Page 73

After a quick review of the short story brief, I focused my following images on the story’s rising action: the day her dad had to leave for the nursing home, and she was to go to a new foster family. I drew Brenna running up to the attic to hide—the next of her knocking over the box and tumbling on the floor. The music box, a key element in the story, starts to play, lulling the little girl into a deep sleep and taking her soul.
The final sketches were of her spirit rising and the attic window opening. A giant glowing ball floats towards her, and three fairies fly out, beckoning her to return to the sky world to marry the Shadow Prince. Over and over, I recreated the scenes repeatedly, adding more detail to the sketch and bringing the images to life. It had me so absorbed that I didn’t hear Rocco until I stopped and glanced behind me. He stood quietly in the room, already dressed for work, in an Armani suit and tie.
I came to the studio straight from the bed, wearing a glacier blue lace camisole with shorts. They were the least sexy pajamas I found in my closet, as Nadia had said she’d mix up sexy clothes with practical ones, and I guess this was her compromise.
Rocco’s gaze roamed all over me, with a slight smile on his lips. He walked over, and I held my breath, my pulse racing. He stopped at my side and lightly tugged the messy, loose braid down my back. “Pretty.” His voice was soft, intimate. That and his intense presence brought a tingling to my skin. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you—”
“No, uh, I mean you’re not. I’m happy you stopped in.” My tone was light. Over the past few days, I’d hoped to see him instead of briefly at lunch, when he only had time for a quick update before leaving. He still called, but even those conversations were about our work.
He leaned closer, and I could feel my heart pound as his eyes moved over my sketches. His spicy scent filled my nostrils and a warmth spread inside me. He’d become a part of my peace.
“This is how they are in order,” I told him, showing him each piece and explaining the story. “I love the fantasy. It feels preteen.”
“These are fantastic, Adelina. I’m highly impressed.”
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach at his praise, but I knew they needed more work.
“They’re just sketches. I have a direction now, and I know I can make them much better.”
“You’re modest. I am drawn into the story just looking at them.” His eyes darted over the images. “Readers will love it.”
I chuckled. “How do you know?”
“Because I do…at first sight.”
I playfully touched his arm, and his hand closed over it with a charged touch. My breath rushed as he lingered, and then he slowly let go.
I lowered my eyelids.
“I also have some news,” he said, clearing his throat. “I’ve got a few production and studio meetings set in Los Angeles.”
My mouth went dry. “You’re leaving?”
“I am for the rest of the week.” He exhaled long.
“When?”
“Early tomorrow morning. Red-eye flight.”
I tilted my chin down and frowned. It took effort to remain angry with him. He told me the truth. And while I didn’t forgive Luca for what he’d done, I wasn’t mad anymore, especially not with Rocco. I was more concerned about how he felt about me. Did he ever question if Luca manipulated him into liking me?
He touched my back and rubbed up and down, and I swallowed hard. I was being silly. On the one hand, I pushed him away, but I didn’t want him so far away from me. Still, I understood how important all this was for him and tried to give him as much support as he’d given me.
“Sorry. It’s good. I hope the meetings work out.”
“Me, too. But the real reason I’m going now is to clear my schedule for our honeymoon.”
I tried and failed to constrain my shocked expression. “We’re still having a honeymoon?”
He dropped his hand and took out his phone. “Yes, we are. We’ll have a stop in London before returning here. But tonight, I’m taking you out. How about we go see the Broadway show Sunset Blvd?”
I bounced on the cushion in my seat. “Oh my God. Wow, but how can we get tickets? I read it’s sold out for months.”
He gave me a soft smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll get them.”
I laughed. “I hear it’s amazing.”
“Yes, it is,” he trilled. “The show is filmed and performed in real-time. Everyone that I know who’s seen it says it transformed them. We’ll make it a date.”