The Art of Attraction

Chapter 2

"The report should be finished by Friday and we can go over it next week..." Devon stated. Roger nodded as he jotted a quick note on his planner.

"Okay..." Roger verbalized as he looked at the rest of his team. "Anything else to cover?" he questioned.

"The holiday luncheon is Friday at noon..." Riva reminded everyone. "Don't forget to wear your favorite holiday themed jumper..." she said as everyone smirked at the notion. Roger grinned as well and prepared to end the meeting.

"Anything else?" he asked his team. There was nothing said so he closed his notebook and stood up. "Right...have a good afternoon..." he said as the meeting disbanded. He walked back to his office with some 'to do's' running through his head when he felt his phone vibrate. Roger pulled it from his pocket and looked at the screen.

John Deacon: You free for a drink after work?

Roger smiled at the invitation. He had not seen John since the art show.

Roger: Yes

John Deacon: What time?

Roger: I am free as of 4 actually

John Deacon: Want to meet at The Orange at 4:30?

Roger: See you then

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The pub was already crowded as Roger entered and he quickly spotted John at their usual table. He smiled at his friend and pulled off his coat. Hanging it over the back of the spare chair as he sat down.

"How was your day?" John questioned as Roger got settled. Their drinks already on the table.

"Pretty ordinary..." Roger remarked as he picked up his glass. Happy John had already ordered his drink as the bar was lined with people. "It gets a bit slow this time of year..." he added as he took a sip of his favorite draft.

"Luckily the gallery has been quite busy..." John advised him. "Sales are excellent in comparison to last year..." he divulged. Roger smiled at him.

"I imagine so..." Roger surmised. "People are actually out shopping this year..." he pointed out.

"Yes..." John agreed. "Freddie has sold quite a few pieces this week...he should be quite pleased at the month end..." he remarked and took a sip of his own beer. "He said you bought one of his sketches..." John mentioned as he picked up his phone and pulled up something.

"I did..." Roger confirmed. "It was of a grouping of barren trees..." he described. "I really liked it..." he remarked as John held up his phone and Roger saw a photo of the sketch. "That's the one..." he confirmed.

"Freddie sent me a picture of it..." John advised. "He said you bought it as a present for Audra..." he remarked as Roger had a sip.

"Yes..." Roger confirmed. John appeared surprised.

"You bought a sketch of barren trees for her home office?" John questioned. "That doesn't feel very warm and inviting..." he observed. Roger shrugged.

"Maybe that's the vibe I get from her these days..." Roger replied honestly. Implying their relationship wasn't very warm and inviting. John took a sip of his drink.

"It's a great piece...I hope she likes it..." John said to his friend. Clearly worried she might not.

"If she doesn't then I'll have it..." Roger informed him. Feeling a bit haughty over the matter.