I couldn’t stop my smile as we exited the hallway, feeling freer and happier than I had in a long time.
We made our way through the gallery to the elevators. More latecomers stepped off the lifts and straggled into the foyer, forcing us to slow down.
I stumbled to a halt. Darn it, why? I stared at the elegantly clad blonde woman with her latest husband strolling out of the elevator, her gaze searching the crowd.
My mother pivoted, and then she saw me. She said something to her husband, who lowered his head to her. He was older, lean, with dark hair, graying at the front, and swept back from his face. He glanced at us, his warm brown eyes meeting mine briefly before he nodded and strode into the gallery.
Yep, she was too riled to make an introduction, and I hadn’t formally met him yet.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, bolting down my frustration.
“I’m always on the lookout for good art pieces,” she said, eyes narrowing. “I hope you took my advice.”
Jesus, not again. My teeth ground down. She disapproved of War, and she couldn’t have made it any clearer. The only reason I could think of was his old rep.
“Ms. Dupont,” War said then, his voice icy. “Leave her alone.”
She eyed him coolly, then me. Her gaze nailed War’s once more, and fear warring with anger pressed down on me. I wasn’t staying for whatever else she had up her sleeve.
“Bye, Mother.” I grasped my man’s hand. “Let’s go—”
“You are not who I would have wanted for my daughter,” she cut me off. “I know men like you, but she appears to be stuck on you. If you ever hurt her like that dirtbag pilot who gave the impression he was holier than Christ, I will make you wish you’d never been born.” Then she spun on her six-inch heels and glided off.
My mouth fell open, jaw almost hitting my chest. I didn’t know who was more shocked. Me or War.
He glanced at me.
It took me a moment before I could actually form words. “War, I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head, warm laughter breaking free. “I don’t care, as long as she stops trying to break us up.”
The tightness in my chest loosened. And just like that, he made me smile again.
Most of my pent-up anger and hurt stemmed from my complicated relationship with my mother—after my father had died, she was all I had, but part of it was also due to the kind of guys I fell for in the past. But War? He was different. Better.
While Craig had liked being in the limelight, insisting I show up at whatever function Mother wanted me to attend, War didn’t. Jeez, the man wasn’t even on social media until recently. And best of all, he didn’t even seem to care that my mother had threatened him.
Back then when their paths had crossed, maybe her continental greeting was poorly aimed, and she’d kissed him instead. Mother had said as much during our argument back at the house. So, yeah…it was time to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.” For the first time I found I could say that, say I wasokay, because deep down I felt it, too. All because of this guy next to me.
I glanced back into the gallery, watching my mother join her new husband. Matteo’s expression softened when he saw her. Maybe he was a nice guy…he seemed to care about her, and as mad as I was with her for breaking her promise and getting hitched again before the ink even dried on her divorce papers, I wanted her to be happy.
“Well, since we have her, er, blessing of sorts, what say we call it a night and head home?” War said, running his warm palm down my spine.
We found Ila nearby with one of her patrons. She excused herself and hurried over, her gaze shifting between us. “Hey, you.”
I hugged her. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re my best friend, and I love you. I’m glad you guys worked things out,” she said equally soft. “I don’t like seeing you or War hurting.”
Man, these sisters were like my very own, and I loved them. “Anyway…” I eased back. “We’re leaving and wanted to say goodbye.”
She smiled. “Thanks for coming. I appreciate the support.”
War nodded. “The canvas of the beach,” he asked her. “Is it still available?”
