And then came the autumn. The heat had finally abandoned Houston, and the weather was just splendid. Halloween was approaching, so Vicky and I started preparing a big costume party for charity. A lot of work awaited. This year Vicky has been focusing on her family life and building her nest. As soon as she and Nicholas came back from their honeymoon, they bought a beautiful house in that “old money” neighborhood River Oaks, just a block away from our parents’ residence. It’s a modern and stylish house, but Vicky and Nicky decided to slightly change the interior. Also, my sister truly immersed herself into cooking classes. She’s been studying Italian cuisine lately and hasn’t been showing up at the gallery very often. We used to share all the charity event duties; I would take care of the artistic side of things by picking paintings and preparing auctions, and Vicky would always invite guests and hire catering. This year I’ve been the one to do it all, and despite three more people helping me at the gallery, I’ve remained the decision maker.
In America Halloween is sweet children’s holiday. All the kids impatiently wait for it every year. That’s why all the money we raise will be given to two charity foundations for children. One of them is a children’s hospital organization. It helps find funds to treat children from low-income families and families without any health insurance. The other foundation, that my mom has been in charge of for many years, helps Russian orphanages.
Our family takes all these charity events quite seriously, especially when it comes to helping kids. I got to spend a lot of time in New York. I was looking for new art works, new artists, visiting galleries and exhibitions, and luckily met a group of young artists from Los Angeles. All three of them have been creating avant-garde collages, a mix of painting and photography. Their color palette is just so vivid, and some New York galleries already took an interest in them. Several of their works were already bought by famous collectors of contemporary art, which gave them a lot of exposure. Nevertheless, I managed to convince them to come to our party in Houston and bring five of their pieces. I would love to be their agent. It’s not the first time I realize it’s time to open another gallery in New York. Unfortunately, Houston is not a city with a lot of art events, so young up-and-coming artists don’t want representation by Houston galleries. That’s why some of them have already slipped out of my hands; I found them as beginners, introduced them to major collectors, and arranged their first sales. However, they still signed their contracts with New York galleries, apologizing that they couldn’t choose me. Now they are all big stars, with their works worth hundreds of thousands.
These guys from LA are so cool though. I love their pieces, and I can just tell that a bright future awaits them. They want to move to New York. In my opinion, the most talented of them is Andy. Young, educated, fun, handsome, and very promising. He’s the one with the bright future; he is the soul of the group and the generator of all their ideas.
I think he is attracted to me. We went to lunch in New York a couple of times. That attraction is mutual. It’s easy and fun to spend time with him. The last time we shared an amazing pizza, since New York is famous for the best pizza in the world. Then we bought some ice cream and went for a walk in Central Park. Turned out that we like the same music, books, and movies. We really have a lot in common, and quite a pleasant connection has developed between us. I often think of him, and these thoughts make me smile. We started texting each other, and it has been happening more and more. He convinced his artistic group to come to my charity event in Houston. He also hinted at signing a contract with me and making me their sole rep if I opened a gallery in New York. He jokingly added that it all would happen if I agreed to meet him for dinner.
I don’t know… He is cool, but five years younger than I. Also there exists a golden rule about not mixing work and play.
Thoughts about Andy distracted me from work. I was still at the gallery after 7 pm. Vicky promised to send me catering contacts, but probably got sidetracked by her family life again and totally forgot. Suddenly my phone beeped. It was a text from Andy. “I wish you were here. I am off to LA tomorrow.”
I smiled again, pleased to receive his message. I answered him without delay. “Don’t drink too many cocktails tonight, or you’ll miss your plane. Or do. I am going to New York tomorrow.” He responded right away. “New York tomorrow? I will change my ticket. I want to see you.”
To be honest, I’m only flying there for a day. My realtor will show me five potential spaces for my future gallery. So, my reply goes like this: “Nice to hear this! But I am on a tight schedule and only going for a day. See you in Houston in a couple weeks!” And his answer right away: “Gotcha. Miss you.”
I smile. It’s nice to read this. Vicky still hasn’t sent the contacts. Fine, she has an excuse. After all, she just got married. I love her and will let her enjoy her family life. I am happy for her, even though I miss her so very much.
Okay, enough work for today. I have a plane to board early tomorrow. I picked up my keys and my phone, lowered the blinds, and walked out of the gallery. Dealing with that door’s heavy lock is always a challenge. You have to really press it hard, otherwise, the key won’t turn. I’m calling a locksmith tomorrow. Always so much trouble with that door.
“Can I help?” someone asked behind my back.
I dropped the key, my heart almost jumped out of my chest, while I broke out in a cold sweat. This voice, this slight accent. Impossible to not recognize.
I turned around and saw Alex.
“That’s a long working day,” he said grinning. “I have been waiting for half an hour already.”
“Why?” That was the only word I could muster. He really incites some strong emotions in me. I’ve almost forgotten how attractive this man is. Athletic and so well-groomed, if one can apply such an epithet to man. His haircut, his dressing style, his fragrance, so unusual and barely discernible. He came up close and I could feel it right away. The same fragrance he was wearing on the way to Portofino…
“I’ve just arrived in Houston. Wanted to invite you to dinner. Any plans tonight?”
I was staring at him and couldn’t believe that Alex was standing there, right by my gallery.
“I just don’t know anyone in Houston, so maybe you could keep me company and tell me what restaurants and other places I should check out?”
He noticed my hesitation. I really didn’t know what to say.
“And by the way, you owe me one. I gave you a ride to Portofino,” said Alex.
I really wanted to reject him. He had hurt me too much back then.
I was just starting to forget that one day we had spent together. Our morning, coffee at the airport, our ride to Portofino, him running his hand down my back when saying goodbye at Splendido hotel, that evening when I saw him with his ex. Only one day, but the memories lasted several months. And now when I calmed down and met Andy, when I immersed myself into work, and my life got back to normal, Alex showed up again.
I wanted to say no, to let him know that I had plans for that evening and all other evenings, but my good upbringing and empathic nature didn’t allow me to do so. How could I leave him hanging when he didn’t know anyone in the city.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“You told me about your big gallery. My assistant made an effort and found one in Houston, with the owner named Sophia. There are not so many galleries here, by the way.”
“What cuisine do you like? What restaurant should I pick?” I asked.
“You choose; I am an omnivore. Any restaurant works great in good company.”
“Are you driving?” I asked blushing. Once again, his words made me all embarrassed.
“I took a taxi, no car here.”
“What if I wasn’t at work?” I inquired in amazement. “This is Houston; can’t get far without a car.”
“To be honest, I saw you first, and then let the taxi go. Plus, Uber is always helpful”
How smug of him! I, on the contrary, felt like a little girl or a cornered animal. This man is stronger, more confident than I, and he has an overpowering vibe. At the same time, I can’t just walk away; I want to stay with him. These emotions are so strong. I don’t want to feel them, but deep inside I am glad he found me.
We got into my car. Thankfully, I have a spacious car, and we didn’t have to sit in tight quarters, like on our way to Portofino.
I buckled up and turned to Alex.
“I’ll rephrase. Meat or fish?”
“Meat, since we are in Texas.”
“Okay, then we are going to my favorite, good old Capital Grill.”
It only took us ten minutes from the gallery to the restaurant. I stopped the car and gave my keys to a valet.
I was wearing skinny gray jeans and a lovely blue shirt that day. It helped that it had been raining that morning, so I didn’t take a long walk with Rocky and had time to pick a nice outfit. All too often, after my walks with my pup, I would simply jump in my car wearing a tee and shorts. This is Houston; if you are not a sales rep or an office worker, you are free to wear shorts to work.
The restaurant was full, as usual, but they found a table for two in a corner.
I pretended to be studying the menu, even though I knew it by heart. I had no choice, since I could see, or, more exactly, feel, that he was studying me.
“A glass of champagne to start?” asked Alex.
“Sure.” I looked up from the menu for an instant, but then lowered my eyes again.
Alex lightly pulled on my menu.
“If it’s your favorite place, you should know the menu perfectly.”
He stared at me intently, while my heart was beating not just in my chest, but also in my neck and ears.
A waiter came up to us. Alex asked for a bottle of champagne.
“Will it make you feel better if I say I am only here to see you? I just felt like spending an evening with you.”
“It won’t,” I replied faintly. It really didn’t. Instead, I began feeling sort of panicky.
Alex glanced at me with sadness.
“I don’t like the way you’ve been reacting to me. You either dislike me, or I scare you a bit. Not pleasant.”
The waiter brought the champagne and filled up our glasses. I took a big gulp, then another one. That should help, I told myself.
Suddenly my phone beeped to indicate a text. Just an hour earlier, I would have happily grabbed the phone to see if it was from Andy, but it all changed now. I don’t care whether Andy texts me or not. Alex told me he was there just to see me. I couldn’t believe it.
Right, don’t believe it, exclaimed my mind. I already thought one time before that he liked me, but that wasn’t the case!
The phone beeped again. “Sorry,” I said and threw a quick glance to the screen. That was from Andy indeed. I could read it later.
“Your boyfriend?” asked Alex with a smile.
“A potential one,” I answered cheerfully. I was happy with my quick comeback. “He’s now in New York,” I added.
“Things haven’t been working out the way I wanted in Houston.” Alex changed the subject. “I’ve accepted that already. I really wanted to try that new type of business – scientific field, to be precise. It was my emotional decision, but I’ve now calmed down. If something doesn’t work out easily, if there are a lot of obstacles, I shouldn’t be taking that direction. This is my credo.”
“I am sorry. Back in Portofino, you were full of hopes and enthusiasm for this new project,” I said. Champagne relaxed me a bit, and I was already on my second serving.
“I don’t take things that seriously. Guess it wasn’t meant to be for me. I have three more new projects in the pipeline. They are not any less interesting. Back in summer, it seemed to me that I was meant to do that project. But I was driven by my emotions.”
“No more interesting plans in Houston?” I asked.
“No more. I’m off to New York tomorrow.”
I smiled. “I’m off to New York tomorrow, too.”
“To see that potential boyfriend?” asked Alex.
“No, for work. I am looking for a gallery space. I would like to open another one in New York.”
The conversation took a calmer direction, and I wasn’t intimidated anymore, thanks to my favorite champagne. I liked talking to Alex and wanted to tell him about my new project.
“I often get to meet talented artists, creative people with a bright future and potential. I can recognize it. But they all want to be repped by New York galleries, not Houston ones, and I’ve been losing some promising folks.
“That’s a very exciting project. Do you need investors?”
“No, but I need more experienced collectors and philanthropists.”
“I can gain a lot of experience as a collector,” replied Alex.
I chuckled. “I have no doubts about that. However, I need the ones that already made a name for themselves. If they buy something from me, it should work towards building a reputation for me and the artists I represent. Serious collectors, they are just like big gallery owners or museum curators. If they purchase from you, they make a name for you.”
The waiter came back to take our orders.
Alex ordered the same exact thing I did, telling me he trusted my taste. I picked a lobster soup and my favorite aged steak with porcini.
Alex told me about his New York condo. He had bought a large penthouse with a view on the Central Park, except he hadn’t moved in and probably wouldn’t, because they only allowed small dogs, no more than 30 lbs of weight, and he wanted to bring his Lab to New York. Due to that, he was quite unhappy with his lawyer who had helped him purchase the penthouse. Alex was not trying to sell the place, but to just annul the deal and start a search again. He said he really loved New York and was planning to live there and make it his home base.
The dinner went so quickly, without me even noticing, since talking to Alex was so pleasant. It seemed to me he was interested in what I had to say, too. I invited him to our charity auction, and he said he would try to come, but if not, his company would surely donate to support children’s foundations.
We said no to desserts, and the waiter brought our check. Alex picked it up and took out his bank card.
“Let me pay! I am the host here!” I exclaimed.
“I showed up uninvited. Also, it’s such a pleasure to take a beautiful woman out to dinner.” He even frowned, to get his point across better.
Alex signed the receipt, and we exited the restaurant. The valet brought my car back.
“Where should I take you?”
“To Portofino!” he replied with a grin.
“We are a bit far from Portofino this time.” I smiled too.
“I’ve been reminiscing about our trip a lot!” confessed Alex, without taking his eyes off me.
“Same here,” I replied shyly.
“Would you like to fly to New York together? My plane is leaving tomorrow at 11 am.”
“Sounds enticing, but no!” I collected all my willpower. “First, 11 am is a bit late for me, since I have four viewings scheduled. But more importantly, something was indeed happening on the way to Portofino. I had a feeling that there was chemistry between us, but whatever happened later that night rid me of that illusion.”
“That was Irina, my ex-wife. It was a business conversation, and I wasn’t able to quit it. Honestly. If you knew me well, you’d realize that I never step in the same river twice. Let bygones be bygones.”
He took my hand to attract my attention. I looked into his eyes. “The former wife, a business talk; nothing romantic! I also think that something was happening on the way to Portofino, Sophia!”
I hit the gas and drove away from the restaurant.
“What hotel are you staying at?” I asked.
“Granduca,” replied Alex.
“This is just five minutes away from my place.”
“Then why don’t you park at home, and I will just take a walk.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’d like to walk. Great weather, a warm evening. It’s already a bit cool in New York. Maybe we could have dinner in New York tomorrow?” suddenly asked Alex.
“I don’t know. I was thinking to fly back in the evening,” I said in all honesty. I really didn’t know if I wanted that.
I stopped my car near the tall building where I lived.
“Thank you for a pleasant evening. That’s me,” I said quietly.
“Great to see you, gorgeous Sophia!”
And once again I blushed.
“Let me show you the way to the hotel.” I got out of the car.
Alex also stepped out and we found ourselves together on a narrow sidewalk. He was taller than I. I glanced at him and noticed his stare, just like the one in Portofino, when he was trying to decide whether I was worth his effort and attention.
Or at least that’s what it looked like to me. I explained to him how to get to the hotel. Suddenly some strong wind blew and messed up my hair. Alex came closer and adjusted it.
“Do you like caviar?” he asked out of the blue.
“Yes, why?” I inquired, surprised.
“I’ll book a table for two for tomorrow at Petrossian for 8pm. Caviar and champagne. If you can make it, I’ll be glad. If not, I’ll have just a dinner. That’s the plan.”
“I’ll think about it, I need some time,” I mumbled. “That is an unexpected invitation, so I have to make up my mind.”
He came up even closer, and his lips brushed against my hair.
“You have to make this decision, because it’s up to no one else. Just you,” he whispered.
He hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and walked towards the hotel.
I got back into the car and drove to the parking garage. I was a bit shaken up. His embrace woke up strong emotions in me, the proverbial butterflies in the stomach. He only held me for a second and kissed on the cheek, but the butterflies just wouldn’t go away.
But he’s a complicated one. What a strange dinner invite, somehow ambiguous. If I show up, it will mean I agree to start our story. It’s undoubtedly implied. He is a man of quick decisions and doesn’t like wasting time.
There is no levity or initial friendliness in his invitation; it’s a bit forced.
I am not even sure I want to join him in that restaurant. I might not even make it on time, since I have four viewings planned, and then my agent Suzie and I might go to dinner. She has done so much work for me, found all these options and interesting spaces for the gallery.
Also, I am in Houston, and he is in New York. Sounds like his Houston project is over with. I doubt we have any chance for a future together.
I got into an elevator on the way from the garage and clearly realized I shouldn’t go to that dinner. I don’t want the strong emotions he elicits in me; I am scared of them.
I opened the door to my condo. Rocky rushed towards me, wagging his tail. I squatted down next to him and ruffled his fur.
“We’ll go for a walk right now, baby,” I said tenderly. Then I turned on the light and went straight to my closet, sweeping my hand across my evening outfits… What am I wearing to Petrossian tomorrow?
