New York Billionaires Series

Nadine grins. “Thank you.”

“She’s coming on Friday. Usually she stays with me, but this year she’s staying with her friend Gwen. Thank God for that. I think she’d have a heart attack if she came into this apartment.”

Nadine looks around, a smile on her lips. “It is rather… austere.”

“I’ll tell her over dinner. It’s the only way.”

“Will you introduce her to St. Clair?”

I twist the rings on my left hand. “I want to. But I don’t know if it’ll spook him. My mom is nothing like the kind of people he’s used to. I mean, our childhoods couldn’t have been more different.”

Nadine shrugs. “It could be a test. If he cares about you, he’ll do it without hesitation.”

“That might apply to normal men. I’m not sure if it applies to him.”

She tuts. “He’s a normal man, Cece. I don’t want to hear you giving him special allowances just because he’s rich and powerful.”

“I’m not doing that.”

“Good.” She looks like she has more to say, but the sound of the front door opening stops both of us. Bonnie’s in the kitchen preparing. Steven never comes into the apartment unannounced. Which means Victor’s home early.

Nadine smiles. “This should be interesting.”

Victor stops in the living room, gaze moving between the two of us. “Hello.”

“Welcome home,” I say. My cheeks feel warm and I don’t know what to do with my hands. His eyes glitter, meeting mine. Seeing all of it and more.

“I didn’t know you were coming over, Nadine,” he says. “Would you like to stay and have dinner with us?”

She glances at me before responding. “I’d love to, but I’m afraid I can’t. I’m going to a new exhibition opening in Noho.”

“The Tavaso Gallery?” he asks, shrugging out of his suit jacket.

“Yes. Do you know it?”

He nods. “They called about investing, a year or so back. I passed at the time, but I might reconsider. The place looks good.”

“It does. They’re opening an exhibition on the theme of Ruins tonight. The lineup is impressive.”

“Well, the next time we see each other, you’ll have to let me know what you thought,” he says.

“Sure, happy to.”

I clear my throat. “One of the paintings Victor bought from you hangs in the lobby of Exciteur now. It has a large sign next to it with your name.”

Nadine’s voice turns high. “It does?”

“Yes,” I say. Victor had taken a picture of it one day and sent it to me. No comment along with it, no explanation. Fulfilling his side of the bargain, and yet… it had made butterflies explode inside.

“Wow,” she says. “Thank you, Victor.”

He nods, working on the sleeves of his shirt, rolling them up inch by inch. “Temperance is a good fit. Come by and see it some day.”

“I will.” Nadine looks at the both of us, a stunned expression on her face. “I’m not sure when I’ll get used to the idea of my paintings actually being out there in the world. I’m not sure if I ever will. It still feels surreal.”

“You will,” I say. “Because it won’t stop happening.”

Victor hums in agreement. “Own it. You worked to get to this point, and if people didn’t want your art, they wouldn’t buy it.”

We say goodbye to Nadine and she shoots me a mouthed oh my god! in the hallway. I grin and mouth good luck! back. She’s going to the Tavaso with Jake for their second date.

Victor is talking to Bonnie in the kitchen when I return. He’s seated at the table, long legs stretched out in front of him, uncorking a bottle. “Wine?”

“Yes, please. Although we can’t have it every night. We’re becoming alcoholics.”

He waves a large hand, his wedding band catching the light. Wearing it every day, the twin to mine.

“We rarely have more than one glass each.”

I sit down opposite him. “You’re persuasive.”This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.

“I know,” he says, lips quirking. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I say. “We already said hello.”

“Yes, but you had guests.”

“Well. Hello, then.”

He glances at Bonnie. What would he do if she wasn’t here? Pull me across the table and kiss me hello? Lines are blurring, and yet I couldn’t be happier.

Bonnie serves us salmon, broccoli and wild rice, a dinner that’s so healthy it’s practically fighting our cholesterol with every bite. It’s also delicious, with a sour cream sauce and rye bread.

We’re halfway through dinner before I ask the question. “I have something coming up this weekend that I need your advice on.”

“Not Carter’s investment, right? It’s too soon.”

“No, not that. This is family related. My mother is coming to town.”

“Ah. Yes, you mentioned that a while back. Have you told her?”

“Not about our marriage, no. Not that I quit my job either. I’ve been… avoiding it.”

He puts his fork down, eyes focused on mine. “Do you want to share it with her?”

“Yes. We’ve always shared everything. I know her reaction might be negative, but I couldn’t live with myself if I kept this lie of omission up for an entire year.”

“Then you should tell her,” he says. “Do you want me to be there?”