Chapter 60: Aaron

Sweat pooled under my arms as Renee and I stepped off the elevator and into the ballroom hosting the gala. The place was packed already with people, and a moment of panic seized me. Should we have been here earlier? Had Celia already come and gone? What about Marcus, was he here? I was completely out of my element tonight, and it wasn’t until Renee squeezed my hand encouragingly that I was brought back to reality, focusing instead on how stunning my girlfriend looked in a tight black dress that accentuated every soft curve of her body, and the way her red painted lips curled into a smile when she met my gaze. I was here with the prettiest woman in the city, and if I had to keep my focus on that, I would.

“Relax,” Renee breathed in my ear, pulling me to a gentle stop outside the elevator. “You’re nervous. Don’t be. These people are here for you, too.”

I smiled back at her, squeezing her soft hand in mine. She was right. Tonight was about me and the small handful of other talented artists here to showcase their work. I belonged here. I was not only invited but expected. It was time to be brave for the sake of my career and life.

“Mr. Connors!” a bellowing, important voice called from somewhere across the crowded room, and a moment later Marcus Barlow, the famous art critic, pushed his way through the crowd to stop in front of me, beaming. He had a glass of liquor in his hand, face flushed from the booze and excitement. He reached out to shake my hand and then at the last moment pulled me in for a hug instead, nearly spilling scotch all down the front of the both of us. “It’s about time you arrived.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said stupidly. “Should I have been here earlier?”

“Absolutely not,” he said, tone still booming. “You’re a VIP. You can arrive whenever you’d like, don’t you know?”

I forced a grin and glanced over at Renee, who was standing politely beside me. Marcus seemed to notice her at that exact moment, and his bushy brows shot up in surprise. I didn’t like the glint in his eyes as they roamed over Renee’s body.

“Well, hello, doll,” Marcus said, offering a hand to Renee. “Are you Aaron’s, erm, date?” He said ‘date’ as if implying she could have been an escort. Like I wasn’t cool, handsome, or charming enough to land Renee any other way. Not like I needed the reminder. Renee was miles out of my league. She always had been.

“Actually, I’m Aaron’s girlfriend,” Renee said, saving me embarrassment as she offered Marcus her hand. He kissed the top of it before releasing her, and to her credit, she didn’t even flinch as the older gentleman pulled back. “You must be Marcus Barlow. Aaron has spoken highly of you.”

“Well, I’m flattered,” Marcus said, flashing her a row of yellowed, crooked teeth. “You’re dating a very talented artist.”

“And a wonderful man,” Renee added, to which I blushed. She was too good to me, this woman, and I was eternally grateful to her.

“That reminds me,” Marcus said, turning his attention back to me. “Did Ms. James get a hold of you?”

“She did,” I confirmed, feeling Renee’s eyes on me. “We—we had drinks the other night and I officially met her.”

“Wonderful lady,” Marcus muttered. “And a very talented agent. She’s supposed to be here tonight to see the work. Hopefully, she comes through.”

“That would be great,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound like an overeager child. “She seemed wonderful. Thank you for the referral.”

“Any time, my friend,” he said. “Anyway, make yourselves comfortable. Grab a drink, and some hors d'oeuvres, and enjoy browsing. Mr. Connors, your work is set up in the west wing, just right over there.”

I glanced in the direction that Marcus hitched his thumb, pleased to see a solid swarm of people in the area where I could see my artwork hanging. I hadn’t spotted Celia yet, but I didn’t expect much. Some things were just too good to be true, and I was preparing myself for that.

“Well, he’s an interesting fellow,” Renee said once Marcus was out of earshot. “Kind of boisterous, no?”

I laughed. “Very. Especially with a few drinks in him.” I pulled Renee against my side and kissed her, inhaling the intoxicating scent of the lilac perfume she wore.

“Aaron,” Renee said softly. “I didn’t know you had drinks with a female art agent the other night.”

“Oh, erm, yeah. I did. I’m sorry, I didn’t think to mention it.”

“Is she pretty?” Renee was acting like it didn’t matter much either way, but I could detect a hint of insecurity in her tone. Even though she hid it better, occasionally Renee could be just as jealous and insecure as the rest of us. That was fine by me; it reminded me that she was still human, too.

“Are you jealous?” I teased, and Renee scoffed before her frown melted into a smile.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she murmured. “I know how crazy about me you are.”

“That I am.” As a server with a tray of champagne flutes passed by us, I snatched two glasses and handed her one.

“A toast,” Renee said, tilting her glass in my direction. “To my wonderful, talented, kind, beautiful artist of a man. I’m so, so proud of you.”

“Don’t be too proud yet,” I warned her. “That agent isn’t even here. This could all be a failed show.”

“No.” Renee clinked my glass before taking a sip of the bubble booze. “The fact that you made it here, to this gala, speaks highly of your talent, Aaron. And it deserves to be celebrated.” As the words left her mouth, the elevator dinged behind us and the door opened, revealing Jake and Matt, dressed impeccably in black tuxedos. Jake spotted us and hurried over, and Matt followed.

“Congratulations, brother,” Matt said, going in for a bear hug. “Jake and I weren’t sure this thing even existed, or if we’d come to an empty building.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mumbled as Jake hugged me, too.

“Ignore him,” he said in my ear. “He’s been pregaming in the car.”

I groaned and rolled my eyes, glancing at Matt. Count on him to fuck shit up before it even began. Then again, maybe they could behave themselves tonight regardless of the booze. They knew how much this meant to me. I could count on my best friends.

Couldn’t I?

“Ren, you look stunning tonight,” Matt said, his eyes roaming Renee’s body. She smiled at him, then took my hand to hold it. I appreciated that about her. When it was personal time, she took it seriously, just as she would do for either of them.

“Thank you, Matt,” she said. “Aaron’s work is right over there. How about we meet you guys there?”

“We’re heading that way now,” Jake said, saving the day as he reached out once more to squeeze my shoulder. “Proud of you, brother.”

“Thanks, man.” I watched as Jake and Matt vanished into the crowd of high society people, looking like they actually fit in dressed in those silly tuxedos. I was glad they were there. We were family.

“How about we find some food, and then go mingle?” Renee asked, linking her arm to mine. “I want to see your art.”

I nodded in agreement, keeping my eyes peeled for Celia. I hoped she’d show up, even if I had dampened hopes. An art agent like Celia could launch my career into stardom, and it was something that not even Renee could understand yet.

But tonight was going to go flawlessly. How could it not?