Page 80 of Completely Captivated
She kissed me on the cheek and smiled so much I was sure her cheeks must hurt.“That means yes in Christa-speak.”
“I’m obviously way too predictable,” I grumbled as we walked back toward the guys.“Maybe I should shake things up, cause a scene or something.”
“Not tonight.May be best to save that for a more private moment with Aaron.”Allie swung her arm around my shoulders and squeezed.
“I’m only refraining because this is the opening night of Aaron’s exhibit, and I don’t want to ruin it for him.”
A group of people had gathered around Aaron, asking questions about his work.From a few feet away, I watched as he animatedly explained each picture.His enthusiasm spread to the people around him, and murmurs of buying his work soon followed.Every time he explained the photograph’s focal point, he sought me out.Our eyes met, forming an invisible connection that kept us tethered to the ground while our hearts soared in the clouds.He was telling and showing me how I’d always been his focal point.
With the growing crowd around him, I moved around the room to give him space to mingle.The beacon drawing me back in was the centerpiece, our field of wildflowers hidden in the forest.Our blanket and our picnic basket in the exact spot as when we enjoyed that day away from the hustle and bustle of life.
“This picture is simply gorgeous, isn’t it?”
I turned to reply to the woman who’d joined me.“Yes, it is.I love them all, but this one is my favorite.”
“I may be slightly biased since I’m the artist’s mother, but I love them all too.They’re pure genius.”
“You’re Aaron’s mother?”Other than repeating back what she’d just said to me, I was speechless.How did I even begin to introduce myself?
“Yes, I am.My name is Leigh Anne.How do you know him?”
“Mom, this is Christa, his wife,” Lance said as he and Allie stepped up behind me.“I’m sorry I couldn’t get over here in time to make proper introductions.”
“You are our Christa?”A beaming smile covered her face, and she thrust her drink into Lance’s hand before wrapping her arms around me.“Sweetheart, it’s so good to finally meet you.I’ve heard so much about you, and I hoped you’d be here.”
She didn’t give me any choice but to hug her in return, because she obviously was not releasing me soon.“The exhibit was all a surprise to me, so I had no idea any of this was happening.It’s great to meet you, too.”
I know I sounded like an idiot, but I was more than a little flabbergasted.
She leaned back, and her hands rested on my biceps, still holding on to me.“You’re even more beautiful than I’ve heard.It’s not like Lance to describe two women as the most beautiful women he’s ever seen, both in the same week.But that’s exactly what he said when he told me about you and Allie.”
Lance’s face had turned multiple shades of red when I glanced over my shoulder at him.Leigh Anne kissed me on both cheeks then grabbed my hand to pull me along with her.“Honey, you’ll never guess who I just met.”We stopped at a handsome man, but there was no doubt as to who he was.Lance and Aaron were cloned replicas of him.“Brian, this is your daughter-in-law.”
His surprised expression quickly turned endearing when he smiled at me.I could see where Aaron got the sparkle in his eye when he looked at me.Brian had the same sparkle when he looked at Leigh Anne.
“Christa, I can’t believe we didn’t know you’d be here, but I’m so glad to finally meet you.With everything Aaron told us about you, I feel like I’ve known you for a long time.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr.Rivers.”
“You can call me Dad.You’re one of my kids now.We haven’t even officially welcomed you into the family yet, but we’ll rectify that very soon.”
I almost choked, not only because I’d wanted someone to step in and be my father for so long, but because there was no hint of hesitation in his voice.He was welcoming me into his family, seemingly treating me as one of his own, and there were no strings attached.
Were other families always this open and affectionate?
“Christa?”a voice I would have recognized anywhere called out from behind me, and I turned to face her.
“Jen!I haven’t seen you in forever.What are you doing here?”
“Apparently, this exhibit istheplace to be tonight.”She looked over at the centerpiece then back at me.“These photos have a lot of feeling in them, some very deep meaning behind them.”
“They do,” I replied, surprised at her keen eye for art.“How’s Jared doing?”
“He’s doing really well.His employer has been very supportive since he sought help before he lost control.”
I nodded, keeping that night in my apartment to myself.He’d tell them the details when he was ready.“I’m glad to hear that.I hope everything works out for him.”
“Speaking of working out, are you and Aaron back together?”
