Was Zoeflirtingwith me?
Hot damn, I liked it. I liked it a lot.
As we finished our lunch, we talked about some recent shows we’d watched.
Zoe leaned forward. “Did you see that documentary on Netflix on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist?”
“I did. It’s pretty messed up that it’s been over thirty years now and still no solid leads in finding the missing art.”
“I’ve been wanting to go down to Boston to see it. Want to go?”
Visiting a museum would not be on the top of the list of things that I’d label “fun,” but if it was something Zoe wanted to do, I was in. Besides, the mystery behind the heist was intriguing.
“Sure, let’s do it.”
That afternoon, we strolled through the museum, which was like stepping into an Italian villa. As we meandered around the main floor, a massive painting in the Spanish cloister caught my eye. I took Zoe’s hand and led her over to it.
“Nowthat’sa painting,” I declared. Although the colors were dark and muted, the woman dancing and men sitting and playing guitar seemed so vibrant. Lively. I couldn’t stop staring.
“It really is impressive, isn’t it?” Zoe leaned closer to read the description. “El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent.”
After we ascended the stairs, we entered rooms with countless tapestries, paintings, and artworks mounted in opulent frames set on rich wallpaper. And then we glimpsed the empty frames. Some sons of bitches posed as police officers and broke into the museum, stealing paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet and countless other works of art.
I clenched my teeth. It seemed so wrong that those priceless pieces of art were in the hands of criminals. “I hope they find their way home one day.”
She pulled her lips together tightly as she examined the empty frames and then turned to me. “If they do, let’s come back and see them.”
The prospect of a future invite returning with Zoe made me smile. I squeezed her hand. “I’d love that.”
Once we finished touring the upper levels, we gazed out of the windows into the courtyard below. A lush landscape of plants filled the courtyard surrounded by the arches of the museum’s interior.
My feet itched to wander around the gardens. “Let’s go down there.”
Once we descended, I admired the orchids that were in bloom. “These are stunning.”
Zoe turned in a semi-circle. “It is spectacular in here.”
I turned to Zoe. “I never would have chosen a museum, but this is really something.”
“Oh right, you love plants.” She smiled.
“Yes, but it’s more than that, Zoe.” I took her hand. “Part of it is simply because I’m here with you.”
Zoe turned to me with an expression that looked like she was about to call me out on my bullshit. “Do you mean this? Or do use lines like this on women all the time?” She motioned around the courtyard. “I mean here we are in such a romantic setting.”
“I’m completely sincere.” Although I didn’t blame her for doubting me, I wish she’d see that I was serious. I caught her gaze. “I’m not just some playboy clown.”
“I know.” She brought her hands together and then dropped them to her side. “That’s why it’s increasingly difficult to resist you.”
I swallowed. “Then don’t.”
Zoe
That potent exchange with Lucas left my skin tingling and palms damp. I broke eye contact, needing a breather before I fell into his arms here in the middle of this courtyard.
“What time is it?” I glanced at my watch. “The museum must be closing soon.”
Lucas gave me the space I needed to regroup. After we left the museum, we walked toward the waterfront. Snow flurries had begun to fall but since we’d already had a parking spot, there was no way I was going to leave it to search for another. Seagulls soared above the harbor, searching along the shore for scraps of food.
