Chapter 3

"Damian?"

Damian looked up when he heard his name. If he hadn't recognized the voice, he would never have recognized the face at all.

He stood and allowed the young woman to walk into his arms. When she stepped back he got a good looked at her. She wasn't very tall, maybe five foot two, but she had muscle from years of martial arts training. Normally her hair was a light blond but she had dyed it a red color. She was dressed in warm clothing because it was colder now that December was upon them. He had picked a good time to come home.

She sat down and ordered a coffee then balanced her chin in her propped up hands.

"Don't stare at me like that," he said as he scrolled through the photos on his iPad.

She smiled. "Why can't I? I haven't seen my older brother in what? Four years?"

"You've had ample time considering our mother and aunt planned a coming home part four days ago."

"You expect me to make a scene because my big brother returns from the wilds of Africa?"

"It's not like you haven't before." When she didn't reply, he looked up. She was smiling at him. "What is with you today? Have you taken something to make you smile like a loon, Dani?"

Danielle Stark, Dani for short, shook her head. "No, I haven't taken anything. I just think you're insane." He frowned at her. "Everyone's buzzing about your date to the party."

Damian shook his head. "That was four days ago."

"And it was a year ago when your date almost married our cousin for his money. Your bringing her to the party could have caused a riff in the family."

"You can't judge someone by their past, Dani."

Dani's mouth dropped open. "You're one to talk, Mr. Playboy. You leave a string of heartbroken girls in you wake without so much as a care in the world."

"And you're one to talk? You've been gallivanting all over three continents and leaving a string of guys in your wake. So it takes one to know one, little sister. Don't even think about interfering with my life because you are the same way."

"Where are you going?" she asked as he stuffed his iPad into his bag.

"I don't know but I don't want you following me."

He stormed out of the small café and hooked a right. He honestly had no idea where he was going but he decided that wherever he ended up was better than sitting with his sister. She would argue about anything and everything. It had always been that way. If she didn't like something he did she would argue with him about it. It was one of the reasons he had walked away from his family eight years ago.

Photography had been his only escape so that's what he pursued with everything he had. He was one of the youngest photographers in National Geographic history to make it as big as he did and he did it all by the age of twenty-four. Now at twenty-seven, he was the oldest of his cousins and siblings and the more experienced in the world. Now he just wanted to settle down.

When he finally deemed it necessary to see where he was going, he stared headlong into the wolf on the building in front of him. He shook his head when he read the owner's name on the side of the building by the door. He wasn't surprised one bit this is where he had ended up and was certain it was going to be spectacular.

The little bell tinkled when he opened the door. For a gallery in Brooklyn, it was very elegant but it held his newest cousin's personality, meaning it was very calm.

"So the stray dog finally wanders in?"

Damian turned to see Derek leaning against the wall and smiling at him. He walked over and hugged him then looked around. "When did you open this?"

"About a year and a half ago. It was right after Toph got her masters in journalism and before we got married. We've been playing around with the décor ever since but I think we got something we like," Derek replied.

"Where is your wife?"

"She's in the back with Caroline. I think they're trying to get the latest paintings by the newest artist unwrapped and put up. Toph can't lift heavy items anymore so someone always has to be here. Usually it's Izzy or Caroline."

"Caroline works here?"

Derek nodded. "Yeah, she has for about four months. Tophyr wanted someone else around because I can't always be here and Izzy is working on her second novel. Caroline is the best choice since she has an art degree and can work a cash register. Why do you look so spooked?"

Damian shook his head. "No reason."

The younger man didn't believe him. "Sure, Dame. Whatever you say. Do you need Tophyr for anything?"

"I just wanted to talk to her about something."

"Hey, Toph. Damian's here to see you!"

A few minutes later both women came walking out. Tophyr was distinguishable. She was a short woman standing at only five foot five with curly blond hair. Her most distinguishing feature was the fact that she was now seven months pregnant as of December 1. They knew she wasn't carrying twins because she was too small yet she was still a little heftier than she had been when she got married.

Caroline was taller than Tophyr by about two inches. Her eyes were almost the same shade of blue as the younger woman's but her hair was a chestnut brown and fell in soft waves around her face and down her back. Both women were dressed in jeans and warm sweaters.

Tophyr's face glowed even more than it already was. "Hey, Damian."

He jerked his eyes from Caroline back to the woman talking to him. "Hey, Tophyr. I was wondering if you featured photography in your gallery?"

She nodded. "Yeah, we do. At the moment we're getting ready to put on a showing for an art student at NYU that will run for two weeks but after that we're not booked. What were you thinking of doing?"

"I was thinking of calling it 'The Life of New Yorkers'."

"Candid photographs like one photographer did during the Great Depression," Derek said. He hummed to himself as he thought. "Sounds like a good idea. We haven't done one of those before and Tophyr's gallery is one of the best at showing college and professional artists. Yours will definitely bring in more people."

Tophyr turned to Caroline. "You'll be in charge of this one."

The other woman gasped as her mouth fell in shock. "Why me?"

"Because you're always asking for more to do. Here's your chance. You've watched me put together many showings. It's your turn. If you do well, I'll put you in charge of more than one a season."

"What about Izzy?"

"What about Izzy?"

"Doesn't she usually help you with this?"

"Izzy's only here for help when no one else is. Plus she's working on her second book. You're here to work. This is your job. You have to do some things by yourself. You're not helpless, Caroline, and I wouldn't let you do this if I didn't trust you. So give him the time frame for his photos to be turned in and then the price we'll sell each one. Don't leave here today until that is done."

Tophyr and Derek turned and headed into the back. The two left turned and stared at each other. Neither could figure out if the younger woman was matchmaking or actually meaning for them to work together.

Finally Damian cleared his throat. "Should we get started?"