Page 21 of Promise Me Forever
The space opens up around them once she leaves, Indy’s hand tugs at mine, and we walk around the floor. I study the area, seeing a few areas for larger pieces, alcoves for the smaller batches, and in the middle, I’ll probably have to get creative with the platform that’s set up.
“Thank you,” Indy says after a few minutes. She’s used to fighting and not being able to stand up to Miranda. That’ll be ending from this point forward. I’ll also have Jett wade in if need be; my cousin’s tongue is sharp, but her attention to detail is even sharper. She’ll put Miranda in her place in a way the boss lady doesn’t see coming, and everyone, Indy included, won’t feel any blowback.
“For what?” I ask.
“For backing me up.” She looks up at me.
“I didn’t back you up, cherry. That would imply you need saving. I’m standing with you.” Always. The words settle between us, and I’m gifted the sweetest smile in the world. “Love you, Indy. Love you deep in my bones.” So much for saving that for later. Her eyes flicker for a second, going to my mouth and then back up.
“I love you, too.” I lean in, slow, controlled, giving her a chance to pull away. When she doesn’t, I give her a soft kiss, not demanding, not consuming, not that I don’t want it. I want it so badly that I’d lift her off her feet, carry her a to closed-off area, and show her exactly what I want.
“Fuck yeah,” I say when I pull back. “We’re picking that up when you get home tonight.” Indy nods in response. She gets me, all of me. For-fucking-ever.
Epilogue
INDY
Six Months Later
My phone alerts me to a text message. I glance down at it and see who it is. Plus, it gives me a break from overanalyzing everything on my to-do list for tonight’s event.
Jett: Landed. Tell your city to behave.
I laugh. She never arrives quietly; she takes it by storm and makes her presence known.
Me: You’d have to behave first.
She doesn’t respond after that, so I get back into checking things off my list for the second time. Toren and I have settled into a routine. He still doesn’t like me working for Miranda, and neither do I. It’s a paradox that I intend to fix once tonight’s gallery event is over. Actually, once every last piece of art is sold. I’ve worked too hard, dealt with too much, and I don’t trust Miranda enough to see things through. I’d like to say things have gotten better, that our working relationship has improved, but that would be a lie.
The doorbell buzzes a few minutes later, interrupting me again. I move from my place at the kitchen island and headfor the door. I don’t bother asking who’s on the other side; the glass door tells me as soon as I round the corner. Jett with her sunglasses on, big smile in place, like she’s waiting for her grand entrance.
“You could have called for a ride from the airport, you know?” I say by way of greeting.
“Why? I’m not adding more to your plate.” She walks in, missing an important part of her usual arsenal.
“Missed you,” I tell her when she wraps her arms around my shoulders. We’ve gotten closer through the months. She’ll come up here for a weekend or Toren and I will go to Florida for a quick getaway trip.
“Missed you, too,” she replies.
“Now, where the hell is your bag?” I ask. She always stays with us for at least a day or two.
“At my hotel. It’s right across the street from the gallery. I’ve got so much shit, and this way, once the main part of the event is over, I can have some young hot stud help me carry it back to the hotel instead of worrying about it getting knocked around at the gallery.” Jett makes a great point. I close the door behind us, and she gravitates toward the couch, flopping down and letting out a puff of air.
“Well, that kind of sucks, but I get it.” I sit down in the chair across from her. Toren isn’t here yet. He’s busy watching over the movers put everything in place, and while I should probably be there with him, he told me to sit my ass down and take a break, an impossible feat given the event is in less than five hours. “Are you at least meeting us there?”
“Pshh, I have my own grand appearance to make,” she jokes. “Actually, I’ll probably get there before you. I want to video Toren’s arrival and do the same with his artwork.” We’ve kept Toren’s identity away from everyone except our friends and family. And Miranda definitely wouldn’t let the cat out of thebag after the investment into Toren’s career. Plus, the press will be there tonight, and I’m already feeling my nerves take root. I don’t know how Toren is handling this. I feel guilty at times that maybe I persuaded him into doing this as it is, even though he reassures me if it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t have found one another.
“I need a drink.”
“After the event, we’re all going out. Sable found a place big enough to include everyone without being on top of each other. And Nellie, as much as she wanted to come, Colt put his foot down and made this a grown-ups’ trip only.” Jett stands up. “I better go get ready. I’ve got a few posts to schedule. I’ll see you later.”
“Text me if anything explodes between now and then.” Worry hits my nervous system all over again.
“Everything is going to go off without a hitch. I’ll send your man home to you, and you know what, I’m stopping the conversation there before I gross myself out.” We both laugh. If Toren were here, he’d have a field day with her way of thinking. As for me, I’m thinking the minute my man gets home, my main goal is going to be getting him naked.
--
The gallery is full, not just full—it’s alive. Seattle showed up and showed out. Familiar faces, new ones, and people buzzing through the space, oohing and aahing. I stand off to the side, taking it all in, trying not to let the weight of it settle deep in my chest.
