magnanimously.
I nod. “I figured as much because, for the life of me, I can’t see what else your fiancée could see in you,” I tell him, and if I weren’t watching him so closely, I would have missed the twitch of his lips.
“I want it.”
I turn to face my father when he speaks. I hadn’t even noticed he had returned. “You want what?” I ask in confusion.
“The picture of Ella. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
I can feel the depth of love he has for my mother in the cadence of his voice. Even after all this time, she is still the love of his life.
Stepping forward until we are toe to toe, I look up into the haunted eyes of the man who taught me to ride a bike and who read me bedtime stories.
“I don't want your money, Dad. That picture was never for sale. Take it. It's yours,” I say softly, and he swallows hard.
“It's beautiful, all your pieces are. I’m sorry I ever made you doubt that.” He leans down and places a kiss against my forehead before whispering lightly, “You love him?”
“More than I ever thought possible,” I answer him honestly.
He stands back up, tucking a strand of multicolored hair behind my ear with a smile. “Then hold on tight to him and don’t let go.”
He looks over my shoulder at Asher. “Be at my office at ten on Monday morning, and we’ll finalize the deal then. Spend the weekend with your beautiful wife,” he adds before turning and walking away.
I stand there and watch him leave and blink back tears.
“You okay?” Asher asks, wrapping his arms around me.
I look around the room at people who came to see my work before focusing my gaze on my handsome husband who made it happen.
“Yeah, I really am.”
The rest of the evening passes in a blur. It's everything I ever dreamed of and so much more. With a final goodbye, I grip Asher’s hand and let him pull me outside into the cool night air. He leads me across the now quiet street to the car where Davis is standing with a large smile on his face.
Pushing me against the car, Asher kisses me again, making me laugh against his lips.
“There is an excellent chance I won't be able to stop touching you tonight, maybe ever. I thought I should warn you.” Dipping his head and placing his lips against my ear so Davis can’t hear he adds, “I’m a starving man, and you are fucking delicious.”
“Ever the charmer,” I tease.
“Only with you, Skittle. It's always only ever been you,” he admits, and I feel the truth of with every fiber of my soul—the same words I said to him earlier.
Asher pulls us aside so that Davis can open the door just as someone calls my name.
“Mrs. Sloan?” We both turn at the sound of a woman's voice and find Molly, the art coordinator, standing just outside the door of the gallery.
“Give me two minutes and I’ll be all yours,” I whisper before standing on tiptoes, brushing a kiss over Asher’s cheek.
“Hurry up, wife. I have plans for you,” he says, sliding into the back seat of the car as I quickly make my way back over to Molly.
“Sorry, Mrs. Sloan. I just wanted to let you know that we are so impressed with tonight's event we would like to arrange for another. Would six months be long enough for you to come up with ten to twenty pieces?” she asks excitedly.
“The muse can be a fickle creature, but I think I can work with that time frame. Thank you, and thank you for tonight. I was a wreck and you kept everything running smoothly without breaking a sweat.”
She laughs, holding out her hand for me to shake. “It's what I do, and it was my pleasure. Your work truly is exceptional. I’d better let you get back to your husband. Have a good evening, Mrs. Sloan.”
“Please, call me Linda.”
“Linda then,” she agrees with a smile.
I wave and turn, making my way back to Asher when the sound of a rapidly approaching car has me turning to find the source of the noise.
Everything after that moment plays out almost in slow motion. I hear a woman scream and Asher roar my name as the small red car hits me so hard I find myself up in the air looking down at the asphalt before hurtling into it.
It isn’t until Asher is by my side, stroking my face