Chapter 8

Valentine

My father had called earlier and asked that I join him for lunch.  I was mildly surprised as he had been in and out of the office a lot this week.  I had a meeting at 1 so I asked if he minded ordering in.  He said no problem and he'd see me at 12.  

It was 12:15 by the time I stepped out onto his floor.  I noticed the difference immediately as instead of blank walls desert prints now hung.  While I had always seen the photos that hung there, I'd never really paid attention to them.  They were amazing.  I felt like I could reach out and touch the sand in some of them.  Adira must have been by.

I hurried to my father's office and walked right in.  "Sorry I'm late.  I couldn't get Craig..." I started before realizing my father wasn't eating alone.

"Well come in.  Don't just stand in the door.  Craig is always the worst to get off the phone," my father replied as my eyes stayed on Adira. 

She smiled at me a little and I nodded back.  "Hello.  I saw your photos out there.  They look great," I said closing the door behind me and walking over the sofa to sit next to my father.  He handed me my ususual from the burger joint around the corner. 

"Thank you," she replied blushing slightly.  I was surprised.  I couldn't remember the last time I saw a grown woman blush as much as she did.  It was ... endearing.   We ate in silence for a few minutes, before my father picked up the conversation they must have been having before I walked in.

"So your gallery opening.  Are you ready?  Are you excited?" he asked, clearly directing his question to her.

She smiled brightly.  "Almost.  I've got three more independents to set up and then I can put the finishing touches on the rest of mine.  But Adrian has been great.  He's got everything ready.  The security, the valet, the wait staff.  It will be great, which reminds me.  Charlie, turn," she said and he did.  I watched as she pulled an evelope from his vest and handed it to my father.

"Your tickets.  There's 20 in there each with a plus one for you to give out.  Your name is already on the list so you don't need a ticket. Doors open at 8, but I'll be there all day so you're more than welcome to come early.  Some of the prints for the silent action in July will be on display but they are marked.  I figured we could draw up some interest in them before hand," Adira said.  Her face was so open and expressive.  I had a hard time not staring at her. 

"Thank you cara.  I have had much interest in your gallery and I know these tickets will go well.  That is a good idea putting them on display.  I am excited to see what you've done to the place," my father replied finishing his food.  

I half listened as they talked about the changes she had made to the building that she apparently owned but I was lost in watching her talk.  I had to admit that I'd done a little snooping on her when I couldn't get her out of my mind.  She graduated high school at 16 with several scholarships.  Her mother passed when she was 15.  She graduated college at 19.  All the articles I could find of her mostly talked about her professionalism and her charity work.  There was an article on her gallery opening and I was amazed to see how she was helping promote other people's work as well as her own.

"Alright, well thank you for lunch Gio.  I've got my next shoot in less than an hour and I need to get the studio set up.  It's supposed to be a good weekend if you want to come over Saturday afternoon.  I'll be shooting until 3 or 4.  I figure I'd open up the grill and throw on some steaks or something, maybe a brisket," Adira said, drawing my attention back to their conversation.  

"Of course I would never turn down a dinner invitation from you.  I'll bring the steaks and the wine though, si?" My father replied standing to hug her before walking with her.  At the door she turned and made eye contact with me.

"Good bye Valentine," she said softly smiling.  "It was great to see you again Adira," I replied grinning at her to watch her reaction.  Sure enough she dropped eye contact and a blush graced her cheeks as she walked out.  I cleaned up all of our food wrappers and met my father at the door.  

"Was there a reason for lunch?" I asked straightening my tie.

"Do I need a reason to have lunch with my two favorite people?" he replied, raising an eye brow at me.  

"Non papa.  I just wanted to make sure you didn't need anything before my meeting," I said quickly.  "The prints she brought look nice."  

"Yes they do.  You should get some for your offices downstairs.  Would bring some color and life to it.  You could go to the gallery opening and pick some out," he said handing me 2 tickets.  I stared at them for a minute before taking them and sliding them in my jacket pocket.  Maybe I would go.