Chapter 6
Can’t believe that’s me up there,” Mack says, eyeing the towering photograph on the wall. “She knows how to make a guy look good.”
“Or at least respectable,” Champ adds with a chuckle, his biceps bulging as he folds his arms.
I nod, taking another sip of my beer, feeling the cool slide down my throat. “She’s got a real knack for it.” I glance over at Marian, her red curls bouncing as she laughs with some guests.
“Never seen myself in black and white before,” Mack continues, adjusting the collar of his shirt. “Makes me a tad nervous, though, seeing it all blown up.”
“Should be proud, man,” I say. Pride spreads through me as I look at the portraits Marian clearly created with skill and deep respect for her subjects.
“Her parents don’t get how good she is,” I say. “It’s a damn shame. They’ve missed the whole picture of who their daughter is.”
“Parents can be tough,” Mack acknowledges, glancing at me.
“Yep,” I reply, turning my gaze back to Marian. Her smile is infectious, even from this distance.
“Looks like you’ve got it bad, Reggie,” Mack grins, nudging my arm with his elbow.
I can’t help but smile sheepishly as I watch Marian move through the crowd. She’s animated, her hands gesturing as she talks about her photographs, and her laugh is the sound of pure happiness.
“Can’t deny it,” I admit, scratching the back of my neck. “She’s an amazing woman.”
“Never seen you so hung up on a girl before,” Champ chimes in, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Thought you were a confirmed bachelor.”
“So did I, Champ. Guess everyone has their weakness. She makes me want things I never thought I’d want.”
“Ah, young love,” Champ says with a chuckle, clapping me on the shoulder. “Reminds me of when I met Opal. Changed my whole damn life perspective.”
“Same here with Aimee.” Mack nods, a hint of nostalgia softening his features. “Wouldn’t change a thing.”
The room buzzes with energy, the sound of voices celebrating Marian and her work. But all I see is Marian, the woman who has captured my heart so completely and effortlessly.
“You’ll figure it out,” Champ says. “Just don’t wait too long, or someone else might swoop in.”
“Over my dead body,” I mutter under my breath. The thought of anyone else standing by her side twists my gut in knots.
“Look at this one,”I urge, nodding toward the portrait that’s got everyone in the room pausing longer than the rest.
Marian’s parents arrived ten minutes ago, and it’s no better than it was last night. They’re so unyielding about everything.
Marian’s father clears his throat, studying the picture. “The photos aren’t bad,” he admits, as if offering a backhanded compliment is all he can muster.
“Bad?” I can’t help the incredulity creeping into my tone. “How can you not see your daughter’s talent?” I step closer, my protective instincts flaring. “Is it so difficult for you to support her?”
Mr. Hanley jerks his head toward me, but I stand my ground because this isn’t about me. It’s about Marian and her dreams, and damn it, she deserves their backing.
“Look around you,” I continue, my arms gesturing to the gallery of life stories hanging on these walls. “A blind man could see the beauty and honesty of these portraits.”
Marian’s body tenses beside me, and if I’ve overstepped, then so be it. There’s only so much I can listen to of her parents criticizing her. Then, unexpectedly, she leans in and wraps her arms around my waist. Her hug tightens, and when I look down, her eyes shine with gratitude.
“Reggie, it’s not your fight,” Marian’s voice is soft, her touch lighter than a whisper as she caresses my jaw. Her fingers trace the lines of my beard.
I tense at the sadness swimming in her green eyes. “It is my fight,” I insist, my hand finding the small of her back, steadying her. “Anything that touches you touches me.”
“Sorry, everyone. I need to go talk to someone,” Marian starts, her voice trailing off as she holds up a finger to a woman across the room.
“Go, I’ll be here,” I say, trying to keep my anger in check. She turns to her parents and adds, “We’ll talk later, okay?”
Her parents nod, still wrapped in their own silence, and Marian returns her focus to me. There’s a softness in her gaze, a warmth that wraps around my heart like a promise. Then she leans in and kisses me slowly and deliberately.
I watch as she walks across the room, her curls bouncing with every gesture, and I make a vow to be the man she deserves, the one who will stand by her through everything life throws our way.
“Look, I’m not trying to stir up trouble,” I begin, locking my gaze on Marian’s parents. “But Marian has a talent that shouldn’t be wasted. She’s happiest behind the lens and being a bartender? That lets her chase this dream.”
Her parents shift uncomfortably, exchanging a glance I can’t quite read. But I plow ahead, the words spilling out with the force of all I feel for their daughter.
“Supporting her doesn’t mean signing off on every choice, but it does mean not standing in her way.” My voice hardens, edged with frustration. “If you can’t, you’re going to miss out. Marian is an incredible woman.”
I see something flicker in her mother’s eyes, but she glances at Mr. Hanley. Neither of them says anything, which is frustrating and sad. Not wanting to lose my temper because Marian deserves much more than what they’re offering, I nod and excuse myself.
“Family drama?” Waylon’s deep voice cuts through the noise of the VA Center as he joins me in front of a portrait of a man who lost a leg in combat.
“Yeah, you know the drill.” I run a hand through my hair, my anger at her parents deflating. I know how hard it is to change your parents’ view of your life. There’s only so much you can do before you distance yourself more and more from them. I want Marian not to have to do that. “I told them they have to let Marian choose her path and support her or risk losing her.”
Waylon nods, his dark eyes understanding. He knows how it was with my parents.
“Are you serious about her?”
“Absolutely.” My answer is immediate. “I know this was meant as a ruse for her parents, but…” I sigh and take my glasses off to clean them. “These last few days have made me realize what a fool I’ve been to want her and not do anything about it. I’m not going to keep making that mistake.
“It’s good you’re finally coming to your senses,” Waylon says, slapping me on the shoulder.
I watch Marian across the room, her laughter reaching me even from here, and I swear to myself I will be the reason she never stops smiling.