Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Tori arrived with her clothes and two girls to take care of my hair and make-up at three. They were both sweet and easily chatted as one did my long hair in loose curls after adding some temporary purple color to the ends. It looked like my dress, and I ran my hands through the soft strands.
The make-up artist did my face, making me appear ethereal. She accented my pale face with subtle highlights and gave my eyes a smoky finish to make the color pop. They were all dark and sexy, with a hint of purple to match the hair. For my lips, she lined them with a pink liner to fill them in and followed that with a gloss that was a mix of pink and purple.
I stared into the mirror in shock. I looked like my mom more than ever, and everything was flawless. Tori came over, clapping her hands as she touched my shoulder, and I blinked up at her. “You look beautiful, Elyse. You always do, but tonight you are going to turn heads.”
We hugged the girls after Tori paid them and then checked the clock. “Diana will be here in about half an hour. Don’t do anything to mess up your face. We’ll get dressed soon.”
I felt like a princess as we left my place dressed up for the night. Tori had reservations at a five-star bistro, and the three of us caught up over good food and wine. We finished just in time to get to the gallery a bit early to check everything over, and I felt my body go numb as I entered the building.
Lucas came over and fussed over me, kissing my hand as a greeting. I blushed and tried to focus on the moment as we walked around and looked at the art, the bars, and the tables with food ready for the guests. It was perfect, and I felt tears in my eyes as I looked down at the floor.
Arms slid around me, and I heard Diana whisper beside me. “You’ve got this, Elyse. You are so talented, and these paintings take my breath away, just like you. Your mom would be so proud.” We talked over dinner about my fears of my past being revealed, but she backed up the investigation in saying it was more than likely a messed-up robbery. It was a tragedy, but the person didn’t even know I was there. Once he did, Dad had already moved us out of the house.
“Thank you. I wish she were here.” I knew Mom had a love for art as well and felt her with me as I worked.
“She is. She never left her baby girl in spirit,” Diana assured me before Tori appeared beside us in a classic black dress. She hugged me as soon as she got the chance and told me that people were arriving.
My stomach twisted in knots as I looked at the door to see people trickling inside, hoping for the best tonight.
Chapter 13
RYDER
MY GAME WENT into overtime and then a shootout, which we won. I had been thinking of Elyse all night, and my cock was hard for most of it after she sent me a picture from the restaurant. She was stunning, and the caveman in me wanted to get there as soon as possible to stake my claim. I’d done everything to assure Elyse that I wanted her but wondered if there was ever someone else. She was beautiful, and after tonight, she’d be on everyone’s radar.
I skipped the post-game interviews and showered, dressing in black slacks and a crisp white shirt. I added some product to my hair and messed it up the way Elyse liked it before washing my hands.
“Headed to the gallery?” Justin asked as he appeared by my side, dressed in similar clothing.
“Yeah, though a bit later than planned. That end took a fucking minute.” I slipped a tie around my neck that brought out my eyes and knotted it as he did the same with a black one. “You?”
“I’ve heard a lot about these paintings and figured I ought to check them out. I haven’t seen Tori for a while, and we’re going for drinks after it’s over.”
I saw the gleam in his eyes and held in my smile. “Let’s go together then. We can probably all have drinks together. My car?” I asked, and Justin nodded in agreement. We left before anyone else, telling them to have a good night before I left the rink and headed into the city. I looked at the clock to see that the showing would be wrapping up in just over an hour, hating the guilt that fluttered in my stomach. I pressed down on the gas pedal and found a spot in the closest parking garage and Justin whistled as I parked.