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Eva waved to Julia as she snuck in. "Hey, I'm so glad you could make it," Eva told her as Julia joined her in a quiet corner.
"There was no way that I was missing this. How's she doing? There are so many people here. I'd be overwhelmed, but she's smiling."
"She's really good," Eva said.
Julia hugged her. "You two are adorable together."
Eva blushed. She loved having Julia's support. "Thank you. I mean that. You, Claire, and Michael are my family."
Julia gave her a big hug. "This is going to sound really rash, but I'm secretly hoping for a garden wedding. Late spring when Claire's garden is in full bloom. Don't tell her I told you. And please don't freak out on me either."
Eva's cheeks grew impossibly more red, but now that Julia had mentioned it, she couldn't get it out of her mind either. "I'd like that too," she quietly confessed.
Julia gave her hand a squeeze before going to join her sister.
Michael came up beside Eva. "We should do this more often. Not just galleries, but just have parties for the town here. We've made a ton of money and look how happy everyone is. We've got the space, let's have the people."
She nodded. "Yes...We should..."
"You seem distracted," Michael said with a snort.
"Julia is thinking about Claire and me getting married," Eva said as quietly as she could.
Michael whistled low in surprise. "You don't seem freaked out though."
That was the weird thing. She wasn't. "I'm not saying getting married tomorrow wouldn't leave me in a panic of trying to get ready, but I'm not freaking out. Not at all. If she asked, I'd say yes. In a heartbeat. I don't think she's planning on proposing though. I think Julia is getting a bit ahead of herself. It's still very, very early in our relationship. But, I'd be lying if I hadn't thought about what it would be like to live with her. To wake up in that cottage, to share coffee in the garden while she sketches, to spend nights wrapped around her." She sighed wistfully.
"To letting me have your apartment," he added on, making her laugh.
"Yes, that too." She wrapped her arm around him from the side, hugging him. "But not today."
"I'm teasing, mostly," he said, kissing her temple. "But I'm so happy you've found her. She's amazing. I hope this night goes well. Everyone seems to really like her art."
They weren't needed for the moment so Eva stayed by him, quietly observing everyone who had come to the showing. "It means a lot that you like her, you know. I know you weren't always a fan of Liz."
"You were too wrapped around her finger. I didn't have that problem. But yes, I like her. A lot. I wish she had a brother. Or a cousin. Or a hot single dad." He shrugged.
"I'll keep my eye out for you," Eva promised. She wanted to see him happy too. He deserved to find someone wonderful, just like she had.
"I'd appreciate that." He smiled at her, his expression softening. "I love you. So much. You're the best."
"I love you too," Eva said.
As the night continued, the crowd began to thin out. Eva and Claire cleaned up and said their goodbyes as Michael closed up the cafe and Julia drove back home.
"Can I walk you back?" Eva asked when everything was put away.
"That sounds lovely," Claire replied.
They took the short walk slowly, enjoying the night and the gentle breeze.
"I'm so glad I stepped outside my comfort zone."
"You deserve to have your talent recognized," Eva replied, taking her hand.
Claire turned and embraced Eva tightly when they got to her front door. "Thank you for pushing me and being by my side," she whispered into her hair. "I couldn't have done this without you. Come inside with me?"
Eva smiled at her. "I would love to."
