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I swipe over to oing back toto focus onperfect for his return All I can think about is how I felt in his ar andminutes I should file in the proper folders for Beck My personal checklist for the weekoff before ten, and now as the clock nears one, it begs for my attention to reassure myself I’ve done all I can for the show

I wasn’t this worried about allery, not even about my senior exhibit Those were done with a sense of purpose and the excitement of “Look what I can do!” This one is proof that I haven’t wasted years of my life: proof to myself, to my Dad and Jean, and to Beck He believes in me, and I want to prove to him that his faith in me is warranted

There is a soft chime as the elevator opens down the hall, and I realize just how quiet it is during lunch when no one else is on the floor I listen for footsteps, and I hear heels clicking against the flooring, nearing my door I buzz the entrance for Jean as she sweeps into the lobby with a cartoon villainess sarette holder to complete the look

“Here’s your pizza, Lia” She sets down the box on arlic so cups for your soda; sorry Your dad sends his love and a promise that he’ll be back froht” In her words is the unspoken declaration that she won’t be there I don’t mind; in fact, I’ht It’s one more chance at perfection

“Thanks, Jean I appreciate it” I invite her to sit down, but she is already headed for the door “And, Jean, thank you for getting me this job” It was Beck who hired me, who asked for me, but it doesn’t hurt to stay on my step-ood side

“Anytiether so my food up here if you need me to…”

My cheeks ache as I fake a smile, and I know I probably look ready to puke instead of actually agreeing, but I try “I’ll let you knohat my schedule is once Mr Huntsworth is back in the office Things will probably be pretty busy as he catches up”

Speaking of the devil, Beck’s text tone sounds from my drawer, and it’s an effort not to reach for it immediately I wait until I see Jean disappear into the elevator before grabbing ht” His texted words are followed by a wink, and ether an unpleasant sensation, but I don’t know if I cannot to make Beck and me part of the presentation I don’t reply to his text; there aren’t si to make indifference hard to maintain

My skirt hem tickles the back ofkeepsdown to scratch for the seventh ti hostess like she has waited her entire life for this show Honestly, I didn’t know there were this ht The place is packed

I know at least three pieces have sold: two paintings and a ht show The promise to help the purchaser set it up was part of the purchase price Even after the gallery’s cut on the sales, I should clear enough to pay back the rest of Dad’s loan Within two ain In six, h to rent studio space I know better than to over extend my resources this time If I don’t have at least three months’ worth of studio rent in the bank, I can’t consider the venture Given how it turned out last time…

Besides, could I really leave Huntsworth Industries? Even just one day with Beck followed by five weeks of taking anized left me not only with a pleasant bank account, but with a sense that I’m part of a place that makes a difference in the world Beck has created a co as I canhis secretary