“I’d love you to stay one more day if you’re okay with it.”
“I’m more than okay spending more time here. What do you want to do today?”
“Actually, I need to drive to Aspen to check on my grandma’s store,” Bre said, stepping out of his embrace. “It’s been closed since she had the stroke.”
“Is this the store your mom said was now yours?”
“Yep.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“I’m not sure. It’s in a quirky old building on Main Street. She sells a bunch of trinkets and local arts and crafts. It’s a great location, but I don’t think she made much money.”
“Where did you want to work when you moved home?”
“I wanted to find a job at an art gallery.”
“Then why don’t you turn the store into an art gallery?”
“I don’t think I have enough experience. I worked in an art gallery during college, but that’s it.”
“Then find a partner who knows more and has the contacts you’re missing. I’m guessing your grandmother owned the shop free and clear, so it shouldn’t be hard to find someone who would be interested.”
Bre smiled, realizing she did know someone. “You know what? I think I just might know the right person.”
“Really?”
“Yep. The manager of the art gallery where I worked in college is dying to open his own gallery, but he doesn’t have the funds or location. He would be perfect. He’s been running that gallery for nearly ten years.”
“There you go.”
Impulsively, Bre stepped forward, pulling Jax into a quick hug. Just before she released him, she kissed him quickly on the cheek. “Thanks. I can’t wait to call Michael tonight. I bet he’ll drive up here this weekend to brainstorm with me. You’re a genius! This is going to be perfect.”
“Bre,” her mother called out, interrupting their conversation. “I can’t find my favorite jeans. Have you seen them?”
Shaking her head, Bre said, “No, but I can’t say I know what they look like, either.”
“Huh…” her mother responded as she walked into the living room dragging a bright orange travel bag.
“I guess I’ll just have to add it to my list for Charles to buy me.” She stopped at the front door, her hand braced on the door handle. “I’ll be busy the next few weeks, but call me if you need anything. And Jax, it was nice meeting you. If you’re flying out of the Denver airport, get my number from Bre, we’d be happy to let you stay at our house.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m flying out of Aspen.”
“Next time, then.” Without turning around, Bre’s mother raised one hand next to her head and waved.
Chapter Fifteen
The next month passed in a blur. Getting the gallery ready before winter ski season started was a necessity. Actually starting an art gallery—negotiating a partnership with Michael, remodeling her grandmother’s shop, making contacts with artists, marketing, setting up a website, and doing a thousand and one other things that she hadn’t imagined when she decided to go forward—left little time for Bre to dwell on her relationship with Cam.
Of course, starting her own business was entirely different from the life she’d led during college and graduate school. While she’d always been a serious student, starting your own business entailed so much more than studying the material and knowing about art. Unlike in school where there were right and wrong answers, starting a business didn’t provide the same black and white clarity. She constantly second guessed herself, and every time she had to make a difficult decision, she was glad Michael had agreed to be her business partner.
Michael had met her at her grandmother’s shop the day after Jax left, and by the end of the weekend, they had a deal to open the gallery together. She contributed the space and Michael agreed to invest some money for the renovation. Luckily, Sara was a fellow fine arts major and Michael agreed with Bre’s idea to hire her. Sara consented to work in exchange for commissions and free rent in the attic studio above the gallery. It was ideal.
During the last month, she’d talked to Cam a couple times a week. She didn’t bother mentioning his failure to show for her grandmother’s funeral other than to thank him for suggesting Jax go in his place. She shared details of her new art gallery, and he kept her up to date on new band gigs and their quest to be signed by a reputable label. Most of the time, she questioned whether Cam cared about the gallery or its progress. In truth, she felt as though his mind wandered when she discussed her life, and he was waiting for the moment when he could turn the conversation back to him. He’d never acted like that before he moved to LA.