“Yes and no. I brought it up before we started seeing each other again. I told him that it would be difficult for me to trust his words. He said he understood and that he would show me until I believed him.”
“Show you? How does he intend to do that?”
I shrugged. “He didn’t give me a checklist, but he is acting…differently than when we first got together.”
“And you like it?”
“Yeah.”
“Then, it sounds like things are going well. Why are you afraid he’s going to change his mind?”
“Past trauma.” I had to laugh as I said it because I knew we all had our trauma. Mine was different from my friends, but that didn’t make it worse or better.
“Is he waving red flags?”
I shook my head.
“Then, maybe you should just enjoy the ride,” she said. “Because God knows you deserve someone who makes you happy. Looking at you while we’re talking about him, well, I know you’re talking about being scared, but you also look happy. You’re glowing.”
“I guess I am. But I’m also not used to just letting things ride.”
“Maybe it’s time to try.”
“Is that your official advice?” I asked.
“Yep. Keep talking to him, tell him when he’s fucking up, and try to enjoy the journey. You should listen to me, too, because I’m older and wiser.”
We both laughed at that because Lucy had been a mess when she and Chris got together.
“Well, enough about my dating life. We need to focus on your show and figuring out how we’re going to arrange everything. Fair warning, I’m going based on Davide’s advice and on your previous shows.”
Lucy grinned. “That’s okay. I’m sure I’ll get you whipped into shape in no time.”
Taking in the mischievous smile, I sighed. “You’re going to give me hell, aren’t you?”
She lifted her hand, her thumb and index finger held about an inch apart. “Maybe a little.”
“I guess we should get it over with then.”
Chapter Eighteen
I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy. Lucy must have called or texted the other girls because they all came into the gallery ten minutes before closing. As soon as I saw them, I knew that my plans to spend the evening with Elijah were no longer happening.
At the moment they walked in, he was at my desk, leaning his hip against one corner. I looked up at him and whispered, “Save me.”
Elijah was looking at them when I spoke but turned his head at the sound of my words. “Sorry, Brown Eyes. I value my testicles.”
Chelsea guffawed at his answer. They had closed the distance from the door to my desk in a handful of seconds.
“I think he’ll do just fine with our group,” she said.
Lucy grunted and kept walking, heading toward Davide’s office.
“What’s going on?” I asked, looking between Yancy, Chelsea, and Tanya.
“We’re going to dinner, and we’re going to talk,” Yancy said.
I glanced up at Elijah again, asking him with my eyes to put a stop to this, but he shook his head and leaned down to kiss my cheek.
