Grace had known the milestone was coming and hoped she’d be the one to witness it.
“He wanted his bunny. He learns quickly. He was so pleased with himself.” Selah would have gone on, but Grace said she needed to work and ended the call. The hurt sank deep. Would Selah be the one to hear Samuel’s first word and see his first steps? If she had a choice, would she rather Selah be the one to see these things or a day care worker?
Talia peered in. “Everything all right?”
Startled, Grace glanced up. “Yes. Fine.”
“You looked so serious.”
“How was he?”
“Grim. The show isn’t the only thing on his mind. Well, I’m off and running. See you this evening.” She ducked out and then came back in again. “What do you know about the divine Jasper Hawley?”
“Not much.”
“I’d like to know that gentleman better.” She waggled her brows. Grace laughed and wished her luck.
The two men came inside and talked in the living room. Grace thought she’d go out and clear the patio table, but the tray with coffee mugs was on the kitchen counter. Jasper looked happy to see her. “Roman said you went to UCLA.”
“I didn’t graduate.”
“But you were studying clinical psychology? Do you have plans to finish your degree?”
“I’m chipping away at it. One online class at a time.”
Roman wore an odd expression. “I don’t know why you bother. I pay you more than you’ll ever make as a social worker, which is all you’ll be qualified to do with a bachelor’s in clinical psychology.” He gave Jasper a glance. “She’d need a PhD for anything better, wouldn’t she?” He raised his brows at her. “How old would you be by that time, Grace?”
She was tired of being on the receiving end of his bad mood. “About your age—and a lot happier.”
Jasper laughed.
Mortified, she waited for Roman to say something nasty. His mouth tipped slightly. Had he been baiting her? She ignored him and addressed Jasper. “Right now, the main thing I’m studying is my Bible.”
“A worthy endeavor.” Jasper smiled. “I’ve been known to read the Good Book myself.”
Roman looked preoccupied. “Grace, I need you ready at five. Talia wants us there early.”
“Brian is picking me up at four. I told Talia I’d—”
“Brian?” His eyes narrowed. “Who’s Brian?”
“A friend. He’s interested in your work.”
“What’s he do for a living?”
“He’s a youth pastor.”
“He couldn’t afford it, and you’ll be working.”
She let both the insult and the reminder go. Jasper was watching the exchange with far too much interest.
Roman stared at her. “Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off? You’ll need time to get ready.”
Her lips parted. Did he just imply it would take hours for her to make herself presentable? “I’ll try not to embarrass you.” She wished he’d do the same. Roman started to say something and pressed his lips together. She looked at him and waited. Maybe he wanted to ask her what she was wearing. When he didn’t say anything more, she gave Jasper an apologetic smile. “I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. You will.”
Roman would need a handler.
Grace returned to the cottage. It was going to be a long, tense evening, if this morning had been any indication. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about what to wear. Shanice had taken her shopping last week. “You’ve been out to coffee and dinners with Brian, but this is your chance to shine, girl! You need to dress up!” She knew of a classy boutique in North Hollywood that sold gently used designer clothing at great prices. They found the perfect little black dress with a ballet neckline, fitted waist, and straight skirt. “Grace, you’re a stunner in that dress!”
“No one will be looking at me, Shanice. This is Roman’s night.”
“You’re there with Brian. We want him looking at you. Leave your hair down. If I had hair like yours, I’d let it grow to my waist.”
She’d kept it short for a year or so, but it was getting longer now. Patrick liked long hair, so she let it grow while they were together. He also liked blondes, so she bleached her hair. She was glad to be past that nonsense.
With a few extra hours on her hands, Grace checked to see if she had any new responses to her post for a babysitter. Three applicants had answered Grace’s questions and left references. Grace made a few calls and eliminated two. The third had already taken a position as a full-time nanny.
Grace took her time getting ready. When Brian arrived, Grace didn’t have to wonder if she looked good. His gaze took her in from her legs to her hair. “Wow!” His response pleased her. She said he looked very handsome in his black suit. He admitted it was a gift from a lady parishioner, a widow whose husband had been active in a Masonic lodge. Brian had needed a good suit to perform weddings. He grinned and said he figured it was appropriate for a gallery gala.
Grace wondered if Roman had a suit and felt a shiver of alarm that she hadn’t thought to ask.
She and Brian talked all the way to Laguna Beach about upcoming youth events, the latest local, state, and international news, and his plans for a summer mission trip to Mexico. His kids had held a couple of fund-raisers. Brian had enough adults already signed up to help mentor and monitor the students.
Talia knew how to be a show as well as run one. She looked like a colorful work of art in a Bohemian caftan. She shook hands with Brian and hugged Grace. “You’re stunning! This evening is going to be fantastic! I feel it in my bones!” She beamed with excitement. “I’ll bet we sell every one of Roman’s paintings before nine.” She leaned in closer. “Even with the ridiculous prices I’ve put on them.”
It didn’t surprise Grace when Roman came in wearing black jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt under a black leather bomber jacket. What did surprise her was the way her heart quickened. Dismayed, she looked away and met Jasper Hawley’s gaze. He spread his hands as though helpless to do anything about Roman.
Talia groaned. “I should have known he’d rather be dead than caught in a suit.”
Grace knew Talia wouldn’t have cared if Roman showed up shirtless and in jogging shorts, as long as he came to the party.
Roman hated crowds. He hated being the focus of attention. He hated even more when people talked as though they understood his art and knew something about the way his mind worked based on what he painted. At least he had the satisfaction of watching them pay through the nose for pieces that didn’t mean anything, let alone reveal hidden secrets about his psyche. Someday, someone would figure out he was a fraud with no pedigree, education, or real talent.
Someone touched his arm—a voluptuous blonde in a designer gown that screamed money. She talked about her search for new talent and how she loved to collect pieces from little-known artists. Her smile left him without doubt what kind of collection she was talking about. A few months ago, he would have taken her up on the invitation. Right now, he was trying to be polite and civilized. He looked at Jasper, thankful when he stepped closer and joined the one-sided conversation. Roman glanced around the room and spotted Grace.
The black dress fit perfectly. She smiled at Prince Charming, who stood right beside her, dressed in a suit. The guy had his hand at the small of Grace’s back as they talked with an older couple, the touch of ownership. Brian whatever-his-name-was looked like the kind of man who’d fit in anywhere. That guy was a minister? Had he and Grace had sex yet? Did youth ministers even have sex? Why should he care if they had sex or not?
Roman emptied his glass of champagne and plunked it on a display pedestal with a bronze eagle in flight. A server quickly picked it up.
“Could you try to smile?” Talia offered Roman a canapé. “Maybe another glass of champagne will help.” She plucked one from a tray and offered it to him.
“I think I’ve had enough.” He wasn’t talking about champagne.
Jasper was watching him, too, and had an oddly speculative gleam in his eyes.