Everything Left Unsaid ~ The Hamilton Series ~ Book 4

~ Chapter 2 ~ Tiffany ~

The last of the guests disappeared through the door. Isla locked it behind them, giving Tiffany a thumbs up before beginning the task of sorting paperwork at the front counter.

Tiffany scanned the gallery, noting the rapid and efficient dismantling of the catering set-up. Her practiced eye assessed each art installment in turn. Satisfied all was in order, she retreated to her office and sank into the plush leather chair, kicking off the high heels and wiggling her toes. She loved these shoes, but they were murder on her feet by the end of a busy evening. She'd barely had a chance to sit since her brief lunch break, and it was now after ten.

"It went well." Her assistant strolled into the office and dropped a thick folder onto the pile on Tiffany's desk. She picked up the stack of invoices, flipping through them. "Leave me a note on which works you want for permanent display. I'll hang them tomorrow and ship the sold pieces."

"Will do." Tiffany leaned back and stretched her arms high above her head while she attempted to contain the yawn. "Thanks for the good work! I couldn't have done it without you."

"You're welcome." Her assistant gave her a warm though tired smile. "Anything else?"

"You look exhausted. I'll organize the invoices while the caterers finish." Tiffany waved toward the door. "Head home. We have a lot to accomplish tomorrow."

"Which is amazing! It's great to see that appointment book filling with names." Isla paused in the doorway. "You sure you don't want me to wait? We could go for a drink to celebrate our success."

"No, I'm beat." Tiffany offered her a smile. "I'd probably fall asleep in my drink. How about a rain check on that?"

"Deal! Night, Boss!" Her assistant disappeared into her own office to collect her things.

Tiffany closed her weary eyes, sighing in contentment. Boss. That word had a magical ring. She'd opened this gallery in downtown Chicago four years ago, and it had been a labor of love. Now, at long last, her hard work was paying off. The profits were slim, but she persevered. Every time she stepped through the door, a sense of pride filled her at all that had been accomplished.

Forty-five minutes later, Tiffany pulled on her comfortable walking shoes, set the alarm, and locked the front door, taking a moment to enjoy the light summer breeze fluttering through her long hair. It felt refreshing after hours of being cooped up indoors.

The sidewalks were quieter at this time of the evening, but the traffic never seemed to cease. She enjoyed the beat of the city and the bright lights as she strolled toward her home.

A mix of emotions overtook her as she crossed the lobby and rode up the elevator to her floor, letting herself inside the dark and quiet apartment. She'd fallen in love with the cozy space and purchased it only a year before she'd opened her gallery. Though small, it was the first home she could call her very own.

Ever since she'd broken her engagement to Harrison Taylor, she'd led a solitary existence. Some days were lonely, and she longed for someone to come home to, but... none of her relationships had worked out as planned. Men asked her out on occasion, but this past year had been rough. Her life had become complicated, so she embraced the advice from her therapist, Liz. Take your time and learn to be alone. It's not healthy to need a man in your life every moment of every day. Don't rush into anything. Deal with your immediate issues first. It tested her resolve. Tiffany hated being alone—something she'd discovered at the tender age of thirteen.

She padded through the dim and silent apartment, pausing at the bank of floor to ceiling windows. The full moon hung low over the lake, but the stars were obliterated by the glow of city lights. Tiffany closed her eyes, picturing the Milky Way as seen from the beach in the Vineyard, remembering those precious nights she'd spent with Aiden alone. Nights when she hadn't had to vie for his attention. Hours of time where she'd become the center of his universe. Incredible nights when the rest of the world ceased to exist, and she felt safe and loved and needed, cocooned in his arms, talking, watching the stars appear, or making love in front of the fire. She wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she could transport back in time and recapture the pure happiness that now eluded her.