Page 29 of Painting Celia

“Your breaths are slow,” he said softly. “Your heart is quiet.” She nodded, lips barely parting. “Do you feel—”

Her phone chimed.

She startled along with him, opening her eyes and pulling the phone from her pocket. Without looking, she rejected the call and put the phone on the counter.

“Sorry,” she said.

“It’s fine. Shake it off. We’ll—”

The phone sounded again, louder now that it was out.

“Do you need to take that?”

She looked down, away, jaw tight. “Sorry. One minute.”

Her fingers moved over the phone, and she retired with it toward the couches.

“What?” she answered. “I know. I know. The mechanic’s number is in the binder I made you. Did you call them?”

Too bad about the distraction. She’d been getting the hang of it.

“They’ll pick the car up and bring you a loaner, Mom. It’s all covered.”

She’d turned partly away, phone hidden from him, but a bright red spot bloomed on her near cheek.

“I am helping! This is what the binder is for. You just call.”

Her breath came faster, and a muscle in her jaw jumped as she ground her teeth. There was no way she could miss these signs of emotion in her body! León grinned, stepping closer.

As she turned glassy eyes to him, he patted his cheeks, then pointed to her.

“Red,” he mouthed happily.

She stared, bewildered.

“Hot,” he whispered, touching the back of his fingers briefly to her cheek.

Mouth falling open, she touched where his fingers had brushed. Then, she lowered the phone slowly.

“Just feel it,” he whispered, his hands gently rising and falling with her breaths. Her rapt hazel eyes didn’t close. He exhaled and lowered his shoulders.

“Tranquila,” she whispered back, then copied him. Her breathing slowed, and her cheeks faded. As her eyes softened, another of those shy, pretty smiles slipped out.

“Celia Rose!” The voice from the phone was audible to both. She stiffened again and raised the phone back to her ear.

Damn, she’d been getting it.

“Oh no,” she said, her voice suddenly anxious. “LA is too long of a drive for you. And I have other plans.” She frowned ferociously. “I’m going out of town for a few weeks.”

She was?

“No, I’ll be forty-two.” Her face was aflame again. “Forty-two, Mom.”

She’d never sounded so assertive in front of him. Nice to see she had it in her.

“You can try, but I don’t think there’s cell service where I’m going.”

Maybe he shouldn’t be standing here listening.

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