Page 53 of Painting Her Fate

Ford’s message resonates in my head.

‘Bring Lili along.’

I give a mental shrug. Worth a shot, right? What can it hurt?

“Wanna go to a cookout?” I blurt out then on instinct I bolster my defenses, ready for the let-down I know is coming.She is going to say no. Damn it. Why did I even ask her?“I mean, if you’d rather paint-” I try to correct my statement and feel like I’m only making it worse. I never stammer, I’m a professionally trained, level-headed Marine who doesn’t scare easily, and here she is making me nervous as shit. C’mon, buck up Marine, she might

just say yes, “it’s a small thing with my family, no big crowd.”

She seems intrigued, is that a good sign?

“I wouldn’t want to impose.” She exclaims, chewing at her lower lip.

That isn’t a no.

Reel her in Zander…

“You wouldn’t be,” I try coming up with something snarky to add,

“Now Ford on the other hand- he’s a different story.” That made her shoulders relax and she laughs, “my mom loves having company, and Hank will be there.”

Her face lights up.Bingo. She loves my dog…

I knew it was too damn good to be true.Now, I wonder if I can convince her to take a liking to his owner…

“Well,” she says, tapping a finger to her chin, “only if Hank is coming. I guess I could.” There is a glint of amusement in her pause.Is she playing with me?She starts laughing then pushes herself off the counter and takes my hand in hers. “I’d love to go with you.”

A short while later a refreshed Lili makes her way down the hall to the main room.

“Be ready in a minute. I want to grab a couple things for Blake.” She zooms past me to her makeshift studio area. I stand, run both hands through my hair, freezing part way through when I catch sight of her. The rays of sunshine peeking through the window casts silky ribbons in her hair. Her hair is down in those waves I’ve come to love, and she’s wearing a modest light blue sleeveless dress, showing off her bare sinful long legs.

Mercy.This girl is gonna destroy me.

“Ready?” She slings her canvas bag over her shoulder, her brow cocks and a light laugh fills her tone, “I’m wearing clothes, yes, pretty, got it.” She rolls her eyes like she knew I’d complement her, “let’s get going.”

She starts walking to the entryway and puts on a pair of flats.

I follow behind her, beginning to offer a complement, “You look-”

“If you say beautiful, I will hurt you.” She scolds with a confident Scottish accent, “I mean it. I can’t stand that shite.” When I’m readying to ask why, she just sighs, “Please. Don’t.”

I submit.Sort of.

“I see it upsets you.” I move closer to her and offer my hand. She takes it in hers and bites her lip as I lean in, “you have brought sunshine to my stormy days, Lili. I’m hoping there are many more sunshine-filled days ahead.” I pull back and give her a firm stare, “this gorgeous person before me deserves to know my opinion of her. Accept my complement for what it is. Please.”

She’s quiet as she studies me then feathers her lips over mine in silent approval, “forgive me for my lashing at you, I do not take well to complements.” Her eyes sparkle then dim with a hint of sadness, “especially from men.” Her face is stony now, masking any emotions that may be raging inside.

I stroke her hand, “give it time. I will tell you every day until you have no choice but to accept it, then I will tell you every day thereafter.” Her smile turns mischievous and I’m waiting for her sass to show itself. I cup her jaw and kiss her deeper, solidifying my assertions. When I pull away, I find sadness deep within her oceans, “you owe it to yourself to feel beautiful on the inside too, Lili.”

“J’ai peur (I’m frightened).” She whispers with a faraway stare. I don’t know what she said, so I ask. Lili’s chin lifts and she shakes her head, “never mind.” She waves her hand dismissively and changes the subject, something she is good at, “let’s go see that pup of yours.” With that she backs away from me, turns the lights off, and heads out the door.

One thing is certain; I need to start learning French, ASAP.

Hank hops out of my truck and runs to my parents’ porch, tail wagging a mile a minute, soft yips of glee in his wake.

“Someone is happy to be here.” Lili giggles behind me. I turn just in time to catch her chewing her lip; she’s nervous. “I find it odd I’m meeting your parents.” Her tone turns snarky and I’m rooting to see more of this side of her, “twenty-four hours and it’s as if you’ve begun courting. I do not know what to make of that.”

I smile and lead us to the door where Hank nudges it with his nose, little huffs of impatience left him as his tail thumps repetitively against my leg.

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