by Jody Holford
The Museum of Fine Arts was an overwhelming structure. He didn’t like being inside it—too much space, whereas Gabby felt the opposite. She liked the wide wings and open rooms. She preferred Degas and Monet, though she said their styles were different. For her birthday last May, he’d brought her here and sat beside her, absorbing the art with her. She said it was the best gift because the things she cared for most surrounded her. Art and him. How had he not known? His mind was a live wire, trying to think if she’d given signals of her feelings. But it was hard to catalog moments when they spent so many of them together.
Paying the full price to get in, even though there were only forty minutes until closing, Owen headed toward the stairs. One shot. He wouldn’t stop if she wasn’t there, but he’d know, in his heart, that he hadn’t known her the way he wanted to, known her well enough to find her when she needed him. Even if, at the moment, she probably thought she didn’t.
His footsteps were loud on the shining floor. There were more people than he expected. Reaching the second floor, he slowed his steps in an effort to catch his breath, to compose himself. On the wall beside Gabby’s favorite room was a placard with a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci that read: Don’t choose the one who is beautiful to the world, choose the one who makes your world beautiful. His heart was in his throat as he rounded the corner.
Owen’s knees buckled, but he caught himself. Sitting in the middle of the room, she was a tiny figure, surrounded by greatness. To him, she was the most precious thing, the most beautiful, in the entire place. Other people milled about, but Owen only saw Gabby
Her slender shoulders were hunched as she stared at the wall. Gabby always told him she loved being the only one who knew where her pieces started. They began with one little mark and ended up filling the page. By the time people saw them, there was no end and no beginning; just her creation. And where she had started was her little secret. He wondered if she was trying to figure out that very secret in the works she studied, or if she was seeing anything at all.
He didn’t know exactly when she’d become his whole world. All that mattered now was letting her know.
His feet were silent as he moved toward her. She didn’t even startle when he sat on the bench. They said nothing at first, and he just listened to the sound of her breathing. It soothed him, the way he thought looking at the paintings might soothe her.
A quiet announcement said the museum would be closing soon. He did nothing to rush Gabby.
She didn’t look at him when she spoke. “Every time I look at a painting I’ve seen a hundred times before, I notice something new,” she said. He’d even missed her voice.
Owen stared at the Degas on the wall. He remembered thinking they were a lot smaller than he’d expected when she first brought him. He wasn’t sure he could notice even a tenth of the things she did. Blue, gray, and black paint. Little bits of movement. Signature in the right corner. A woman’s body in motion. But he knew she saw more. Gabby always saw more—not just what was on the surface, but everything underneath. Owen took her hand and realized, he might not have that ability with art, but he did with Gabriella.
Before he could tell her that, she spoke. “The thing that makes art so powerful isn’t the technique or who the artist is. The power comes from the perception of the person looking at it. To me, this could be the most breathtaking image I’ve ever seen. It could make me feel alive and inspired and for you, it might just be a dancer.”
He didn’t know what to say. She turned toward him and because he couldn’t not touch her, he reached for her other hand as well, grateful she didn’t pull away.
Gabby kept her eyes lowered, staring at their entwined hands. “I could tell you everything about that picture. I could describe the history, tell you about the artist, tell you who inspired him and how he created it. But I could never make you love it the way I do. I can’t make you see what I see.”
He tightened his fingers and pulled her closer, his throat thick. Using one hand, he nudged her chin so she looked up. “I see. I promise you, I see.” And once he cleared everything up, he’d never again let her feel invisible.
Tears surfaced and he wondered if he was too late. She sniffled. “What do you see, Owen?”
While he tried to gather his thoughts, she started to pull her hands away, but he held tight. “I see a woman who has come to mean more to me than I ever thought possible. A woman who makes me laugh, who makes me happy. I see someone so beautiful, inside and out, that it literally takes my breath away.” He gestured to the painting. “When I’m with you, I feel like you do when you’re looking at your favorite artists. And I also see I’ve been an idiot.”
She gave a watery laugh and he was grateful that, despite the shine in her eyes, she wasn’t crying. “I can agree there.”
He stared at her. He needed a minute to do just that. She looked down at the floor and Owen felt her retreat. He’d wanted to do this right by telling her how he felt while showing her at the same time. Preferably at his place. But things didn’t always go as planned and he wasn’t walking away without telling her how he felt. He wasn’t walking away, period. She stood and, before he could stop her, went to one of the paintings. Owen followed, not caring that more people had entered the room. He needed her to look at him.
“Gabby?” His voice was rough. He curled his fingers into his palms so he didn’t reach for her. Again.
She glanced over her shoulder at him, just quick enough he caught the tears. If she’d kicked him in the stomach, it wouldn’t have hurt any less than seeing her pain. “I thought it’d be okay. You know? Seeing you. And I think it will, eventually, but I just need a bit more time. I don’t want to give up on our friendship. I can’t do this right now, though.” She kept her voice low, but every word felt shouted.
He shook his head. No. No more time. He’d wasted enough and he didn’t want more. He stepped forward but stopped before they were touching. “No.” His voice seemed to vibrate in the room. Some guy in a suit glared at him, but Owen ignored him. It was just him and Gabby.
Gabby turned to face him, her eyes flickering with anger. “Excuse me?”
“I’m going to do everything I can to convince you that we don’t need more time. I don’t want to go another minute without you. I need you and I want you, forever. And I want it to start right now. I love you, Gabriella.” Jesus, that feels good to say. He felt almost boneless with the weight of that off his chest.
Her breath caught in what looked like a silent sob, and she pressed one hand to her chest. “Oh, I know you love me, Owen. I’m the best friend a guy could have, right?” Her laugh was jaded and didn’t suit her. Didn’t suit his Gabby. He felt the stares of a few patrons and his stomach rumbled with nerves. Unable to care any longer, he said what he needed to say.
“You are the best friend I could ever have,” he said. She winced and he stepped closer. She pressed herself against the wall. A security guard cleared his throat.
“Can’t be so close to the paintings, ma’am. Everything all right?” The guy stayed across the room but he was watching Owen. He took Gabby’s arm and pulled her away from the wall and the painting. Sweat dampened the back of his neck. “We’re fine, thanks.” Another glance around the room proved that the guard wasn’t the only curious observer. Several people had turned toward where he and Gabby stood and Owen’s stomach felt like he’d eaten ten pounds of cotton candy. It doesn’t matter. Gabby matters. That’s all. Blocking everyone else out, swallowing down his nerves, he fastened his gaze back on Gabby.
“That’s not what I meant. I meant I love-love you. Not just friend-love you. I’m in love with you. So in love with you that I don’t know how I ever thought I wasn’t. I want to be with you in every way. Yes, you’re my friend—my best friend—but I want you to be so much more than that. I want to be the man who makes you laugh and wipes away your tears. I want to be your biggest champion and supporter. I want you to be mine. I want to make you sandwiches at midnight and order pizza w
hen you forget to eat. I want to wake up beside you every single day. I want to go to sleep beside you every night. I want to make love to you and I want to cross every line and boundary left because I can’t stand the thought of anything being between us.”
Tears poured down her cheeks and he moved in, cupped her face in his hands, relieved that she didn’t push him away. Owen was vaguely aware of strangers looking at them, but all he could really focus on was even though her hands stayed by her sides, she didn’t retreat. “I love you, Gabby. Like I didn’t know it was possible to love. I said I see you, but I didn’t see everything before. I’ve been an idiot and it’ll break something inside me if it’s too late to fix it. To get you back. Not just as my friend, as my everything. Because that’s what you are.” He rested his forehead against hers, feeling his own throat thicken with emotion. “I see you, Gabby. You’re everything to me.”
Her silent tears made the moment longer and Owen felt like there was no oxygen in the room. His heart was pounding, his body was rigid. He didn’t even try to breathe. Without Gabby, there was no point.
Then, as if he was dreaming, he felt her hands come to his waist, slide up his sides and down his arms until she was gripping his wrists. “I love you. I love you so much it hurts.”
He wiped at her tears. “I don’t want it to hurt. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“You didn’t mean to,” she whispered.
“It doesn’t matter if I meant to. I was careless with your feelings. And oblivious to my own. But I won’t be anymore. I promise you. I promise you I can be the man you want.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You already are.”
He bent to kiss her, but stopped. “About the ring?”
Gabby’s cheeks went a pretty shade of pink and she ducked her head.
He tipped it up with his index finger under her chin. “Gabs, that thing is all kinds of ugly and has really bad karma.”
Her brows scrunched together like she might not believe him. She sniffed, then giggled. “I don’t need a ring. I just need you.”
“I just don’t want you to think I’m not ready for commitment. I’m ready for everything. With you.”
More tears filled her eyes and she nodded. Owen’s hands were wet with her tears as he pulled her body up against his and kissed her, not for pretend, not for show, but because she was the most important, most genuine person he’d ever known in his life. And she was his.
Slow clapping started, breaking the moment as the sound and speed increased. When he pulled back, still holding her tight, he saw the small crowd had both watched and listened. Apparently, he’d put on a show after all. Gabby looked around and laughed, sniffling loudly.
Owen sighed and hugged her tight, burying his face in her hair. He whispered into her ear, “Can we finish this at home?”
She put her head back and laughed, then cupped his face in her hands like he’d done. His body ached with the need to be with her completely. She gave him a noisy, playful kiss. “Yes. Let’s go home.” The onlookers continued to clap as they left the room hand in hand.
As they descended the stairs, Gabby leaned her head on his arm. “I’m sorry I walked out and didn’t say goodbye to your family properly. Brady said they left?”
He nodded, releasing her hand to wrap his arm around her shoulder. He couldn’t get close enough. “They did, but they understood, and I assured my mom we’d visit next month.”
Gabby arched one eyebrow. “Is that so? How’d you know I’d come around, that we’d be okay?”
He pushed open the door that led to the parking lot. “Because I wasn’t going to give up until we were. It’s the only thing that matters. Are we? Okay, I mean?”
He felt her shiver against his side. “We will be, I think. We probably have some things to work out, though,” she said. When they reached his truck, he unlocked it, opening the door for her. Gabby looked up at him, her grin playful. “Like how soon you can get your stuff out of my new apartment.”
Owen froze and not because of the night air. Putting his hands to her hips, he waited. Was she serious? He ran one hand through his hair. “I, uh…yeah. A deal is a deal. You still want to trade, huh?” It’s not like he had any right to rush her.
She smiled coyly, tipping her head to one side. “Well, yeah. I earned it fair and square. Why? You don’t want to trade anymore?”
Pursing his lips, Owen stared at her, trying to figure out if she was messing with him. “I won’t renege if that’s what you’re asking. I was sort of hoping that we’d…that, uh…we’d—”
Thankfully Gabby cut him off, wrapping her arms around his neck and going up on tiptoe so their lips were almost touching. “Live together?”
He sighed deeply and rested both hands on her waist. “Yeah, actually. I was really hoping that.”
“You can handle my messy?” she asked.
“I can handle anything, as long as I have you.”
With a dreamy sigh that had her breath fanning his lips, she kissed him. When she pulled back, she whispered, “Then I guess we’re okay. Because you have me. For good.”
Epilogue
Owen was a vault. She’d wanted to surprise him for his birthday, but he insisted he had a plan. After ringing in the New Year together, quietly, with the glow of the firelight casting shadows over them, they’d settled into a routine. It was much like the one they’d had before becoming a couple, only now they spent every night together and Gabby was so happy she felt she might burst.
They’d spent the previous weekend at Owen’s family’s house. They’d been thrilled that he and Gabby were finally together for real and had been every bit as open and welcoming as they’d been through the holidays. Gabby could tell how pleased they were that Owen had come home to have a pre birthday celebration with them. But tonight, his actual birthday, was just for Gabby and Owen.
Gabby couldn’t even get the tiniest hint from him about their plans, though, and it was driving her crazy. She should be the one doing something special for him. She’d stayed in her old apartment for the day to work and give Owen the space he cryptically said he needed. She’d paid the rent until the end of January so she figured it didn’t hurt to move her stuff into their apartment at her own pace. When her alarm sounded, pulling her out of her latest piece, she decided she’d done enough for the day and went to get ready for her date. With the man she loved. The one who loved her back in exactly the same way.
Showered and ready to go by seven as the birthday boy had asked, she tamped down on the urge to go across the hall and ask if he was ready. Owen had insisted he’d come for her and not to sneak over. He knew her too well. When he knocked, a silly grin spread across her face. She walked to the door.
“Who is it?” she asked teasingly.
“The man of your dreams,” he answered.
She pulled the door open, her breath catching when she saw him dressed in dark suit pants and a crisp white, button-up shirt. His three-quarter length gray wool coat hung open. His hair had a touch of product in it so it wasn’t sweeping his forehead. He looked perfect. “You are, you know,” she said, slipping her fingers into his waistband and yanking him close. “The man of my dreams.”
Before he could reply, she kissed him. In her heels, their bodies and mouths lined up better, but she still had to reach for him. She kissed him as his hands came to her hair, his fingers tangling in the back of it as he pressed them closer, and he took over the kiss entirely. By the time he pulled back, Gabby had lost her breath. She looked at him feeling dazed and tingly from her head to her toes.
“You look stunning,” he whispered against her mouth, nipping at her bottom lip and sending a shiver all the way through her body.
“So do you. Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” He grabbed her coat, helped her into it, his fingers tickling the nape of her neck when he helped pull her hair out from the collar. He pressed a sweet kiss to her neck.
“I love you,” he whispered.
She’d never get tired of hearing it or the feeling of believing it. She glanced up over her shoulder, meeting his gaze. “I love you.”
They stepped onto the elevator and Gabby stared at him, unsure why he pressed the button for the roof. Gabby spent time up there in the summer. A few of the neighbors had put together a community garden that grew flowers, carrots, and some lettuce during the season. She’d painted up there a couple times. There was a small solarium in one corner that went mostly unused, a few benches, and a couple of wrought-iron bistro sets. It got far less traffic than it deserved in the summer and none in the winter.
Owen linked their fingers, smiling at her like he could see the wheels of wonder turning in her head. The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Owen’s hand reached the small of her back, nudging her forward. Snow covered the garden boxes and the cement except for a path that had obviously been cleared. Gabby shivered, looking around. The sky was lit by thousands of stars glittering above them.
More light came from the solarium as Owen led her in that direction. When he pulled open the door, she gave a small gasp of surprise. And pleasure. A small table was set for two. The glow of candlelight surrounded the space, using the thin, plank shelving that was meant for herb boxes. When the door shut behind them, the smell of rosemary and something decadent enveloped Gabby. Whatever they were eating was covered with silver tops, like they’d ordered room service at a fancy hotel. A couple of small, portable heaters glowed red, warming the space, making it intimate and cozy. She pressed her hand to her chest, felt her heart beat strong and steady. She turned and saw Owen was watching her.
“When did you do all this? How?”
He stepped closer, pulled her into his arms. “Did you really think I was working all day? Thankfully you were too caught up in your art to realize I was in and out of the apartment constantly. Not sure how I’ll plan surprises once Brady rents your place out,” he said.