My body relaxes into him as conflict momentarily engulfs me. I know this is a great opportunity, but the thought of failure is paralyzing. Jacob used to tell me that being an artist would never be a viable career. That it was only ever a hobby.
And there was a part of me that hung onto that. No one wants to be a starving artist. No one wants to put themselves out there and deal with the rejection that comes with it.
But, I know deep inside that I will be okay if it doesn’t work out the way I’m hoping it does. Cole grounds me, giving me the opportunity to look at things clearly.
“This isn’t something I should pass up.”
“I agree, but it doesn’t mean it can’t happen another time.”
My eyes bounce back and forth between his. “I want to do it. I don’t want to keep second guessing things and myself. I don’t want my self doubt to continue to hold me back.”
Cole stares at me. “So, what happens next?”
I let out a ragged breath, still feeling the aftershocks from my anxiety attack. Cole was able to distract me enough to get myself under control. He didn’t make it go away, but he helped me through it.
“Will you help me decide which paintings to take?”
A tender smile spreads across his face.
“I’d love to.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
COLE
“Do you want to stay for dinner?”
I glance over at Ella as she’s going through the last of her paintings. After I found her in the middle of an anxiety attack, I wasn’t sure how the rest of her afternoon was going to go. She asked me to stay, so I’ve been sitting in here with her trying to figure out which pieces I think Vera might want.
Remi took Chloe to get ice cream and when she called afterwards, Ella asked her if she could take her to the park to give us a little more time.
“I don’t want to impose,” I say, offering a soft smile. The last thing I want is for her to feel like she has to ask me to stay when that’s not what she wants. I know her daughter will be home soon and I should go before she is.
Ella rises to her feet, straightening her pants before she offers me her hand. I slide my palm against hers, letting her guide me to my feet. I stand in front of her, my chin tipping towards my chest and my eyes find hers.
“It’s not imposing if I invited you,” she tells me, her voice soft as she raises an eyebrow.
“What about Chloe?”
Ella tilts her head to the side, scanning my face before settling on my eyes. “She’s already met you once before and we have run into you a few times in town. I think it would be okay if she saw you again.”
The air leaves my lungs in a rush as my heart picks up the pace, stumbling over itself a bit. This is a huge step for Ella. Even if she doesn’t want anything to do with me besides being friends, she still trusts me enough to be around her daughter. She wouldn’t offer something significant like this if she didn’t see me somewhere in her future.
I smile at her, the intensity of the moment permeating my soul. “I would like that.”
“Perfect,” she responds, her smile lighting up her face. “I should see what we have that I can cook.”
My hand reaches for the side of her face, my thumb trailing over her skin. “Today has been a long and stressful day. Let’s get delivery.” I pause for a moment, my fingertips lingering over the pounding pulse in the side of her neck. “I do wanna cook for you one night, though.”
She inhales sharply. “I might have to let you do that.”
“Good,” I murmur, my fingers trailing beneath her chin, tipping her head back farther, revealing her slender neck. “There are a lot of things I want to do for you… and to you.”
She bats her eyelashes at me, her nostrils flaring as she closes the small amount of space between us. My heart kicks into overdrive, blood rushing through my veins. She steps closer and anticipation builds in the pit of my stomach. Her chest brushes against my torso as her hands find the sides of my waist. Her lips part, and she begins to lift onto her toes.
“Honey, we’re home!” Remi calls from the front door as it shuts behind her. It opened quietly enough that neither of us heard her at first.
I groan and Ella falls back onto her flat feet, her shoulders sagging as she closes her eyes. She opens them, the hues of blue dancing within her irises as she lets out a soft laugh.
