The evening air was warm, but not stifling thanks to a fresh breeze rolling in off theocean.
“You know, I’m learning to enjoy the sand. I hated it at first the way it’s always on your skin, but I do love the fresh air. It’s invigorating.” Josh opened the passenger side door while Allen attended to the back door for her sister. It was definitely a plus that they were both gentlemen. Maybe Connie was right, and he wasn’t just trying to make sure she did the art piece for him. Maybe he didlikeher.
They drove along the peninsula, cutting through several towns to the bay where numerous lights danced on the water and the moon shone down with promise. Josh opened her door and offered his arm as if they were walking into a high school dance. She had to admit the attention felt good. By the end of their relationship, Stephon’s idea of romance was to meet her at the front of the car, fondle her, and then offer to skip dinner andgohome.
She let out a long breath, one that she hoped would help release some of the hatred and distrust that Stephon had poisoned her with. It was time to let it go, all of it. He was gone, but Josh was here. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to sketch people. “When we get back to the cottage, I’d like you to come inside.” She flushed, realizing what she’d said. “I mean, um, my sketch. I’ve been working on it. I want to show you what I havesofar.”
He covered her hand with his. “I’d love to see it.” He opened the front door and they all entered the restaurant. The space had a romantic feel, with red tablecloths, candles and moonlight flooding in from the large windows overlooking the bay. The smell of fresh bread and the light yet manly fragrance of Josh’s cologne helped to settle hernerves.
“I have a question for you,” she asked as they waited for the hostess to ready their table. “How did you find me? I mean, I know Allen found the drawing on eBay, but how did you track me downfromthat?”
“You signed your initials at the bottom edge. I did some research and discovered a few artists with those initials and then found a copy of one of your paintings that you had initialed. I looked further into you and discovered you were once an artist in New York, so I asked around and tracked youdownhere.”
The hostess ushered them to the best table in the house, situated next to a large window that offered a view of the bay. As she passed out menus, the hostess told them it was a great spot to see dolphins play in the water. In that moment, she started to believe that Connie might be onto something. Maybe everything happened for a reason. Perhaps thiswasfate.
Allen pulled out Connie’s chair and she settled in across from Lily. “Who told you we were in Cape Hope?” Connieasked.
“A guy at Lily’s old gallery in New York,” Joshreplied.
A sting of fear surged through her and all the sudden, nothing in the world smelled good or looked romantic. She fought against the panic, not wanting it to show on her face, but Connie must’ve noticed because she quickly put her hand overLily’s.
Allen eyed them both and seemed to catch on quick. “Let’sorder.”
Despite Allen’s attempt to change the subject, Lily swallowed her fear and lifted her chin. “What didhesay?”
Josh lowered his menu. “I don’t recall exactly. Mostly I just pushed to find out whereyouwere.”
Connie sighed. “Tell her the truth. Trust me, she needs to know. Allofit.”
Josh’s gaze drifted between them and he hesitated, but Lily wouldn’tbackdown.
“Tellme.”
“He said I shouldn’t look for you because you were washed up, and that he’d found someone to replace you. Someone with realtalent.”
