“I knew that weeks ago. Are you dating now or what?”
“Yeah, but we’re keeping it on the down low for a while, until Isla gets used to the idea or I mess it up.”
“Why do you think you will mess things up?”
Rich blew out a mouthful of air. “Because I always do.”
“Just because you’ve done it before, doesn’t mean you’ll do it again.”
“Sure.”
James eyed him carefully. “What part of your life did you mess up? Because right now all I see before me is a successful ER attending whose patients adore him even though he doesn’t get to spend more than a few hours with them. Whose sister is holding a show where her paintings aren’t only amazing, but covered with sold signs. And we all know that she did this thanks to your support.”
“And she had to do it without parents by her side. In a wheelchair.” Rich felt a lump in his throat.
“Jesus, man. You need to stop beating yourself up about it.” James’ eyes narrowed. “I get it, I do. Of all the people here, I get what you’ve been through. The pain, the guilt, the fucking wallowing. The second guessing when good things happen in your life. I did them all when I met Harper, and you told me to get over myself. Remember?”
“I remember.” James had lost his first wife and their baby son in a car crash. “But yours wasn’t wallowing. It was grief and it was real.” He’d been by James’ side every step of the way. Nobody had been happier than Rich when his best friend met Harper and they’d gotten pregnant. Even if the two of them had to fight for their love.
“If it can happen for me, it can happen for you. If you only let it.”
Rich swallowed, his throat thick. “I hope so.”
James opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of a bell ringing swallowed his words. They turned to look at the center of the gallery, where Carlyn was standing next to Belle.
“Can I have your attention?” Carlyn called out, her voice clear. Her gaze swept over to Rich and then away again, her expression unchanging. “I’d just like to say a few words, and I know that Belle has a few thank yous to impart. So if you could give us a couple of minutes, then you can relax and get back to her beautiful paintings.”
The murmur of conversation died down.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Belle for choosing The Sunshine Gallery for her graduation show. It isn’t often I get to be part of an artist’s journey from the beginning, and I think you’ll all agree with me that this beginning is very special.” Carlyn smiled. “Every piece that Belle paints has magic to it, and I know she’ll go far.” She looked down at Belle. “I just hope you’ll remember me when you’re famous.”
Belle blushed, saying nothing.
“I’d also like to thank Delmonico’s for providing the food and drink, and Alex, Martin, Rhian, and Stuart, all art dealers from L.A., for coming down to our little gallery to take a look at what we have to offer in Angel Sands.”
Carlyn looked over at the entrance, her face lighting up. “There are some other people I’d like to thank, too. You probably all know Danny Lawson. He’s a huge patron of the arts, and we’re honored that he came here to Belle’s show this evening. Some of you also know his girlfriend, Ellie Pritchard, and I guarantee that every one of you will know her after her next movie is released.” Carlyn smiled at the glamorous couple in the corner, lifting her glass to them. “Thank you for adding such elegance and sparkle to the night.”
Danny and Ellie nodded, unfazed by the attention they were getting.
“We have one final surprise guest. Somebody I think you’ll all know, because he’s part of the biggest band in America right now.” She beckoned at somebody in the back of the gallery. Rich glanced at the door, seeing a tall, muscled man wearing shades standing there.
“This is Dylan Nash. The drummer for Everyday Feels Like Sunday, who are riding high at number one on the billboard charts.” Carlyn’s face was alight, as she held her hand out to him. “Welcome, Dylan. We’re all so happy you’re here.”
Rich followed as Carlyn’s eyes landed on Meghan, who looked pale. Her hands were shaking, the champagne sloshing against the sides.
And he was pretty sure her reaction had nothing to do with being a fan of his band.
25
Rich closed his eyes as he remembered Meghan telling him about Isla’s father.
The bands would come in after their sets and hang out in the area. One of them – a drummer – took a bit of a liking to me. He’d stand by the line while people bought their food and talk to me.
There was no way Dylan Nash was Isla’s father. That was too much of a coincidence, wasn’t it? But then he watched as Dylan made his way toward where Carlyn was. He gave a smile and a wave to the crowd, his eyes scanning until they reached the corner.
Dylan looked over at Meghan, his expression melting into relief as he caught her eye. The drummer walked over to where she and Harper were standing and leaned in to say something in her ear. Meghan shook her head and pressed her lips together, her eyes shining a little too brightly.
He was Isla’s father. He had to be.