Page 31 of Finding Romance (Romances in the Building #2)

Piper

Two months later…

“Cam, make it a double shot,” I say as Kasen and I stand in Cam’s café waiting on our drinks and muffins.

“Sure thing,” she says. She doesn’t seem like her normal self today.

“What’s wrong?” Kasen asks, clearly picking up on the off vibes as well.

She sighs as she hands us our drinks and muffins. Then she points to a building across the street and several doors down from our apartment building.

“I’ve heard a rumor that a corporate coffee place is going in there. How am I supposed to compete with that? I haven’t even signed all the papers yet on this place and I may already have impossible competition,” she says with a huff.

“Maybe it’s just a rumor,” I point out.

“Maybe everyone will love your place so much it won’t even matter,” Kasen offers.

“What’s wrong?” Hutch asks as he walks in wearing full camo gear.

“Please tell us you are not still trying to find the Guardian of Hearts Lane Park?” Cam says to him.

He waves her off. “Yes, I am, but what’s wrong?”

I point to the building across the way. “Cam thinks a corporate coffee place is moving in there.”

“Oh…huh. That sucks. Maybe it won’t,” Hutch says.

“Where are you two off to?” Cam asks us.

“Going to check out the gallery for the exhibit,” I say. Everyone knows my big art exhibit is this coming weekend.

“Can’t wait to see the new stuff,” Hutch says with a grin as Cam hands him his drink.

Al walks in and we all turn and wave at him.

“Good morning, everyone,” Al says.

“Morning,” we say in unison.

“Ready for the big show?” he asks me.

I nod. “Almost. You’re coming, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. How is the happy couple today?” he asks as he looks from Kasen to me.

Kasen pulls me against him. “Good. We’re just heading over to the gallery now to check on a few things,” he says.

“Did you hear the rumor about the corporate coffee place moving into our block?” Hutch asks Al.

“No, I hadn’t heard anything,” Al says with a surprised look.

I take a bite of muffin and moan. “Cam, there’s no way a corporate place can compete with these muffins. What do you put in them, crack?” I ask.

“Yes, it’s why they are so highly addictive,” she says deadpan.

I giggle. “That explains everything.”

“Come on, artist, let’s go,” Kasen says to me, and I smile up at him, loving my latest nickname.

“See you guys at happy hour?” I ask.

They all nod and we walk out to Kasen’s car. It’s only a two-minute drive to the gallery. He parks out front and we walk inside. I take a long moment to look at my work. I can’t believe I’m getting my own exhibit.

Kasen comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. “You did good, artist. It looks amazing,” he says. “I’m so proud of you.”

We walk around and I check the placement of a few pieces. And then we get to the one I wanted him to see first. It’s a piece I’ve been working on when I can spare a few minutes from him.

He stops in his tracks and looks up at it. “It’s…how…when?”

I grin. “When you were busy working.” He walks over to it and examines it more closely. It’s a portrait of us curled up in bed, the sun shining through a window. You can’t really tell it’s us unless you look closely.

I see the moment that he finds the little placard with the name of the piece. He turns to me and grins, and I grin back. Then he takes two steps toward me and takes me into his arms, kissing me deeply. He gives me one final peck and leans back, looking over again at the name of my painting.

“I’m buying this one,” he says. “ Finding Romance is coming with us on Saturday.”

I hope you enjoyed this story.