Free Everything We Keep: A Novel by Kerry Lonsdale

smile.”
    I pasted on a grin.
    Wendy swept across the room. “Nadia, I’ve been looking for you.”
    “Hello, Wendy.” She angled her head to receive Wendy’s air kisses, then touched my shoulder. “You remember my friend Aimee?”
    Wendy shook my hand. “So glad you decided to come. Please enjoy yourself, have a glass of champagne.” She motioned toward a passing waiter before turning her attention back to Nadia. “A dear friend of mine loves what you’ve done for my gallery. He’s a commercial property broker and wants to meet you.”
    “Do you mind?” Nadia asked me.
    “Not at all. Go ahead.”
    Wendy directed me to the left side of the gallery. “Start over here to experience the full effect of the exhibit. I’ve arranged Ian’s photos so the sun rises then sets as you circle the room. His photography is impressive. Be sure to see me if you want to purchase anything.” She hooked her arm around Nadia and they wandered behind the first set of partitions.
    I removed my wrap, folding the knit rectangle over my arm, and meandered through the gallery. Each image featured the sun rising or setting in an exotic, foreign locale. Ian had played with the light, and the colors reflected on a hillside, across a lake’s surface, or through tall firs in a forest had a magical, surreal quality.
    I paused before one image, an intense sun in a fiery descent over Middle Eastern sand dunes. The picture had been taken in Dubai, according to the tag on the wall. Three camels stood motionless on the crest of a dune, their shadows long fingers spreading outward across sands of vivid orange and gold.
    “What do you think?”
    A smile played on my lips. “You have an extraordinary talent for capturing sunlight.” I lifted my eyes to Ian.
    His gaze met mine. “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “Me, too.”
    His forehead creased. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
    I shifted the wrap to my other arm. “OK.”
    He pushed the wrap aside, exposing my left hand. He angled my ring finger so the overhead spotlights captured the brilliance of my engagement ring. “Why didn’t you tell me you are married?”
    “Because,” I hesitated, licked my lips, “I’m not.”
    He tugged the wrap back in place. “Engaged?”
    I shook my head.
    “I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you,” he said evenly.
    I pulled my hand from his and faced the photograph so he wouldn’t see the tears filling my eyes. I didn’t want his sympathy, but I could feel him study me as I admired his work. “When did you take this picture?”
    He chuckled. “Two years ago.”
    I gave him a sidelong glance. “What’s so funny?”
    He dipped his head, hiding a smile.
    “I bet you have a story for every picture.”
    He rubbed his jaw. “Yes, I do.”
    I waited for an explanation. He watched me with a secret smile. I folded my arms. “One of these days I’ll get that story out of you.”
    His eyes crinkled. “I hope you do.”
    He glanced around the packed gallery. The noise had risen, more boisterous with the free-flowing champagne. I saw Wendy with a tablet, hurriedly tapping her index finger around the screen with what I assumed to be an order. Ian leaned close to my ear. “Anything I can tempt you to take home?”
    You.
    The thought stormed into my head and brought an image of Ian kissing me. My face heated and he quirked a brow. I blinked rapidly and cleared my throat. “You know which one I like.”
    The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “ Belize Sunrise .”
    “Sorry, but I don’t have enough spare change.”
    “Happy birthday, Aimee!” Nadia announced beside me. I jerked in her direction.
    Ian stepped back to widen our circle. Nadia offered me champagne. I groaned, taking the glass from her. She handed another to Ian.
    “Today’s your birthday?” he asked.
    “Tomorrow, actually.” I gave Nadia the evil eye. “I was hoping you’d forget.”
    She lifted a glass from a passing tray. “A toast to the birthday