The Art of Zen, page 59
Spencer felt Tia’s eyes on him. As Thomas and Abby joined his parents, he turned and made eye contact with Tia. A subtle jerk of his chin motioned for her to come join them.
Tia excused herself and made her way across the room. Halfway there, she passed a waiter with a tray of champagne glasses, held one up in offer to Spencer, and selected two flutes at his nod. As she approached, she handed Spencer his glass, then stepped next to him and felt his hand settle at her waist.
“Mom, Dad,” Spencer interrupted the parents’ chatter. “This exquisite woman is the amazingly talented, Tatiana-”
“Meyer,” his mother interrupted and shook Tia’s hand.
“Tia, these are my parents, Beth and Brent.”
After pleasantries were exchanged, Beth gave Tia a wicked grin and complimented the show. “I am in love with your work!” she gushed. “These paintings are exquisite, just like Spencer said.” Her voice lowered conspiratorially. “It’s obvious my son knows how to please you.”
“Mom!” Spencer sputtered on a sip of champagne. He looked at Tia like she was crazy when she tilted her head back with a laugh, then jolted forward when his father clapped him on the back.
“He gets it from his old man, right honey?” Brent sent Beth a flirtatious wink.
Beth laughed along with Brent and Abby. Thomas’s cheeks turned red to think about his little girl and the content of some of her work, though he was proud of her. Tia looked at Beth when she placed her hand on her arm to get her attention.
“I want a personal tour of your work, but first, since I have all of us together, I want to share a story that I’m not sure you remember.”
“Me?” Tia questioned with a hand to her chest.
Beth gestured between Tia and Spencer. “Both of you. I remember you as a little girl, Tia. You and your parents visited us after the holidays one year.”
“We did?” Tia asked, confused. She looked to Abby for clarification.
“You were young,” Abby answered. “We dragged you all over the place in our travels. I didn’t think you’d remember, so I hadn’t said anything when you told me about Spencer.”
“Yes,” Beth continued. “It was right after the first of the year. Sophie, that’s Spencer’s sister, was off on a trip to Disneyworld with her best friend’s family.” Beth smiled proudly at her son. “Spencer was so sweet. He had met all of you briefly, then left with his father to pick up something I forgot for dinner. Tia, you had to have been eight or nine years old at the time, which would’ve made Spencer eleven or twelve. He saw you had no toys with you and figured you had to be bored, so he asked his dad to stop at FAO Schwarz. With his own Christmas money, he bought you a Malibu Barbie doll so you would have something to do.”
Tia’s brow wrinkled as she thought back to the moment, she looked between her parents as the memory slowly came back to her. “That was when I started to love drawing. You insisted I leave my sketchpad at the hotel because you knew I’d get lost in my own little world and you didn’t want me to be rude.”
“That’s right,” Abby answered.
Beth chuckled at the memory. “Before Spencer got home, our cook snuck you a notepad and a pencil. You drew our Christmas tree. You showed amazing talent at such a young age. I saved that drawing.”
“That’s so sweet,” Tia answered. She looked at Spencer, shock and awe was on his face.
Spencer shook his head in wonder. “I remember that friends of my parents were there with a little girl who had nothing to do. She sat at the table with her hands properly folded in her lap and she had the biggest doe eyes.” His eyes scanned Tia’s hair as he gave her a crooked grin. “And a mop of curly brown hair.”
They smiled into each other’s eyes and said in unison, “That was you.”
“Oh, my God,” Tia breathed. She reached for Spencer’s hand and held on tightly. “All I remember is that the boy with the pretty blue eyes gave me a Barbie. I still have that doll. I think you may have been my first crush, Spencer. Wait!” she cried when a memory hit her. “After we left that night, I drew you. I drew the boy with the pretty blue eyes.”
Beth smiled warmly at Thomas and Abby as Tia and Spencer stared at each other. “About five years ago, I reached out to Abby to see if she thought we should introduce the two of you.”
Abby chimed in. “But Tia was in a relationship with-”
“The worthless piece of crap,” Thomas muttered.
Beth chuckled and continued. “And Spencer had just started seeing-”
“The socialite with no soul,” Brent grumbled. “Never did like that gold digger.”
“Well...” Beth nodded with Abby. “Our timing may have been off, but it looks like we didn’t need to. These two found each other.”
Spencer took Tia’s hand and pulled her away from the small group. As they took a few steps back, they both heard his mother’s voice. “I don’t know about you two, but Brent and I are ready for a few more grandkids.”
“Tia.” He searched her eyes. “You kept the doll?”
“She’s in a memory box somewhere, probably with the picture I drew of you.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“Me either,” she giggled.
Spencer took another step back and pulled Tia into a corner with him. He linked his fingers with hers and placed a kiss on the back of her hand. Her skin was soft against his lips as he kissed her hand repeatedly, slowly, looking into her eyes with all the love he had for her. “I’ve never believed in fate until right this moment.”
“It’s surreal, isn’t it? I remember you, Spencer. Not when we first met here at the gallery, not when we irritated each other and we’d fight, but just now... once your mom told us that story, it all came rushing back to me.”
“Me too,” he agreed.
“Girls remember their first crush, and even though I didn’t put it all together until just now, it suddenly occurred to me that no one has ever measured up to the boy with the pretty blue eyes. The boy who bought me the Barbie doll... my first gift from a man who wasn’t my father.”
“Now that I remember, I feel like I’ve been waiting for you. All this time. Every now and then a memory would come back of the cute little girl with the deep, soulful eyes, and that hair...” He reached for her curls that fell over her shoulders. “It’s always been you, Tatiana.”
Tia blinked quickly as her eyes filled with tears. “And it’s always been you,” she whispered.
“Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and planted a firm kiss on her mouth. When Tia’s lips lingered, he stepped further into the shadows to steal the moment with her.
Beth and Abby exchanged tearful smiles while their husbands looked on. She slipped her arm through Abby’s and tapped their champagne glasses together, then nodded decisively. “I’m ready for more grandchildren.”
Abby nodded in agreement. “Between your son and our daughter, I can see that they’ll make beautiful babies.”
Chapter 40
Beth shared a laugh with Abby when Spencer and Tia slipped deeper into the shadows. “Well, I don’t think I’ll be getting a personal tour from Tia any time soon. Come on, let’s go take another look at your daughter’s creations.” She pulled Abby along and walked to the beginning of the series to admire Tia’s work.
Brent stood back with Thomas for a minute, the two men watched their children kissing in the corner. Brent raised his brows, then gave Thomas a good-natured grin. “What do you think?”
Thomas watched his daughter with mixed feelings. While he was happy for Tia that she had found love, the protective father in him felt a tug of disapproval to see her in a heavy lip-lock, even if he did greatly approve of her choice of man. His words were opinionated but his tone was jovial when he answered Brent. “I think your son should get his hands off my daughter’s ass.”
Abby returned to tug on Thomas’s arm, having caught his comment. “Come with me, Tom, let Tia enjoy the moment. Beth thinks she’s buying the painting I want. She’s talking with Vivian about offering her a higher price. I know we can beat that.”
“This isn’t an auction, Abby,” he reminded his wife.
“Of course not, but I know Vivian loves a good spar. If Beth outbids me, then Tia will get a higher commission.”
Never one to turn down a friendly competition, especially if the outcome benefitted his daughter, Thomas joined in Abby’s enthusiasm. “Perfect! Let’s see how much we can squeeze out of Brent and Beth.”
Vivian considered Beth’s offer of five hundred dollars over the price of Liabilities when Tom and Abby joined in the impromptu auction and offered five hundred more. She looked back and forth between the parents as they weighed in on the painting of Tia high up on the scaffolding, and Spencer standing below her with worry all over his features.
“I think we should have it,” Abby argued. “It’s our daughter and it shows her strength and determination, regardless of her size.”
“I see that,” Beth agreed. “But it shows our son worried about a lawsuit. Spencer’s usually so calm and collected, to see his feathers ruffled is amusing. Especially by someone so petite.” She tilted her head as she studied the painting. “Tia really caught the expression in his eyes, with the way he scowls.”
“Concentrates,” Brent defended Spencer, wearing the same expression on his brow. “He gets it from me.”
Vivian looked between the group as they all rattled off reasons why they should get the piece. She placed two red circle stickers next to the painting because regardless of who won the playful argument, it was clear this painting was sold. “I’ll let the four of you fight this out for a few more minutes. If you’ll excuse me.” She was summoned by a well-known dowager who thrived on spending her late husband’s money, and she smelled a sale. A large one. She noticed the woman was with her male companion, known on the local scene as a bit of a lecher, but a filthy rich one. On the way to the couple, she spotted Tia and Spencer in the corner, indulging in a rather scandalous public display of affection. Completely out of character for Tia in the past, but just what her friend deserved in the present. Vivian didn’t hesitate to interrupt them.
She marched right up to them and tapped Spencer on the shoulder. “May I have her back now?” Vivian asked politely.
Spencer broke the kiss but kept Tia in his arms. His voice was low and husky with desire, his blue eyes were bright with want. “Sorry,” he stated.
“Mm,” Tia sighed. She trailed the pad of her thumb along her lower lip and reluctantly tore her gaze away from his. “Viv, you have to hear what we just found out.”
“You can tell me later.” Vivian pulled Tia out of Spencer’s embrace and snapped her fingers in front of Tia’s eyes to get her attention. “I need you. The Princess and The Perv are here,” Vivian announced.
Tia giggled at the nickname Vivian had for the pair any time the dowager and her constant companion made the tabloids. “Wow, this must be some show you’ve got here if they showed up.”
“That’s what happens when you get Page Six involved. You need to come and schmooze with me.” She tugged Tia’s arm, then stopped abruptly. Her hands were swift as she reached for the bodice of Tia’s dress and opened it wide to better show off her cleavage. “They’re small but perky. One look at your tits and we’ll close a sale.”
“Hey!” Spencer interjected. He adjusted Tia’s dress so it hid a peek of anything on her chest. “Her art will sell without a peep show.”
Tia took a step back from both of them and smoothed her hands over her chest so her dress fell where it was supposed to. “Let’s leave my tits out of this,” she suggested. “I’ll schmooze with you, though.”
“Perfect!” Vivian agreed. “Spencer, you go break up the auction between your mothers.”
“Auction?” Tia questioned.
“Yeah,” Vivian snickered. “Your mothers are outbidding each other on Liabilities. I’m curious which one will win because they both have valid reasons for wanting it.” Vivian’s face lit up with pride. “Half of your paintings have sold, Tia. Let’s have another sell-out, shall we?”
Tia’s face brightened with glee. She gave Spencer a quick kiss, and let Vivian lead her away. “Time to hustle myself. I’ll catch up with you soon.”
Nearly two hours later, Spencer caught up with Tia as she was talking to a local blogger who made a special trip to Tia’s show so she could post about the event. He seamlessly stepped into the conversation when the woman began to ask him about Tatiana’s and Tia’s mural in the restaurant. She was also looking forward to sharing more information about their personal connection. Between the restaurant name and Tia Zen’s new series, she was excited to write about their love story.
Spencer wrapped his arms around Tia’s waist and hugged her from behind as they stepped back and surveyed the room. The show would be over soon and the crowd was starting to thin out. Alcohol still flowed freely, soft music tinkled into the room, yet could barely be heard over the volume of conversations flowing around. The scent of fine fragrances and a plethora of men’s colognes mixed together somehow managed to be soothing and not overpowering.
Spencer placed a kiss on the back of Tia’s neck and whispered in her ear, “I’m so proud of you.”
“Mm,” Tia murmured as she leaned into him. Her feet hurt and her stomach grumbled. From leftover nerves or hunger, she couldn’t quite pinpoint. “Thank you.”
“Nearly sold out,” he said with pride.
She nodded. “Close.”
“Are you ready to sneak out yet? I think our parents are ready for a meal instead of fancy appetizers.”
“Oh...” Tia turned to him with hesitation. “I’ve never left a show before.” She glanced over her shoulder when Vivian stepped to her side. “I can’t leave.”
“Sure you can,” Vivian insisted. “This is only your third show, but trust me, most artists don’t stay the entire time.”
“But last time-”
“Last time,” Vivian interrupted. “You didn’t have a date or both sets of your parents waiting to go out and celebrate you.”
“But-” Tia tried again.
“Spencer,” Vivian directed her attention to him. “Why don’t you go round up your parents? That will give me a minute to talk my artist down.” She waited while he nodded and set off to do as she requested, then she turned to Tia. “I’ve done this before, I can handle it.”
Tia lowered her voice so only Vivian could hear. “You’ve replaced paintings after a show with cardboard signs?”
“Tory will help me,” Vivian assured her.
“Viv!” Tia cried, then lowered her voice when a group nearby glanced at her. “No one is supposed to know.”
“Relax,” Vivian said. She too lowered her voice and did everything she could to keep a straight face while she told Tia a blatant lie. “Tory only knows we’re replacing the paintings because you’re worried about a break-in. She doesn’t know the rest. I’ll stay open for another hour and lock up shortly after.”
“What about dinner? I want you there,” Tia pouted.
“I’ll have to miss this one.” Vivian kissed her on the cheek, then turned her in Spencer’s direction and gave her a light push. “Go,” she insisted. “That man loves you and this is an important dinner with the parents.”
“There are three paintings that haven’t sold,” Tia pointed out.
“And I can’t try to sell them if I’m bickering with the artist.” She kissed her once more. “Go. Have fun. I’ll be in touch to tell you how the rest of the night goes, I promise.”
Tia was baffled at how Spencer could miraculously pull Marcelo out of thin air. She didn’t question it when she and Spencer settled into the backseat of his BMW and headed toward Chadwick’s Steakhouse.
Basking in the glow of success, Tia put her trust in Vivian and let her handle closing the show. Because she was in such high spirits, she didn’t give a second thought to the fact that she didn’t suspiciously stare at every person in the room, wondering if they were going to attempt to break in tonight. She snuggled against Spencer and enjoyed the ride, her voice was barely audible over the hum of the car.
“I feel guilty that our parents had to take a cab.”
Spencer placed a kiss on her forehead. “We wouldn’t all fit in here. They’ll be fine.”
“I suppose,” she sighed. “Should we have invited Mario? I didn’t see him.”
Marcelo took the opportunity to chime in from the front seat. “He left with Theresa about an hour ago.”
“Oh.” Tia was disappointed. “I feel bad I didn’t say goodbye to him.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Marcelo assured her. “He had a great time, but he was more focused on spending some time alone with her.”
“Well,” Tia murmured. “I hope they have fun. I’m proud of him.”
Spencer patted her leg and let his hand linger. “I think it’s safe to say Mario won’t be working for me much longer.”
“No big deal, boss,” Marcelo responded. “We have a big family.”
“That you do,” Spencer answered with a smile.
The ride to the restaurant was smooth given the late evening hour. Tia and Spencer exited the car as their parents arrived at the same time in a cab. The group of them followed a hospitable Vincenzo as he led them through the restaurant and to a private table near the fireplace. The same private table where Tia and Spencer had their first date.
“This is nice,” Tia complimented.
“Our table,” Spencer replied. He looked at the adjoining tables placed together to create one large table to accommodate their group. “Well, our section, anyway.”
Wine was open and ready to pour. Appetizers were already in the center of the table so the six of them could help themselves before they ordered. Tia was just about to sit down when her father’s voice stopped her.
