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“No, you left too soon. She wanted to hear me say again that I love you, Rosalie. She said it would make her feel better if she heard it again because it meant it was nothing she did.” He shook his head. “I can’t explain it. She didn’t want to marry me, but she didn’t want to break up either. I love you and I always have, ever since I first saw you as a princess.”

My heart melted at his words. “I love you too.”

I pulled my hands free and reached up to him as he kissed me. My heart pounded in my chest as his touch left goose bumps on my skin. It didn’t matter how long it had been, my body recognized Shane’s touch and demanded for more.

* * *

A couple days later,we went out to dinner with my dad and Joanna. Shane and I sat on one side of the table and my dad and Joanna sat across from us, just like that first dinner when we found out they got married.

Towards the end of the meal, my dad reached across the table and patted my hand.

“When are you going back to California?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” I said. “Shane has a few things to take care of in Virginia and then he’s going back with me.”

“That’s great news!” Dad said. “What are you planning to do out there, Shane?”

“I haven’t told anyone about this yet, but while I was in school I met Dmitri Nikita, my idol. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and he’s opening a new gallery in a few months. He wants to feature the series I’ve been working on.”

“You did a series of paintings? That’s incredible,” I said.

“Well, they were also what led to the problems I had with Isabel. The series is about our relationship, Rosalie. You can imagine how much she hated them.” He laughed. “I was never able to finish it because deep down, I knew we weren’t done.”

“When can I see them?”

“Soon. I want you to see the series together. I’ve always known it needed one more painting, but nothing ever felt right. It wasn’t until we got back together the other night that I knew what that last piece was going to be.”

Shane slipped his arm over my shoulders and pulled me closer.

“It’s good to see you so happy,” Joanna said.

Shane and I looked at each other and smiled.

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