My blush intensified even as I smiled. “Do I get to open it?”
His expression was serious as he handed me the box and took my coffee cup. “You can be honest if you don’t like it.”
“I already love it because you made it for me.” My face flushed again. I must be red enough to resemble a lobster by now. “I don’t think anyone has made me anything since my grandmother passed away.”
“Then I’m glad I’m the first person to make something for you since then.”
I fumbled with the box, trying to open it with trembling fingers. Finally, the lid opened beneath my hand, and I found a small scene inside. He’d used two pieces of wood to create a ninety-degree angle and stained them a beautiful cherry. Shapes made of thin, silvery metal were affixed to the base so that the back piece of wood created a backdrop. I lifted the piece out of the box, surprised by the lightness.
Then I realized what I was holding. It was a sun with rays beaming from all around it in the upper left corner, shining down on a field of sunflowers. The small pieces were layered in such a way that the scene appeared to be painted with metal. It must have taken him forever to create this. I couldn’t even imagine the intricate, detailed work he must have done to not only envision the scene but painstakingly cut and affix each piece.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathed, lifting it higher so I could get a closer look. My eyes shifted to his. “I remind you of a field of sunflowers?” I asked.
I meant the question to be teasing, but even I could hear the tremor in my voice, the vulnerability. He said I inspired this piece, but it was one of the most gorgeous, complicated works of art I’d ever seen. How could I inspire something like that?
“To me, you’re the sun shining over the meadow. I’m the sunflower yearning for your light so I can thrive.”
My throat closed at his words. “I—” My voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. I cleared my throat. “That’s a beautiful thought, but I…” I had no idea what to say.
“It’s true,” he replied, taking a step closer. His hands were full of the coffee cups, but his eyes were as warm and tangible as a touch on my face.
I bit my lip and nodded, still unable to find words.
“I’m glad you like it,” he murmured.
“It’s perfect.”
We stared at each other until I thought I would burst from the emotion swelling between us.
“I have no idea what to do,” I finally admitted, bursting the bubble growing around us.
“Let’s focus on what needs to be done here today, and I’ll take you out after work. We can talk then.”
I huffed out a laugh. “So, you’re going to give me a chance to obsess over it all day?”
Once again, his response surprised me. He closed the distance between us, shifting one of the coffee cups to rest between his arm and chest, lifting his hand to my hair. “I don’t want you to obsess, Grier. I want you to stay in the moment with me. Minute by minute. Hour by hour. Just be here with me today. We can figure out the rest of it tonight.”
I had to clear my throat before I could speak. “I can do that.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth. Heat suffused my cheeks at the intensity of his stare. “Good,” he murmured, his gaze still locked on my lips.
I leaned toward him, rising up on my toes, as his head lowered. Our lips were a breath away from each other when the bells over the door chimed.
“Grier, I have had a morning!” Davide called out. “I’m in dire need of a sweet treat from down the street!”
He cackled at his rhyme. I heard the click of his dress shoes on the concrete floor as he marched through the gallery.
A rueful smile spread across Elijah’s face as he handed me my coffee, backed away from me, and walked to the mouth of the hall.
“There’s a caramel pumpkin spice latte on your desk already,” he called out.
“You are an angel!” Davide exclaimed. “I take back every horrible thing I’ve ever said to you.”
I snorted because Davide never said horrible things to Elijah. At least not that I’d heard. Elijah chuckled as he looked over his shoulder at me.
“Coming?” he asked.
Maybe later.
