytime soon… “Thank you.” She studied the day’s worth of scruff on his jaw—the black sport coat accentuating his strong, wide shoulders, and his white button-down hinting at killer pecs. Mouthwatering and all hers. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”

He snuck his hand beneath her shawl, tracing his fingers along her spine as he held her gaze in the shadows. “You smell good too.”

Her heartbeat kicked up as the familiar rush of butterflies invaded her belly. Snagging her bottom lip with her teeth, she gripped his tie and slid her hand down the silky fabric, brushing her knuckles against his crotch as she reached the bottom. “Are you having fun on our vacation so far?”

He clenched his jaw, his eyes heating with promises for later. “How could I not be? Great food. Super tour guide. Top-notch company.”

“Good.” She tore her gaze away from Nate’s as the cabbie slowed at the stoplight, the sexy backseat moment vanishing as she spotted the press crowding around the front of Marion’s building. “Great,” she said quietly.

Nate lifted his brow. “That’s quite an arsenal out there.”

“Marion’s exhibitions always draw the media. She creates a lot of buzz with her featured artists, ultraexclusive guest lists, and asking prices. It’s considered an honor to get an invite.”

He nodded as he pursed his lips. “A PR master.”

“One of Marion’s many talents.”

“But she’s nothing without her artists.”

She exhaled a long breath. “Right.”

The cabbie slowed in front of the chaos. “Here’s your stop.”

“Thanks.” She handed the cabbie the fare and looked at Nate. “Are you ready for this?”

“I think the better question is, are you?”

“I texted Julian that we were coming, so I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

“Then let’s get this over with.” He opened his door and took her hand as her black Prada pumps hit the sidewalk.

Bulbs began flashing as several photographers realized who she was and started yelling her name.

“Come on,” she said quietly, letting go of Nate’s hand and walking as fast as she dared through the maze, hoping to avoid any one-on-ones with the reporters.

“Callie.” Valerie Vanburen, the Life and Style reporter from the Times, stepped in her way.

Damn it. Callie slapped on a smile. “Valerie.”

“It’s nice to see you tonight.”

“And you.”

“There were whispers you wouldn’t be attending.”