Wyatt frowns as he remembers what I told him earlier. He was in town to visit and check in on Iris. He called me about the show, thinking Ella had told me. Only when he realized my surprise was genuine and I told him what happened did things click in his brain. “Maybe this is your chance to talk to her again. This is a neutral place for both of you.”
That right there is exactly why I've been avoiding going to the bar. Before Ella, it was one of my regular places and after Ella, it became the only place I went for a drink or dinner. That place is hers, not mine. Showing up there while she was working felt invasive, like I was crossing a boundary she had set. She wanted space and time, so I am giving her as much as she needs.
Although, I can't help but wonder if she's been working to forget me instead.
“This is a public space, Cole. You and I are friends and she knows we’re bound to see each other while I’m in town.” He pauses, his nostrils flaring as he sets his jaw. “Either come inside or head back to the ranch. You've been lingering out the front for long enough now, and it's only a matter of time before someone questions who the psycho staring through the windows is.”
“Fuck you,” I chuckle, giving him a look and rolling my eyes. “I'll come in.”
And if she wants me to leave, I'll be gone, no questions asked.
“Good choice,” Wyatt says, nodding as he motions for me to follow him. He pulls open the glass front door, but he steps in front of me. His blue eyes drill into mine. “Keep her safe, Wild.”
“I will.”
He stares at me for a moment before finally nodding and heading inside. Wyatt doesn’t wait for me, walking away to find Ella.
Blending in with the crowd, I walk around the perimeter of the room, my eyes scanning the wide span of paintings hanging on the walls. Some follow the trend as her art before with the differing landscapes. The first few appear darker and stormier but as you continue on, they start to grow lighter until you reach the last painting that is a sunrise with the sun shining brightly as it crests the horizon. A smile pulls on my lips and I walk to the next series, expecting it to be something similar, but I'm shocked when I see what I find.
These are more of a portrait style, as if capturing different moments. A snapshot of memories that have passed. My eyes scan them, taking in the art she created and I feel like I'm looking inside her mind, seeing the moving parts of the world through her eyes. It's almost like a story that transpires in one painting, only to be continued in the next.
As I reach the last one, the air leaves my lungs in a rush. The others were all realistic, the brush strokes so crisp and smooth, it was almost as if someone took an actual photograph. This last one is wispy and whimsical, but it's romantic and sexy. Two visible people are in the center, surrounded by blooming flowers and vines. The vines are intertwined, sweeping around the naked people as all the colors melt together. Their lips are crushed together, their arms wrapped around one another. Each part where their bodies meet melt together, except as you move farther down their torsos, there's no distinction from one or the other.
They are one.
“This one is my favorite.”
My heart skips a beat in my chest, my breathing growing shallow as the sound of her voice slithers down my spine. It feels like a vine from the painting wrapping itself around my soul. Turning my head, I glance at her as she steps up beside me and I drink in the sight of her. Her make-up is light, but there's adusting of sparkles illuminating her high cheekbones. Soft pink eyeshadow rests on her eyelids and her eyelashes are thick and dark with mascara. Her soft dark hair is slicked back in a low bun, revealing her delicate features and bone structure.
“It's mine too,” I admit. And as much as I love the painting, I'm not looking at it. I'm looking at her.
A soft smile pulls on her lips as she turns her body to look at me, her long elegant gown shifting around her ankles. “Thank you for coming tonight. I wasn't sure if you would or not.”
My eyebrows pull together and I move my body so we're facing each other. “Why?”
“I knew Wyatt was going to say something about it to you, so I didn't tell him we hadn't spoken.”
“So you were testing me?” I ask her, feeling a twinge of hurt in my chest. Manipulation isn't Ella's style, so I'm confused by her omission.
She shakes her head, her lips parting as she lets out a soft breath. “Not the way you think. It was more to see if I completely blew my chance with you or not. If you didn't show, I told myself I wouldn't reach out. I would let you go and allow you to move on with your life.”
My heart stops in my chest. “Well, that didn't happen.”
“It didn't,” she whispers, her voice barely audible as her eyes burn holes directly into my soul.
“So, what now?”
“I know we still need to talk.” Her throat bobs. “But, I told myself if you came, then maybe I would still have a chance.” Her expression softens and she lets out a breath. “I can’t help but wonder if I still do.”
I stare at her, emotion welling in my throat as I look at the woman who holds my heart in her hands. “You do, El.”
Her lips lift, the smile spreading across her face, reaching her eyes as she tilts her head to the side. My heart beats strong andsteady in my chest.. I fight the urge to go to her. I've missed the way she feels in my arms and she's so close I could touch her right now.
“Mama!”
Ella's gaze leaves mine and she turns around, looking in the direction of where Chloe's voice came from. She comes running over, pushing past some legs until she's right in front of Ella. I watch her as she bends down and lifts her daughter into her arms, holding her close against her body. It's like no one else is in the room as she focuses her attention solely on Chloe, listening to the little girl ramble about a leaf she saw on the way here.
Remi comes pushing through the crowd of people, her expression a little frantic and she appears to be a little out of breath. She relaxes as soon as she sees Ella holding Chloe and her chest heaves as she lets out a sigh of relief. “You can't run off like that, Clo.”
