We stop next to my easel. He takes in the angry blacks, blues, and greens with swirls of pink and light blue. Something about it makes him smile.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Think you could teach me to paint?”
My eyes light up, and I know my smile touches the corners of them. “Teach you to paint? Really?”
“Really.”
“Yes. I’d love that,” I say, beaming. “You taught me fantasy football, after all.”
“Your team sucks, by the way.”
“What?” I shriek as he nips my bottom lip, carrying me down the hall. “How do I suck? All my players are cute.”
He smacks my ass, making me giggle. He smacks it again before tossing me on the bed. I barely stop moving before he’s on top of me.
I stare into his eyes.
For the first time in my life,I’m happy. Accepted. Seen. Protected.
Chosen.
Loved.
I guess there might be something to that magic fairy love dust, after all.
EPILOGUE
Gianna
One week later …
“Are we celebrating something tonight?” Kim asks, surveying the number of people at the table that typically holds me, Audrey, and Astrid.
“So there’s this guy,” I say, grinning at my friends across the table.
Astrid laughs as Audrey states a random six-digit number.
“Oh, come on,” I say. “That’s not true.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Astrid says, grinning. “That game is over.”
It really is.I lean my head on Drake’s shoulder and sigh happily.
My friends used to count how many times I started a story with that phrase, because each time meant I’d met another guy. Now, that phrase is officially retired. There’s only one guy, and he’s here forever.
“What’s that mean?” Gray says, his arm stretched around Astrid’s chair.
“Fuck if I know,” Drake says. “I’ve already learned to just roll with the punches. I don’t ask questions.”
“We’re celebrating our unemployment,” I tell Kim. “Drake and I quit our jobs last week.”
She smiles. “This might be the first time I’ve ever heard that one, but I’m here for it. What can I get you all to drink?”
We rattle off our favorites even though the girls and I don’t need to tell her.
“I’ll be right back.” Kim heads to the kitchen.
