“I’ll be damned,” Boden said as he crouched. Gizmo launched himself at Boden the best he could with wheels still attached. “Don’t flip yourself over.” He lifted his eyes to me as he gave my dog a good rub. “Who’s this?”
The bite of earlier frustration melted away at his tenderness with my pup. “Gizmo, troublemaker and gallery mascot.”
Boden scratched behind Gizmo’s ears. “All the best dogs are at least a little troublemaker.”
“I’d say he has more than a little in him.” Gizmo licked Boden’s cheek. “He’s clearly fond of you.”
“He can probably smell my dog on me. She’s waiting in my truck.”
“Oh—”
The door opening cut me off, the bell overhead tinkling. “Laiken, good, you’re still here. I wanted to run something by—oh, I’m so sorry. Here I am, yammering on, and we have a patron.” Gilly’s eyes widened a fraction as she placed his face. “Quite the patron, I see. She held out a hand. I’m Gillian, owner of The Gallery.”
She sent me a sheepish smile. “Though owner in name only, really. Laiken runs this ship.”
His gaze tracked back to me, staying a moment longer than necessary. “She clearly knows what she’s doing. It’s a wonderful collection of pieces.”
“She has the best eye out there. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“I found it. That photograph by your anonymous artist.”
I fought the urge to squirm, instead keeping my face an impassive mask.
“Ah, one of my favorites.” Gilly turned to the photo, her gaze sweeping over it like a caress.
Even though no one knew I was the artist, I still felt Gilly’s support. Every time she pushed to meet the photographer. Every time she lingered at one of my pieces or gasped when I revealed a new work. She was my champion without even knowing it.
“So, do you know the mysterious artist?” Boden asked.
Gilly chuckled. “I wish. I’ve been pushing Laiken for an introduction for years now. She never gives in.”
Boden glanced back at me. “A good keeper of secrets, then.”
“The best.” I was a master at keeping my grief and pain hidden from those around me. But I was also tired. Sometimes, it felt as if I were constantly bracing myself for a blow. I needed to set that down. To give my muscles a chance to relax.
“Laiken?”
Gilly’s voice cut through my spiral of thoughts. “Sorry. What?”
Concern lined the planes of Boden’s face. “I was asking if anyone tried bribing you.”
I laughed but knew it came across as forced. “I’m above bribing.”
Boden winked. “We’ll just have to see about that.”
Gilly’s lips pressed into a firm line as she seemed to struggle to keep from laughing.
I rolled my eyes and stepped behind the desk, waking up my computer. “How about you just pay for your photo instead?”
Boden handed over his credit card. “I can do that. For now.”
A pleasant shiver skated down my spine. I focused back on the screen, typing in the amount and the buyer details. “Is there a phone number or email you’d like me to contact when the photo is ready to be taken home?”
“If you want my phone number, you can just ask. I’ll give it to you.”
I couldn’t hold in my snort. “I’ll be sure to block my number when I call you. Wouldn’t want to gain a stalker.”
Boden let out a bark of laughter. “Laiken, I think you’re my new favorite person.” He pulled a card out of his wallet as I handed him back his credit card. “Here’s all my information. Call anytime.”