Chapter 6

Tophyr chewed on her fingernails as she looked at a painting in the Guggenheim. It was Saturday and this was the only day she allowed herself off. She usually spent it in the library catching up on her recreational reading. Today she decided she needed to get out and see the art.

Duke worked at the Guggenheim hanging the portraits. His older brother worked as the curator and that gave him unlimited access. He always gave Tophyr gala tickets whenever a new artist was featured. She had missed the most recent one because of the Stark Gala but the portraits were still hanging so she could see them.

The artist was A.S., initials she had never seen. She was used to seeing new artists with initials she recognized but A.S. were not among them. This artist's use of light and color were astounding. It was obvious he or she liked looking at scenery as much as she did. Except this scenery was abstract, cast in a completely different world than they lived in. it was breathtaking.

"I keep telling you to submit your work and you could be up here."

Tophyr smiled as Duke landed beside her. He had the ability to show up when least expected, but she expected it when she was here.

"And I keep telling you I don't want my pictures for the world to see," she replied.

"Why not? They're as good as anything here, maybe better."

"Duke, I don't want my name in lights."

Duke pressed his forehead to hers. "Honey child, you're a Hurst. Your name is already in lights."

Tophyr sighed. "I know and I hate that."

"Why do you fight it so much? It's who you are."

"It's not who I am. It's who my parents are. They are the Hursts. I'm Tophyr. That's it. No more and no less."

Duke laughed. "I love you, Toph, but I got to get back to work. Talk to you later."

"Bye, Duke." She was left once again with her thoughts on the portraits. As she moved around the corner, she bumped into someone. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

"It's not a problem."

Tophyr knew that voice and looked up. A scowl replaced her small smile as her mood tanked. "What are you doing here?"

Derek looked around. "Is it such a crime to come to an art gallery?"

"What do you want?"

"I came to the gallery to see art. I do happen to like art, too, you know? And this place is open to the public. I can come here when I so please." Tophyr scowled even more and walked away, continuing to look at the artist's designs on life. "I take it you're enjoying this."

"I was enjoying it until you showed up."

Derek smiled in spite of himself. She really didn't like him. It made him want to follow her more than ever. "What do you think of the artist?"

Tophyr rolled her eyes. "Why do you care?"

"I love other artists' opinions of an artist's work. It makes it more special."

She frowned and looked at him. "You make it sound like you are an artist."

"I dabble here and there. Jack of all trades and a master of none. Isn't that what a journalist is anyway?"

She stared at him for a moment. He knew what a journalist was about and what an artist was about. Why couldn't he figure that out about her? She turned away and continued looking at the pictures in front of her.

"The artist uses a light technique I've only ever seen one other artist use. It brings out the picture. This line…" She traced her finger along the outer edge of the person's face. "Is the strongest line in this whole painting. It shows the person in the picture has character that is subdued."

Derek was astounded at the young woman's ability to read into the depth of something she knew nothing about. He looked at her closely. There was something about her that attracted him.

Although she was a Hurst and they were the second wealthiest family in New York, she dressed completely different than her siblings. Her style was that of a struggling college student. All her clothing was second hand and her style eclectic. She was nothing like the rich socialites that ran through the city. She was gentle and calm and mysterious. He got glimpses of her when she was doing something like this but he couldn't read her.

Tophyr turned around and caught Derek trying to figure out who she was. It wasn't going to be easy for him. She was a pro at ignoring people who annoyed her and then going out of her way to avoid them. But for some reason, she couldn't get rid of him. He kept coming around. Maybe it was time to get through to him.

"Hey, Tophyr! I got the paints you asked for," Duke called from across the room.

She cast Derek a sidelong glance and walked across the room. Duke's hair was suddenly dusty. "What have you been doing? Rummaging in the attic?"

"Shut up, Hurst." He handed her a box. "These weren't easy to come by."

"What are you talking about? You can get them at your basic art shop."

"I didn't."

Her smile dropped. "Duke, what'd you do?"

Duke made a face as he crossed his arms and waited for her to open the box. "Like them?"

"These were expensive, Duke."

"So? I know your birthday's coming up and I wanted to get you something special." She looked at him. "Don't give me that look. Just take them and don't argue."

Tophyr didn't say a word after that. He gave her a cheeky grin when he noticed she totally wanted to say something about it. "When do you get off?"

"In about thirty minutes. I would ask you to wait but it seems you have something going on already." Duke turned to Derek and extended his hand. "Duke Lively."

Derek took his hand like a gentleman would and shook it. "Derek Stark. Nice to meet you."

"Don't even go there, Duke," Tophyr warned. She knew what he was thinking just by looking at his face. He smiled broadly at her. She stuck her tongue out at him. "I got to go eat before I head to the gym."

"Working out with Percy?"

"No, Alain. He thinks we should have sibling time."

"Well, you better go. You know how your brother is."

"Yeah, I do. Thanks for the paints." She hugged her friend and turned to leave. After a few moments, she realized Derek was following her. "You don't have to come with me."

"I know but I haven't eaten today either and I hate eating alone," he replied as they walked out the door.

"Call one of your friends."

"Aaron is working and Tony is no doubt asleep. Plus I always like to have lunch with a pretty girl. We can take my car."

Tophyr looked at the sleek black town car and shook her head. "I have my own means of transportation, but thank you."

Derek looked skeptical. "What could you possibly have that's faster than a town car?" She snorted and walked over to a sleek black bike. She shrugged on a leather jacket, tucked the box in her bag, slung that over her shoulder and sat on the motorcycle. "That's yours?"

"Yeah. Percy has a green one. It's easier to ride around town and faster."

"Do you have room for one more?"

"Nope. You have to take your car." She smiled as he frowned then pulled on her helmet. "I'd like to see you try to keep up with me." She revved the engine and took off down the street.

She lost him about halfway to her favorite sub shop. She knew how to hide her bike from people looking for it. Percy was waiting for her in the shop when she came in through the side doors.

"Let me guess. You lost him?" he asked as he stood to hug his twin.

"He tried to keep up but my Kawasaki lost him," she replied with a huge smile.

"Well, it's good that you had fun. Now we have to get down to business. Mom wants us to give her a guest list by tonight."

Tophyr sighed. "Why does she insist on throwing us this super bash every year?"

"We are turning twenty-three."

"So?"

"I don't know. I just felt like saying it."

"All right, let's do this before I lose my patience. Make sure you put Duke and Emma down."

Percy smiled as he jotted down the two people he knew wouldn't miss the party for the world.