Page 74

“Just call me Saskia.” She smiled. “I’ve heard all about your foundation. It sounds amazing.”
Gideon actually blushed.
Dylan jumped in. “I haven’t seen you for days, Gideon. So much has happened. I got totally trashed,” he said as if it were a badge of honor. “But I handled it.” His chest seemed to puff out. “Now I’m an even better artist. Saskia says so.”
“He truly is,” she agreed, glad he called her Saskia rather than San Holo. Saskia was her true self.
Clay squeezed her hand as if he’d read her thoughts.
“Thank you for all you’re doing to help Dylan.” Gideon ruffled the young man’s hair affectionately. “I’ve always known he was brilliant.”
“I absolutely second that.” She looked at Clay, her heart wanting to burst into song. “So does Clay.”
Dylan dragged Gideon away, heading for Rosie, Gideon’s beautiful wife who was holding their nine-month-old daughter Isabella. Wow! She’d remembered two more names.
Appearing out of nowhere, Adrian hugged her, whispering, “Are you okay after the vampires’ visit yesterday?”
Saskia hugged her back, holding on. “I’m perfect. And you’re the best.” Saskia was so glad Clay had thought to invite Adrian.
They smiled together as only two best friends could. “Back at ya. And this is your coming-out party, my darling.”
“I had that at Hugo’s press conference,” Saskia said dryly.
Adrian wagged her finger. “But you weren’t there.” She looked pointedly at the birthday boys and girl. “They think it’s their party. But it’s really yours.”
Gareth stood beside her. Though they didn’t hold hands, there was something. Attraction, maybe? With that gleam in Adrian’s eye when she looked at him, oh yes, something had happened. Saskia couldn’t be happier.
Clay and Gareth man-hugged with backslaps. Then Clay hugged Adrian. “We’re glad you made it.”
It really was like family, just as Clay had said.
Then Adrian waved at one of the Mavericks. “Cal Danniger,” she said, sotto voce.
The man headed over with Lyssa Spencer, who had their baby boy on her hip. Saskia knew Cal was a fan of her work, but her heart jumped into her throat, as though this might be a confrontation, especially since they were trailed by so many Maverick ladies. She suddenly felt spotlighted.
Clay snaked his arm across her back. Fortification.
Cal hugged Adrian, since they’d had so many dealings together.
Then he simply stared at Saskia for an excruciating moment, his face flushed, before he stuck out his hand. “It’s great to meet you. I’m Cal Danniger. I—I?—”
His beautiful wife Lyssa, youngest daughter of Susan and Bob Spencer, the Maverick matriarch and patriarch, stepped in for him. “He’s trying to say he loves your work. We’ve got several of your prints, even some canvases.”
Kelsey Collins, Evan’s younger sister, said in a high voice, “Will you look at that? Cal is tongue-tied. That’s so adorable.” Her laughter ran through the crowd of ladies around them.
Cal collected himself and said, almost smoothly, “I saw your mural in the graffiti tunnel in London—” He scratched his temple. “Oh… about eighteen months ago.”
Lyssa gazed at him with adoration. “You know exactly how long ago it was, my darling.” With the way they smiled at each other, Saskia was sure there was a story there.
“I’ve been following your art ever since,” Cal said. “Your new piece in the Mission District is incredible.”
Saskia felt a sweet thrill, almost as good as the thrill she got when Clay touched her. “Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
He jutted his chin at Clay. “This guy told me that you’re both San Holo and Lynx.”
Last night, Cal and Clay had talked over the ramifications of Hugo’s press conference. Clay had told him how they planned to take care of Hugo.
“Now it makes perfect sense,” Cal went on, “why Lynx’s work took a sudden nosedive five years ago. I have a Lynx print from the old days.” He blushed. “Would you show me where the lynx is?”