Page 91 of Fresh Canvas
This was real. This was mutual.
I had chosen him, and he had chosen me.
Our blooming relationship was flourishing into something stronger than I could have ever hoped for.
I wound my fingers into his silky curls as I pulled myself onto his lap. I had never needed anything more than I needed this man in my life, so I silently committed myself to him with each kiss.
My past. My present. My future.
It was all ever his to begin with.
Val led me to the door. Struggling to keep my floating feet on the ground, I reclaimed my sandals and insisted I’d be fine driving home.
“The couch will be delivered tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, I won’t be there, since I’m going to be at my family’s for Sunday dinner. Text me after they come, okay?” His long, lingering goodbye kiss made me lightheaded.
Val Russo was a man ofmanytalents.
But instead of ushering me out, he stopped in front of the hall closet. I frowned, perplexed to see Val stoop, retrieve a pair of running shoes, and lace them on his feet.
“What are you doing?” I checked my watch. “Val. It’s almost 11:30! Are you really going for a run?”
“Yes, I am.” Val chuckled with a sigh. “Told you, I’m not great at relaxing.”
“That may be true, but don’t you need sleep?” I felt like a zombie, and it wasn’t even midnight.
Val responded by kissing my cheek and holding open the door, not persuaded in the least.
I grumbled and trudged into the hall. “Fine then. But you better watch out. If you don’t chill out soon, I’m going to slip you a sedative or something andmakeyou relax.” My chuckle at how absurd that sounded was interrupted by my sleepy yawn.
Val froze, his body replaced with a stone sculpture, eyes wide and staring. Each muscle seemed drained of both blood and movement.
I backtracked quickly. “I’m kidding, of course!” I raised up to kiss his icy cheek. “I’d never really drug you, I swear.”
Val didn’t respond, though his wide eyes continued to watch me.
“I'm sorry. I promise to never threaten you with pharmaceuticals again.” I waved goodbye, blowing a kiss over my shoulder on the way to the elevator.
Sunday afternoon, the couch arrived. After presenting the pink slip and signing for it, I ripped off the protective plastic, threw myself onto it, and texted a selfie to Val.
AMANTHA: I’m in heaven. You’re the best boyfriend ever! Have a great day with your family!
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. From my new favorite spot, I answered a few work emails and a call from Kate, who wanted to catch up.
Still glued to the cloud-like cushions, I later drifted off with a smile, never even realizing that Val hadn’t texted me back.
twenty-four
AMANTHA
Iarrived at work early, my anticipation too intense to dawdle.
Stirling’s soirée.
Planning such a prestigious event was a dream come true. Opening my calendar, I began to draft a loose timeline of tasks I would need to finish before Stirling’s debut at the end of July.
High heeled footsteps clacked down the hallway before Kate’s fresh face turned the corner. Today, she wore a lemon-yellow sleeveless bodysuit tucked into wide-legged, black trousers. Her sleek, cascading ponytail swung as she set down her designer handbag and plopped into her seat across from me.
“Are yousoexcited for everyone to hear about your promotion?” She waggled her perfectly groomed brows with a grin. “Oh wait, everyone already knows, don’t they?”
