Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Lily,” Naomi says to get my attention. When I look at her, she asks, “Have you always wanted to be an artist?”
Nodding, I smile wide. “Yes. For as long as I can remember.”
“Callan says you’re busy working on commissioned pieces?” Harper asks.
I let out a chuckle. “I’ve had so many requests I’ve had to decline most of them because I’m also working on my next collection.”
It makes me think about my painting Callan purchased and how First Glance is proudly hanging in our living room.
I want to create another one in my Joys of Live collection that’s just for Callan and me.
As we begin to eat, Callan leans into me. “Love you, baby.”
With my head close to his, I whisper, “I’m thankful for finding you and all the strength you’ve given me to become the person I am today.”
He presses a tender kiss beneath my ear.
I’m thankful for all the success I’ve had in such a short amount of time.
I’m thankful Callan’s family and friends seem to like me.
Mostly, I’m thankful I get to love Callan Wright. He could’ve had any woman, but he chose me.
Epilogue
Lily
(One year later…)
Standing in the middle of the room with Eloise, I point to our left. “I think Unforgettable should hang there.”
She takes a deep breath as she gives the spot a critical look, then says, “I think you’re right.” She gestures for Nate to hang the piece, and when he steps away from it, we stare at the painting.
I painted Unforgettable for Callan.
It shows a woman drowning in words and sentences. They’re slurs and insults meant to break her down. But there’s a man gripping her hand and pulling her out.
I strategically placed forget-me-not flowers beneath certain words, and if you read them, it says, ‘You make me feel unforgettable.’
“Perfect,” Eloise murmurs, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I glance around the room, all set for my next exhibition that starts tomorrow.
I’ve worked my butt off to get the collection done in time, and looking at my paintings, pride fills my chest.
I let out a deep breath, then smile at Eloise. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Go home and get some rest.”
She waves a hand in the air. “I have a couple of things still to do.” She begins to walk in the direction of her office. “Say hi to Callan for me.”
“I will.”
When I’m alone in the room, I look at my paintings once more before heading to the exit. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I’m surprised to see Callan waiting for me. He’s leaning against his Bugatti, checking something on his phone.
Dressed in his usual three-piece suit, my man looks as hot as ever.
“Hi.” I give him a playful look. “Please tell me you’re single. I’d like to take you out for a drink.”
He catches on fast, and shakes his head at me. “I’m taken by a gorgeous woman.”
I scrunch my nose, pretending to look disappointed. “Such a bummer.”
He catches my hand and tugs me against his chest, then murmurs, “Hey, baby.”
I press a kiss to his mouth. “I missed you.”
“Not half as much as I missed your sexy ass.” He opens the door for me and waits for me to get into the car before shutting it.
After he gets in behind the steering wheel and pulls away from the curb, he asks, “Is everything ready for tomorrow?”
I nod, tired from the long day’s work. “After the exhibition, I want to sleep for a week.”
His eyes flick to my face. “You need some time off.”
Silence falls between us, and I almost drift to sleep when Callan brings the Bugatti to a stop in our parking bay.
I sigh as I climb out, and taking his hand, we head to the elevator.
Resting my head against his bicep, I watch the numbers as we’re taken to our apartment, and when the doors slide open, my jaw drops to the floor.
“Oh, my God,” I whisper as I look at the foyer.
Red rose petals are scattered on the tiles to form an aisle, and as I walk down the path, I see the living room has been cleared of our furniture.
My hands fly to my mouth while my eyes feast on the fairy lights hanging everywhere. There’s an intimate round table in the middle of the room.
“Callan,” I breathe. When my eyes find him, they instantly blur from the sight of Callan on one knee.
With his eyes filled with the intensity of his love for me, he says, “Your hand is the only hand I want to hold. Your mouth is the only mouth I want to kiss. Your soul is the only soul I want to cherish.”
He rises to his full height and steps closer to me as I try to smother a sob.
“I can buy anything my heart desires…anything but you.”
He opens the small box, and seeing the beautiful diamond ring, I give up on fighting the tears and let them flow freely.