As they rounded the corner, Willow blinked.Just about everyone who was here tonight, including her family, were standing in front of the two portraits she’d made of Hunter.
Some people turned around and noticed them, some recognized Hunter as the face on the portraits and moved to the side.She didn’t dare look at Hunter, she’d never felt so exposed in her life before.Everything she felt for him, was captured in the brush strokes on the two paintings.
Her mom approached them, her eyes bright with tears.“Willow, sweetheart, it’s brilliant, just brilliant.When did you paint these two?Hunter, I’m so, so happy you’re here to see this.”
Hunter’s hand dropped from her back as he moved to look at the paintings.
A flustered Greg stepped closer.“Money is no problem for this couple,” he said under his breath.“You name your price, they will pay.”
At that moment, Hunter turned around.His eyes were suspiciously bright, but that wasn’t what caused her heart to nearly jump out of her body.
Every emotion, every feeling inside of him crashed in waves over her.It was so strong, so intense, she was struggling to breathe.Oh, no!
The niggling feeling of the last few days was gone, so was the anxiousness she’d felt earlier today.Somehow over the last few days, she’d opened her heart to Hunter, she was connecting with him and knew what he was feeling.
Her heart beating at an alarming speed, she tried to catch her breath.It was too much, too intense, too overwhelming, too strong, there was no way she’d survive.
She’d subconsciously gone and done what Cooper and her mother had suggested, but damn it, she couldn’t handle one more person’s emotions and feelings.It wasn’t as if she hadn’t known this all along—that was the reason why she’d never wanted a relationship in the first place.
“What do you say, Willow?”Greg’s words forced her back to reality.
“I’m so sorry, but they’re not for sale.I’m happy to do something on commission…”
Smiling, the woman touched her hand.“If anyone looks at me the way this guy is looking at you, I’d never sell it either.We do want to buy something of yours, though.Come on, Greg, didn’t you say there were other paintings that haven’t been sold?”
As Greg led the couple away, most of the other people also wandered off, and she and Hunter were left with her family and Hunter’s sister and her fiancé.
“I’m hungry,” Luke announced, lifting the tension somewhat.
Her heart in tatters, Willow pasted a smile on her face for her nephew.“So am I.I need to mingle for another half an hour, then we can have dinner.Maybe you guys can go to the restaurant if you’re hungry, I know the food they’re serving here is not exactly your idea of a meal…”
“Not by a long shot,” Becket muttered.“I want steak.”
Willow turned to Jade and her fiancé.The last thing she wanted to do was to include Hunter’s family in the celebrations, but the situation was awkward enough as it was.“I’ve booked a table for us for dinner, I hope you and Wilder can join us?”
“That will be lovely, thanks.”Leaning toward Willow, her eyes twinkling, Jade winked.“Do you think your brothers are going to relax?It can’t be good for their indigestion to be so grumpy all the time.”
Sighing, Willow looked at Hayden and Becket.She honestly didn’t have the energy to deal with them as well.“Come on, you guys, relax.Excuse me, I’ll join you all as soon as I can.”
Hunter grabbed her hand.“I’m coming with you.”
“It’s really not necessary, it’s all very boring, I assure you.”
“Being with you is many things, but boring isn’t one of them.”
“Hunter…”
“Do you have any idea how desperately I need to kiss you right now?”
“We have to talk.”
“Talking is not what I have in mind.”
“Hunter, please?”she pleaded.
Clearly puzzled he stared at her.He could see she was upset and didn’t understand why.
“Willow?”Greg called out.
