Caper Crush (NEW YORK FRIENDSHIP #3) by Kathy Strobos EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Authors: Kathy Strobos
- Language: English
- Genre: contemporary romance
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
PUSHING UP MY FAKE glasses on my nose, I shuffle closer to the two
other women to listen in on their conversation about the ultramarine
abstract painting in front of them. I resist the urge to touch my straight, gray
hair. I’ve learned that once I put on a wig, I shouldn’t touch it.
This art gallery is a square, white-walled room in Tribeca with paintings
hung a foot apart, about twenty colorful pieces in total. Between the cold
air-conditioning and the pops of color, I feel like I’ve stepped into the
middle of a vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.
Next to the entrance,
the gallery owner sits behind a shiny, white-laminate counter, typing on her
laptop. Two large paintings are spotlighted in the storefront windows. My
ultramarine painting, unfortunately, didn’t merit that prime real estate.
These two women are a mismatched pair. One looks like an Upper East
Side matron, immaculate, brown hair, clearly professionally blow-dried that
morning, armored in a crisp, two-piece skirt suit. The other woman has
wild, gray hair and is wearing a long, flowing skirt, turquoise and gold
bangles covering her wrists.
“Is this the one Jade recommended that we look at?” Coiffed Woman
asks.
Bangles Woman peers at the label. “I think so. She said to look at the
works by artist Miranda Langbroek.” She steps back, her multiple bracelets
jangling as she puts her hands on her hips and stares at the painting.
“I don’t see what’s so special about it,” Coiffed Woman says. “Doesn’t it
look like every other abstract painting out there?”
I cough. And that’s why people say no good ever comes of eavesdropping
about oneself. I need to armor up, but I still take criticism about my work
personally.
The two women look over at me in concern.
“Are you okay?” Bangles Woman asks.
“I’m fine. Got something lodged in my throat.” I clear my throat. “I think
what makes this painting unique are the brushstrokes here building up the
paint, almost like waves of color washing over you.”
“Oh, interesting,” Bangles Woman says. “I see that now.”
“Are you thinking of buying it?” Coiffed Woman asks me. Her perfume
smells of honeysuckle.
That’s a tough question to answer. Some buyers like competition and, if
someone else is interested, will buy it immediately to scoop it up. But
others back off. Plus, I don’t want to actually lie and say I’m going to buy it
when I’m the artist trying to sell it. I never know if my disguise will
actually work. But I really do need to sell this painting. I need the money.
And my agent, Jade, will stop representing me if I don’t take off soon. I
didn’t sell anything at the last little show she got me into.
“No,” I say. “I love it, but I don’t have the budget to buy it.”
“Our dealer said we should get in now before this artist becomes popular
after the Vertex show,” Coiffed Woman says.
“But I don’t know.” Bangles Woman frowns.
This is torture. Why did I think covertly persuading art patrons to buy my
work was a brilliant idea?
“You should only buy it if you love it.” I don’t want my painting
abandoned in a closet.
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