“Wow, she’s gorgeous.No wonder you look as if someone had stolen your Easter egg.”
“…thanks so much for everyone who is here tonight,” Willow was saying.“Before I take questions, I’d like to thank Greg and Eden for their hard work to make this possible.Greg had even arranged for couriers to pick up a few extra paintings I’ve only finished recently.Thank you.For everyone who has already bought a painting, thank you for your support.My family is all here; thank you all for putting up with me while I’m painting and thank you, Hunter.”She looked in his direction but didn’t quite meet his eyes.
As she talked, Hunter looked his fill.Maybe, after tonight, he would get to watch her take off the glittering top that seemed to move with her as she motioned with her hands.Or, this could be the last time he’d be able to simply watch her.Either way, he couldn’t look away.
He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.By the time she’d stopped speaking, he was already heading toward her.
*
As Willow movedaway from the microphone, she sighed in relief.She had no idea what she’d said.Hunter was here.At her exhibition.All the way from Colorado.She was still struggling to get her head around it.
“That was great,” Greg said as he clapped with the rest of the crowd.“Now go mingle, I’ll call you if I need you.So many people have asked about the portrait…” His eyes widened as he looked behind her.
Before she turned around, she knew it was Hunter.
As his big, warm hand picked up hers, she turned to him.
He was smiling.“You were great.”
“Thank you.”Inhaling his scent, she moved closer to him.She had no idea what his presence meant, but it was so good to see him.
The next moment, a stunning blonde grabbed Hunter’s arm, the sparkling engagement ring on her ring finger the first thing Willow noticed.Her blood froze and she quickly pulled her hand from Hunter’s.
The blonde smiled.“Hi, I’m Jade, Hunter’s sister.”
For a moment, Willow was incapable of getting a word out.So many thoughts had just raced through her mind she wasn’t sure whether Jade had actually said she was Hunter’s sister or whether she’d prayed for it.
Laughing, Jade stepped forward and hugged her.“Breathe, my dear, breathe.Sister.I’m his sister.”Turning around, she waved another man closer.“This is my fiancé, Wilder Nelson.”
Relief washing over her, Willow smiled at the two strangers.Jade had Hunter’s eyes, of course she was his sister.If she hadn’t been so quick to jump to conclusions, she would’ve noticed it.
“So, tell me,” Jade said coolly.“Are all the Westons so distrustful?”
Before she could answer, her eye caught Greg who was frantically waving at her.
“Excuse me, Greg seems to need me.”
Hunter took her hand before she could move away.“I’m not leaving your side.We still have to talk.”
She quickly glanced at him to find his eyes on her.
“What?”
“You take my breath away,” he said in a voice so low and filled with emotion, it sent shivers down her spine.
Greg stepped forward.“Willow, this couple are the clients I’ve told you about.They’re interested in both ‘Spring’ and the untitled…”
“I don’t think so, Greg…” Willow said quickly.
“Are you the model in the portraits?”the woman asked, her eyes on Hunter.
“What… what portraits?”Frowning, he looked at Willow.
Greg smiled.“Come, both are such powerful works of art, everyone who sees them are deeply moved.”
With a last questioning look, Hunter put his hand on the small of her back as they followed Greg and the couple.
“Ooh, this sounds interesting,” Jade said behind her.“Come on, Wilder.”
