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The three of them walked toward Ida’s lemonade stand and waited in line. Eloise would wait and see if Kiel noticed her. If not, she wouldn’t be mad. He needed to spend time with his family. After all, that was the entire reason he was on vacation with them.
Eloise’s heart ached, and she rubbed her chest. Tears pricked her eyes. The emotional overload was because her family had abandoned her. Her parents put themselves before her. Unlike Kiel’s parents. From what she saw, they doted on him, especially his mother.
They hadn’t talked about her parents yet, other than them being divorced and her mom moving the two of them to London. Eloise hated the subject of her broken family. It made her weep for the family she once had and tainted her idea of marriage, even though she was beginning to find herself fantasizing about a future she and Kiel could have in another life.
Her heart sang, despite the earlier ache she felt. She quickly put her brush to the canvas and painted the scene in front of her. At any time, Kiel could turn and spot her. Or maybe he had, but because he was with his family, he chose not to come over. Eloise wouldn’t let that bother her. Not now.
When the Colliers rounded the corner, Eloise considered following them, but she had to finish. The piece missed one component—the sunset. She glanced at her phone. She could pack up and head toward the pier, where she’d get a better view of the setting sun, or she could wait.
“Pack it up,” she muttered.
As soon as she stood, she saw Kiel. He stared right at her as he walked toward her. Next to him were his parents. Eloise swallowed hard and did her best to fix her hair, which she assumed was a mess.
“Hey,” she said as he approached. He didn’t make a move to greet her in the way they said goodbye this morning, so she stayed where she was.
“How’d the day go?” He eyed her easel.
“It started off rocky, but I finished on a strong note.”
“Would you like to meet my parents?”
Eloise nodded and reached into her bag for a rag to clean her hands. “I’m sure I’m a mess.”
“You’re beautiful,” he said as he turned and waved his parents forward.
When they were close enough, Eloise stepped out from behind her easel and rubbed her hands down the front of her romper.
“Eloise, I’d like for you to meet Emmett and Leona, my parents.”
She stuck her hand out and shook theirs. “Mr. and Mrs. Collier, it’s very nice to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying Seaport.”
“Please, call me Emmett and this fine lady on my arm, Leona.”
“We love Seaport,” Leona said. “Kiel tells us you’re a painter.”
“I am or trying to be. I mean, I guess I do paint, but I’m not sure when I can classify myself as one. I haven’t sold my first piece yet.”
“I told her I’d buy all of them,” Kiel said. “I don’t know shit about art, but I love everything I’ve seen of hers.”
“You’re biased,” Eloise muttered, but couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“The gallery down the street is the one Eloise’s aunt owns. We walked by it today, but I didn’t see you there, so we came down this way.”
Eloise smiled. He’d brought his parents to meet her, in the place she felt most comfortable. She wanted to hug him, kiss him, and do naughty, naughty things to him.
“What’s her name? Maybe I’ve heard of her,” Emmett said.
“Margaux Harris.” Eloise pointed to the mural behind them. “She painted that last fall.”
“Oh, she’s talented,” Emmett added.
“Yeah, she is. Definitely stop by the gallery though. Have a look around.”
“Leona put it in our notes, so we won’t forget,” Emmett said as he looked at his wife with so much adoration, it exuded off him. Kiel looked at Eloise that way, a time or two. “We’re going to head home. I’ll see you in the morning, Kiel.”
“Not until I get a yes from Eloise,” Leona said. Her eyebrow popped up, waiting for Eloise to say something.
She looked from Leona to Kiel and started to say something but closed her mouth when she saw Kiel roll her eyes.
