Page 64 of Infatuated as They Come (Sinful Trilogy #2)

Sawyer

There were too many people in the room.

I regretted my decision to take part in the exhibition the second Damien told me a few hundred people were gonna be showing up.

That should have been a sign to just say nah, fuck it, but Holly really wanted this for me.

She believed in me like no one else ever had and I’d be forever thankful for that.

For her support, for her warm words, for every look she gave me that told me to keep going.

She had literally been counting down the days, getting more and more giddy the closer we got to the exhibition date.

Everything at the studio had felt like a blur the last couple weeks.

It all felt too professional, too foreign.

The curator kept talking to me in detail about how I wanted each painting to be presented, what title I was giving my work, what I wanted to have put on their website, how much I’d be charging people to buy my art, what kind of lighting I preferred.

The list of questions went on and on and I wasn’t a fan of how much attention was on me.

But tonight was still important. There were pieces I wanted to show Holly that I hadn’t let her see yet.

Moments in time that meant a hell of a lot to me, and I wondered if they meant the same to her.

Taking a step back, I eyed the nine paintings in front of me: they had been put into one long row, all the same size at forty by fifty inches, with that painting of Holly I had shown her the other day right in the middle.

But it was the last painting that I really wanted her to see.

They all had meanings, all had stories. The one at the end had been based on all the little details she had given me when we had gone to Saratoga Springs, when she was whispering to me about what she wanted for our future.

That little house with the lemon tree . It was the final painting in the row and it felt right that it had been placed there.

I wanted it to be something that would come to me and Holly eventually: next year, next month, fuck, I’d give her that house tomorrow if I could.

“You look nervous.”

I felt a hand give my shoulder a squeeze and I turned to see Damien.

“Don’t be,” he continued. “These all look fantastic. Especially that fourth one. I love the details.”

The details had been easier to accomplish thanks to Holly splurging on those gift cards.

I had all the high-quality stuff thanks to her.

I smiled as I remembered that she had kept the things I had given her.

The glass flower—the only one that had survived her dad’s hands—was placed on our bedside table, and the drawing and letter had been tucked away “somewhere special” according to her.

“Thanks,” I said, eyeing the one he was talking about.

It was another one of Holly: her in my place one night when we had been doing something as simple as watching a movie.

That memory and every memory of her was implanted in my brain.

Her as she sat on my couch, her head on the armrest, her head angled in a way so that her hair kept her eyes hidden from me.

She could have been anywhere, had enough money to be at whatever luxurious destination that she desired, but she was totally okay with—as her dad had put it—being in my little trailer.

“I like the title,” Damien said, poking at the little plaque beneath the paintings.

All I Need is Here , it said. I liked it too.

It was hard to collect my feelings and emotions when it came to Holly, because a lot of the time, it was like I felt too much when it came to her.

It was more than just picking random moments and tying them up in a neat, little bow to show the world.

As I looked back at the canvases, I realized how much sense it all made.

The quiet days with Holly, the simple moments, the low budget stuff.

All of my favorite days revolved around her .

“Does she know the entire series is dedicated to her?” Damien asked.

“Uh, no,” I said with a chuckle. “Thought I’d surprise her.”

“She’s gonna love it. They’re all really beautiful. I’m sure you’re gonna make a huge sale tonight, too. There’s gonna be a lot of art buyers here tonight. People who will wanna meet and talk to you.” He nudged me. “Exciting, right?”

What was I supposed to even say to them? I just painted all of these ‘cause I really love my girlfriend and wanna spend every single day of my life with her . “Sounds like a nightmare.”

“Yeah, I get it. It can be daunting at times, but it’s a great way to get your name out there. Speaking of names…” Damien gave his clipboard a tap. “I just wanna confirm that we’ve got you down for twenty eight people coming tonight.”

“Uh, yeah. My girlfriend’s bringing her parents and all her college friends. Like, the whole cheerleading team apparently. And I’ve got some co-workers coming too, and my cousin also flew over from Boston.”

“You’re popular,” he said, giving my back a clap. “Well, they should all be here soon. The gallery’s gonna open in about five minutes. There’s already a huge line outside!”

“Great,” I mumbled.

Damien left me alone with my thoughts, and I stepped away from my paintings, not wanting to linger around them for too long.

Nerves were getting the best of me. I didn’t even really need anyone else to like them, I just wanted Holly to, and I was also left wondering if tonight was going to be a disaster since her parents were showing up.

I kept my focus on a few of the other artworks, my hand tugging at the collar of my shirt nervously.

I wasn’t even sure how an artist was supposed to dress when doing some big gallery showing, so I had just worn one of the crazy expensive flannel shirts Holly got me for Christmas.

It felt no different to the ones I got from the thrift store, but it came from her, and that was more than enough to get me to put it on.

“Doors are open, people!” Damien called out.

The low, soft music switched on, but that noise was canceled out by the murmuring of voices from the crowd that was filing in, and I was searching for Holly’s face in every single one of them.

Finally, I caught sight of her looking as beautiful as ever in a sleek, strapless black dress, that necklace sitting there against her chest. I watched her brown eyes dart left and right before they finally found mine, a big smile forming on her face.

She turned around, grabbing at someone, and that was when I saw Brodie, my own smile growing as she guided him over to me.

“Hi!” Holly said cheerily. “Look who I found!”

“Oh, I missed you, cousin!” Brodie said, arms wrapping around me as he gave my back a slap. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I missed you too,” I said with a laugh, hugging him back. “Missed you a lot. Thanks for coming.”

“There’s no way I would ever miss this.”

“I know the flight probably wasn’t cheap,” I murmured so only he could hear. “And the hotel. You could have stayed with us, you know?”

“Well, when I got to the airport, I found out my original flight had been upgraded to first class free of charge. And then I got an email about my hotel reservation being canceled, and then I got another one confirming my stay at The Plaza, so turns out, your girlfriend’s letting me live like a king the next few days. ”

“Of course she did all that,” I muttered into his ear before he pulled away from me. Then I finally got to see Holly up close, her Bambi eyes all big and pretty, and I could have sworn they were literally twinkling. “You look beautiful,” I said. “Come here.”

She giggled softly, letting my hands wrap around her waist so I could hold her against me. “Congratulations! Isn’t this the most exciting night ever?”

“I’ve had more exciting,” I said into her ear. “Thanks for spoiling my cousin.”

“Well, you barely let me spoil you, so at least I can do it to someone. I can’t wait to see your paintings! I bet they look so beautiful.”

“I’m pretty nervous about showing you, I won’t lie.”

“Don’t be silly. I just know everyone here’s gonna be dying to get their hands on you after this.” Her smile was all big and warm, but that faded the second she pulled her phone out of her bag. “My parents are outside.”

I nodded at her. “Hey, it’s okay. I wanted them here, remember?”

“If he says anything…” she said, caution in her voice.

“Don’t worry. It’s alright. Go. Go see them,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Okay. I’ll let you two catch up.” She kissed my cheek before making a bee line around the corner, thankfully going in the opposite direction of where all my stuff was.

“So, how’s Boston been?” I asked Brodie as he slid back up next to me. “You having fun over there?”

He gave me a wide smile. “Yeah, it’s been really good. Busy, but good. I still can’t believe I got into college. With a scholarship. You and me have been having a lot of Cinderella moments lately.”

“Yeah, it all feels too good to be true. But school’s okay? People treating you good?”

“Everyone’s really nice. I have nothing to complain about and Lucas is a really good roommate. We both love the toaster you got us.” He gave my arm a friendly punch. “We use it every day. He said he’s sorry he couldn’t come, he’s busy with football.”

I nodded. “No, it’s okay. I know how seriously he takes that. I’m glad you could come, though. I think I’m the only one here with just the one family member showing up.”

“But I’m your favorite family member, so that cancels it all out. This is so cool. My first art gallery showing. Your first art gallery showing. And many more to come, right?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“Aren’t you excited to show everyone your stuff?”

“I mean, I guess.” I gave my neck a rub. “But there’s only one person I really wanna show…”

“Ah, where’s she gone off to?” he asked, head twisting. “Damn, check out this crowd. There’s a lot of fancy guys in suits here.”

“Yeah, too many,” I muttered .