Sophie had a meeting with Mr. Heshman midafternoon to view her artwork. She made sure she was back at her apartment with enough time to lay out all her paintings to view easily.
“These are incredible. I would like to display them all,” Mr. Heshman commented as he stood before the work spread out around her apartment. “The colors and the details are amazing. This is exactly what my gallery needs to give it a fresh look.” Mr. Heshman was a tall man with a slim build. His facial hair was trimmed in a very unique manner that gave him an artsy look with his thick framed glasses. He was excitable by nature and warm in his approach. Sophie knew immediately that she liked him. He had a very endearing energy about him.
“Sophie, you are such a pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity. I will arrange someone to pick up these paintings over the next few days and then we will be in contact to discuss appropriate pricing for each piece. I assume you are willing to part with everything should the price meet your satisfaction?”
“Of course. Except for one painting. I don’t wish to sell this piece.” Sophie indicated the painting of Ashton that drew her eye no matter where she was in her apartment.
“Ah…this one holds special meaning,” Mr. Heshman acknowledged with understanding. “Well, I would love to display it regardless. If you are willing to part with it temporarily, that is?”
“Yes. That would be fine,” Sophie agreed.
“It was a pleasure, Sophie. I would be interested in showing any future pieces that you create. Please be in touch. I think this arrangement will suit us both very well if your work is received as well as I anticipate. I have been in this business long enough to recognize unique and wonderful talent when I see it. I would also like to set up a photo shoot to get your picture taken. People are always interested in discovering the artist behind the canvas and you my dear, are too lovely not to show off.”
“Thank you, Mr. Heshman, for this wonderful opportunity.” Sophie shook his hand.
“Please call me Falon.”
The meeting went better than she expected. She was excited with the possibilities this arrangement could bring for her. Mr. Heshman had very good connections in the art world. Painting was something that she knew she was supposed to be doing. When she sat down in front of her easel she had no doubts, she was made for expression with art. Sophie loved the feel of a brush in her hand and the smooth glide of the paint as it spread across the canvas.
“That went well.” Mel walked up beside her and nudged her side.
“It was probably all the cookies you kept feeding him.” Sophie laughed. The apartment smelled of vanilla from Mel’s creations.
“I needed an unbiased opinion. He certainly liked the oatmeal ones.”
“Or maybe the half-dressed girl that kept feeding them to him.” Sophie nudged Mel back.
“What? These shorts make my butt look hot.” Mel defended her insanely short shorts with an innocent smile and flutter of her eyelashes.
“That’s because you can see your butt.” Sophie laughed and shook her head. “I’ll drop that paperwork off to John on my way back to Margaret’s. She loaned me her car.”
“Well, aren’t you just weaseling your way into that woman’s heart,” Mel said as she dropped a bunch of cookies in a paper bag. “Here you go. Test some out on your rich friends and see how they like them.”
“Thanks,” Sophie said, grabbing the bag from Mel and the folder with their finalized business proposal.
“Take care of yourself, Sophie. We got a business to start and the circles under your eyes are scaring me.” Mel placed her hands on her hips.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Oh…I think I will move back into my place today. I am paying rent after all.”
“Are you sure? You know that you are welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“As much as I love your sofa,” Mel said sarcastically, “I’m ready for the next step. Besides, things between me and Dustin are getting serious and I don’t think you want us making sweet love on your sofa.”
“Very true. Glad we’re on the same page.”
Margaret’s recovery was going well and Sophie noticed she was getting her energy back. Sophie smiled when she noticed her painting was hung over the fireplace in the main sitting room. “It’s like it was always meant to be there.” Margaret said. “Marcus hung it up when he was here earlier. They are heading back home and were sorry that they couldn’t see you again before they left.”
Sophie felt bad that she had intentionally avoided coming over when they were here but she couldn’t bring herself to face them. She felt like they were disappointed in her for having walked away from Ashton. He had told them before he had left to take his job that they were no longer together. “I’m sorry that I missed them. They are so lovely.”
“I think they’re still holding onto the hope that the two of you will get back together,” Margaret said with a sad smile.
“Ashton and I not being together is the best for everyone in the long run,” Sophie declared.
“I have to disagree and I know that Ashton feels the same way. I’m not sure what happened between the two of you but the look in his eye when he said goodbye to me today was not the look of someone who wanted to leave.” Margaret smoothed the blanket over her lap.
“There’s too much history and heartache between the two of us,” Sophie admitted.
“I think that the only thing that his heart has known is love for you.” Margaret said. Sophie sat down on the chair beside Margaret with a sigh. “But unfortunately it is not always enough. I’m sure everything will unfold as it is supposed to in time.” Margaret smiled like she was holding a secret.
“I suppose.” Sophie frowned. His heart unfortunately also knows something for Lucinda…
“The heart is a very complicated thing,” Margaret said thoughtfully.
***
Sophie kept herself busy for the weeks leading up to her mother’s wedding. Margaret had received positive feedback from her doctor in regards to her recovery and success in removing all cancerous tissue from her body. They were now monitoring her closely and making sure her progress continued. Within a couple of weeks she was back to her usual busy self, booking her schedule with events and meetings to continue her work in the community. Sophie admired her strength. Margaret had even helped Sophie plan her mother’s bachelorette tea that came together beautifully. Margaret had arranged for it to be hosted at an elegant country club. The staff served the most delicious sweets and sandwiches to accompany their tea. All of the women in her mother’s life came together to celebrate their friendships and wish her mother well in her new life with Peter. Her mother had many friendships that developed over the years that filled the void of family she did not have. Sophie knew most of them. They were all familiar in her childhood memories. Sophie couldn’t wish for a better group of people to be in her mother’s life.
Falon had arranged for her pieces to be picked up. Her apartment felt bare after all the paintings were packed up and shipped out. The gallery opening date was set and Sophie looked forward to seeing how her work was received. The financing had also been finalized for their Cookie Café and Mel and Sophie were preparing for their grand opening to take place a week after her mother’s wedding. The work on the building was close to completion. Their menu was confirmed after consuming an insane amount of cookies and perfecting recipes that kept the girls up late for many nights.
Sophie stood in the small office in the back of the café that smelled of fresh paint. Two small desks were sitting in the room with a couple of filing cabinets. The girls decided on warm, inviting colors for their café and were very pleased now that they were covering the walls.
Sophie held a letter from their investor. They had not dealt with the company personally. All their dealings had gone through John, who operated as the middleman. Sophie was grateful the investors were taking a chance on their new company. Without the financing this would not have been possible. Sophie had written a letter to thank them for the opportunity, making it possible for them to open their new business. She had given it to John to deliver and was surprised she had gotten a response. Sophie sat down in her chair and opened the letter.