Page 33 of Too Enchanting

Jed

It had been a great few days working on the set of Fix it Up.

Being on a crew was always fun, and luckily I had a great group of guys surrounding me. They were all talented, helpful, and pretty laid back, considering we had cameras in our faces most of the time.

I’d even had a couple guys over for a beer one night after we knocked off, cause they wanted to check out my workshop.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen much of Serena. Our hours were long and while I spent my time onsite, she spent most of hers off. I’d seen her in passing, but by the time I dragged myself into bed at night her lights were off, and when I got up in the morning her car was already gone.

We’d been texting, so I knew she was slammed between the work on the show and getting ready for her gallery opening. Luckily, we would be filming the big reveal in two days, and then Serena would be able to focus solely on the opening. Then a week after that, she’d have her big night and be able to settle into a routine.

Although from what she’d told me when I asked, she’d always be planning for a showcase, so I didn’t think things would ever really slow down for her. But she seemed to like it that way.

I could definitely relate. I wasn’t the kind of guy who enjoyed a life of leisure. I needed to be busy.

It had been another long day and although I was eager to get home, take a shower, and get a little time in my shop, my eyes went to Serena’s house as I pulled in my driveway. I felt a twinge of disappointment that her house was once again dark.

As I walked into my house I pulled out my phone and sent her a text.

What do you say after the wrap party on Saturday I take you out for a real meal in an actual restaurant? I know you’re going to say you have work, but I promise not to keep you out late. Just dinner.

After I showered, I grabbed my phone and jogged down the stairs and out the back door, grinning when I saw Serena had replied.

Yes! I’m in. I’m allergic to shellfish, but other than that, I’m not picky. Are you home now? I’d like to bring something by…

I unlocked my shop, turned on the lights, and crossed to my sound system.

Yup, in the shop out back.

Once my music was going, I walked over to the dining table and bench seats I was making with the boat wood, surveying it to see how much left I had to do before it was finished. I’d uploaded a picture of my progress that morning and already had two people interested in buying it.

Fifteen minutes later, I was deep in the zone when I heard a commotion at the door and looked up to see Serena walking in carrying a large, wrapped package.

I jumped up. “Let me help you with that. Rena, I would have come and grabbed this so you didn’t have to carry it over.”

From the size and shape, I knew it was the painting.

“Oh, I’m used to it,” she said from around the side of the painting, which was almost as big as she was, then her eyes locked on the beach wood furniture. “Ohhh, that’s beautiful.”

She leaned the painting up against the wall and crossed to look at it more closely.

I looked at the wrapped painting, then back at her.

“Let me just take this in the house real quick so nothing happens to it. I’ll be right back … don’t leave.”

Serena smiled at me over her shoulder and said, “I won’t. Promise.”

As quickly as I could, I took the painting into the house and laid it out on my dining room table, then jogged back to where Serena was still looking over the table.

“Jed?”

“Yeah?” I asked, enjoying the sound of my name on her lips.

“Can I ask you something that may sound a bit strange?”

“You can ask me anything,” I assured her, stepping closer.

“Would you mind if I painted you?” she asked shyly. “I’ve never asked anyone before, at least, not anyone who wasn’t family. I would do a few sketches of you first in here working, then maybe later you could sit for me. Once I had a few different poses, I’d paint using the sketches.”

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