“Me, too. Reese?”
“Yes?”
“I’ve fallen in love with you. I love you. You and Kale, you’re both my home.”
Tears prick my eyes as I allow the words to sink in. “I love you, too.” When he puts his lips to mine, I’m trembling. “Oof!” I shout out as Kale jumps on my stomach and starts licking my face and then Jimmy’s. I’m laughing hysterically and don’t even care when his tongue ends up in my ear.
“You know what? I think Kale might have run away on purpose.”
“What makes you say that?” I’m cradling Kale now like a baby and rubbing his tummy.
“I think he meant for this to happen. He wants you to be part of our little family, too.”
The word family makes me feel complete.Thisis what I want. “What if…no, forget it.”
“Nope. Tell me.”
I sit up and Kale curls into my lap. “What if we sold my house?”
“And you moved in with me?”
“Well, yeah. Unless you think it’s a terrible idea. Then I never mentioned it.”
Jimmy pats Kale on the head and tilts his head toward him as if to ask for approval. “Yes. Let’s do it. Those weeks you stayed with me were the best weeks of my life.”
“Not to mention if I’m there all the time, Kale will stop barking.”
“Wait? You only want to move in with me for the dog?”
I giggle. “Of course. You’re a bonus.”
Jimmy closes the gap between us and when his lips touch mine, Kale reaches up and licks between our chins. “I’ll take it.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
There aretimes when we make pivotal decisions that change our lives forever. Mine wasn’t suggesting I move in with Jimmy. No. I love living with him but that’s not what changed my life. What changed my life was that first day I trudged across the lawn, pounded on his front door, and yelled at him to keep his dog quiet.
I swear I owe that dog everything.
Six months after I moved in with Jimmy, we adopted a lab and Great Dane mix named Kiwi. With a name like that, we figured it had to be fate. Watching Kiwi and Kale play together is hilarious, since Kiwi is about five or six times bigger than Kale. I love both those dogs, and I love Jimmy, too.
I also love my job. Alvin has been wonderful and allows me to paint in his studio when there aren’t any large events I need to plan for him. It took some getting used to, but I kind of made my own space there as well, so I can feel like I’m in my own element when I’m painting there.
My first show is tonight. Yes.Myfirst show. I only have five paintings on display, but I put all of my energy and passion into them. Janet from Poppy Haus contacted me to show at her gallery. I gladly declined.
Tonight my show is at Ingenious Wallflower, a studio owned by one of Alvin’s oldest friends, Taj Anand. I’m honored she’s allowed me to show at her studio. Since it’s my first show, and she’s so close with Alvin, she’s not even charging a fee for any sales.
“How are you feeling?” Jimmy places his hand on my lower back and pulls me close to him.
“Really nervous. People are going to be here in about half an hour.”
Kayleigh and her husband Donovan are already at the studio sitting on the leather sofa by the front window drinking wine. We’re expecting at least fifty people to show and one reporter from the local paper.
“It’s going to be fabulous. You’ll see.”
I trust Jimmy when he says this. He’s seen everything I’ve painted and I know when he’s either not liking or not understanding my work. He acts as an awesome springboard for my art.
