Read Online Resilient (2) by Nikki Mathis Thompson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Nikki Mathis Thompson
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door, which was attached to a black Range Rover. Offering his hand, he helped her into the soft leather seat. They made pleasant small talk on the way to the gallery and he mentioned several times how amazing she looked. He seemed a little surprised, but in his defense she usually wore her glasses, hair in a clip, and jeans to class. He was getting the full-on glam treatment tonight.
“You clean up pretty well yourself, Hayden.” And he did, wearing a slate gray suit over a thin striped shirt, no tie. It was impeccably tailored and his cologne smelled crisp with a hint of pine. His blond hair was brushed back, but a small piece kept falling over his eye as he spoke. She found that very cute. The night was mild, so she decided to leave her cashmere wrap in the car. He offered her his arm and they entered the gallery.
The space was very sparse and industrial with the exposed pipes in the ceiling. Some of the walls were white plaster and some cement. There must have been close to fifty people milling about the small, brightly lit gallery. Hayden greeted various people as they made their way to grab a drink. She took a sip and was about to inquire after the artist when a tall, slender blonde bounced up to them.
“Hayden, you came!” she said, throwing her arms around her cousin.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss your big debut.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it a debut, more like an over-priced show and tell.”
Katrine liked her immediately.
“Kimberly, this is Katrine. We’re in the grad program together.”
“Very nice to meet you, Katrine. Please call me Kim.”
“You too. Your work is amazing. Kim. Show and tell or not, you’re truly talented.” And she was, from what Katrine had seen so far. She worked in oils of vibrant colors, all varying subjects. The one she was admiring now was of a coastal landscape with cliffs covered in tall yellow grasses with angry seas below.
“Thank you. Most of my peers are into more modern interpretations, but I prefer landscapes. Travel is my other passion, so the places I visit are the source of my inspiration. This is the Western coast of Ireland,” Kimberly said with a spark in her eye.
“Well, whatever your inspiration, they are divine. I would hang them in my house.,” Katrine complimented. Kim smiled and took her by the arm, giving her a personal tour and description of each work. The like, was apparently mutual.
“Cuz, can I steal my date back, please.? My parents want to meet her.” Katrine flinched a little.
“Don’t worry. I told them we were just classmates, but they want to meet you anyway. Is that okay?”
“Sure, sorry. Knee jerk reaction.” She took his arm and they made their way over to a very elegant couple. His father was an older version of Hayden and his mother was a blond-haired beauty with a warm smile. Katrine found them to be lovely and wasn’t sure what Hayden’s problem was with them. Who knows what happened behind closed doors. Outward appearances were often bullshit., but her radar was picking up genuine kindness. Maybe Hayden was just a spoiled brat after all, creating drama for the sheer hell of it. Not her problem. He was cute and fun to be around, and that was the extent of their acquaintance. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t let him kiss her good night. He had a nice mouth and her lips were aching to be kissed. Her tongue felt thick and wet in her mouth from sheer anticipation.
She excused herself to find the ladies’ room. As she was drying her hands, her purse dinged.
What are you doing?
On a date, thank you very much.
What! With who??? Do I know this guy?
Chill, he’s the guy from my class.
The one who has the hots for you?
Yes, now let me get out of here. He’s gonna think I fell in. Don’t you have a girlfriend to woo?
She laughed and threw her phone back into her purse. Ian sounded a bit protective and that made her very happy. Maybe being a little unattainable worked both ways.
They made
“You clean up pretty well yourself, Hayden.” And he did, wearing a slate gray suit over a thin striped shirt, no tie. It was impeccably tailored and his cologne smelled crisp with a hint of pine. His blond hair was brushed back, but a small piece kept falling over his eye as he spoke. She found that very cute. The night was mild, so she decided to leave her cashmere wrap in the car. He offered her his arm and they entered the gallery.
The space was very sparse and industrial with the exposed pipes in the ceiling. Some of the walls were white plaster and some cement. There must have been close to fifty people milling about the small, brightly lit gallery. Hayden greeted various people as they made their way to grab a drink. She took a sip and was about to inquire after the artist when a tall, slender blonde bounced up to them.
“Hayden, you came!” she said, throwing her arms around her cousin.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss your big debut.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it a debut, more like an over-priced show and tell.”
Katrine liked her immediately.
“Kimberly, this is Katrine. We’re in the grad program together.”
“Very nice to meet you, Katrine. Please call me Kim.”
“You too. Your work is amazing. Kim. Show and tell or not, you’re truly talented.” And she was, from what Katrine had seen so far. She worked in oils of vibrant colors, all varying subjects. The one she was admiring now was of a coastal landscape with cliffs covered in tall yellow grasses with angry seas below.
“Thank you. Most of my peers are into more modern interpretations, but I prefer landscapes. Travel is my other passion, so the places I visit are the source of my inspiration. This is the Western coast of Ireland,” Kimberly said with a spark in her eye.
“Well, whatever your inspiration, they are divine. I would hang them in my house.,” Katrine complimented. Kim smiled and took her by the arm, giving her a personal tour and description of each work. The like, was apparently mutual.
“Cuz, can I steal my date back, please.? My parents want to meet her.” Katrine flinched a little.
“Don’t worry. I told them we were just classmates, but they want to meet you anyway. Is that okay?”
“Sure, sorry. Knee jerk reaction.” She took his arm and they made their way over to a very elegant couple. His father was an older version of Hayden and his mother was a blond-haired beauty with a warm smile. Katrine found them to be lovely and wasn’t sure what Hayden’s problem was with them. Who knows what happened behind closed doors. Outward appearances were often bullshit., but her radar was picking up genuine kindness. Maybe Hayden was just a spoiled brat after all, creating drama for the sheer hell of it. Not her problem. He was cute and fun to be around, and that was the extent of their acquaintance. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t let him kiss her good night. He had a nice mouth and her lips were aching to be kissed. Her tongue felt thick and wet in her mouth from sheer anticipation.
She excused herself to find the ladies’ room. As she was drying her hands, her purse dinged.
What are you doing?
On a date, thank you very much.
What! With who??? Do I know this guy?
Chill, he’s the guy from my class.
The one who has the hots for you?
Yes, now let me get out of here. He’s gonna think I fell in. Don’t you have a girlfriend to woo?
She laughed and threw her phone back into her purse. Ian sounded a bit protective and that made her very happy. Maybe being a little unattainable worked both ways.
They made
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