Gabe shook his head. “I enjoyed shopping with you, but I’ll stick to writing. There are only so many fashion boutiques I can visit before I start hyperventilating.”
“The trick is to pace yourself. A little shopping, a little coffee. We did well today.” Kathleen smiled as Lorenzo joined them. “It’s good to see you again, Lorenzo.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Kathleen. You are as beautiful as ever.” He turned to Gabe. “And this must be the man who has stolen my Natalie’s heart. Welcome to the Ricci Gallery.”
Natalie’s face felt as though it was on fire. If a hole had opened up in the floor, she would have gladly jumped inside.
“It’s good to be here.” Gabe shook Lorenzo’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about your gallery.”
“We try to be the best we can be. Perhaps I could show you some of Natalie’s paintings?”
Natalie glanced at her mom, before holding onto Gabe’s arm. “I can show Gabe around. He hasn’t seen the second painting I finished in Sapphire Bay.”
Lorenzo’s eyebrows rose.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Kathleen smiled at Lorenzo. “Is Alina here tonight?”
Lorenzo studied Gabe for a moment longer, before smiling at Kathleen. “My wife is indeed here. Come. We will find her together. Then later, I will speak with Gabe.”
Natalie breathed a sigh of relief. After her mom left with Lorenzo, she squeezed her feet into her high heels, feeling more nervous by the minute. “There’s a reason I wear sneakers all the time.”
“You could have worn them tonight. No one would have minded.”
Natalie held the skirt of her blue satin gown away from her legs. “They wouldn’t go with my dress.” Gabe held her hand. The smile he sent her melted her heart.
“Everyone would think you’re an eccentric artist.”
“I might have to try it one day.” She bit her bottom lip. “Are you ready to see my painting?”
He nodded and waited for her to lead the way. “A lot of people are admiring the landscape you painted of Sapphire Bay.”
Natalie deliberately chose to walk around the edge of the room. “It was one of the first to sell.” She’d given her mom strict instructions to keep Gabe away from the wall behind the fountain. If they’d gone anywhere near the portrait, her surprise would be ruined.
As they walked around the gallery, Natalie’s heart pounded. The people who had already seen Gabe’s portrait were openly staring at him. Everyone else simply smiled.
She stopped before Gabe caught a glimpse of the canvas. “I wanted to make something for you, to thank you for being such a special part of my life. The painting you’re about to see is my gift to you and Sherlock.”
Gabe’s eyes widened. “I can’t accept one of your paintings. They’re too valuable.”
“Nothing will ever be as precious as what you taught me. I realized I’m more than a decision I made, stronger and braver than I thought I could be, and I love you more than I ever thought was possible.”
Gabe wrapped her in a hug. “I love you, too. But you don’t need to give me a painting.”
“Look at it first, then tell me what you think.”
“It will be amazing, but okay. I would love to see it.”
She took a deep breath and placed his arm under her elbow. “Close your eyes. We’re going to take a few steps forward. Are you ready?”
Gabe nodded and stepped forward with her. “This reminds me of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
Despite her nerves, Natalie smiled. “I wouldn’t recommend using any pins around my paintings. Lorenzo would have you arrested.” She stopped in front of the portrait and sighed. “Okay. You can open your eyes now.”
She watched Gabe’s reaction, trying to work out whether he liked the painting.
His eyes widened. His shocked gaze traveled the height and width of the canvas. It was big—one of the biggest portraits she would ever consider painting. But somehow, the size added to the essence of what she wanted to achieve.
