I have a long overdue delivery to make.
Valentina’s eyeslight up when she steps back from the piece and stares at it. “It’s incredible. Truly, Temperance. Incredible.”
“I’m sorry I’m so late.”
She gives me a small smile. “I understand completely. I wasn’t going to rush you. I know you’ve been dealing with ... well, I wasn’t going to rush you.”
The pity in her eyes unleashes a new wave of grief, but I keep my composure. Come hell or high water, I’m not going to cry for an hour.
Be happy, I remind myself.Or at least pretend.
Maybe if I pretend enough, I’ll finally get there. I’m not sure if happiness falls under thefake it till you make itcategory, but I’m going to try.
I force the corners of my lips upward. “Do you think someone will buy it?”
“Are you serious? I’ll have this sold before you drive away. People have been waiting. I shouldn’t tell you that, but it’s true. After sending a picture and dropping a few lines in the right places, I’ve been getting calls. I have at least five more buyers interested in large pieces—and they’re buyers who aren’t afraid to pay.”
“How much do you think?” It feels crass to ask, but I need to know.
She gives me a number that’s more than what I make at the distillery in several months.
“Really?”
“Yes. So, if you’re able to get back to work anytime soon ...”
“I am,” I assure her. “I need to. It’ll be good for me.”
When I say the words, I realize just how true they are. Having tools in my hand and creating something would be the most therapeutic thing I could do right now. When I thought about burying myself in work before, I felt even more suffocated.
Because I was thinking of the wrong work.
Now that I’ve been forcibly served another reminder that life is short, there’s another item I need to think about adding to my list. And while it’s not as scary as the other one I refuse to put on paper, it’s still pretty terrifying.
Quit my job.
As much as it sears me with burning anger to admit it, Kane was right about one thing. Working at the distillery isn’t what I want to do with my life. It doesn’t fill me with joy.
Life is too short to be unhappy, and that includes showing up for work doing something I don’t love when I have the opportunity to get paid for my passion.
“Give me a list of everything you think your buyers would want, and I’ll get to work. I’ll deliver them as soon as they’re ready. No more screwing around and taking forever.”
“Temperance ...” Valentina’s voice is soft. “You only need to do what you can. Don’t run yourself ragged just yet.”
Her eyes are kind and I know she’s genuinely concerned, but Mount’s speech kicked me in the ass. I’m done with self-pity. At least, I’m trying to be.
“This is the best thing for me right now. Please, let me do it.”
She studies me and finally nods. “Okay. I’ll put a list together and text it to you. Although ...”
“What?”
Valentina stares at my skyline sculpture for a moment. “How would you feel about having a showing of your own? Not a massive one, but a dozen or so pieces. It’s the best way to launch you as an artist in the community, but I know that’s a lot to ask. It’s not like you can just magic these up.”
Her suggestion rocks me, but even in my shock, my first thought isn’tno. It’show fast can I make twelve sculptures?
“Really? You’d do that?”
“Of course. It’s not purely altruistic, you realize. I’m making money on these too.”