Page 153 of It's Not PMS, It's You

I walked quickly toward the building, flipped around, and gently removed the wedgie.

The three of them were still laughing.

I shook my head in amazement as I joined them again. “Why does every possible embarrassing moment of my adult life happen when I’m with you?”

Nick stepped toward me and kissed me. “I told you before—I’m here to keep you humble. Now, let’s go eat.”

We walked down the sidewalk toward the Mexican restaurant, holding hands, and peeking inside the quaint shops as we passed them.

I pulled Nick to a stop when a painting in a gallery window caught my eye.

“Oh, wow.”

He eyed the painting in the front display window. “That’s beautiful. Do you like it?”

I nodded, almost in shock. “Iloveit. And I know who painted it.”

Nick leaned closer to the window to read the signature at the bottom of the painting. He turned to me. “No way . . . your mom painted that?”

I nodded again with a mixed feeling of joy and admiration. “She’s been selling them and giving all the proceeds away to charity.”

Dee and Brandon moved closer to the window.

“Your mom is an amazing painter,” Dee said.

“I agree.” Nick continued to admire the painting. “It’s wonderful.” He leaned forward again to read the title of the painting. “The girl with stars in her eyes?”

I gestured to the painting. “That’s me.”

“Really?”

I nodded. “She said she could see the passion I had at an early age. That there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do if just applied myself. Education, career, meeting the love of my life.”

Nick kissed me. “I especially love the last part.” He grinned. “Well, looks like it’s settled then. We need to buy this painting.”

“Wait . . . What?”

“I want it for our home.”

“I’m sure my mom would be happy to give us one for free.”

“But if I buy it, you said all the money goes to charity, right?”

“True. Minus the gallery’s fee, I would assume.”

“Then, what are we waiting for?” He pulled me into the gallery and closed the door behind us. He told the salesperson that he wanted to buy the painting, without asking the price.

And just like that, I fell in love with Nick a little more.

We waited for the salesperson to remove the painting from the window display and wrap it for us.

I pulled Nick close and hugged him. “I just love you so much. You turned my life around.” I reached up and kissed him.

A few seconds later, Nick broke off the kiss, looking into my eyes. “You were smiling while we kissed.”

“Maybe . . .” My tone was flirty. “It’s just . . . I can’t believe I found love in my own backyard.”

He kissed me again and grinned. “You certainly did.”

THE END

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