With Dauntless Abandon

Chapter 3

The push ups make his arms shake at some point—he doesn't know when, he lost count after eight hundred—so he takes a seat on his cot again, sufficiently exhausted. But her name is still in his head, on his lips... in his dreams.

~~~

She invited her bosses and some of her coworkers. It is a friendly invitation, but it is partly political, too. They are talking about downsizing the graphic design department, and she wants her bosses convinced that she is still an asset to the company. So, given that her art does well, they will see that she can indeed create things that sell.

She is wearing a black dress with a deep v on both sides, and a belt with a metal bow in the front. Her hair is sideswept and held in place with a sparkling clip, and her make up is simple. She doesn't want to be the focus of tonight. She wants the art to be the focus. She needs this art to sell.

She's so nervous, she's sure she'll throw up, but Christina is there, with Will, of course. They haven't been able to keep their hands off each other most of the night. Will, naturally, brought Fernando and his wife. He also brought his sister, Cara, who has just moved into the area and is looking for art to place in her home.

There are art critics and bloggers here, having found out about the show through the internet. They are discussing her pieces critically, their voices low.

The one person she aches for will not be here, though. Four. He would steady her, she knows it. But he isn't here, and her stomach is tight with anxiety.

"Calm down," Christina says in her ear. "Everything is great so far. My eyes and ears say a good amount of the collectors and critics here are looking to buy."

She breathes a shaky chuckle. "Good."

"That series you did on tattoo art is getting looked at by your boss. He says he might buy the whole collection."

"No way! Oh God," she says, fanning her face with her hand. "Oh God..."

"Calm down. You've officially made it as an artist, girlfriend. All reviews are positive. The internet people are tweeting, and the money is going to come like a damn tidal wave. Just you wait."

"This is unreal," she mumbles.

"Get it together! Show your face, schmooze your crowd. Get a feel for them yourself. You'll see. They're loving your stuff."

She takes a deep breath. "Okay. I'm schmoozing. I'm confident and I'm good at what I do."

"That's right. Get it, girl!"

She smiles her gratitude and enters the side of the show room, unobtrusively. The whispers around her make her smile immediately.

An older man sets his eyes on her and moves toward her. "Beatrice Prior, correct?"

She nods, extending her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, young lady," he says as he shakes her hand firmly. "My name is Jack Kang. I buy art in large quantities for places like office buildings and hospitals. The children's hospital is looking to replace their art with more modern, abstract pieces that their patients will appreciate... and I think you are an excellent up-and-coming artist. Therefore I would be glad to negotiate a contract with you for some art to be reproduced."

Tris swallows and nods. "I-I... I'd be honored," she manages. "How many pieces would you need?"

"Well, your watercolor art is fantastic, I'm interested in a few pieces myself. For the hospital contract, we would need about one hundred watercolor pieces, which would each be reproduced at least twice to fill all the rooms."