“Any friend of Britt’s is a friend of mine and X’s. She’s a charming young woman who is now learning how to make FIMO beads in my jewelry class.” She turned to Daniel. “By the way, no one touches my megaphone and gets away with it.”
“So sorry,” he said as he started to close the door on her.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
Click.Daniel faced Amy again. “I’m thinking that’s a really short list.”
“Like maybe three things.”
He took Amy in his arms again, angling his head toward hers. “Now, where were we?”
Her hand shot up between their faces, and his lips landed on her palm.
“Huh?” he said against her skin.
She removed her hand. “I need to tell you something first. Remember when we were at the movies?”
“How could I forgetWrong Way, Cupid?”
“Hey, I made up for it,” she said. “We saw that Jack Bluebird movie.”
“Robin. But go ahead.”
Growing serious, she said, “You asked me why I never remarried, and I never answered because I couldn’t admit it to myself at the time. I always used Britt or work as an excuse not to start dating again.” She touched the collar of his shirt, then moved her fingertips to the side of his neck, playing with the curls resting against it. “But the truth is... you were always the one for me, Daniel. Despite everything, you still had my heart.”
He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. “And you always had mine. It’s why I never remarried either, even after I quit drinking.” He kissed her hand. “I love you, Amy. I always have... and I always will.”
Her heart sang. She’d never thought she’d feel this way again, and she wouldn’t have with anyone else. “I love you too.”
He kissed her until she was weak. And they didn’t leave the closet for a long,longtime.
***
Seven months later
Camera?Check.
Lights?Check.
Sound?Check.
Britt took a deep breath and started her video.
“Hi, friends. Welcome back to my channel, and thanks for watching. Today is a different kind of video because it won’t be about art. In fact, it’s my last video for the foreseeable future.” She shifted in her chair, keeping her eyes on the camera.
“Last year I made a video about taking risks and making changes. I took my own advice, and I’m happy to announce that I’m teaching art classes in person at K&B Art Supplies in Plano, Texas.”
“My turn yet?”
She glanced at Hunter, who was sitting next to her in a wheeled chair, his foot tapping on the floor.
Looking back at the camera, she said, “I also want to introduce you to my boyfriend, Hun—”
“Hunter Pickett,” he said, sliding into the frame, a gorgeoussmile on his face. “I’m the assistant manager at K&Bs, and if you stop in and say ‘Britt Branch is the cutest artist ever—’”
“Hunter!”
“—you’ll get 30 percent off your total purchase.”
