by Bella Andre
* * *
Present day…
Travis shook his head at the memory of Amy looking so sad. Little did she know that he was able to understand, better than probably anyone, what she was going through with her family.
The more he’d gotten to know her over the coming weeks, the harder he’d fallen. She was kind and gentle, sweet and giving, and he would have done absolutely anything to protect her and keep her safe. Surprisingly, she seemed to feel the same way about him.
No one else in his life had ever made him feel that way.
The alarm he was setting chirped, reminding him that he needed to finish signing out for the night. But even as he worked to turn his focus back to his job, he knew it would be impossible to stop thinking of Amy.
And how badly he wished things could have turned out differently.
Chapter Three
Amy paused in front of her bedroom mirror the next morning, carefully wiping away some of the blusher from her cheekbones. She’d been determined this morning not to dress up on Travis’s account. Yet, here she was in another expensive dress, wearing more makeup than she would wear to the wedding itself.
The problem was that Travis was as tall, dark, and handsome as ever…with eyes that she swore could see all the way into her heart.
Amy could still remember the first time he’d walked into the gym where she’d worked to earn money for rent and food—but mostly art supplies. One conversation with Travis was all it took for her to know that he wasn’t like the other guys who came in to lift too-heavy weights and brag about their conquests. Of course he had to work out to stay in shape as a bodyguard, but he was completely discreet and never bragged about any of his clients. Had anyone else in the gym worked as a bodyguard, the place would have echoed with stories of celebrities and fistfights. What’s more, Travis always took the time to ask how she was doing. And unlike most guys, he actually listened to her answers.
Seeing Travis at the gym had been the highlight of her days then—she knew she lit up every time he walked through the door. Which was precisely why seeing him again hurt so much. Ever since things had ended between them, a part of her had felt dark and broken.
Maya knew exactly how difficult losing Travis had been for Amy, of course. So though Maya had heard wonderful things about Married in Malibu, and it was clearly the best choice if she wanted to keep the paparazzi from spoiling her wedding, she never would have booked her wedding there if Amy hadn’t gone out of her way to reassure her friend that she would be cool and calm and completely unaffected when she saw Travis again.
Today, it was time to make good on that promise.
Leaving the rental house, Amy headed to her car, then set the cardboard tube that held her wedding gift on the passenger seat, strapping it in carefully. She didn’t want to risk anything happening to it.
She’d left Maya a message last night to share her first, excellent impressions of Married in Malibu and the wedding plans. Perhaps Amy should have also told her that seeing Travis again had been no big deal. But she hadn’t been able to get the lie to come out of her mouth.
As she drove, she reminded herself that she only needed to hold on to her self-control for a few days. And then she would head back to Michigan and Travis would be out of her life again.
Deliberately focusing on the clear blue sky and the sea-salt scent of the ocean rather than her painful memories helped Amy feel more centered by the time she parked in the Married in Malibu lot. And as she pushed the buzzer beside the front door, she was more determined than ever not to lose her cool again.
Travis opened the door a few moments later. “You look beautiful.”
Amy had never been what people would call a conventional beauty. Just like with her art, no one but Travis had ever given her the impression that she measured up. The truth was that she had never really felt beautiful until he’d looked at her.
“Thank you,” she said, wishing her voice didn’t sound so breathless. Unfortunately, she was no better able to stop her reaction to him this morning than she had been last night.
“Did you sleep well?” Travis asked as he stepped aside to let her in.
“I’m still a little jet-lagged,” she said, deciding that was better than confessing that she’d tossed and turned all night thinking of him. “I didn’t get a chance yesterday to ask how you like working here.”
“It’s great. Really great.”
When silence fell between them, Amy had to stifle a groan. Three years ago, she felt like she could tell him anything, even things she wouldn’t have dared say to anybody else. Now, even small talk was difficult. Amy breathed a silent sigh of relief when a smiling woman in a business suit walked up.
“Welcome to Married in Malibu. You must be Maya’s friend Amy. I’m Liz Wilkinson, the venue’s manager.” After they shook hands, Liz said, “I’m so glad you could come a few days early. I’d love to show you everything we have in place for Maya and Nolan’s wedding. Why don’t we visit the kitchens first?” Liz led the way, with Travis following behind as though guarding them both. “I usually find that once people have tasted one of Jenn’s cakes, they’ll agree to most things.”
“Maya couldn’t stop talking about how good Jenn’s cakes are,” Amy said with an answering smile. “I’ve been dying to taste them myself.”
In the kitchen, a woman was baking, while a man in a photographer’s vest munched on a cupcake while scrolling through something on a tablet on the counter in front of him.
“Jenn and Daniel,” Liz said, “I’d like you to meet Amy. She’s here to look over everything for her friend Maya.”
“It’s great to meet you, Amy,” Jenn said. “The wedding cake is well underway, although we’ll be using a stand-in for today’s run-through.”
Daniel shook her hand next. “I’ll be taking photos of the wedding and reception. I’ll walk you through my plan, and then if you have any suggestions for changes, we can see about working them in.”
Though photography wasn’t Amy’s specialty, she knew all about Daniel’s award-winning work as a photojournalist. If she one day had even a smidgeon of his success with her paintings, she would be happy.
Next, they headed to an office, where a man was sitting behind a bank of monitors. Strangely, he looked more like a lumberjack than a computer expert, with his flannel shirt, faded jeans, and rumpled hair.
“This is Nate,” Liz said. “Nate, Amy is here to oversee everything for Maya’s wedding.”
Nate gave Amy a warm, slightly crooked smile. “I’ve got the lighting set to run off a laptop, and I’m currently coding in the sequence changes. I’ll give a holler once I’m ready to do a live run-through so you can let me know what you think.”
Liz led the way back through the building to the main hall. “As you can see, we’re nearly done constructing the set for the ceremony and setting out the seats.”
Amy took in the rows of seating, the slightly raised stage where Maya and Nolan would say their vows, and the artfully constructed backdrop. Two women were working on it, one in designer slacks and a silk blouse and the other in baggy jeans with her hair bound up beneath a baseball cap.
“Careful, Kate,” the put-together woman said. “We don’t want to get mud on the drapes.”
“And have to answer to you, Meg?” the other woman said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Travis had sounded so impressed with Meg last night, and Amy could see why. She was glossy, polished, poised.
Everything that Amy wasn’t.
And yet, he wasn’t exactly falling all over himself to get closer to Meg, was he? Despite herself, Amy was more than a little relieved that his workplace friendship hadn’t turned into something more.
After introducing Amy to Meg and Kate, Liz said, “I hope everything looks the way you and Maya expect it to?”
“What I’ve seen so far looks fantastic,” Amy told her.
The design was classic, but with enough color and style that it didn’t feel ste
rile. In the warmth of the Malibu sun, the room practically shone. What’s more, everyone on staff was so nice and friendly, especially considering their immense talents. No wonder Travis enjoyed working here so much. Who wouldn’t?
“There is one thing I was hoping we could add in, however.” Amy’s nerves returned with a vengeance as she explained, “I painted a portrait for Maya and Nolan as a surprise, and I would feel much better if I knew it was safe here until the wedding.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Liz said with a smile.
“Actually, I need to frame it first. I looked online and found a framing store not too far from here. Would it be all right if I brought it back this afternoon?”
“Actually,” Liz said, “given Meg’s tendency to make sure we have absolutely everything on hand that she could possibly need to outfit the rooms during our weddings, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t already have everything you need to make the frame here. Travis, could you please show Amy where we keep our supplies and give her a hand if need be?”
“It would be my pleasure,” he said.
His instant agreement filled Amy with warmth, even though she knew it was what anyone else would have said.
“Perfect.” Liz looked expectantly at Amy. “Could you show us the painting now?”
Chapter Four
Travis knew how cautious Amy was about showing people her work. She’d always been certain they would laugh or simply not understand her vision. Considering how unsupportive her parents were of her art, it was easy to understand why.
Her family hadn’t lashed out physically at her the way his family had with him, but the wounds they’d inflicted were every bit as deep when they had barely glanced at her canvases before asking how her search for a real job was going.
He wished they could see that art wasn’t just a hobby for her. But they’d made up their minds early on that art wasn’t a serious, respected career path—not like banking or law. Was it any wonder that she was so nervous about showing her art to strangers?
Sure enough, when she returned from the parking lot with her painting in a tube under her arm, Travis saw her pause at the doorway, looking like a doe about to turn heel and run. Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin, then headed for one of the tables covered in pressed linens.
Amy’s hands shook slightly as she slid the canvas out. Travis wished he could reach out and hug her and let her know that she didn’t need to be nervous around his friends. They weren’t going to judge her.
“I thought giving Maya and Nolan a painting would be a little more special than just buying them a gift,” she said. “I’m not sure the light is quite right in here…but, well, here goes.”
She unrolled the canvas, and Travis’s breath caught. Three years ago, Amy’s talent had already been undeniable. But now?
He was completely blown away.
Her portrait was a stunning mixture of acrylics, pencil, and ink. Travis had seen photographs of both Maya and Nolan, and the likeness to the bride and groom in Amy’s painting was excellent. But she had done so much more than just capture their features—she had brought their personalities to life. And since this was a surprise, she’d obviously done it without having them sit for the portrait.
“Your painting is amazing, Amy,” Travis said.
“It really is lovely,” Meg enthused. “Your use of color is fantastic. You’ve incorporated shades that most people wouldn’t have thought to. I know exactly where it should be placed for the reception. Daniel, Jenn, Nate!” Meg called out. “Come into the main hall. You need to see this.”
Kate, meanwhile, had moved closer to study the painting more carefully. “How did you get that much rich pigment in the rose petals? They look so real.”
Looking more than a little overwhelmed by everyone’s response, Amy said, “I used pastels and then gloss varnished over them.”
“How ever you did it,” Kate said with a smile, “I almost feel as though I’m in a garden with real roses.”
Travis was beaming with pride by the time Daniel and Jenn walked into the room, hand in hand.
“Nate is on another coffee run at the moment,” Jenn told them, “and I’ve got bagels in the oven. But you don’t normally yell, Meg, so I figured it must be important.”
“It is,” Meg assured them. “Come and look at this.”
Kate reluctantly moved away from the painting so that Daniel and Jenn could see it.
“Wow,” Jenn said, “this is absolutely beautiful.”
Daniel studied it in silence for several long moments before finally looking up. “Did you paint this, Amy?”
Her cheeks were flushed as she nodded. “It’s a wedding present for Maya and Nolan.”
“They’re very lucky,” Daniel said. “You haven’t just created a great likeness, you’ve told a story about their relationship and how much they mean to one another.” His expression was filled with admiration. “That’s very hard to do.”
Travis knew what high praise this was. Daniel was exacting about his craft and knew precisely the skill and artistry it took to capture a moment perfectly.
Liz was the only one who hadn’t spoken yet. For the past several minutes, she’d been carefully studying the painting, her expression thoughtful. At last, she looked up and turned to Amy.
“Would you like to come work for us?”
Amy blinked at Liz, clearly stunned by her question. “You want me to work for you?”
“Yes, I would very much like for you to be Married in Malibu’s official artist. I wouldn’t want you to overlap with Daniel’s photography, unless you both agreed that it made sense, but I believe our clients would absolutely love to have a unique and brilliantly painted portrait to remember their wedding by. Especially since it would be something they wouldn’t be able to get at any other wedding venue. My goal is to make every Married in Malibu wedding utterly magical, and I’m certain that you would be an excellent addition to our team.”
* * *
Amy stood frozen, not knowing what to say or do next. Being a portrait painter at Married in Malibu would be a dream come true.
But how could she accept when Travis worked here? Surely the last thing he wanted was to see her at work every day.
Her heart torn, Amy turned back to Liz. “Thank you for your offer. It sounds amazing. But—”
Liz held up a hand. “I understand that you need to focus on Maya’s wedding for the next few days, but please tell me you’ll at least take the time to think about my offer?”
In the face of such determination, Amy could say only one thing. “Okay, I will.”
“Wonderful.” Liz gave her another bright smile. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to leave for a meeting. But please be sure to come find me if you have any questions or concerns about either the wedding or my offer.”
“Come on,” Travis said in a gentle voice as everyone headed back to work, “let’s go get a cup of coffee. It will help.”
Amy’s head was spinning so much that she let Travis guide her outside and across the street toward a coffee shop, even though she should be keeping her distance.
“It’s okay to feel a bit stunned,” he continued in a low voice that soothed her even as it tempted. “She has that effect on people when she’s trying to hire them. We all felt the same.”
Inside the café, Nate was laughing with a woman behind the register. As Amy and Travis made their way forward, she almost felt as though they were intruding on a private moment.
“Amy, this is Tamara. She owns Malibu T & Coffee. And of course, you’ve met Nate already, who drinks so much coffee every day that we’re all amazed he doesn’t bounce off the ceiling.”
“Hey!” Nate protested. “I’m contributing to the local economy.”
“Well, you are making up about half my profits at the moment.” Tamara smiled over at them. “So what brings you here, Amy?”
“I’m the maid of honor for my friend’s wedding.” Amy knew better than to say who the wedding w
as for, in case anyone in the café was eavesdropping.
“She couldn’t have picked a better venue,” Tamara said. “Now, what can I get you to drink?”
This past year, Amy had been trying to keep away from the sweet stuff. But today, she desperately needed a hit of chocolate and sugar. “Is there any chance you could make me a mocha with chocolate sprinkles?”
“That sounds so good, I just might make one for myself,” Tamara said as she got to work making the drink.
“I was wondering if you still drank that,” Travis said.
“I’ve tried to give it up, but it’s way too good.” Just like you.
When his eyes darkened, she thought for a moment she’d said the words aloud.
Fortunately, she hadn’t. However, Tamara’s gaze did sharpen on the two of them. “I thought it looked like you two knew each other.”
Yet again, Amy was speechless. Because she certainly couldn’t say to a woman she’d just met, You’re right. I fell in love with Travis three years ago. And then he broke my heart.
Travis, however, didn’t seem to have any trouble finding the right words. “We’re old friends.”
Amy whipped her head around to face him. Old friends?
How could he use such safe, tame words to explain what they’d been to each other?
Did old friends break each other’s hearts?
Did they walk away without a second glance?
And did one old friend pine away for the other for three whole years?
Before Amy could say anything, he continued with, “Liz has offered Amy a job as Married in Malibu’s portrait artist.”
Nate’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “A lot happens when I go out to get coffee, doesn’t it?”
“It was pretty sudden,” Travis agreed, “but once you see Amy’s painting of the bride and groom, you’ll understand why Liz made her the job offer on the spot.”
Amy’s head continued to spin. Spending time with Travis again was already more than enough to overload her system. Throw in Liz’s job offer—and the fact that it actually sounded like Travis wanted her to take the job—and she honestly wasn’t sure which way was up and which way was down anymore.