Page 73 of Too Enchanting

“So, you liked the painting then?” she asked with a laugh.

I shoved my face in her throat and chuckled.

“I loved it,” I replied, standing back up and helping her stand on shaky legs. “I’m hoping you’ll do a whole series.”

Serena grinned.

“I could probably be persuaded to do that.”

“I look forward to doing the persuading,” I joked.

We turned out the lights, locked up the studio, then paused outside in her backyard.

“Would you like to come up?” she asked coyly, as if she didn’t already know the answer.

“I’d love to,” I said, pulling her into my arms as I gazed down at her. And, because I could, and I wanted to, I lowered my lips to kiss her lightly on the nose and said again, “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Jed,” she replied, saying the five best words I’d ever had uttered to me in my life.

I took her hand in mine and we walked into her house and up the stairs. I was so grateful to be back, not just in her home, but in her life, and I hoped I was there to stay. I’d never had feelings like this for anyone before, and after living most of my adult life alone, I found that I was no longer content to live that way.

I enjoyed the companionship I shared with Serena. Coming home to her after a long day of work, doing something as simple as eating dinner or watching TV … it all meant more when I was with her.

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