Dahlia pulled faithful Betty right in front of the old brick building on Main Street. Her head leaned to the side to get a good look at the sign above the two large windows. SeeingThe Prescott Galleryin sleek, classic letters still made her cheeks ache. And to know it was a place for new and underrepresented artists was the cherry on top. Shewasn’t Monica anymore, nor was she Rachel. She was just Dahlia, bravely chasing her dreams without a backup plan or safety net.
Noah opened the gallery door and stood there. He was wearing dirty jeans, a torn plaid shirt, and a T-shirt that clung to his contours. It was like something out ofThe Notebook. She wanted to pinch herself that this was her life. He walked over to her side of the car as she rolled down the window.
“Hey, handsome.” She smiled. “How’s it going in there?”
“Good. Are you coming in?” he asked, tapping on the window frame.
“Yeah, I was just admiring the sign. I still can’t believe this is all real, Noah.”
“Well, it is, D. And it’s going to be a huge success. I’m going to make sure of it,” Noah said, flinching from the blistery gust of wind that blew down Main Street. “Between my contacts and social media accounts and now yours, which have exploded since you shared Lil’s story.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe how connected people feel to her.”
“Yeah, I guess when you’re honest and put yourself out there, people can relate on a whole other level. And to think I almost didn’t share it.” The old her would have shrunk herself, but not the new Dahlia. She owned her story and wore it like a badge of honor.
“They surely can. It’s getting cold out here. Come in. I finished the cypress counter, and the walls have a fresh coat of white, ready for the first show.” He opened her car door.
“That was quick,” she said, grabbing her tote from the back seat.
“Well, I had to. I’m getting so many furniture orders that I can’t keep up.”
“You might need a bigger barn.” Her eyes lit up.
“One day at a time.” He chuckled. “Let’s get your gallery up and running first, huh? Need help?”
“Yeah, I have some of Lil’s paintings in the back.”
“Did you sell any downloads on the site today?”
“Too many to count.” She shook her head in disbelief. Kara was right. Who would have thought selling an image could be so profitable? This was a whole other side to the art business she was learning, and it was beyond exciting.
With a crate in one arm, he hung the other arm around her shoulder. “Takeout and a movie later?”
“Sounds perfect,” Dahlia said, leaning up to kiss him.
“Oh, and my sister asked if we wanted to grab dinner tomorrow night with her and Penny. Up for it?”
“I’d love to.” She smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. It was like she had been living under a cloud for most of her life, and now that the skies parted, she could finally feel the warm sun on her face. “Now show me your masterpiece.”
As Dahlia walked up to the front door of her new professional endeavor, there was an all-encompassing tickle of exhilaration in her belly, as ifthiswas what she was meant for all along. She stood there, holding her middle. She couldn’t help but think about her pop and his ability to always see the silver lining in any situation. Dahlia wondered what he would think of all this. Gran too. Dahlia’s family was anything but conventional, yet as she looked back, she wouldn’t change a thing. After all, she had been blessed with more love than people ever got in a lifetime.
EPILOGUE
May 15
Noah
As Noah packed the rest of his truck, his eyes wandered past the row of lilac bushes in bloom and out to the bay. There was a good amount of foot action on the beach for a Friday. The sun was bright and warm on his skin, and the quiet hum of a boat’s motor faded into the background. He stared out at Shelter Island in the distance.
Was he making the right decision? Only time would tell, but he had to follow his gut on this. It had been nine months since he’d moved in with Dahlia, and although the winter was long and quiet, it was precisely what they’d needed. They had been snowed in, isolated, and left with only each other and their imaginations for a good portion of that time. They’d cooked, danced, played lots of strip poker, finished the house, and christened every nook and cranny and surface. The days were short and the nights long, and they made the most out of every minute they had together. If theyhadn’t been inseparable before, they certainly were now. That’s why this decision was so hard. But deep down, he knew the choice that had to be made. It was the only choice.
The fresh, heady rose-like smell drifted with the breeze, anchoring him. He pulled his phone from his back pocket, checking it for the tenth time this morning. Still no text back from his agent. For all the pieces to line up today, he needed to hear back. With a pinched expression, he texted Baz.
Tell me you have good news.
To Noah’s surprise, the three bubbles were oscillating.
Not yet.
Make it happen, Baz, and today. Please. Text me as soon as you hear.
