A/N: I changed the name of the artist that Bella wants to feature. I forgot that her dad is married to Sue Clearwater and that they live in Florida. I've gone back and corrected the other chapter, too.
Happy reading!
32
The store is packed the following Friday. Angela, ever the miracle worker, had successfully put together a grand opening complete with catering of small hors d'oeuvres. She called in a favor to one of her friends that owned a catering company that agreed to take on the event on such short notice. Angela really was amazing, and I'm pretty sure she had a contact for pretty much anything.
She posted about tonight on our social media last week, and we're seeing the results of our increased social media presence in reality. There's barely enough room to breathe, much less move. It's a little overwhelming to have people I don't know coming up to me, telling me how amazing they think my work is.
There's a small group of people around Rachel Black's display, listening as she explains the meaning and history behind each of the pieces she's brought in.
It hadn't taken long for Angela to hear back from Rachel after she sent the email. She enthusiastically agreed to be featured, going on to say she's been following me for a while and is more than happy to work with us. She and Angela have been in constant communication since then, with Angela putting together a small biography on Rachel that's now posted on our website and various social media accounts.
When I met Rachel earlier today, she was more bubbly than her art would make it seem; it caught me off guard. She's pretty with long black hair, brown eyes, and russet skin, and all smiles; however, once she started talking about her work, an intensity came over her that was both inspiring and intimidating. She clearly cared a lot about what she put on a canvas, and given the small crowd around her, I'm not the only one that thinks that.
"Here she is." Angela is saying to a woman with caramel-colored hair, grabbing me as I'm walking by. "Bella, this is Esme. She was just telling me how much she loved this painting." Angela motions to a landscape piece on the shelf above our heads. It was one of my personal favorites. It was a field of wildflowers with a couple sitting in the distance.
"Hi," I shake the woman's hand, taking in her soft features and green eyes that look so familiar it gives me goosebumps. "It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well." Esme gives me a warm smile, making me feel immediately comfortable.
"Excuse me. It appears we're having an issue at checkout." Angela excuses herself. I look over in the direction of the checkout counter across the room where a line has grown. One of our new cashiers, Lauren, was waving Angela over.
Lauren and Jessica, our other new employee that was at the register next to her, had been two of many candidates that had responded to the Indeed and LinkedIn post about the position. We only planned on hiring one person, but they were both so great during their interviews that we couldn't decide. After our accountant assured us we could take on both without going broke, we offered them both a position. Given how busy we were tonight and the fact we are continually gaining new followers, we were going to need the help.
"You're really talented, Bella." Esme looks back up at the painting. "I'm an interior decorator, and I'm also looking for new places to find art, especially local. I think you might be my new go-to place."
I shift on my feet, biting my lip. "Thank you."
"Compliments make you uncomfortable." She observed, seeming amused.
"Maybe a little." Compliments had always made me uneasy. I thought over time it would get easier, but it hasn't happened yet.
"It's not necessarily a bad thing. Humility is a good quality."
We've been talking for a few minutes when an arm comes around my shoulders.
"Sorry I'm late." Edward apologizes, kissing my temple, but he pauses when he sees the woman standing in front of me. "Mom? What are you doing here?" Now I know why her eyes looked so familiar; they looked exactly like her son's.
"Don't give me that look." She tells him, but it's not angry, crossing her arms. "Your sister and I happened to be in the area and saw the grand opening sign. We didn't walk in knowing it was your girlfriend's store." Then to me. "I wouldn't ambush you like that."
"I believe you." I give her a smile. I did believe that she wouldn't do something that shady; she seemed too nice. It was just a freak thing.
"Alice is here?" Edward continues, looking stressed.
"Yes, she's around here somewhere." Esme tells him, that amused look back on her face as Edward rubs his face with his hand. "Are we that bad?"
"No," he rushes, only making her look more pleased. She liked teasing him. She would get along well with my mom, who still hadn't let me forget about the other morning. "I just didn't want this sprung on her, and you know Alice. She's a lot."
"Yes, Edward, I know what my daughter is like. I gave birth to her."
I bite my lip to keep from laughing as I witness their exchange. She's torturing him and loving every second. I liked her before I knew she was his mother, but I like her even more now. It was a bit refreshing to see Edward off-kilter, especially when it was usually me.
"Hey, mom, I think…" A woman with shoulder-length black hair and bright blue eyes walked over to Esme but was startled at the sight of Edward. "Hey, big brother."
"Ali." He greets his sister, looking like he wants the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
"Aren't you going to introduce me?" She asks, motioning between me and her.
He released an irritated sigh. "Alice, this is my girlfriend, Bella. Bella, this is my sister, Alice."
"This is also her store." Esme adds in when Edward doesn't, making Alice's eyes light up.
"Edward said you were an artist, and I figured you were good, but damn." The way she phrases her compliment makes me laugh.
"Thank you. I've never had someone give me a compliment quite like that before."
Turning to Edward, she gives him a wide grin. "See, we met her, and the world didn't stop."
He pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "I'm getting a migraine."
"Jesus, you're so dramatic." Alice rolls her eyes. "He's always been dramatic." She mutters to me.
"Alice!" Edward scolds, glaring at her.
"I didn't say anything embarrassing." Her eyes twinkle. "Yet."
"Alright, you two." Esme breaks in to calm down things between them. "Your sister and I have a few more errands to run. We're going to have a late dinner at Baron's if you want to join us." She looks at me. "I hope you do."
"I'm sorry." Edward turns to me, looking apologetic. "We don't have to have dinner with them if you don't want to."
"It's okay. I actually liked meeting them." I tell him honestly. "And I would like to go to dinner with them. They seem nice."
"They are." His shoulders relax some. "My sister is a lot to handle. Believe it or not, that was her on good behavior."
"You've met my mom. She's also a lot. I think I can handle your sister."
"You're sure you want to go to dinner with them?"
"Yeah," I nod. "I want to get to know your family."
See you next time.