Public Secrets

now, to think he resented her work. Accepting his kiss of congratulations, she vowed to spend more time with him, give more time to his needs.
She’d always wanted to be needed. Smiling at Drew as he enthusiastically discussed her prints with other guests, she was content that she was.
At his insistence, she accepted a glass of champagne, but barely touched it as they worked the room.
She saw Brian, surrounded by people, in front of a portrait of himself and Johnno. Her face hurt from keeping the smile in place as she crossed to him. “Da.”
“Emma.” He hesitated, then reached out for her hand. She looked so … remote, he thought.
“It was nice of you to come.”
“I’m proud of you.” His fingers tightened on hers as if he were searching for the connection he felt was lost. “Very, very proud.”
She started to speak, then there was a volley of flashes from the surrounding cameras. Was that another flash, she wondered, a flash of annoyance on his face before the easy smile settled in?
“Brian, how does it feel to have your daughter taking the spotlight?”
He didn’t glance up at the reporter, but continued to look at Emma. “I couldn’t be more pleased.” Making the effort, he offered his hand to Drew. “Drew.”
“Brian. She’s great, isn’t she?” He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple. “I don’t know who’s been more nervous about tonight, Emma or myself. I hope you’ll stick around for a few days, come by and see our place. Have dinner.”
It infuriated Brian that the invitation had come from Drew and not his own daughter. “I’m afraid I leave for LA. in the morning.”
“Emma.”

She turned, and her strained smile vanished in surprise. “Stevie.” On a laugh, she threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad to see you.” Moving back to arm’s length, she studied him. “You look good.” And it was true. He would never be the smoothly handsome man she had known in childhood, but he had put on weight, and the heavy shadows no longer haunted his eyes. “I didn’t know you’d … no one told me …” That he was out, she thought.
Understanding, he grinned. “Time off for good behavior,” he told her, then gathered her close for another hug. “I even brought my own doctor.” He released Emma to put a hand on the shoulder of the woman beside him. After a moment’s confusion, Emma recognized the petite brunette as Stevie’s psychiatrist.
“Hello again.”
“Hello.” Katherine Haynes smiled. “And congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“I was your first sale,” Katherine went on. “The portrait of Stevie and his guitar. It looked as though he were making love to it. I couldn’t resist.”
“She’ll analyze it for hours.” He caught the scent of Scotch and had to check an old and deep craving. “P.M.’s around, you know.” Stevie leaned close and lowered his voice to a wicked whisper. “He brought Lady Annabelle.”
“No, really?”
“I think they’re engaged. But he’s being coy about it.” With a wink, he took Katherine’s arm and wandered off.
Emma was laughing as she slipped her arm through Drew’s. “I think I’ll take a look for P.M.” She cast a questioning glance at her father.
What could he say? She’d greeted Stevie with more affection and comfort than she had greeted him. He wanted to have it out with her, but now was hardly the time or place. “Go ahead. I’ll see you before I go.”
“Yes, go ahead, Emma.” Drew kissed her cheek. “I’ll just hang around with your da. That way we can both brag about you. Incredible, isn’t she?” Drew began as Emma turned away.
She very nearly felt incredible. She’d never expected so many people, or much interest in her work. There was a little voice that asked her if she really thought they’d come to see her work, or her father and his mates. She did her best to ignore it.

She did see P.M. It was obvious he was no longer running away from Lady Annabelle. In fact, he seemed to be having the time of his life. She was dressed in emerald-green leather and snakes kin boots dyed canary-yellow. Her frizzy red hair shot out like shock waves. And after a ten-minute conversation, Emma realized the woman was completely and totally in love.
It was nice, Emma decided. P.M. deserved that kind of devotion. That kind of, well, fun.
People came and went, but more came to linger. Runyun was very cleverly playing a Devastation retrospective through the speakers. She saw, with some astonishment, the discreet