Chapter 32 #2
“Tired. Focused. Badass. Guarded about tonight. God, Brooke, I’m so crazy in love with her, I don’t know how I ever lived without her.”
“That’s how I feel about Axel. Every morning I wake up feeling lucky. To think I was ready to give up on love…”
“Then you came to Paris.”
“Yeah, and the whole world opened up.” She turned to him, her green eyes filled with a new peace, which looked really great on her. “I’m glad we all came back here, Kyle. It scares me to think about what might have happened to me if I’d stayed in Manhattan.”
“I know that feeling.”
Would he be married to Paisley? Or would she have shown him enough of her dark side before they walked down the aisle for him to call it off? Would he have finally had enough of his parents’ bullshit and told them no, or would he have continued humoring them?
“Want the nickel tour? There isn’t much to see yet, but I’d love to talk through my ideas.”
“I’d love that.”
As she walked him through the space, he could see the promise in the blank walls. She was starting over, creating what she wanted from the ground up. That was what they all had done, returning to Paris—and look at how much they had accomplished.
Paris really was the city of dreams, hoped for and lived. God, he loved this town.
When he was finally poised to leave, he kissed her cheeks, and she surprised him by saying, “Tell Madison hi for me.”
“Sure thing,” he managed as he and Spike left.
The streets looked brighter as he was struck with the realization that people were now sending messages through him to Madison because they were a couple, a unit—even though she and Brooke were friends.
Another bright spot in an already great day.
By the time he arrived back at the house, Spike was ready for a puppy nap.
Kyle headed up to Sawyer’s atelier on the third floor. When he knocked on the door, he heard muttering and stomping before Sawyer appeared. He had white paint in his curly black hair and a smudge of green on his right cheek. His glasses were down on his nose, calling attention to his frown.
“Sorry to interrupt, Doc. I only wanted to check in and say hi. Why don’t you find me when you’ve reached a stopping point?”
He glanced over and felt his heart stop. Madison was in the center of the painting Sawyer was working on. A secret smile played on her beautiful mouth, and her face was turned to the side as if she were looking at someone—him.
His pulse rate quadrupled. “My God… You’ve made good progress since I was last here. Is that really what she looks like when she looks at me? I mean, I see it, but usually I’m there. She’s standing in front of me, and I can touch her and feel her heat because she runs hot and…”
Sawyer was fighting a smile.
“That’s probably more than you wanted to know,” he finished, clearing his throat. “How about them Yankees?”
“There’s nothing wrong with expressing your feelings.
Love is a powerful emotion, one I’ve done my best to show in the painting you asked for.
That’s what helped me with her eyes finally.
I’d hoped the gold paint I’d chosen would reflect how she felt, but do you know what actually did?
Her smile when she looks at you. Now every time I work on it, all I can think is this one quote from Shakespeare.
When I saw you, I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew. That’s you and Madison.”
He had to cough to clear his throat. “I know it, and I’m damned grateful. For you too, Doc. It’s beautiful. Damn you’re talented.”
“She’s a beautiful subject.” He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and rubbed the paint off his hands. “This is the third time I’ve painted Madison, and I’ve realized something quite powerful.”
Intrigued, he asked, “Care to share?”
“When she’s around you, usually she’s blazing with light and fire and action. She’s always got something spunky to say. But she’s quite powerful when she’s quiet. Her strength is rooted deep within her. Phoebe thinks she’s like one of those ancient torches dipped in oil that never went out.”
He gripped his friend’s shoulder, touched by the poetry of the description. “That’s her exactly, Doc.”
“I’m nearly finished,” Sawyer added, stuffing his paint-splattered cloth back in his pocket. “Do you know when you want to give it to her?”
In the beginning, he’d wanted the painting as part of Operation Madison. He’d thought he’d need it to show her how much she loved him. Now he didn’t doubt she understood how it was between them. He could see it in every look, feel it in every touch.
Both of them had accepted the truth: they were it for each other.
The future was what she mistrusted.
“How about the day the Michelin stars are announced?” He lifted a shoulder, telling himself she would be winning her star somehow.
“She’ll roll her eyes and tell me commissioning a masterpiece of her from you was too much, and I can laugh at her, because we both know I plan to shower her with gifts the rest of her life. ”
Sawyer’s brows knit. “I know we aren’t supposed to talk about—”
“No, Doc.” He gave an assuring smile. “You painters talk about light and shadow, right? I see the shadows. I am choosing to focus on the light right now. Do that with me, my friend.”
Because he couldn’t bear anything else right now…
Sawyer nodded sagely. “The other thing painters say is that the light is always changing. I prefer to think that’s when the real magic of a painting—and life—comes to the surface. For now, I’m enjoying my moment with her.”
They shared a quiet look as the loving image of a woman who had changed both their lives peered at them from her canvas. “I’ll let you get back to it.”
Sawyer was already turning back to the painting. “Yeah…I’ll see you.”
Strolling back downstairs, he headed to his office.
There were still a lot of hours left before Madison would come home and tell him how dinner had gone.
Well, he’d done what he’d hoped. He’d caught up with all of their roommates.
Topping off what had already been a great day, he’d seen Doc’s painting of the woman who ruled his heart.
Maybe he wouldn’t hang it in their bedroom. She’d probably be embarrassed.
No—he would hang it in his office.
Because he would never tire of seeing that look on her face.
Soon he’d see her joy after she won her first Michelin star.
God, he already knew he’d want to capture that look forever too.
He’d have to ask Sawyer.