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I’ve been holding off on doing that because I promised myself I’d give her time to work on the exhibit without my romantic dreams getting in the way of that.
Champ took her time creating an exhibit that featured photographs that held a special significance to the two of us.
I didn’t realize that until I walked into the gallery three hours ago and spotted an image taken from the roof of our building. It showcased the grandeur of Manhattan at night with endless lights in the distance.
Judging from the angle that the photograph was taken, Calliope got closer to the edge than she ever has before.
Next to that photograph was one of the exterior of this gallery, along with another of the taco truck that Barney owns. When my gaze landed on a shot of the outside of our building with Lester standing guard by the door, I almost lost it.
I had my wallet out, ready to buy the entire lot of pictures, but Champ whispered in my ear that there would be prints of all of them hanging in our home by the end of the night.
Her brother, Grady, is seeing to that.
The day before he returned to Manhattan, I helped Calliope carry her things over to my place. I didn’t have to ask her to move in. We both knew it would happen. It was understood. That’s how our connection works.
It was the same way during her last shift at Tin Anchor. That happened two nights ago. Even though she didn’t ask me to be there, I arrived before her and sat at my regular seat at the end of the bar. The smile I received when she spotted me said it all. She was thrilled I was there to see her through to the end of that chapter of her life.
She was just as tickled pink when I went with her to the hospital the day her newest nephew was born. We arrived with a large stuffed blue elephant for Naomi and Harlan’s son, Bowie.
I approach where Calliope is standing next to Graham and Trina. Little Sela is bundled in a blanket in Graham’s arms. She was passed around to Kavan, his wife, and Harrison earlier. I took a turn holding the little pink-clothed bundle of joy too.
I swear to fuck, she smiled at me, but Graham told me that it was gas.
I highly doubt that. I know I’m the kids’ favorite uncle even though she was the star guest of honor at Kavan and Juliet’s wedding. There are dozens of pictures documenting that baby girl’s adventures so far.
Calliope and I plan on having a couple of kids one day, although that’s not in our near future. We ditched the condoms, but she’s still on birth control. Loving each other is all that we have planned for now.
“Your talent knows no bounds, Callie,” Trina Locke says. “I’m so thrilled that we were able to grab one of the photographs before you sold out.”
Calliope nods. “Thank you for that.”
“No, thank you,” Graham interjects. “We’ve already picked out a spot for it in our home.”
Champ glances at me, and almost instantly her cheeks blush pink. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I repeat back. “It’s about time to shut this party down.”
Our agreement with the gallery was to clear out by midnight. Tomorrow, I’ll help Calliope package all the photographs that sold tonight for delivery, and we’ll display a host of new ones. The space is hers for a month.
“I’m ready to go home,” she says. “Are you?”
“I’m ready.”
I’m ready to take her home and drop to one knee to ask her to spend the rest of her life with me.
* * *
“I’m so fucking excitedabout the winter campaign.” Calliope shoots me a look as we ride the elevator up to our floor. “Tonight, Delora told me that Decky approved the print ads and the new billboard concept for Times Square.”
That bastard.
I wanted to be the one to put that smile on her face. Of course, my brother would step into the role of superhero before I had the chance.
He also bought up one of Champ’s photos tonight and commissioned one of our parents’ townhouse as an anniversary gift for them.
When I told him I was popping the question, he promised me that he’d be the best brother-in-law in town. He’s already living up to that.
“I approved them too,” I say as we step off the lift on our floor.
