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“You got him for me,” she said, voice low and grateful. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure, Miss Moore.”
“It’s Gabriella...” her eyes went from Meera to Tero and then to mine, so many questions in her jeweled orbs “... and how did you get him? Where was he?”
“He was being held at a local vet’s office that attends to the precinct’s dogs.”
“Christ.” Gabriella kisses the furballs head, and he licks her cheek. The smile on her face is enough to bring a dead heart back to life, but then it drops and her brows furrow. “I’m sorry, but who are you? I know them, but we’ve never...”
“Never apologize, Gabriella. You’ve done nothing wrong.” Stepping forward, she holds a hand out toward my girl, which Gabriella takes after shifting her hold on the dog. “My name is Meera, and I’m Tero’s wife. I’m also the gallery’s event coordinator, and we were bound to meet very soon as I need your input for the show.”
“No can do, sweetheart. You’re kind of stuck with me for a while.” Today. Tomorrow. Until the end of time. “Does that bother you?”
“Would you believe me if I said yes?”
“Not when you’re smiling like that. No.” Tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, I lean across the center console and lay a small kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Now, let’s get down. There’s something I want you to see.”
“Maybe another time? I really need to head home and check on—”
“Humor me.” Another small kiss, this time to the tip of her nose. “Please.”
“You get one hour.”
“Sure.” I’ll let her think that, but she’s not going home yet. If ever.
I’m not letting her go.
“Why is it that I don’t believe you?”
“No clue.” Not giving her a chance to further question me, I turn the car off and get out, rushing to her side. I open her door and hold a hand up—pausing her exit—while quickly opening my glove compartment. She’s looking at me funny, a small smile on her lips, but more than that, there’s curiosity when I don’t show her what I’ve grabbed.
For now, I tuck it into my pocket and then pull her out, leading us toward the main entrance. It’s a little after five now and I had the place closed for us, hoping she’ll enjoy the trip more with it being just the two of us.
And I’m right when she gasps after I usher us inside.
“Theo,” my name on her lips is a beautiful sigh—so sweet. “When did this go up? Has there been some interest?”
“Before I left for L.A., and yes. A lot, in fact.” With my hand on the small of her back, I move us deeper into the reception area where an announcement of the upcoming show has been set up. Her name is the largest of the three artists showing over the next six months, and I’m proud of her. She earned this. Everything good coming her way. “We’ve already started to build your set as no one else will be using that floor this year.”
“No one?”
“No. It’s yours.” Stepping closer, I use the tips of two fingers to turn her head in my direction. “I’ve had a special prop delivered for you, too. Meera brought it here today to test its placement.”
“What is it?”
“All I can show you is where it’ll go?”
“Why?”
“It’s a surprise meant for later.”
“Okay.” And there’s the sparkle I’ve missed over the last few days. This genuine excitement that glows—moves you when she smiles. A real one. When she’s content and feels at ease, there’s nothing more beautiful to me.
“Then let me show you.” I slip my hand into hers and pull her gently behind me toward the elevator, pressing the number three once the doors close. Her fingers play with mine while we wait to reach the top, gently squeezing the tips. However, the moment we reach our floor, I pull her back before the doors open. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” No hesitation. No doubt. So perfect.
“Good girl.” Eyes still on hers, I press the hold button so the elevator doesn’t leave our floor and then turn her around, pulling the blindfold from my pocket. “Just remember I won’t let you fall.”
