Only one thing is missing.
Him.
I fiddle sadly with the home necklace still around my neck.
“That looks perfect with your dress,” Lilla says with an approving nod.
“I need to stop wearing it,” I say to her. “The message behind it is long dead.”
The door swings open then, and my stomach flips into a million cartwheels.
Lilla giggles next to me. “Oh, I wouldn’t say dead, my dear. Not yet.”
My breath catches in my throat.
Dylan Wild is here.
I haven’t seen him since he escorted me out of his house over a week ago. For a moment, I just stand and stare at him. Take him in.
God, he looks amazing. His hair is damp like he just got out of the shower, and his gray jacket and pants fit him perfectly. I want to rip off his suit jacket and throw my arms around him.
Dylan glances around the room until he spots me practically hiding behind Lilla. He runs his gaze down my body and back up, finally coming to a stop when his eyes meet mine. The way he puts his attention on me always makes me feel like I matter to somebody else for the first time ever.
But make no mistake—I’m far from the only one who noticed him walk in. Dylan Wild can take over a room without even trying. Heads turn in his direction, and I hear immediate murmurs of recognition.
None of that seems to affect him. His gaze never leaves mine, and the way he strides toward me with utter confidence and disregard for the roomful of eyes on him—it’s sexy as all hell.
He greets Lilla first. They share some kind of look I can’t read, and then he turns to me.
“Hey, Jasalie.”
My voice comes out shakier than I’d like it to. “Hi, Dylan.”
His eyes rove over my face like he’s desperate for the sight of me. “I like your hair that way.”
I can feel Lilla practically convulse with joy next to me.
“Oh.” I pat at the blond waves awkwardly. “Thank you. Professionally done,” I add. “Meaning you’ll probably never see my hair look this good again. It’s normally so straight, and Lilla thought…”
Lilla elbows me hard in the ribs, and I immediately shut up.
Why did I just talk for so long about hair?
He gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations on the opening. This is phenomenal.”
My skin tingles where his lips touched me. I fidget on my feet and try to sound relaxed when I answer him. “You helped me get here. You’re the one who encouraged me to go into business for myself.”
His eyes glimmer with an unnamed emotion. “You did all this by yourself, Jasalie. I’m so proud of you.”
And just like that, Dylan Wild renders me speechless. It’s like the first time we met up in Tucson—I cannot think of a single thing to say.
Lilla takes one look at my face and plunges forward. “Jase has taken her stuff around town, and she’s already found a couple of homes for it. She’s got a new job working here in this cool Malibu gallery, and she’s going to live in the owner’s guesthouse.”
Which makes me closer to you.
Dylan’s eyes burn into mine. “I’m really happy for you. You deserve it.”
I inhale as Theresa comes up to us and takes my arm. She wants me to come speak with a last potential buyer. “And then you can exhale,” she says to me with a quick smile at Dylan. “I want to keep all your pieces out through tomorrow anyway, so you won’t need to pack up tonight.”
