What the Lightning Sees: Part One by Louise Bay Page A

maybe I’d go if Ash or Luke wanted to come with me. I’d like to see how Harry spent his time outside the office.
     
    Jake
    The exhibition of my photography had definitely not been my idea, neither had the party to mark the new stuff I’d produced. I felt like a fraud standing amongst the artsy crowd. What was I doing? I should never have agreed to it. I took photographs because I enjoyed it, not because I wanted people to buy them. I had no interest in making money from them, and I would never consider myself an artist. I was just a cop’s kid. Back in Chicago, my school friends would have kicked the shit out of me if I’d had any interests outside of baseball and beating the crap out of nerdy, artistic kids. Gay Dave, the gallery owner and my friend from college had formed a dual pronged attack with Beth. Eventually I’d given in and agreed to the showing just to get some peace.
    “This is amazing,” Beth whispered, scanning the gallery space.
    “It’s ridiculous,” I said. “I have no idea how I let you talk me into it.”
    “Enjoy it, big brother. You can go back to telling me it’s ridiculous later, but for now, just bask.”
    “I don’t bask,” I said, irritated.
    “Don’t we all know it?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It means that you should learn to smell the roses a little more.”
    Beth was always nagging me to kick back and relax. But kicking back wasn’t what got me up in the morning. It wasn’t how I was wired.
    “Just because you’re doing it in your head doesn’t mean I can’t hear you growling at me.”
    “Yes, that’s exactly what it means.”
    “I’ve known you too long, you can’t hide that from me. Stop it. Is Robert coming?”
    “I invited him.” Well, technically he’d invited himself.
    “Good. And other friends?”
    “I don’t have other friends.” I’d asked Haven to come before I’d thought through the consequences, and now I was kind of embarrassed I had. Still, part of me was hoping she would come. I wanted to get to know her better.
    “You know half of London, New York and Chicago. Stop being such a grump.”
    “Just because I know them doesn’t mean they’re my friends.”
    “How are you going to sell your work if you’re not going to be your own best publicist? Tell me you invited people.”
    “Haven’t you been listening? I’m not interested in selling my photographs.”
    “You’re impossible.”
    “No, I just like my day job. This is something I do for fun. I agreed to the exhibition to get you and Dave off my back.”
    “Well, it just means we’ll have to arrange another one for the summer. By then I’ll have hacked into your computer and stolen your contacts list and emailed all of them about my supremely talented brother.”
    I couldn’t help but grin. It was so nice to see her like this—happy and proud.
    “If it makes you feel better, I did invite a couple of people from Rallegra. I don’t know if they’ll show, but just so you know, I’m not a total grump.” Haven hadn’t mentioned my invitation so I had no idea if she’d actually come.
    Beth reached up and mussed my hair, so I did the same in return, which led to her backing off and yelping as intended. I started to laugh and she punched me. Dave came to my rescue.
    “Darlings, no fighting. We’ve not drunk enough yet. What do you think of your show?”
    “He’s being a spoiled brat about the whole thing,” Beth said.
    A voice came from over my shoulder. “Well there’s a shock.” I spun around and found Haven grinning.
    “Hey, you made it,” I said to her.
    “Very astute.” She rolled her eyes. God, it was infuriating and cute in equal measure.
    Beth poked me in the ribs. “Beth, Dave, this is Haven, Haven, this is my very annoying sister Beth and my friend Dave.” She looked beautiful. Her hair was down again. I wondered for a second whether she’d worn it down specifically for me. And she was wearing red. Wow. She seemed softer and more