Chapter 4

Shit.I knew better. I thought that I had been quiet while sharing my thoughts with Roman.

"Sage has a great eye," Roman said. "She was mentioning how she believes your work could be displayed for more impact."

"I'm interested in her thoughts." The tall blonde was studying me intently.

"I think you should hear them." Roman winked conspiratorially.

The woman didn't respond.

"I am Roman Christenson," he said. "With my wife, Julieanne, we own a gallery downtown." He couldn't hide his pride. "This is our friend Sage, and she truly has a gift."

Julieanne decided to join us. "She's put together several great shows in Los Angeles and New York. Then the market dwindled, and there was no more work."

The blonde was watching my reaction to my friends' explanations.

"I...er…I used to do work in the industry," I admitted as my cheeks heated. "I curated a few shows."

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Talia Belle." Her voice was husky with a slight accent. She turned her attention to me again. "Are you self-trained?"

"I grew up in the periphery of the art world. Paintings, oils," I clarified. "I don't have the talent to create, but I can't seem to stay away from galleries and museums. I went to Stanford undergrad and Yale for my Masters. I spent a semester at the Tate in London."

"Impressive."

I couldn't tell if she meant it or was being sarcastic. She had that iciness that some blondes could pull off. If my gift engaged, it would be easy to find out. I'd only need to touch her hand.

Roman must have believed that she was interested. "Julieanne and I see somebody we need to speak with. We'll leave you two to talk."

"Which gallery are you with now? Theirs?" Talia's gaze followed the couple as they made their way to the far side of the room.

"I help out when Roman or Julieanne ask." There was no reason to announce that I was unemployed.

"Have you ever worked solely with an artist and not a gallery?"

"Yes." I didn't add that I'd managed my mother's work. "That was my first position."

"The questions must seem intrusive. I had to battle with the owner here about placement. I only won one battle, and that was because I moved the photos myself."

"You're curious about me after Roman and Julieanne's comments. I get it." Some artists had no idea how to best display their work. Others were difficult about letting others see their work product. "I worked with someone who, once she finished a painting, never wanted to see it again. Going to her show was physically painful for her." I didn't add that my mother had been happiest when she could lock herself away and create. She despised the business of art.

"I worry that this guy has more money than sense," she shared quietly.

"That could be true." I tried not to sound too judgmental. "He wouldn't be the first."

"Talia?" The man who approached was handsome in a slick corporate way. His gaze darted between the photographer and me. "There's a collector I'd like you to meet."

"What kind of collector?" She asked with a smirk. "Souls? Bills?"

I tried to hide my smile. I liked that she wasn't so nervous that she couldn't joke.

"Photography. Yours," he said, raising an eyebrow.

She flashed a fake smile. "Duty calls." She squared her shoulders and then turned to me. "Don't leave. I wish to continue our conversation."

"I'll do my best. However, I rode with Roman and Julieanne." I wouldn't stand around, only for her to forget about me. It had happened before.

The man zeroed in on me. "You came with the Christensons?"

"Yes. I've known them forever."

"I'm Justin Arnold. I represent Talia." He thrust his hand forward as if he wanted to grab mine.

"Sage Isaacs." I shook his hand, ready to pull mine away if his grip was too tight or my gift kicked in.

"She's a curator. I was asking questions about her background," Talia supplied.

"I, too, would like to learn more," Justin told me smoothly, "but business first." He took Talia's elbow. "Only three haven't sold."

"Then let's get them sold." She grinned over her shoulder at me.

I looked around for a place to deposit my glass. Wine wasn't my drink of choice. However, I'd learned I was constantly approached to take a glass if I didn't hold one.

I saw a tray stand close to where Roman and Julieanne were holding court and made my way to them.

"There you are," Julieanne said, smiling. "How did you like Ms. Belle?"

"She's interesting. She had questions about my work." I ended with a shrug. I'd learned long ago that you could dislike somebody right off, but it took time to figure out if you wanted someone added to your circle.

Twenty minutes later, Justin and Talia approached our group. "Roman, Julianne, I was telling Talia about your gallery, and she is interested," he began.

"Ours is different from here," Roman began.

"I find this place rather pretentious," Julieanne added.

"I'm getting the feeling that yours has personality?" Talia winked at the couple.

"With photographs, I believe there are times that one needs an idea of how they will fit into their life. Not all art should be held by museums," Roman said, sharing his view. "It should experience life with you."

"I ask that the walls be a shade of white or black, with a few drops of blue added. However, this facility didn't comply." Talia frowned. "Serge believes he knows better."

I immediately understood why. "The blue would bring out hints of the moonlight."

She smiled at me. "Exactly."

"Sage has a magnificent eye. She always has," Roman stated proudly.

"Are you free for lunch tomorrow?" Julieanne asked. "You can look around our gallery, and then we can have a nice gossip over a meal."

"Will you join us?" Talia asked me.

I felt my eyes widen in surprise. "I could."

"I'd like to hear more about your work," Justin added smoothly.

"Perfect." Julieanne clapped her hands. "We'll see you at noon and then lunch."

"My afternoon is open, so we have time to get to know one another better," Talia nodded and left us.

"I think you might get a job offer," Roman said quietly.

"Or not." I wasn't getting my hopes up. Artists liked the idea of working with someone until they had to pay them.