Page 46 of Learning Curves

Michelle smiled. “We had a really nice conversation. Apparently, it’s always been known within the family that Eliza and Ada were a couple.

They were the loves of each other’s lives, and they never hid that from their families.

In fact, after Ada passed away, Eliza would tell stories to her grandchildren about how they met and fell in love.

She was proud of who she was, but she lived before the world was ready for that kind of pride.

Daniel thinks ... well, he thinks she would want me to tell her true story and include her relationship with Ada in the book. ”

“Oh, Michelle ... that’s wonderful. I know you’re going to do her proud.”

Michelle’s phone rang, interrupting the moment. She reached over to silence it, not wanting anything to take her away from Audrey, but when she saw Kate’s name on the screen, she hesitated.

“Answer it,” Audrey said. “We’ve got all evening together.”

Michelle considered that. Her mother would have scolded her for taking a call from a friend during the festivities, but ... “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“She’s your best friend, Michelle. Of course I don’t mind.”

“All right. I’ll just say a quick hello.” She connected the call.

“How was your flight?” Kate asked. “Missing London already?”

“It was fine,” Michelle responded. As for missing London, Michelle was surprised to realize the answer was no. For once, she was glad to be right where she was. “I’m actually with Audrey, having a belated Christmas celebration.”

“Oh, how lovely!” Kate exclaimed. “I won’t keep you, then. But first, I’m dying to meet Audrey. Please say yes.”

Michelle’s phone beeped, and she looked at it in confusion. There was a FaceTime request from Kate on the screen. Michelle never made video calls. Frowning, she showed it to Audrey, who immediately pressed accept with a cheeky grin.

Kate’s smiling face appeared on the screen. “Hello! You must be Audrey. I’m Kate. I’m sure Michelle talks about me all the time.”

“She does, and it’s great to meet you.” Audrey moved closer to Michelle on the sofa. Her hand rested on Michelle’s thigh, a casually intimate gesture that warmed Michelle from the inside out.

“You two look awfully cozy,” Kate said.

Audrey tugged at the collar of her flannel pajama top. “The pajamas were my suggestion.”

“And I approve wholeheartedly,” Kate said. “I’m in my pajamas, too, although it’s a lot later here in London than it is in Vermont, but I think you two have the right idea. Christmas celebrations should be comfortable, if you ask me.”

They talked for a few more minutes, and it was surprisingly nice. Audrey and Kate seemed to hit it off, which, if Michelle had given it any thought ahead of time, she might have anticipated. It made her happy to see two of her favorite people laughing and chatting together.

When they ended the call, Audrey pressed a quick kiss to Michelle’s lips. “Kate’s great. I’m so glad you have a friend like her in your life.”

“I am too,” Michelle agreed. “Now, time to open presents?”

There were four gifts beneath the tree, two for each of them.

Michelle didn’t often open presents, and when she did, she rarely felt excited about it.

But right now, she was filled with a tingly sort of anticipation over both giving and receiving gifts with Audrey.

What had Audrey wrapped for her? Had she made something on her pottery wheel?

And what would she think of Michelle’s gifts for her?

Michelle’s phone chimed with an incoming text. It was from Kate. You two are Adorable together. I don’t know when I’ve seen you look so happy. I’m thrilled for you!

Thank you , Michelle responded. Kate knew her better than just about anyone, so her opinion was extremely validating. Michelle smiled.

Meanwhile, Audrey had knelt before the Christmas tree. She picked up a shiny red-and-white-wrapped gift, which she handed to Michelle. “Start with this one.”

“All right.” Michelle placed her wine beside Audrey’s and carefully began to unfasten the bow.

Audrey giggled. “It figures you’d be one of those people. Just rip into it. We’re never going to use the paper or the bow again, unless you think Muse would like to play with it. My parents’ cats love wrestling with the leftover wrapping paper and bows.”

“Really?” Michelle tried to picture Muse doing the same. “I don’t think I ever offered her wrapping paper. Actually, I’ve not given her any toys. Was I supposed to give her toys?” Michelle felt even more inadequate as a cat parent.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Audrey said. “Cats are really good at entertaining themselves. They almost always enjoy an empty cardboard box more than an expensive toy anyway.”

“Well, I can’t say I’ve left any boxes lying around for her either.” No wonder Muse didn’t like her.

“Michelle, she’s fine.” Audrey rested a hand on her leg. “She seemed perfectly healthy and happy when I saw her.”

“Healthy, yes, but happy?” Michelle shook her head. There hadn’t been much happiness in her home, not for her or Muse, but she wanted that to change. It had changed for her. Now she needed to help Muse.

“She seemed like a very normal cat to me. Is she the only cat you’ve ever had?”

“Yes. The only pet I’ve had, period. I probably should have done more research when Kelly left her with me.”

“You were hurting. Your wife had just left you. But Muse is fine. Now open your gift.” Audrey grinned, nudging the package in Michelle’s lap.

Michelle finished removing the paper and set it aside, revealing a white box.

She stuck a fingernail under the flap and opened it.

A ceramic bowl was nestled inside, and her heart soared.

She’d been hoping for another of Audrey’s pieces.

The bowl was glazed a soft pink, with white hearts painted on it.

As Michelle lifted it from the box, she saw that the bowl was a bit lopsided and misshapen, which was unusual for something Audrey had made.

The hearts, though ... they immediately brought to mind the way Audrey liked to finger paint on Michelle’s skin.

“Do you recognize it?” Audrey asked.

“Should I?” Michelle looked again. There was something vaguely familiar about the shape ...

“It’s the one you made that day in my studio. We abandoned it when we started kissing, and then we never talked about it again because we were trying to ignore how we felt, but I kept it because it felt meaningful, you know? Your first time at the wheel. Our first kiss.”

Michelle stared at the piece with fresh eyes. Now she saw the familiarity in the shape, the funny spot where one of her fingers had poked through. “I can’t believe you kept it.”

“It’s special. And I love how it turned out, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Michelle traced a finger over one of the hearts. “You painted these hearts on my arms that day, and it was so erotic. I was about to lose my mind. It’s a perfect way to remember that afternoon. I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Audrey pulled her in for a hug. “I mean, I like to think you wouldn’t have forgotten that afternoon anyway ...”

“I couldn’t possibly.” She gasped as Audrey’s fingers began to trace hearts on her forearm the way they had that day. “But now I’ll have a tangible memory of it. I’m going to keep it in my bedroom.”

Audrey kissed her cheek and sat back. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I do.” Michelle looked at the gifts she’d brought with her. One was much bigger than the other, both in size and in meaning. Best to start small. She walked to the tree and picked up the smaller package. “Start with this one, although it doesn’t compare to what you just gave me.”

“It doesn’t have to.” Audrey took it with a smile, giving it a shake. The contents rattled softly. “Interesting.”

“It’s just something small.”

“I love small somethings.” Audrey tore into the package with abandon, leaving ripped paper all over the floor.

Michelle’s mother would have had a fit. She fought the instinctive urge to pick up after Audrey.

Today, it was okay to be messy. Today was about having fun and being comfortable.

And on that mental note, Michelle decided to open her next gift in similar fashion.

The very idea made her feel as giddy as a child .

.. maybe giddier than she remembered feeling as a child.

“Oh, my very own tea collection!” Audrey exclaimed, holding up the box Michelle had given her, filled with an eclectic mix of herbal-tea blends.

“It’s my favorite brand, but it’s hard to get here in the States. I stocked up while I was in London.”

“I can’t wait to try them. Thank you so much.” Audrey leaned in to give her a quick kiss, then set the box on the table. “Ready for your second gift?”

Michelle nodded.

“Warning: I followed a theme.”

“I thought you might.” And she could never have enough of Audrey’s ceramics.

Not only were they beautiful and unique, they were meaningful.

Handmade gifts had always been her favorite, not that anyone in her family shared that opinion.

They were more likely to be impressed by a price tag or a brand name than by sentiment.

Audrey handed Michelle a box that was taller than it was wide. “Careful with this one. Keep it upright while you’re opening, okay?”

“Now I’m intrigued.” A vase or teacup wouldn’t need to remain upright, nor would it be this large.

Remembering her earlier promise to herself, Michelle yanked the ribbon to untie the bow, then ripped the paper away as recklessly as she dared, doing her best to ignore her mother’s chastising voice in her head.

Audrey let out a little whoop. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

Michelle laughed as she tossed the paper to the floor. “That was more fun than I expected.” In fact, she felt a rush of exhilaration completely out of proportion to the act she’d just committed.

The white box under the paper was a larger version of the one she’d opened earlier.

Michelle lifted the flap and found herself staring at leaves.

The top of a plant, to be more accurate.

Intrigued, she removed the box to reveal a neatly potted plant in a ceramic container that was clearly an Audrey Lind original.

“It’s my blazer.” She felt herself smiling as she swept her gaze over the design on the pot, which was obviously a recreation of the blue tweed blazer Audrey loved so much. It made a beautifully unique pot design.

“It is,” Audrey confirmed. “And that’s a miniature rose plant. It doesn’t have any blooms this time of year, but I thought roses might suit you ... so elegant and romantic.”

“I love roses,” Michelle murmured, touching one of the leaves gently. She was careful not to prick herself on a thorn, now that she knew what type of plant this was. “They’re a classic for a reason. Thank you. This is beautiful, and I think you’re right. It suits me.”

“It totally does, and you’re welcome.” Audrey leaned in to kiss her cheek.

She was so tactile, and while Michelle wasn’t used to it, having been raised to keep her hands to herself, she loved being touched and kissed by Audrey at such unexpected times.

It made her feel ... cherished. Her chest filled with warmth, another sensation she associated with Audrey.

Audrey gave her another kiss. “Now I’m dying to know what’s in the giant bag.”

Michelle wasn’t generally a gift-bag sort of woman, but it had been necessary to disguise this one. If she’d wrapped it properly, Audrey would have been able to tell immediately what it was. “Go on and open it, then.”

Audrey knelt on the floor beside the gift bag, running her hands over it experimentally, and then a wide smile bloomed on her face, leading Michelle to suspect she had felt the distinctive shape of the frame inside.

Carefully, Audrey removed the decorative paper from the top of the bag, revealing a canvas wrapped in shipping paper.

“Oh my god. I can’t wait to see what this is,” she said as she lifted it from the bag.

“It’s a piece by one of my favorite artists in London. I thought you might like it.”

“I know I will,” Audrey said with such vehemence, that warm feeling in Michelle’s chest intensified.

She removed the protective paper to reveal a polished cherry frame containing a colorful, somewhat abstract painting of two women clenched in a lovers’ embrace.

“Oh, Michelle ...,” she gasped. “Oh wow, it’s gorgeous . ”

“I’m glad you think so. It caught my eye when I visited her shop over the holiday.”

“Is this the same artist who did the painting over your bed? Because I love that one.”

“It is,” Michelle said, pleased that Audrey had recognized the artist’s style, although not entirely surprised. They both had a good eye for art, after all.

“The colors! And the emotion between the women ... it’s so evocative. I absolutely love it.” Audrey gazed appreciatively at the painting, then at Michelle. “This is one of the best gifts anyone’s ever given me.”

“Really?” That genuinely surprised Michelle.

“Yeah, my family is intimidated to give me art since I know more about it than they do. My artist friends give me pieces they’ve created, but that’s different. This piece ... knowing that you picked it out especially for me. It’s perfect. I love it.”

They’d both been using that word a lot tonight, and Michelle wondered if Audrey was feeling anything as intense as she was. After her divorce, Michelle had resigned herself to a life alone, certain that was the safest option for her.

And yet sitting here in Audrey’s living room, with a Christmas tree sparkling and cheerful music playing, torn wrapping paper all over the floor, Michelle felt more at home than she could ever remember feeling. More comfortable. More ... joyful.

As much as it frightened her to admit—even to herself—she couldn’t imagine a future without Audrey in it. And that meant the most unexpected thing had happened.

Michelle had fallen in love.