Chapter 9
Tony plucked a glass of champagne off the nearest tray and made his way through the crowd gathered at the opening of Madeleine's newest gallery. A particularly heinous work of art glared at him from a wall on the right. Its splashes of red and green surrounded what appeared to be a couple in the throws of passion. Although it might have been two dogs just as well, it was hard to decipher from the abstract shapes. He shuddered knowing that someone would spend an inordinate sum to purchase what they would think was art.
"Awful isn't it?" came a whisper by his ear. He turned, surprised to find himself looking into Madeleine's dark eyes and winning smile. He flashed a smile of his own. I was just thinking that myself. How are you Leine?" he asked bending to bestow a kiss on both cheeks, although he didn't have to bend too much. Madeleine was taller than most women he knew, delightfully so. "I'm doing wonderfully, thank you!" She turned to look at the painting again "Yes the painting is dreadful, but unfortunately I can't risk offending the artist since we sell a lot of his work. And you know as well as I do that the nueveau riche think that a photo of a chewed up piece of gum is a work of art these days." They both chuckled.
"But, I'm so glad that you made it." She said "Especially since Sami and Lucas backed out at the last minute." "Oh," he said a bit disappointed and relieved at the same time. "They're not coming?" "No, Sami said that Lucas wasn't feeling well. But it's alright, it just means I get you all to myself." She said linking her arm through his. "If you don't mind playing escort for me?" She smiled up at him. "Not at all, my dear." He said smiling back and patting the elegant hand laid on his arm. "Not at all."