Free Always Be True by Alexis Morgan Page B

was no use in apologizing for her tardiness, but she did anyway. “Sorry I didn’t get here a little sooner.”
    Then she kissed the cheek her mother offered her. “You look stunning, Mom. I love the new dress.”
    Her mother did a slow twirl to show off the blue sheath dress, the sequined bodice catching the light and sparkling. “Thank you. I thought the occasion warranted it. I wanted to look good for such an important night.”
    Natalie’s father slipped an arm around his wife’s waist. “You would look just as beautiful in jeans and a sweatshirt.”
    Her mother might have rolled her eyes at the comment, but her husband’s assessment clearly pleased her. Natalie had never doubted for a single instant that her parents loved each other very much. They’d set the bar pretty high as far as the kind of relationship she wanted to have with her future husband, whoever he might be.
    Jacob Jones, the gallery owner, joined the small group. “I’m about to open the door, so places, everyone.”
    They formed a line as her mother performed a flurry of introductions. The artist was the only person Natalie hadn’t already met. Julie Stahl was older than she’d expected, probably in her mid-thirties. Interesting that she was just now launching her career. What had she been doing up until this point? That particular question would go unanswered for now. This wasn’t the time to exchange life stories, not with a bevy of wealthy potential buyers about to file through the door.
    She realized Julie was speaking to her. “It’s nice to meet you, Natalie. Your mother has told me a lot about the wonderful work you and the Waines Foundation do. She’s understandably proud.”
    When the two of them shook hands, the other woman’s hands felt like ice. No surprise there. She had to be terrified about the evening ahead. Affairs like this could make or break an artist’s career. Putting the last vestiges of her own frazzled day on the back burner, Natalie did her best to put Julie at ease. “My mother has been raving about your paintings, and she’s not easy to impress. From what I have seen so far, I understand why she’s been so excited about your work.”
    Julie and Natalie both watched as Tracy Kennigan assumed the role of hostess to welcome the elite group she’d invited to the showing. Natalie performed the actual introductions, doing her best to ease Julie’s way as the crowd slowly filed by.
    Everything was going smoothly right up until she spotted a familiar but unwelcome face bringing up the end of the line. Her first reaction was a flash of anger. Her mother knew full well that Natalie had no interest in seeing Benton anytime soon, yet there he was. Damn it, there was no way to avoid him without making a scene, which her parents wouldn’t appreciate. It also wouldn’t be fair to Julie, who was supposed to be the star in the spotlight.
    “Julie, this is my mother’s dear friend Gloria Humboldt and her son, Benton.”
    By now the artist had either lost her jitters or was better at hiding them. “It’s nice to meet you both. Thank you for coming.”
    Gloria nodded to the artist. “Tracy has told me so much about your paintings. I couldn’t pass up a chance to see them for myself.”
    Then she turned her attention to Natalie. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen you. You’ll have to have Benton bring you over for dinner soon.”
    She moved on, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, leaving Natalie staring at her back. Seriously, did she not remember that Natalie and Benton were no longer engaged? Speaking of the man in question. She dragged her attention back to her hostess duties to find him impatiently waiting for her to acknowledge him.
    Her forced smile made the skin on her face feel tight. “Benton, I don’t see your father, so I assume you got drafted to escort your mother.”
    “Actually, I volunteered. Yesterday your mom mentioned you’d be here and didn’t have a date. I tried