I stopped her. “Kit, I meant it. Every bit of it.”
watched her chest rise and fall as she took a deep breath. “I did, too.”
I pressed my lips together and said, “I’ve never done that. Had sex without a condom.”
“Really?” Kit looked shocked. She propped herself up on her elbow.
“Yeah,” I shrugged. I turned on my back and looked at the ceiling. “I’ve just been super careful. I don’t know. I guess…just knowing my mom and dad didn’t plan to have me. I think they were in love, and I think we were a happy family, but no doubt my unplanned arrival completely changed the course of their lives. So I’ve always just been so, so careful.” I turned to see Kit’s eyes surveying me. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. I usedto able to exert more control during sex, but with you, I feel like I need you in a way I’ve never needed anyone.”
Kit’s eyes moved to the sheets in front of her. She asked, “Is it very different without a condom?"
“Yes and no. It’s always amazing with you,” I said. I turned onto my back and looked at the ceiling. “It felt intimate. I felt like we were both vulnerable and connecting in a way we hadn’t before.”
“I haven’t been with that many people before you. Sex was so routine with Matt. It seemed like something we did to satisfy a requirement, but it wasn’t something either of us…” Kit looked down at the bed again and blew air through her lips nervously. “He was pretty indifferent about sex, so I kind of worried I wasn’t good at it.”
“Kit,” I said turning toward her. “Our sex is mind-blowing. You are an amazing lover.”
She seemed relieved. I pulled her toward me and kissed her forehead. “I wish we could stay in this bed all day, but there are going to be people at the art gallery at eleven a.m.”
Kit’s smile spread across her face. “I’m so excited.”
I ran down to the lobby and grabbed coffees and croissants while Kit showered. When I got back up to the room, she was just getting out of the shower. I took a quick shower, then got dressed.
Kit was wearing a different sundress with a white sweater, and I was wearing one of my button-down work shirts with a pair of slacks. She stood in front of the mirror as she was putting in her hoop earrings. I stood behind her and put my arms around her in front of the mirror, just like we had the day before.
Kit smiled at our reflection. “We’re a handsome pair.”
We headed to our car in the parking deck. As I drove us back to the gallery, I told Kit that the gallery owner, artists, and their families would be at the exhibit. Aunt Rita had invitedKit’s family and friends. Everyone would mingle and enjoy the art. There would be catered hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Then the gallery owner and Aunt Rita would say a few words. I explained what to expect if any media were present and assured her she could decline to speak at any time. I’d prepared Rita and the gallery owner with speaking points.
When I finished going over the opening, I looked over at her, and she said, “Holy shit. You’re no joke when you’re in work mode.”
I chuckled. “I just want this to go well for you and Rita.”
Kit reached over and squeezed my thigh. “It’s already perfect.”
And Kit was right. The morning didn’t just go as planned; it went perfectly. As soon as we arrived, Kit made a beeline for Aunt Rita. I saw the two of them talking, then Kit gave Aunt Rita a hug. They went over to Rita’s photos, and I saw them hug again as Kit and Rita wiped tears away from each other’s faces. Soon after, Veronica and Gus arrived with their son, Preston. Veronica and Kit went piece by piece through the gallery together. I made small talk with Gus as he tried to keep Preston happy. Aunt Rita appeared and offered to hold him so that Gus could join Veronica and look at the art.
The artists began arriving. Aunt Rita and Kit greeted each one and thanked them for participating. I noticed a tall, thin man in his fifties arrive. I didn’t recognize him, but as soon as he walked into the gallery Kit’s face lit up.
“Dad!” she cried. Kit ran over to him and gave him a huge hug. I felt a nervous lump in my throat. I didn’t know Rita had invited Kit’s dad. Kit and her dad spoke for a few minutes, then Kit brought him over to meet me.
“Dad, this is my boyfriend, William Philips,” Kit said, giving me an encouraging smile. I raised my eyebrows and triedto temper the smile on my face. Kit had never called me her boyfriend before.
“William, this is my dad, Tom Dean,” Kit said.
I shook Mr. Dean’s hand and said, “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Mr. Dean smiled and said, “I’ve heard quite a bit about you as well. I felt terrible when my flight from Europe was cancelled, but I guess it gave you and Kit a chance to get to know each other.”
Kit blushed and said, “Dad, can I show you some of mom’s paintings?” She guided him toward the back of the gallery. I couldn’t take my eyes off Kit as she moved around the gallery with her dad. She looked so beautiful when she was happy.
“So, you pulled all this together in two weeks?” a female voice said from behind me. I turned around to see Veronica. The question itself was harmless, but something about Veronica’s impatiently tapping foot and crossed arms were hostile and skeptical.
“Hey, I’m so glad you came,” I said warmly. “Rita and I have been working on this for a few months. Rita wanted to have something positive for Kit to think about when her mom’s death anniversary came next week, and we thought this kind of celebration would be something she’d really like.”
Veronica’s face instantly softened, but she quickly regained her defensive posture and she said, “Kit told me that the two of you are…very, very serious, and as her best friend, I want you to know that if you do anything to hurt her...”
I nodded. “I feel so lucky that someone as special as Kit would ever want to be with me, and I won’t do anything to hurt her.”
