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I’m proud to say that I nailed my meeting with Mr. Reynolds from the art gallery. In the beginning, he wasn’t too thrilled when he found out I was the owner of Club Syn. Thankfully my paintings won him over and my word that I was fully committed to the gallery is what cemented the deal. I assured him that I have trustworthy employees to run my club and that seemed to put his mind at ease.
As a businessman, I understood wholeheartedly why he’d be a bit hesitant to invest so much time and energy on someone who might be going through a phase, or might be having a mid-life crisis as he so sorely phrased it. Fuck, I didn’t think I was that old but apparently he did.
I know I have a long road ahead of me. A showing isn’t something that happens just overnight, but I’m more than ready to begin this next chapter in my life. I’m certain that Lili would laugh at the analogy, but it finally feels like I’m moving forward and I have only her to thank for it.
If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be painting for a living instead of going to the club every day, I would have died laughing. Little did I know that my idiot brother would hand me the woman of my dreams. If it weren’t for the fact that I dislike him so much, I would have called him to personally thank him. Why open up a can of worms, seeing as I haven’t heard a peep from my family since before Thanksgiving?
Now that I’ve officially signed a three-month contract with Mr. Reynolds at the art gallery, I’m anxious to let Lili in on my little secret. It’s so tempting to share my good news with her but, unfortunately, I need to hold off a bit longer. I’m still months away from my showing since there’s another artist there at the moment. When her contract is up, mine will begin. And since this is a new partnership of sorts, I’m also able to sign on with other galleries if the occasion should arise. I made certain that clause was added into the contract. If and when we both decide for a longer term, I’ll consider being exclusive to Creative Art & Ink. Until then, I’m going to leave my options open.
Seriously though, I never realized how many decisions I’d have to make when approaching an art gallery. Will I be selling my art online or at the club? Who sets the pricing and who pays for promo and advertising? On and on and on until my head was spinning.
Thank god I’m a businessman by nature, so I was able to think outside of the box. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had a clue as how to proceed. Be that as it may, I was thankful we were able to agree on a contract in such a short amount of time. Now I have my work cut out for me since I only have ninety days to sort out everything at the club and add to my paintings. I’m exhausted just thinking about it, but thrilled at the same time.
I’m just closing the door to my studio when I hear Lili calling my name. Phew, that was close. I almost got caught red-handed. “I’ll be down in a minute, baby.”
My heart lurches when I hear, “Hurry, I need you!” I have no time to think when my feet hit the bottom of the stairs. She’s pacing back and forth like a caged animal and I’m grateful she’s not hurt. But what the hell?
“Lili, you scared the fuck out of me. What’s wrong?” Her eyes are wide like saucers and her teeth gnash at her bottom lip with a vengeance. This is so not good. “Lili, you need to answer me now!” In a few short strides I have her in my arms.
She’s trembling like a leaf blowing in the wind. She buries her face in my chest and whispers, “I sold the condo for one point two million dollars.”
Ah, I want to throttle her for scaring the fuck out of me! But thank Christ she’s not hurt. “Lili, I told you not to sell it because of me—”
Violet eyes suddenly meet mine in a battle of wills. “I didn’t, Z. I did it for me. You see, if I hold on to it, I’ll never take that next step. It’s just a constant reminder of the past when I’m determined to embrace my future. Believe me, it’s the right time and he paid me a fuck-ton of money. Now you’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.”
I never knew I could feel this strongly for another human being, other than my sister. And just the thought of Zoe has my heart squeezing inside of my chest. But I won’t spoil this moment thinking about her when the woman I love is waiting for an answer. “Baby, you being here with me is exactly where you belong. I’m not ‘stuck’ with you, I choose you for as long as you’ll have me. I love you, Lilianna Cavallon, and I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.” I wish I could be her knight in shining armor. Or just the kind of guy who drops down on one knee to propose, but I think it’s too soon and I’m so afraid I’ll fuck it all up. I can’t be sure if she sees me struggling, but she swoops down and saves the day.
“Let’s go out and celebrate. My treat.” How can I resist when her soft lips land on mine? Coaxing, teasing and sending me into a tailspin.
“If you keep it up, baby, the only thing I will be eating is you!” She winks and gives me a wicked grin.
“Mm, that’s going to be my dessert.” Well, I can’t argue with that, now can I?
LILIANNA
Now that I’m standing in the middle of an empty room, I feel lost and alone. I know that’s ludicrous since Zane’s downstairs in the parking lot waiting for me. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t calm the storm that’s raging inside of me. The feeling of gloom and doom that something bad is about to happen is just too much to dismiss. I try shaking it off by doing another walk-through, just to be sure I’ve left nothing behind. Once I’ve opened all the closets and drawers for what seems like the millionth time, I’m finally convinced.
That doesn’t mean I’m ready to leave quite yet. I stroll over to the big bay window for one last look. And my heart calms the second I see Zane leaning against the car, biding his time. Without warning, my eyes fill with unshed tears as I place the palm of my hand against the window pane. As if sensing me watching him, he shields his eyes and glances up in my direction. His lips curve upward in a smile, and wouldn’t you know the tears begin to fall the moment he mouths I love you.
It’s in this very moment that I realize if I had stayed inside of these four walls, I would have become lifeless and stagnant. Gazing down at Zane, it gives me hope that my future will breathe the life back into me. I laugh, blow him a kiss and stride across the room with purpose. I have one hand on the doorknob as I take a deep, cleansing breath while shivers race up and down my spine. I don’t dare turn around for fear he’ll be standing right behind me. With a “Goodbye, Ryder,” on my lips, I walk out the door for the very last time.
The elevator can’t open soon enough. When it does, I bolt out of Brighton Condos and run as fast as I can into the arms of the man I love. And he’s right there ready to catch me. “I gotcha, baby,” he murmurs, nuzzling into the curve of my neck. And he does. I know Zane will never let me go, I’m always safe and secure in his arms.
I know if we don’t get moving, we’re going to be late. And it will be all my fault, since I’m the one who took too long reminiscing about Ryder.
The walls echoed with his laughter and all the nooks and crannies spoke in hushed tones as he made love to me until the wee hours of the morning. I swear I could still smell the scent of cinnamon rolls wafting through the air as I recalled Christmas mornings spent curled up in front of the fireplace. Or the smooth taste of hot cocoa laced with a hint of Bailey’s Irish cream after a brisk walk in the snow.
I now take comfort in knowing those memories will be forever in my heart. And that there’s more than enough room in there for my past, present and future memories.
“We better get going. I don’t want Dakota blaming me for ruining her wedding day. It’s bad enough she’ll be laughing at my raccoon eyes now that I ruined my mascara.” In my haste, I can’t remember for the life of me if I applied the one that was waterproof.
He tilts my chin to inspect my face and swipes his thumb underneath my eyes. “You look absolutely stunning, Lili.” Oh, how I want to kiss this man for always making me feel like a pretty princess, but if I do, we’ll never leave. He always knows the right thing to say at the right time.
I’m dreading this wedding more than he’ll ever know, but I’m his girl and I won’t let him down. But, between you and me, I’ll breathe a whole lot easier once Dakota and Brad say I do. Maybe then, we can all get on with our lives.
It only takes us thirty minutes to get to the venue and Zane’s immediately escorted into the changing room the moment we walk in. Which leaves me standing there all alone looking like an idiot. It’s in that instance that I realize I’m not prepared for this. Well, I suppose the only logical thing for me to do would be to sit down and wait for the wedding to start.
A handsome young man patiently waits at the door to escort me into the room. “Are you a friend of the bride or groom?” he asks with a bright smile.
