Chapter 9 #2
“Mom donated most of it to the cancer society center when she was sick.”
That must hurt. “Hard to imagine you not being surrounded by artsy things.”
“Painting was Mom’s thing.” She picked up her brush. “I have my jewelry.”
Right. “I saw the supplies behind you in the video call.”
“I’m not doing much lately.” Her shoulders drooped. She dipped the brush into the black—a color seemingly at odds with her painting. Chosen because she was mourning more losses maybe? “I’ve put my website on pause. Irina’s mom lets me keep my jewelry supplies at her house still.”
Ah, she was signing her name. He returned to his painting, glancing occasionally at her between adding the finishing touches to his caricature.
“I still can’t believe Joy let us use her studio on such short notice.” She swirled her brush into the white and traced the color over the edge of a berry creating a gleaming pink.
“Perks of family.”
“Family.” She nodded. “I’m starting to see how connected you all are.”
“Speaking of family…” He washed his brush in the water cup beside the easel. “We have a reunion to plan.”
“We?”
“Since you’re going to be my wife, you, Claire, are now part of that we.”
“Reunion, huh?” Her brow arched, her lips tilting to match. “Does this still include the organizers doing the cooking?”
Wow. She remembered from the one reunion she’d attended? “Just one meal.” He dried the brush. “I thought we’d have the reunion close to Christmas. Everyone comes home anyway.”
“That sounds… manageable.” She plunged her brush into the water again, swirling it absently. “As long as it doesn’t overlap with the Christmas Market. I need to make jewelry for the event.”
“You still sell your jewelry in the gift shop?”
“Yeah, on Main.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m a bit low on inventory. Things have been… busy.”
“I’d love to see what you’re working on. That necklace you made me ages ago—it’s faded. Could use a new one.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You remember that necklace?”
“I have it.” He hung onto anything given to him by family or friends. As Albert’s sister, Claire was automatically his friend. “You want to go with me to the gift shop after this?”
A shy smile curved her lips, and a flush crept up her cheeks. “I guess so.” She tilted her head. “Not that you’ll find anything you like.”
He’d buy every piece of jewelry left and give it to anyone on his team who wore it. Claire’s work was high quality and one of a kind, and with Christmas less than three months away, that’d be the perfect plan.
Once done, they moved the easels aside to let their artwork dry. He’d return to pick them up sometime later. They admired each other’s creation.
She tsked. “Don’t tell me this is me.”
“I’m not an artist, but if you can tell it’s you, maybe I didn’t do too bad.
” His half smile lingered as he caught her studying his picture.
Letting the moment settle, he shifted his attention back to hers.
He was glad he’d sent the photographer away—just the two of them, no pretense, no spotlight.
“Your strawberries look lonely on the picnic blanket,” he joked. “You could’ve added a few people.”
“For now, the people can be imagined.”
Wade dumped out the paint water and cleaned the trays as Claire folded her apron and stuffed it into her handbag.
“They’ll clean up in here.” Once a week, Joy had someone clean the studio.
“Doesn’t feel right, leaving it all messy.”
Another thing he admired about her was her thoughtfulness, but he’d have to convince her to leave the messy apron behind.
He grabbed her handbag. Their fingers connecting reignited the warmth he’d felt earlier.
“I can’t go digging through your handbag.
” He held her gaze as he handed it back.
“I’m paying for us to be here. If you clean the apron, you’re taking away someone else’s job. ”
“Oh.” She bit her lower lip and yanked out the apron.
He took it to the backroom laundry basket.
Even if he could have used the studio without paying, Joy charged artists only a minimal fee to display their work during the gallery weeks—practically running the gallery for free.
For that alone, supporting his sister-in-law’s business was a no-brainer.
By the time they left, daylight had vanished, and the fairy lights strung across trees and lampposts brightened Main Street. Fall flowers bloomed in hanging baskets, and the promise of the festive season teased the air as scents of cinnamon and baked goods wafted from some of the shops.
He breathed in deep. “I love that the lights stay lit all year long.”
Walking side by side with her as random people strolled past with occasional waves, he resisted the pull to hold her hand. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression. So he asked about her jewelry instead.
“Due to time constraints and not having a workspace at home, I’ve not done much soldering lately. I just stick to chains and gemstones… still quality over quantity. I’ve paused custom orders since I’m not sure how long it will take me to craft a piece.”
He opened the gift shop door.
Her face lit up as they stepped inside, the air rich with the scents of herbal soaps and aromatic oils. She greeted Anna. “In case you don’t remember, this is my friend, Irina’s mom.” Claire motioned to Anna. “And this is my fiancé.”
“Irina didn’t tell me you got engaged.” The woman’s eyes lit up. “Can I see the ring?”
When Claire tucked her hand behind her, Wade interjected. “It’s temporarily out of sight.” His ambiguous reply seemed to satisfy the curiosity, so he transitioned the conversation. “I wanted to see some of Claire’s jewelry today.”
“If you plan to buy everything again”—Anna must remember his last visit here—“only a few bracelets are left. The demand of the season, you know.”
Claire showed Wade to a table draped with a black velvet cloth, displaying uniquely crafted bracelets, some sparkling with gems, others vibrant with colorful beads.
He lifted a box. A striking bracelet showed off pearls and diamonds that glistened with hints of red. “I’ll buy whatever is left.”
“No way.” Claire’s lips twitched. “Anna’s mention confirms what Albert said you did last Christmas.”
“People need gifts.”
“Right now, I need some inventory for customers who might make a custom order in the future.” She took the box from him and rearranged it next to the other boxes. “At least those willing to wait.”
Oops. He hadn’t considered that his well-intentioned gesture could create more work for her.
“All right. Let’s just look.” He grinned as Claire’s energy brightened the space.
She explained the details of her pieces, pointing out her favorite gemstones and the nuances of her craftsmanship.
The whole evening felt surprisingly casual yet somehow intimate.
He was almost disappointed when they reached her car to end their outing.
She hadn’t wanted him to pick her up, perhaps desiring to make this a less formal date, hence their first “date” at a local diner.
Should he have given her the engagement ring at the bridal shop? He had no idea when he’d give it to her, but he was in town this whole week until after their wedding.
He lingered as she swung open her car door, unsure how he was supposed to say goodbye. He used to hug her hello and kiss her on the cheek goodbye, especially before that kiss on her graduation. They’d sort of recovered from that, and now that they were a couple—even if fake—things were different.
She turned to him, the parking lot lights caught the curve of her smile, her curls shifting in the breeze. “I had a good time.”
“Me too.” His hands flexed at his sides, the urge to touch her sparking through his fingers. He curled them into fists, grounding himself. “See you around.”
She slid into the car. With another wave, he watched her drive off.
He drew out a breath, the cars weaving by on the street a blur. With so many things to figure out, he had no idea what to do next.
But he had Novi and the team for the job.
When he woke up to Grace’s call the next morning, he was reminded someone was always watching and interested in who Wade Stone really was.
“Check your messages.” Grace’s no-nonsense voice nudged him into reluctant awareness.
He fumbled to scroll off Grace’s face to access his texts. “It’s six in the morning here, you know.” He yawned, dim morning light filtering through the slanted blinds. “Couldn’t this have waited?”
“It couldn’t. Last night’s photo hit the tabloids, and let’s just say they didn’t capture the whirlwind-romance vibe we’re going for.”
He opened the link, his groggy eyes widening at the headlines.
Hollywood Heartthrob’s Secret Family? Wade Stone Caught with Fiancée and Baby in Hometown Stroll!
Him holding Bella with Claire close beside him seemed sweet enough. Little wonder they assumed Claire was his fiancée, not a wife. His status was single. He scrolled down, and the next headline woke him.
No Spark for Stone: Fiancé Duties or Trouble in Paradise?
A follow-up photo captured him waving as Claire got into her car, the distance between them glaring in the context of a supposed whirlwind romance.
“Well?” Grace’s voice crackled, and her face reappeared on his screen. “Not exactly a passionate reunion, is it?”
He sighed, frustration simmering.
“Why did you send Toby away? I sent him there to get your pictures taken.”
“And he did at the diner.”
“You mean where you sat across the table like siblings?”
“Claire and I had a good date. Not every couple has to hold hands and whatnot.” He held in his laughter at his statement. As a rom-com scriptwriter and actor, he could surely do better.
But Grace, knowing he was bluffing, focused on her spiel.
“We need to up the stakes. A whirlwind engagement—soon. People want romance, chemistry, the whole fairy tale from Hollywood’s favorite eligible bachelor.
Not some guy politely waving goodbye like he’s sending off an old friend.
They need to see a man hopelessly in love, swept off his feet. ”
Wade ran a hand over his face, dreading where this was headed. “All right, Grace. What do you suggest?”
“Tokki is booked for four p.m. today. I want photos of you and Claire on a romantic date, not like another one of your fans. Seriously, Stone, we can even get free marketing to boost the, um, already dented film you produced.”
“Four o’clock?” he repeated. He needed to give Claire a heads-up. “Claire has a lot on her plate right now.”
“Can you connect her to this call? I have to chat with you both.”
“She’s probably—”
“I have her number.” Wade heard the dialing tone.
“Grace, don’t—”
“Hello?” Claire’s voice was already on the line, sounding sleepy and startled.
Grace launched into her pitch. With all the professionalism Wade expected, she outlined the importance of a strong public display to emphasize their relationship.
“We need to make this engagement feel real, Claire. We have reservations for a romantic dinner at Tokki where Wade will formally propose.”
“Propose?” Claire’s voice echoed the shock he knew she’d feel.
“Yes, and I’ll take care of the details.
Wade will see to the baby’s care for the evening,” Grace assured, leaving no room for hesitation.
“And while you’re at it, let the wedding planner know what flowers and cake you decided.
I already ordered four types of cakes for you two to test, so decide on one or all of them. ”
“We don’t have to go through with it, Claire, if you’re uncomfortable.” Wade cut in. Clearly, she wasn’t used to no-nonsense talk from PRs. “Just… think about it.”
“The rehearsal dinner is in three or four days,” she said, probably indicating there was no backing out.
“Call me when you have time sometime in the day.” He addressed Claire. By then, he’d have arranged for someone to watch Bella. Perhaps Mom or Eric and Joy.
“I’ll call you,” she promised before they ended the call.
While his PR manager had plans under control, the engagement needed to be more mysterious than proposing in the hip restaurant.
He placed his phone on the nightstand, reached for the box, and flicked it open.
The diamonds around the emerald glittered.
When Claire had wanted him to choose the ring, he’d given it more research and thought and gone with a ring she hadn’t seen.
The least he could do was keep the proposal and wedding meaningful and memorable for her.