by Pizzi, Jenna
Rebecca looked at Tasha.
“Open his exhibit?” she asked questioningly.
Tasha shrugged her shoulders. An excited shriek came from across the room. Emily and James made their way through the crowd and Emily flung her arms around both Rebecca and Tasha. Rebecca giggled.
“Have you had a few glasses of champagne already?”
Emily swiped her hand in front of her.
“Phewy, it’s a party. It’s like our first adult party. How freaking great is this? It’s so artsy. I feel so stupid saying it aloud; thirty five and we’ve never done anything so adult.”
Her words were slightly slurred as she spoke. She turned to Rebecca and looked her up and down.
“Oh, wow, Becca. You are totally hot. Who knew you had a figure like that? Wait until Ethan sees you. Speaking of Ethan, we should make our way to the back of the room. He has his own exhibit that he’s opening tonight.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“How do you know?”
Emily held a finger over her lips.
“Shhh, it’s a secret. He’s been painting again. This is his first show in over seven years. I have it on good authority…that you’ll want to see it.”
She finished her champagne and then followed after a tray of champagne across the room. James rolled his eyes.
“I guess I don’t take her out enough. I feel like I am babysitting tonight.”
Rebecca and Tasha cracked up laughing.
A voice sounded over the speaker system.
“If I could have your attention, please. Ethan Roberts is proud to present Sweet Serendipity to you. This is Ethan’s first show in seven years and we hope you enjoy it.” The lights suddenly lit up the back of the room.
People began to crowd the back of the room. They formed a line to view Ethan’s art work. Rebecca accepted a glass of champagne and took her place in line. Tasha was eager to see what was behind the screened off area. They both happened to notice that people were looking at Rebecca with a hint of softness, and strangers smiled at her. Tasha elbowed her.
“I don’t know about you, but I think I am going to cut in line. I have a strange feeling this is going to be personal.”
“You don’t think…” Rebecca answered under her breath as she grabbed hold of Tasha’s arm.
Rebecca and Tasha stepped out of line and cut through the crowd. They entered the screened area and Rebecca abruptly stopped. There in front of her, upon the walls, were images of her. It was a timeline of their time together. The story began with a painting of the way Ethan viewed Rebecca on the night they had first met at The East Bay Grille. The image showed her with a sad face staring into a glass of red wine. He painted an aura around her that faded into the blackened background. She stood in front of the picture and her heart raced. She remembered how sad she had been that night. It was the night that set things in motion. He captured her every emotion.
She walked farther into the room and spotted another painting. It was one of her touching a mystical-looking tree. She remembered it from the time he first asked her on a date. She smiled to herself and kept walking farther into the room.
There was a painting of the two of them on his motorcycle, only instead of her wearing the helmet, her long hair was blowing in the wind. He painted every emotion she had been feeling at the time —exhilarated, free, and happy. She smiled to herself as she remembered how she had felt as if she had been flying that night.
She walked to the next one on the wall. There he had painted them walking along the beach hand-in-hand in the moonlight. She could make out every detail including the shoes she was holding in her hand. He captured every tiny detail. She felt as though her life was being put on display, only she was seeing it through someone else’s eyes.
Rebecca noticed Tasha waving her arms back and forth from across the room. Tasha called out for her to come. She hurried over to Tasha, who gave her a funny grin. She signaled for Rebecca to look behind her. Rebecca looked and instantly felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Ethan had painted a picture of her while she was asleep on her stomach. Nothing but a partial sheet covered her body. Her hair cascaded down the bed. She quickly looked around at the surrounding people and noticed strangers smiling at his artwork.
Emily grabbed Rebecca by her arm and dragged her toward the opposite side of the room.
“Where are we going? We’re missing some of the paintings.
“No. You need to see this.” She dragged her to a painting and told her to look.
Rebecca instantly welled up with tears. The painting was of Rebecca sitting on a picnic blanket with Riley and Adam. She then noticed that there was a little boy with wings spread out looking down at them, smiling. The boy had dark hair and gray eyes. It was her Brian, her angel. He painted her with her children. He had every detail of Brian right down to the twinkle he always had in his eyes and the dimple in his chin. She walked over to the painting and ran her fingers over it. Tasha handed Rebecca a tissue as she pulled one out for herself.
“It’s unbelievable. He’s an amazing artist. I love the way he was able to capture your loving essence with all your children.”
Emily was choked up.
“I think he’s waiting for you over there.” She pointed to the exit of the exhibit. Rebecca glanced over and her eyes locked onto Ethan’s. She couldn’t help but notice how his eyes seemed to shine just a little bluer than she remembered. When he smiled at her, she melted. He stood in a black suit that had to have been made for him because it clung to him in all the right places. He stood smiling at her with his hands behind his back.
She quickly made her way across the room and walked up to him. He pulled out a long-stemmed red rose he had been holding behind his back and handed it to her. She accepted it. Without an ounce of reservation, she kissed him. She didn’t care that a month had passed since she had seen him. She didn’t care that she had once been reluctant about their relationship. All she could think about in that moment was Ethan and how much she loved him. Light flashed as people took photos of the kiss. She pulled away and looked in his beautiful eyes.
“I love you, Ethan. I was just so scared.”
He smiled.
“I know, Becca. You just needed to figure it out on your own.” He swept one hand behind her neck and another one around her waist. He kissed her once again with a tender, loving kiss.
He grasped her hand and proudly made his way through the room greeting people. All the feedback from the evening went better than he expected. The paintings that he put on display from his new, raw talent sold out. Offers were made on his paintings, but he politely declined them, telling people that they were for his private collection. He announced he would have others for sale over the next few months and that anyone interested should keep checking back with the gallery. Local news covered the opening and called it a success.
James approached Rebecca with a gushing petite Emily in his arms.
“Hi guys! I think that I am going to get this one home. She’s had a little too much to drink.”
Emily made a pinching gesture with her hands.
“Ahh, shucks, only a little…this much.” She grabbed onto Ethan and kissed his cheek. “You totally rock. You are like the most romantic person I have ever met in my life.” She leaned into his ear and loudly whispered, “If I was single, oooh boy.” She looked over at her husband and smirked. “But I have my darling hubby that I love more than life itself.”
“OK, Em, you’ve gotta go. This was a great show, Ethan. I’m glad we got a chance to get to know you a little better. I’ve heard a lot about you over the last few months. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again soon.”
James and Ethan shook hands and Ethan thanked them for coming. He gave Emily a peck on her cheek and winked at her. She held a hand to her cheek and giggled.
Rebecca walked them to the door and hugged them goodbye. Emily grabbed her husband’s shirt by the chest and looked at Rebecca.
“Make sure you do exactly what
I plan to tonight.”
James kissed Rebecca on the cheek and said goodbye. When the valet pulled their car up to the curb James helped his wife into the passenger seat. He pulled away and honked the horn as he drove away.
Rebecca was about to enter the gallery when a woman stepped forward.
“Rebecca?” The woman called out questioningly.
Rebecca turned toward her.
“Yes?”
The woman was dressed impeccably in a black pant suit. She looked vaguely familiar and then she placed where she had seen her —at breakfast with Ethan. The woman approached with her hand outstretched.
“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Vivian Gray of Gray’s Agency located in New York. I have to tell you that I absolutely fell in love with your book. I would love to represent you and get your stories out for the rest of the world to enjoy as much as I did.”
Rebecca was speechless.
“I don’t really know what to say. I never really expected anyone other than my friends to see the stories.”
“So there are more? I would love to see them,” Vivian told her.
“Oh, well, they are not exactly illustrated like the one that Ethan showed you.”
“Not a problem. Ethan has already agreed to do all artwork for any and all of your books. I think it’s an incredible story and I can easily sell it to the public. Just think it over; I’d love to start contacting some publishers that I know. Your stories are the type that every parent out there would buy.” She handed Rebecca her card and then got into her waiting car.
Rebecca made small talk with what felt like hundreds of people. They all wanted to hear the stories that coincided with Ethan’s paintings. Each and every person wished them well. The champagne was beginning to go to her head, yet she had never felt so full of life. She watched Ethan across the room talking to groups of people who seemed to soak in his every word. He caught her watching him, so he winked at her. He then signaled for her to meet him in the back stairwell. She casually made her way through the doorway and walked over by the stairs. Within seconds, Ethan snuck in. He looked over at her and grinned. He stood by the door for a few seconds to make sure no one noticed their attempt to escape. He strode over and grabbed hold of her.
“I have been waiting all night to do this.” He leaned in and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and for the first time, embraced him without any doubts. While still holding onto her hips, he looked into her eyes.
“Did I get a chance to tell you how absolutely stunning you look? You remind me of a princess from a fairytale.
She giggled and blushed.
“Funny you should say that because I was kind of feeling like Cinderella rushing off with Prince Charming at the ball. I’m just waiting for the shoe to drop.”
“That won’t happen. I won’t let it, and if it makes you feel better, it is already past midnight and no one turned into a pumpkin. In fact, I say just in case, we go and lock ourselves in upstairs.”
Rebecca looked over her shoulder at the shadows that passed by the frosted window of the doorway.
“There is still a room full of people out there.”
He leaned in and nuzzled into her neck.
“That’s what I have a manager for. I already told him he was in charge of closing tonight. Call me over-optimistic, but I had no intentions of hanging around down there if you showed up.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t show up?” She asked him.
“I always had faith that the powers that be brought us together for a reason, so no, I never doubted that you’d be here tonight.”
“I wish I had just an ounce of your confidence. You see things in vivid color while I only see in black and white and shades of gray.”
“I’ll teach you as we go. There is a great big, colorful world out there, Rebecca Davis, and you deserve to see it the way I do. I will paint your world in color, just so you can see yourself the way I do.”
He took her hand and led her up the stairs to his loft. He playfully chased her inside and bolted the door behind them. Rebecca took a few steps into the loft and playfully leaned against the kitchen counter. Ethan looked at her and all she could see was the hunger in his eyes. He lowered his lips to hers. For the first time in her life, she completely lost herself in a kiss.
She quickly unbuttoned his shirt, and in one swift movement, he unzipped her dress and it fell to the floor. He took a step backward and took her in, just admiring her.
She held his hand in hers and led him into his bedroom where she showed him just how much she loved him. She gave him her body as well as her heart and soul.
Rebecca slept soundly for the first time in years. She opened her eyes in time to watch the bright sunshine streaming through the loft window. She rolled over and kissed Ethan’s shoulder. He woke up and turned toward her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said to her.
“Good morning,” she smiled back at him.
He ran his finger along her hand, up her arm, and onto her neck.
“How do you feel?” He asked her.
“I feel…I can put it into words.”
He pulled her to him as he kissed her again.
“Show me, then. Sometimes words aren’t necessary.”
They spent the next hour wrapped in each other’s arms. Rebecca had to pry herself away from him. She began to get out of the bed when he grabbed her around her waist and pulled her back to him.
“Where do you think you are going?” He asked as he kissed her shoulder.
“I need some water or I am going to pass out.” She grinned at him as she began to pull away.
“You don’t need to go anywhere. I will go make you some coffee.” He kissed her forehead and teasingly smacked her bare bottom. He slipped on a pair of boxer shorts and told her to stay put. She waited until after he left the room and then rolled over on her side and snuggled his pillow. She buried her face into it, and she could smell his cologne. She smiled to herself when she thought about how he made her feel so alive.
She quickly hopped out of bed and made her way into the bathroom. She turned on the shower and slid under the hot jets of water. She held her eyes closed as the water rushed down her body. She felt a hand caress her stomach. She opened her eyes and smiled as Ethan pinned her up against the shower wall.
“Here?” She said to him.
“Here,” he answered teasingly. She noticed that he was already aroused, and only the mere touch of him instantly made her come alive. He ran his fingers through her wet hair, and the hot water streamed down their joined bodies. He made her cry out in a pleasure she had never known was possible. They climaxed simultaneously and he finished by nipping at her bottom lip. She wrapped her arms around him and hung on; afraid she would wake from a dream.
They finally made their way to the kitchen. She threw on one of his t-shirts and he was standing in just his boxers. Rebecca’s phone began to ring. She reached in her pocketbook and looked at the caller ID. It was Tasha. She picked it up to make sure everything was alright.
“Hey, Tash. What’s going on?”
“Have you guys seen the review for the gallery? He’s a huge success. Everyone is talking about his exhibit. News is spreading fast. Rumor has it that some major celebrities are going to be checking it out. Oh, and the article itself is small compared to the photo of you and Ethan locking lips. They are calling you his muse, and they talk about fate, destiny, and true love. It’s a great article. If you two could pull each other away from one another for some air, you might enjoy it.”
“Ha-ha, very funny, Tasha. We haven’t seen each other for a while. Forgive me for enjoying a little time with him.”
“Hey, tootsie, there is no shame in some lovin’. I had me some of my own last night, too.”
“Really?” She asked her.
“I’m not dead yet. If I have to go, I want to go out in a bang of ecstasy.”
They began laughing like it was the funniest thing they had heard. E
mily beeped through and Rebecca connected the call for a three way conversation.
“Oh God, guys, my head is in complete pain. Don’t ever let me drink that much again on an empty stomach. I feel totally sick,” Emily told them.
Ethan admired Rebecca as she sat on the stool at the counter, relaxed and laughing. She had transformed from a fragile, untrusting seed into a gorgeous, happy, and relaxed flower. He felt inspired by her. He slid her coffee cup across the counter and smiled at her. She smiled back and took a sip of it. For some reason, it tasted amazing. She noticed that everything with Ethan seemed to be enhanced or new to her senses.
“I have to go in the store today, and I so don’t want to. I’m interviewing a nice older woman for a full-time position. It will give me more freedom to take Andrew to all his appointments and I won’t have to work myself to the bone,” Emily told them.
“That’s great, Em. Andrew should come first.”
Tasha cut in.
“I’m going to the healing center for a workshop. Maybe you should bring Andrew to one of the healing nights. I’m telling you, I have never felt better. I don’t feel any pain or discomfort. I swear by it.”
“Tasha, that’s wonderful that you found this. I’ve never seen you so passionate about anything before,” Emily said.
“Well, besides a certain healer by the name of Micah,” Rebecca added.
“How about lunch around one at Percy’s Place? We can catch up and eat. I think I need a lot of cheesy hash browns to absorb the champagne,” Emily insisted.
“Deal,” Rebecca said.
“I’ll be there,” Tasha agreed.
They all hung up and Rebecca slipped the phone back in her bag. Ethan leaned across the counter and kissed her gently on her lips.
“You and your friends are very close, huh?”
“They are family to me. My dad died when I was young, and then my mom died a couple years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. My family is alive and thriving. I have six brothers and sisters and at this point, I believe I have fourteen nieces and nephews.”