Page 145 of Infatuated as They Come
She giggled softly, letting my hands wrap around her waist so I could hold her against me. “Congratulations! Isn’t this the most exciting night ever?”
“I’ve had more exciting,” I said into her ear. “Thanks for spoiling my cousin.”
“Well, you barely let me spoil you, so at least I can do it to someone. I can’t wait to see your paintings! I bet they look so beautiful.”
“I’m pretty nervous about showing you, I won’t lie.”
“Don’t be silly. I just know everyone here’s gonna be dying to get theirhands on you after this.” Her smile was all big and warm, but that faded the second she pulled her phone out of her bag. “My parents are outside.”
I nodded at her. “Hey, it’s okay. I wanted them here, remember?”
“If he says anything…” she said, caution in her voice.
“Don’t worry. It’s alright. Go. Go see them,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze.
“Okay. I’ll let you two catch up.” She kissed my cheek before making a bee line around the corner, thankfully going in the opposite direction of where all my stuff was.
“So, how’s Boston been?” I asked Brodie as he slid back up next to me. “You having fun over there?”
He gave me a wide smile. “Yeah, it’s been really good. Busy, but good. I still can’t believe I got into college. With a scholarship. You and me have been having a lot of Cinderella moments lately.”
“Yeah, it all feels too good to be true. But school’s okay? People treating you good?”
“Everyone’s really nice. I have nothing to complain about and Lucas is a really good roommate. We both love the toaster you got us.” He gave my arm a friendly punch. “We use it every day. He said he’s sorry he couldn’t come, he’s busy with football.”
I nodded. “No, it’s okay. I know how seriously he takes that. I’m glad you could come, though. I think I’m the only one here with just the one family member showing up.”
“But I’m your favorite family member, so that cancels it all out. This is so cool. My first art gallery showing.Yourfirst art gallery showing. And many more to come, right?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Aren’t you excited to show everyone your stuff?”
“I mean, I guess.” I gave my neck a rub. “But there’s only one person I really wanna show…”
“Ah, where’s she gone off to?” he asked, head twisting. “Damn, check out this crowd. There’s a lot of fancy guys in suits here.”
“Yeah, too many,” I muttered.
“You should see The Plaza. I’ve never felt so damn out of place. You know they gave me a robe? I’ve been living in that thing since I got here. I can’t believe Holly did all that for me. Have you let her splurge on you yet?”
“You don’t even wanna know how much this shirt costs.”
“I’ve got one like this.” He hummed, thumb and forefinger rubbing at the red and black flannel on my arm. “Can I see your paintings now?”
“Yeah, let me show you,” I said, looking over my shoulder, but there was no Holly in sight. “They’re this way.”
I guided Brodie around the partition, taking him over to where my designated section of the gallery was. My eyes widened a little when I saw how many people were lingering around my stuff. Some leaning in close, some with their heads tilted, some taking photos.
I stood in front of the first painting: the one that started the story, the one that felt like the beginning of everything for me and Holly: the day we first kissed. I had painted a whirl of bright colors with her in the middle, her dark locks spilling down her back, her in a pretty pink dress. The one she was wearing the day we kissed for the first time, the day everything in my life seemed to instantly get better from her touch alone.
“Aw, these are so beautiful,” Brodie said. “And they’re all of Holly? You’re so whipped, cousin.”
“I know.” I laughed. “Can’t help it.”
“They’re amazing.” Brodie walked past the first one and then to the next, eyes big as he took the canvases in. “Hey, I was there when this happened.” Brodie pointed at the fourth one—the one of Holly on the couch. “That was a good day.”
“Yeah, it was,” I said with a little laugh.
