he has since apologized for coming on too strong. Thankfully, he's hasn't brought up that night again and our working relationship has not suffered. Lisa has not called me again, nor have I made any attempt to call her back. My mother, on the other hand, has moved on to what Julia calls, "Defcon level 5". She's been calling me every day for the past week since my flight is scheduled to leave in a couple of days. She's asked if Lisa ever called me, but I've decided to keep that tidbit of information to myself.
That call changed something in me. Ever since I heard her voice, all these years later, I've been feeling surprisingly resolved to confront my past. I've had little time to dwell on it since I've been quite busy working on the latest exhibit for the gallery. The opening is tonight and the theme perfectly ties in with how I've been feeling: Hope. For the first time in a long time, I have the overwhelming feeling of hope that whatever comes my way, I'll get through it. I've even come to terms a bit with my mini obsession with Tyler. Whether or not I see him -and yes, I'm still hoping for the latter- I know I'll be alright regardless.
Putting the finishing touches on my outfit for the opening, I take a quick perusal of myself in my dressing mirror. Plum, stretchy, just above the knee dress with kimono sleeves. The right sleeve is a little longer, so it hangs off my shoulder to show just the right amount of skin. I've worn my hair in a low, side swept ponytail, matched with my silver chandelier earrings. Slipping on my black strappy heels, I hear Julia in the other room yelling at some poor soul from her staff. From what I can make out, someone did not get the caterers the memo that they were supposed to be at the gallery at least two hours before the opening. I cringe at every obscenity that flies out of her mouth. I have no idea how anyone in their right mind would want to work for her. Shaking my head, I turn the corner into our living room, catching her as she's flipping her phone shut and I get my first full look at her ensemble for the night. Wow. Her eyebrows rise up and she looks down at herself before she asks, "What? Is there something on my face?"
Her black, sleeveless, fit and flare cocktail dress is cut slightly higher on the thigh, showcasing her beautiful long, toned and tanned legs.
"You look incredible."
"Thanks sweetie, you don't look so bad yourself," she says winking at me. "You ready?"
"Yep, I'll follow you in my car," I tell her and then head out the front door.
Arriving at the gallery a short while later, it's a whirlwind of commotion. Catering crew, event staff, and my co-workers are bustling in every direction. Sarah grabs me as soon as I walk in to tell me that the caterers arrived late, to which I laugh out loud since I know they must have gotten an earful already from Julia directly or from someone in her staff. From the corner of my eye, I see Julia talking to Alex, probably about the same exact issue. Darting through several bodies dressed in white tuxedo shirts and black slacks, I take a last walk through of all the pieces that I selected for the exhibit. This is my favorite part of an opening; being able to see all the pieces in the right lighting before all the guests arrive and I'm too busy to get a quiet moment to appreciate them for myself.
When I reach the last painting, which is furthest away from the hustle and bustle that is currently going on within the gallery, I hear footsteps approaching me from behind.
"You've done an amazing job, Sabrina... as usual, of course."
I keep my back to him, staring at the painting in front of me for a moment longer. "Thank you, Alex."
Finally turning around to face him, I find myself still in awe of how handsome he is. The man is simply breathtaking. Smiling now, he comes up a bit closer to me and asks, "You're going on vacation in a couple of days, yes?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I hope you have a good time, wherever you're going," he says and
That call changed something in me. Ever since I heard her voice, all these years later, I've been feeling surprisingly resolved to confront my past. I've had little time to dwell on it since I've been quite busy working on the latest exhibit for the gallery. The opening is tonight and the theme perfectly ties in with how I've been feeling: Hope. For the first time in a long time, I have the overwhelming feeling of hope that whatever comes my way, I'll get through it. I've even come to terms a bit with my mini obsession with Tyler. Whether or not I see him -and yes, I'm still hoping for the latter- I know I'll be alright regardless.
Putting the finishing touches on my outfit for the opening, I take a quick perusal of myself in my dressing mirror. Plum, stretchy, just above the knee dress with kimono sleeves. The right sleeve is a little longer, so it hangs off my shoulder to show just the right amount of skin. I've worn my hair in a low, side swept ponytail, matched with my silver chandelier earrings. Slipping on my black strappy heels, I hear Julia in the other room yelling at some poor soul from her staff. From what I can make out, someone did not get the caterers the memo that they were supposed to be at the gallery at least two hours before the opening. I cringe at every obscenity that flies out of her mouth. I have no idea how anyone in their right mind would want to work for her. Shaking my head, I turn the corner into our living room, catching her as she's flipping her phone shut and I get my first full look at her ensemble for the night. Wow. Her eyebrows rise up and she looks down at herself before she asks, "What? Is there something on my face?"
Her black, sleeveless, fit and flare cocktail dress is cut slightly higher on the thigh, showcasing her beautiful long, toned and tanned legs.
"You look incredible."
"Thanks sweetie, you don't look so bad yourself," she says winking at me. "You ready?"
"Yep, I'll follow you in my car," I tell her and then head out the front door.
Arriving at the gallery a short while later, it's a whirlwind of commotion. Catering crew, event staff, and my co-workers are bustling in every direction. Sarah grabs me as soon as I walk in to tell me that the caterers arrived late, to which I laugh out loud since I know they must have gotten an earful already from Julia directly or from someone in her staff. From the corner of my eye, I see Julia talking to Alex, probably about the same exact issue. Darting through several bodies dressed in white tuxedo shirts and black slacks, I take a last walk through of all the pieces that I selected for the exhibit. This is my favorite part of an opening; being able to see all the pieces in the right lighting before all the guests arrive and I'm too busy to get a quiet moment to appreciate them for myself.
When I reach the last painting, which is furthest away from the hustle and bustle that is currently going on within the gallery, I hear footsteps approaching me from behind.
"You've done an amazing job, Sabrina... as usual, of course."
I keep my back to him, staring at the painting in front of me for a moment longer. "Thank you, Alex."
Finally turning around to face him, I find myself still in awe of how handsome he is. The man is simply breathtaking. Smiling now, he comes up a bit closer to me and asks, "You're going on vacation in a couple of days, yes?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I hope you have a good time, wherever you're going," he says and
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