Open for Business, Chapter 22 & Epilogue
We made it, friends... but what comes next?
Everyone comes together again in a very familiar place. What could happen next? Their adventures are obviously not over. Let me know in the comments.
Wait, I need to catch up before the finale!
Wait, what are you even talking about?!
Chapter 22
Natalie unlocked the door of Kalas Gallery at 3:30. Georgie was to arrive at 4:30. The caterers would come at 5:30, and the gallery officially opened at 6:30.
Wonderful. Of course, I could do this all by myself.
Natalie made a few phone calls including one to Eden for well wishes.
Georgie arrived in a sparkly cream dress and gold heels.
“You can’t wear that?! We’re too matchy-matchy,” Natalie said, sighing and shaking her head. “Here, wear this.”
She handed Georgie a bright red button that read: “I’m here to help.”
“Perfect. If you can also help out with passing out glasses of wine, that would be wonderful,” Natalie’s heels clicked to the back office.
* * *
The crowd came in heavy early on. Natalie was the star of the show, being pulled this way and that. People were admiring her and buying up prints. When Georgie wasn’t serving wine, she was taking down the evening’s art purchases on the iPad.
Occasionally, Natalie would ask Georgie to do some ridiculous task.
“Georgie, Ms. Adams wants to see if that print will be too heavy when they pick it up next week … Yes, that one – she wants to know if it’s too heavy for her. Why don’t you try to lift it? Be careful…it’s sold after all.”
Everyone laughed, awaiting Georgie to make a fool of herself.
She also loudly proclaimed how sticky the counter was and told Georgie to clean it immediately. Just as she finished up, Natalie laughed so hard with someone she was conversing with that her red wine spilled on the floor.
“Georgie, paper towels … and it needs to be mopped up with that special solution. It’s a bamboo floor. It will stain.”
As she wiped up the spill, Georgie could feel the whispers that were directed toward her. Her cheeks flushed.
She got up and noticed someone familiar entering the gallery. It was Sophie … or Lydia. She wasn’t sure what to call her, but it was a pleasant surprise.