CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“HOLY WOW.” NATALIE walked around Tuesday in a slow circle. “You were not kidding about that dress. You look so hot I’d totally bang you and yet, you also look like a person who runs a fantastically successful art gallery.”

“Look at you with your compliments.”

Tuesday gave herself a critical look in the full-length mirror in her room. “I can’t believe the built-in bra part of the bodice actually works. We all know shelf bras and the like are pipe dreams.” They never worked and the weight of her boobs would slowly begin to pull the front of the tank top or whatever down until her areolae were popping out.

“Totally presents the cleavage in a gravity-defying and yet superhot way. Jeez. You and I need to go to Kelly’s boutique so I can find stuff that makes me look as smoldering as you.”

“Don’t worry. I transferred my half of the mortgage to your account three days ago.”

Natalie laughed.

Tuesday had got her hair done that morning and her stylist had put in just a small hint of shimmer spray so when Tuesday was in the right light it would show.

“I want this necklace to fit backward. Can you help hold it while I fasten it?”

They fit it just perfectly to drape down her spine, a tail of amber at the center of the design keeping it in place. She’d hoped to wear the bracelet instead, but she’d sold it just a few hours after she bought the dress.

She had plenty of jewelry. Sales were even better.

The front of the dress was simple with her cleavage as the star. Even with the pretty feathers on the skirt.

The back was all her skin and the stones of the necklace. The bronze glinted in one way and the stones would another.

“You’re like a four hundred and thirty on a scale of one-to-ten hot. Seriously. You’re working every single angle tonight like a fabulous trifecta. I know this is your night and we’re all woo gallery and I’m your very biggest woo-er. But if you, say, cared what a certain taciturn alpha male with powerful thighs and a great ass thought, you’re thunderbirds go on that.”

“His ass is remarkable, isn’t it? Also his wrists and forearms. His hands. Shoulders. Piercings. Tattoos. The dick is my favorite. You don’t get to comment on that.”

Natalie saluted.

“So if I wanted to be the hottest woman he’d ever laid eyes on the whole of his life, I’d be in that territory tonight?”

“Since you just added that lipstick and those heels, what are they five inches? Jeez. Anyway, you’re bull’s-eye hottest woman.”

Tuesday looked down her legs, which looked about a foot longer between the short skirt and the delicate, strappy stiletto heels.

“Well, get your glamazon on because you are fierce and fabulous and absolutely gorgeous and he’s going to fall over when he catches sight of you. But let’s be honest here, he already does that. He’s gone for you.”

“It’s mutual.” She dabbed some perfume on her pulse points and looked to Natalie, who wore a cocktail dress with a spill of pink wild roses silkscreened over it. Tuesday had flat-ironed Nat’s hair so it was in a Louise Brooks–style bob. Sleek and perfect for Natalie’s features.

“Talk about pretty. You’re like one of those Northern European fairy-tale princesses.”

“Let’s face it.” Natalie handed Tuesday the little bag her tube of lipstick and phone fit in. Barely. They linked arms. “We’re just awesome. Those Hurleys don’t even know what hit them when we came into their lives.”

Tuesday laughed. “I think that might be true and I’m not entirely sure if it’s a good thing in every way.”

“Love is good, Tuesday.”

Yeah, but love also opened you up to the bad, as well.

“You ready to go?” Natalie asked.

“Yep. Ezra texted to say he and Paddy would meet us over there in about half an hour. I need to get back to check on the food. They were setting up as I left. Lara is there keeping an eye on things.” Lara was Tuesday’s part-time employee. She was smart and would keep everyone in line and on track. But nobody could be as scary as Tuesday when it came to her events so she needed to get down there.

“You used to be an event planner. Your opening is going to be great because you planned it and you’re good at it.” Natalie faced her. “I’m so excited for you. You’re not the old Tuesday. You won’t be and that’s okay. This Tuesday is living the hell out of her life again. I’m proud of how brave and smart and talented you are.”

“Not allowed to make me cry. My makeup is perfect. Stop it now.” She gave Nat a mock stern look and then blew her friend a kiss. “Thanks. Now let’s go open my gallery, shall we?”

* * *

JILL SCOTT’S “SHAME” was playing as Ezra and Paddy walked into Easton Gallery. He paused, stunned at the change in the space. He hadn’t been by in two weeks, as the harvest had sucked up most of his life and then Jeremy had come in so he’d been busy on band business, too.

And he’d been testing himself to see how long he could stay away. Needing to know.

And craving her even then as he took in the new cases she’d had installed for her jewelry. The fine art had been displayed a little and she’d spruced up the counter at the back where she handled the framing business.

This was a gallery. It was classy and sexy. She didn’t fill every bit of the space with things and instead, let the space frame the pieces she did have.