“My usual method for blending into the background,” I said lightly, though it had irritated me at the time to be in the back where Patrick had wanted me—out of his spotlight. Getting involved in the housing initiative had been my idea, and Patrick had only agreed because of the photo op on a high-profile policy issue.
“You didn’t blend in,” he said. “I don’t think it’s possible for you to do anything but stand out.”
I lowered my eyes and grinned. “I didn’t know you were there.”
His gaze was intense as it bore into mine, so much so that I turned my head, but I didn’t want him to go. “So, you’re an architect. Did you design this house?”
He nodded and shared about his work as an architect and a sculptor. “I’ve done some of the artwork on display here. Over there is Incubus Nymph.” He poin
