Heart, Love, and Money

ication, foot traffic was minimal the occasional passerby wandered in, browsed halfheartedly, and left without buying. Emil

nside. Her breath caught as she recognized him immediately-Alexander Reed. She set her coffee down

h as she remembered. His eyes scanned the room bef

voice betraying her surprise. "

taking a step closer. "I

s parting words at the gala, chalking them up to

piece of the collection: a striking abstract in shades of blue and green that Emily had pour

a loss for words. "Thank you

lexander said, tu

ted. "It's

amusement in his expression.

le. The price tag on the painting was more than she usually dared to charge, bu

anded him the painting. "This

aid. "But that's not th

ly, curiosity piqued

'd like to commission you to create a series of paintings for an upcoming charity event I'

true. But suspicion crept in. Why would someone like Alexand

she asked

eplied simply. "And because I beli

ng, it felt like a leap into unknown territory. C

ink about it," s

by her uncertainty. "Take all the tim

r a long moment, staring at the door. Her heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The ch

uccess or pull her further into a wo