Painted Memories (36 page)

I took my time in the shower, shaved my legs with a new razor, moisturized every inch of myself and blew dry my hair. Once I was finished, I had to let myself cool off before I tackled all the curling. My hair took a lot longer to curl than I expected.

I checked the time and only had forty-five minutes to get dressed and apply my makeup before he arrived. Walking over to the garment bag, I picked it up and hung it on the hook at the back of my bathroom door. Slowly, I unzipped the bag and spread it open. A red glow shimmered across my skin and the wall behind me. Sequins were stitched over the entire surface of the dress. I raked my hand down the front, feeling the cool, smooth discs beneath my palm. A thin, black satin belt with a tiny bow wrapped around its middle. I removed the dress from the bag and gasped at its beauty. It hung on a red silk hanger by thin, tiny, cord straps. Carefully, I slipped it off the hanger and over my head. I peered at myself in the full-length mirror and appreciated how it cut low enough to glimpse my breast, but not enough to make me feel exposed. The dress was short, ending about three inches above my knees.

Something grabbed my attention in the bottom of the bag and I took a closer look. Two silver boxes lay at the bottom, one small and one large. I lifted them out and moved to sit in the chair next to my bed. The large box held a pair of high-heeled shoes. The toe of the shoe was black, leaving the rest of my foot exposed. Gold straps wrapped across the top of my foot and around my ankle. When I slipped them on, I stood nearly four inches taller. They were stunning and suggested maybe Drew appreciated my legs a bit more than I thought.

Next, I opened the smaller box and gasped at its contents before squeezing my eyes shut tightly. I refused to cry and held my eyes closed until the urge passed. Inside the box lay a ruby-gemmed bracelet with a matching necklace and a pair of earrings. I was speechless. A card from the box floated to the floor and I bent down,
and picked it up to read its script.

Yes, the rubies are real and NO I will not return it, so don't ask me to. I love you. See you in a bit.

When I felt tears pricking my eyes, I squeezed them tight again. He would not make me cry. No. Not tonight.

It was nearly six o'clock and I paced the living room floor, waiting for him. I managed to keep my tears at bay, spending most of the remaining time trying to make my makeup look as flawless and natural as possible. Rummaging through my closet; I found a black clutch and a black wrap to drape around my shoulders,
dismissing the need for a coat. I'd probably still be cold, but in a dress like this... I'd happily cope.

When I heard a knock on my door, I froze and waited for him to come in like he usually did, but he didn't this time. I was extremely nervous and I didn't know why. It felt like there was a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I had no idea where he was taking me, but it had to be someplace fancy, judging by the dress he chose.

Opening the door, Drew stood in front of me wearing a coal-black, three-piece suit with a red satin tie and a single red rose in the lapel of his jacket. He was as handsome as I’d ever seen him. The suit he wore at the charity event made him look gorgeous, but something about everything he’d done up until now—the jewelry, the outfit, and everything I'd been through with my parents and grieving over Jesse—made him look like my Prince Charming, the one true love of my dreams. Even before this moment, I knew there was no one person I could love more than him.

Drew inhaled sharply as his eyes drifted over me. He opened his mouth to speak, but instantly closed it. I didn't need to hear a word; his eyes told me all I needed to know. I stepped closer, my body against his and kissed him. His hand cupped the side of my neck and I melted into him as my hands pressed on his chest. Drew tasted of sweet mint when our tongues, slick and warm, slid against each other in a slow dance. He kissed me softly and tenderly before pulling
away slightly. Stepping back, Drew stared into my eyes, his thumb, light as a feather, brushed across my cheek.

“You take my breath away,” he whispered.

“Thank you. You really didn't have—”

He pressed his finger against my mouth and arched his brow. “I did this because it's what I wanted. Okay?”

Yeah, because it makes me feel great that you spent all of this money on me while you're working your butt off with two jobs.
That's what I wanted to say, but settled for a simple, “Okay.”

“Shall we go?” he asked.

I nodded, “Let me grab my purse.”

While we drove to an undisclosed location, I thought about asking where we were going, but the excitement of the night and mystery of where we'd end up kept me from saying a word. When we pulled up at the familiar restaurant, I was speechless. I always knew The Plantation Gardens would look beautiful during the holiday season and I wasn't disappointed when we drove into the parking lot. There were so many twinkling white lights, I felt like we were transported into a magical realm.

The hostess led us to a table in the back that overlooked the garden. Large glass bowls filled with water sat in the center, with three
tealights floating alongside red and silver balls. The candlelight flickered across the table, imbuing the atmosphere with a soft, romantic glow. With our backs towards the center of the restaurant, we sat side-by-side, facing the window. Every tree and bush blinked in white lights. Matching red, silver, and gold balls of different sizes hung from the canopy of selected trees throughout the garden. I was so distracted by the scenery, I didn't notice when Drew ordered our wine and had it delivered to the table. 

Drew intertwined his fingers with mine and took a sip from his glass. “It's all so beautiful, isn't it?”

I nodded in agreement. “I've never seen anything like it.”

“I knew you'd love it. I met a client here briefly a couple weeks ago to deliver a painting. Once I saw it, I knew I had to bring you here.”

He'd been planning this for a while now, I guessed. “Who helped you pick out my outfit? And how did you know my correct size?” I was too curious not to ask, and it was nagging at me since I put the dress on.

Drew's face glowed from the warm light; his green eyes shimmered back at me like two emerald gems. “If I can paint every part of you perfectly from memory, picking your size isn't that difficult. And I needed no help choosing the outfit. You're stunning, Lilly.
Simply stunning.”

“Thank you.” I took a sip of my wine, still shocked that he'd done all of this for me and needed no help in pulling it off. I had the best boyfriend in the world. “You're amazing, I hope you know that,” I said, kissing him on the cheek. “And all of this,” I pointed to the jewelry he gave me, “it's gorgeous. Thank you. If I'd realized we were giving our Christmas presents this early, I would have brought yours.”

Drew frowned, “Lilly, I told you not to get me anything.”

“I know, but realistically you cannot expect your girlfriend
not
to get her boyfriend a present for Christmas.” I gripped his hand tighter, my voice suggesting a bit of force, “You will take it and keep it. Don't even think about returning it.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but thought better of it. “Okay fine, but just so you know... the jewelry is
not
your Christmas present.”

“What? Yes, it has to be. Drew, you cannot give me anything more. You have already given me so much tonight.” I felt horrible for buying him a measly watch when he'd given me all of this and who knows what else? “Why give me so much? You know you don't have to do any of this to make me happy. I would have been just as content snuggling on the couch with you.”

“I did it because I love you. Isn’t that reason enough?”

“Yes, but—”

“Also,” he cut me off, “I have something to ask you.”

“Okay,” I said softly.

He pulled my left hand into his lap and brushed my hair behind my shoulders. His thumb slid over the top of my hand as he took a deep breath. “The first day we met, when I helped you out of the pond? I never would have guessed you'd be so much a part of my life after that.”

I giggled. “I bet. I looked crazy. I'm surprised you didn't turn the other way when you saw me again.”

Drew's smile was soft and he chuckled. “You were wet, muddy and your eyes had that raccoon look about them from the runny makeup. Yet I still thought you were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. I wanted to stay and talk to you, but I couldn't because I was expecting an important phone call. I hoped we would run into each again around the complex so I could talk to you then. Imagine my surprise when you walked into my classroom the next day.”

“You didn't have to tell me you could see though my shirt. I was so embarrassed.”

He shrugged his shoulders, “Not my best line, but I couldn't resist. Anyway. Later that night, you came to my apartment to return my mail and I told you I didn't believe in coincidence, and that everything happens for a reason. Do you remember?”

“Yes. I remembered thinking you were hitting on me.” I grinned.

“Oh, ‘course I was... but I
did
have a valid reason for saying it.”

“And what was that?” I asked, intrigued.

“Even though I left you standing beside that park bench wet and muddy, the call I was expecting was the one that offered me the teaching job. I needed it, and I didn't want to miss out on losing the position. When you walked into my classroom that day, you changed my life.”

Heat flooded my cheeks and my eyes pricked with tears at the shock of what he'd just told me. From the first time we met, he wanted to see me again. I wondered why I wasted so much time with Tyler. I was an idiot and should have gone with my gut feeling sooner rather than later, but at least, I learned from my mistake. We were together now, that was all that mattered. “Changed your life, how?” I asked.

“I was just living life, one day at a time, with none of it really meaning anything to me. When I met you, you gave my life meaning, I had a purpose. What I'm trying to say is you came into my life for a reason. I know we haven't been together that long, but to me, it feels like I've loved you my whole life. I like spending time with you. Even when we worked together, knowing that you were only down the hall and I could see you whenever I wanted... I loved that. I don't know about you, Lilly, but I don't need a break away from you like some couples claim they need in a relationship.” He took another deep breath, “Which brings me back to my question.”

I stopped breathing. The jewelry, the dress, the dinner and atmosphere... was he about to ask me what I thought he
was?

“I'm too busy with the studio, and I make three times the amount working there than I do teaching at the school. So I'm quitting at the end of the school year. Come with me. Work with me at the studio?”

He peered into my eyes for a response, but I had none. I was shocked on two levels. One, it wasn't the question I thought he was going to ask; and two, he was quitting the school and wanted me to work for him? “Wow... Drew. I had no idea you were so busy with painting. I mean, I knew you were busy, but...” I still didn't know what to say. I was excited for him. It was what he always wanted in the long run, and hearing that he wanted me there beside him was even more overwhelming. “And you want me to work for you? Drew, that's awful sweet of you to ask, especially now that I don't have a job, but you know I can't even paint a straight line.”

“No, I don't want you to work
for
me. I want you to work
with
me. And it has nothing to do with you not having a job right now; I would have asked you regardless. Only now, it's more convenient. You like to tutor children and the piano, you're so good at it and you love it so much. That is what I thought you could do. It can be more than just an art studio, Lilly, and I want you to be a part of it. We can share it together.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. No. I would not cry. Not here. Not now. It was like he'd been reading my mind and knew exactly what I wanted. I loved him too, like he loved me. Being with him every day, both of us working in our elements, fulfilling our passions... was like a dream come true. The only thing that could make this whole situation any better was if I were his wife. I'd only thought about it a million times, but he seemed content with the way our relationship was for now, and I could live with that.
For how long though? And what would happen if something went sour? What would we do then with
our
studio?

“Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

I kept my eyes closed. “Shhhh. This is what I do to keep from crying. It's worked all day so far. Give me a second.”

Though I couldn't see his expression, I could feel the grin spreading across his face. I took a couple breaths and opened my eyes to see I was right. “I don't really know what to say. It's all so unexpected.”

“Just say yes,” he advised.

“It's not that I'm ungrateful; please don't think that, but can you give me some time to consider it?” I already knew my answer. It would always be yes, to most anything he asked me, but I wanted to make sure he wasn't doing this for my sake and because I needed a job. I would feel horrible if things didn't work out. I didn't want him to feel obligated to help me. Not for the sake of his business. And if we broke up, what kind of repercussions would that have on me? I
wasn't even sure I could handle it.