Although she’d been out of the Columbia area for years, she recognized enough faces to know that 701 Whaley was the “it” place for everything from parties to art exhibits. A show of this magnitude brought out the who’s who of the city. The mayor, local elected officials, and editors of local art magazines all mingled in the crowd. The open beam ceiling and rough walls of the refurbished building did have a charm that only enhanced the art. Despite coming by herself, she didn’t feel out of place. She was there to admire the paintings, and escape her mom and aunt’s happiness about Kia’s date with Devin. She’d worked hard to make sure she looked stunning. Her one shoulder black, silver, and blue sequined dress stopped mid thigh and fit her body like a glove. Five-inch glitter silver sling backs elongated her shapely legs. She’d spent an hour flat ironing her hair to perfection so it hung bone straight to her shoulders. All outward armor to prove Devin and Kia didn’t matter.
