And with that, I reached for the door, my heart pounding in my chest as I opened the gallery to the world for the first time. People began to trickle in, their faces a blur of smiles and curious expressions, and I greeted each guest with a warm welcome, but my mind was spinning, barely able to process the fact that this was really happening. The Cozy Canvas, my dream, was now a reality, and it was buzzing with life.
Everywhere I looked, there were familiar faces but, in the whirlwind of emotions, they all seemed to blend together. My heart pounded in my chest, excitement and nerves making it hard to focus as I caught glimpses of people admiring the artwork, their murmured compliments a comforting backdrop to the chaotic thoughts racing through my head.
“Welcome, everyone!” Ivy’s voice cut through the din, her tone cheerful and commanding. I turned to see her standing near the entrance, effortlessly taking charge of the crowd. She had set up a beautiful wooden donation box at the front of the room, decorated with hand-painted flowers and a sign that read, SUPPORT THE COZY CANVAS. Beside it, a small table was arranged with raffle tickets, and a variety of enticing prizes, on display.
“We have some wonderful raffle prizes up for grabs, including a private art lesson with Vinnie, a gift basket from Sweet Crumbs Bakery, and a weekend stay at the charming Hallow’s End Inn. Tickets are just five dollars each, and all proceeds go directly to supporting The Cozy Canvas.” Ivy continued, her smile radiant as she gestured toward the table.
Her presence was magnetic, drawing people in with her infectious enthusiasm. Guests eagerly approached the table, purchasing raffle tickets and making donations, their excitement adding to the lively atmosphere.Ivy greeted each person with a genuine smile, engaging them in conversation and thanking them for their support.
Her outfit was as striking as her personality—a black lace maxi skirt that flowed gracefully with each step, paired with a soft, dark gray cropped top. Over it, she had draped a fringed, floral-embroidered kimono, adding a touch of bohemian elegance that perfectly matched the vibe of the gallery. Her dark lipstick and statement floral earrings added bold accents, whilst intricately designed platform wedges completed the ensemble.
As the gallery filled with more guests, I found myself momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people. The sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the soft music playing in the background, and I tried to focus on the interactions, on the smiles and words of encouragement, but it was all so much, so fast.
Just as I felt myself beginning to spiral, a familiar melody cut through the noise, catching me off guard. The gentle strains of Taylor Swift’sBack to Decemberfilled the gallery, the song’s bittersweet lyrics tugging at memories I’d long tried to bury. It was a song I had played on repeat in the days following my breakup with Sebastian, each note a painful reminder of the past. Hearing it now, in this space that I had built as part of my new beginning, felt strangely out of place. I was certain I hadn’t included it on the playlist for today.
The music transported me back to those lonely nights, when the weight of heartbreak felt like too much to bear. The memory of Sebastian’s face, of the love that had once been so strong, flickered in my mind, but it was a distant, fading image, and one that no longer held the power it once did. I stood there, frozen, feeling the past creeping into a day that was meant to be about my future.
As if sensing the shift in my mood, Ethan appeared at my side. His warm presence brought me back to the present, his steadying hand resting gentlyon the small of my back. “You’re doing great,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.
His touch anchored me, grounding me in the moment. The comforting warmth of his hand against my back, the quiet confidence in his words, made it easier to push the lingering ghosts of the past aside
“Thank you,” I murmured, giving him a small smile as I tried to shake off the unease the song had stirred in me. “But I’m sure that song wasn’t on the playlist. I have no idea how it ended up here.”
Ethan shrugged, offering a reassuring smile. “Maybe it slipped in by accident. You are a big Swiftie, after all,” he winked, his light-hearted comment breaking through the tension.
I let out a small laugh, his words easing the tightness in my chest. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. It’s probably nothing.”
With a deep breath, I pushed the thought aside. This was my moment, and I wasn’t going to let a random song choice take away from that. Ethan’s hand remained steady on my back, a comforting presence that helped me refocus on the celebration unfolding around us.
“I didn’t expect so many people,” I admitted, glancing around the crowded room.
“Everyone’s here to support you,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “And they’re all impressed by what you’ve created.”
I nodded, trying to let his words sink in, but a small pang of sadness tugged at me. Amidst the sea of faces, one was noticeably absent—my mom. I had sent her an invitation, hoping she might surprise me by showing up, but there was no sign of her. The thought left a hollow feeling in my chest, a reminder of the distance that still lingered between us.
I pushed the feeling aside, not wanting to dampen the joy of the moment. This gallery was my dream come to life, and I needed to focus onthat. Still, the absence of my mom weighed on me like a bittersweet note in an otherwise perfect day.
I began to move through the gallery, engaging with the guests, my earlier nerves easing as I immersed myself in the lively atmosphere. I caught sight of Amelia, her round golden glasses catching the light as she animatedly chatted with a guy I didn’t recognize. Her purple pixie cut was perfectly styled, and she looked effortlessly cool in a burgundy slip dress, layered with a worn leather jacket and chunky black boots. Stacks of silver rings adorned her fingers, and layered necklaces glinted under the gallery lights.
As I walked past, Amelia caught my eye and waved me over with a grin. “Hey, Vinnie, this is Brodie,” she said, nudging the guy playfully. “We went to high school together.” Brodie smiled, looking every bit as laid-back as Amelia, and gave me a nod as she turned back to their conversation. Before I could say more, she winked at me, clearly in her element, and I kept moving, amused by the unexpected reunion.
As I continued to mingle, Ivy, always the social butterfly, navigated the crowd with ease, her phone seemingly an extension of her hand as she captured every moment. I watched her snap photos of guests admiring the artwork, the carefully arranged tables, and the raffle prizes. At one point, she turned her camera toward Ethan and me, capturing a candid moment where we were both laughing. The joy on our faces, the easy connection between us, felt like the perfect snapshot of everything this day represented.
While I was lost in conversation with a group of guests, someone gently placed their hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I found myself face-to-face with Ethan’s parents, who had quietly entered the gallery.
“Vinnie, there you are!” Caroline’s voice was full of affection as she pulled me into a hug, surprising me with her familiarity, but comforting all the same.
I returned the hug, feeling the genuine warmth of her embrace. “Caroline, it’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she said as she stepped back, a fond smile on her face.
Ethan, who had been just a few steps away, came over and stood beside his dad, a hint of pride in his eyes as he introduced us. “Vinnie, this is my dad, Robert.”
Robert extended his hand, his grip firm but gentle as he shook mine. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Vinnie. We’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, his voice deep and steady, much like Ethan’s.
“The pleasure is mine. Thank you both for coming,” I said, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their warm reception.
Ethan’s smile grew as he looked between his parents and me. “We’ve all been looking forward to this,” he added, his hand finding the small of my back in a reassuring gesture.
