Page 65 of Twisted Beauty

Does Amanda have one too?

Tito raised his eyebrows. Shit. Had she said that out loud? She felt her cheeks flush.

“He doesn’t tell you about her?” Tito asked.

She did say it out loud.

Her gut clenched. Did she just sleep with a guy who was in love with someone else? Maybe she wasn’t even an ex—maybe they were still married. That would make Liv just like Jillian.

“Amanda, she Mateo’s mother. He refuse to speak with her. She good woman, and I fix.”

His mother.

She let out the breath she’d been holding.

That was better than her first assumption. She knew Matt was angry with his mother for keeping him away from his family for so long, but he hadn’t mentioned that he refused to even speak with her, or that she was trying to make amends and he wasn’t interested.

“I don’t tell Mateo. Big surprise Christmas gift.”

She sighed. This was still none of her business. And now what? Did she keep Tito’s secret from Matt? Tell him what Tito had planned? She raised her hands to her temples to rub them, and realized she was still holding on to the pendant.

Tito gestured to it, so she looped it over her head. It had a long, silver chain, and the pendant fell just below the neckline of her top.

“It’s really beautiful.” And obviously special. She’d have to find a way to give it back before she left Mexico. But Tito’s satisfied smile made it worth humoring him. For now. “Thank you.”

Not knowing what else to say, Liv glanced around the storage room at all the empty shelves. It seemed that every last bit of Tito’s inventory was already out in the shop. With a little bit of organizing, he could give his displays some breathing room and fill the shelves back here with labeled boxes so he could always find what he was looking for. The shop would look so much more appealing, and there was a good chance that would boost his sales.

She noticed a stack of about a dozen framed pictures leaning against the back wall. “What are those, Tito?”

“Not for sale.”

“Can I look?”

He nodded and waved his hand toward them with a shaky flourish, as if he thought she was wasting her time. She flipped through them and her breath caught. They were stunning. Several photographs looked like they were taken decades ago, maybe from all around Mexico. And a few oil paintings, bizarre and beautiful renditions of landscapes and cityscapes, had an ethereal quality to them.

“Tito, where did these come from?”

“My wife, she paint those.” He folded his arms over his chest like he was holding himself together, and it broke her heart. “My brother is photographer. Long time ago. I don’t sell. I keep them here.”

“Of course,” Liv said slowly. But what a tragedy to keep these hidden from the world. “How about if we display them but don’t offer them for sale? We could hang them on the wall with captions. Credit Maria Rosa and your brother, and maybe say a little about each piece.”

Tito came to stand next to her and stared down at the artwork. “You think people like to look?”

“Yes, absolutely. This is incredible art. And history. They’re all so gorgeous. What do you say?”

Tito nodded and Liv felt a thrill rush through her. If there was one thing she had an eye for, it was art. Space, lighting, composition. She’d used it all in her photography, and in the school gallery which she’d curated for two years. Hanging these canvases and thinning out the incredible items Tito had displayed on his tables would change the entire look and feel of his shop. Make it inviting. Maybe even make it seem more exclusive and mysterious. She hadn’t felt this excited about a project since grad school.

“What would you think about me stopping by a few times this week to hang these properly and organize your inventory?”

She couldn’t read the look on Tito’s face. Intrigued? Sad? Reluctant?

Finally, he nodded. “Sí. Okay. But only if you wear necklace every day.”

Liv broke out into a smile. “You drive a hard bargain, Tito. It’s a deal.”

A deep voice resonated through the room. “Please tell me you aren’t making any deals with my grandfather.”

Liv turned around to see Matt leaning against the door, arms folded. His wide shoulders practically filled the empty space in the frame. His legs were spotted with water and dirt and his hair was disheveled, like he’d run his wet hands through it multiple times. And yet, he still looked gorgeous. And fortunately more amused than angry.