Page 82 of Painted in Love

“Then Francine must be one of her favorites,” Saskia guessed.

Ava was CEO of Harrington Community Care International and flew out to her other facilities at least twice a year. But in the Bay Area, she visited monthly and was even known to paint the nails of her favorite ladies. Ransom also took time out of his busy chef-extraordinaire schedule to accompany Ava and help paint the ladies’ nails.

“Funny how everything is connected,” Clay mused. “Ava had no idea Francine was Charlie’s mother before we all fell in with the Mavericks. Anyway, suspecting something was going on, Francine told Ava that Charlie and Sebastian were going on a short jaunt, after which they’d have a massive party.” He smiled, looking a couple of rows up at Francine, who was seated with Ava and Ransom. “Francine was sure they were eloping, because Charlie wouldn’t want a lot of fuss.”

“But honestly, how did Ava figure out it was Las Vegas?”

Clay chuckled. “My devious older brother. Dane was able to find out their flight plan.”

Thus, the Maverick group was on a mission to make sure they were in attendance at Charlie and Sebastian’s elopement.

Clay looked up as Will Franconi made a beeline for Adrian, Gareth by her side. Gareth was taking a leave of absence from his law firm to do some painting. Clay couldn’t be happier that his friend had rediscovered his creativity, though he suspected Gareth had never lost it, simply buried it beneath everyone else’s needs. And this thing with Adrian? A match made in heaven.

Will’s voice carried through the plane despite the jet engines. “Adrian, give us the update on Hugo Lewis.”

Clay was sure they’d all done an internet search on the man, but it was good to have a group update.

Adrian damn near beamed as she told them the news. “I’m happy to say that Hugo has disappeared from the art scene. Completely.” She dusted her hands together as if she were erasing him. “Once he failed Saskia’s challenge to find the symbol that was supposedly in his paintings, he slipped away into the weeds like the weasel he is.”

A massive round of applause pounded Clay’s ears as he snuggled Saskia closer. “I’m so glad,” he murmured.

Adrian stood and made her way to Saskia. “The art world is begging you to tell them where all the lynx symbols are in your early work. Collectors are clamoring for your San Holo prints too.” She laughed, her eyes glittering. “I’ve never seen so many zeros written after a number on a check. I was completely misguided when I suggested anonymity bumped up the price of art. Your stuff is hotter than ever, Saskia.” She drew her friend up into a tight embrace.

Stepping back, Adrian pointed at Clay. “A little birdie told me that another mural with a fleur-de-lis has popped up in New York.” She arched one eyebrow. “Weren’t you two just there?”

Clay had stood at the end of that New York alley all night while she’d worked, despite her dry tone when she’d said, I’ve been doing this on my own for years.

But she was his now. He wouldn’t stop worrying that something might happen to her out there alone at night.

The crowd raised their glasses in a toast, and a voice rang out, whose he wasn’t sure. “To Saskia, San Holo, and her bravery.”

Adrian leaned over to hug him, murmuring, “Thank you for keeping her safe. I never told her, but I’ve always worried about her hanging out in dark alleys.”

He hugged her back. Then he looked at his beautiful Saskia. “She’ll never be alone again.”

He meant that in so many more ways than one.

Saskia didn’t feel even a twinge of embarrassment or nerves. Where before there’d been only herself and Adrian, this was her family now. Just like Clay was her family.

Her heart melted at the hug Clay gave her friend. Love and acceptance. Saskia could have cried for the genuineness and kindness of the man she’d fallen in love with.

After that sweet tête-à-tête with Clay, Adrian took Gareth’s hand and raised her voice. “Another hot notice in the art world is that Gareth Tate will have a gallery showing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, the date still to be determined.”

Gareth was working furiously on new canvases. He’d turned the spare bedroom of his San Francisco flat into a studio. Though Clay had offered him space at the warehouse, he’d politely declined. “I want to be able to get up in the middle of the night and paint when inspiration strikes.”

He also didn’t want to be away from Adrian too long. Though they weren’t living together, they spent nights at his place or hers, and he had art supplies in Adrian’s spare room too. It was a match made in heaven, to quote Clay.

Gareth would place his new work in the show, but Saskia, Adrian, and Clay had talked him into unearthing his old paintings as well. Because they were brilliant.

Adrian added, “Movie star Smith Sullivan and his wife, Valentina, are eager to attend. But most of all, we’d love for all of you to come. I’ll update you on exactly when as soon as we know.”

Clay called loudly, “Looks like I need to find a new lawyer, dammit.”

The cabin erupted in laughter. They all knew Gareth should never have been a lawyer in the first place.

Saskia hugged Gareth. “I am so happy for you.”

His smile was true in a way she was sure his smiles of the past ten years hadn’t been. “I’m happy for you and my best friend Clay.”

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