Page 25 of Almost

“It’ll work itself out. We’re trying to make it work, which is good, but I didn’t come here to talk about my marriage. Lord knows I do enough of that in couple’s therapy. Do I even want to know what you punched Sebastian for?” Chris redirects the conversation back to me.

I look down at the red dress I’m wearing, and I tuck my hair behind my ears. “Same shit as always.” I cover my mouth when I realize I cursed, and Chris chuckles immediately.

“You’re in the presence of a toddler who picks up every single word he hears. You might want to try being a little more careful.”

“Sorry, samestuffas always. You’d be proud, I got him good.” I hold up a fist and pretend to swing. “If there’s one thing I’m sure Bash and Owen regret teaching me, it’s how to throw a punch.”

“I bet they do, those pictures made it look terrible.”

They really did.

“I made it count. I promise you, he deserved it.”

“I’m sure he did. Have you guys had a chance to talk since the last time we spoke?” Chris asks, and I shake my head, choosing to look at the landscape pictured in front of me.

“Not about anything real. Just these petty arguments where we continue going in circles. I’m not sure I want to talk to him, though. I just want Sebastian out of my life,” I admit softly, even if it doesn’t feel like the truth. It should be the truth.

Chris gives me a knowing smile as he sets Henry down on the ground. He moves to immediately hug my leg. “Do you actually want Bash gone, or is this like that time when I had to call you out on your BS? I can have a very similar conversation with Sebastian telling him to pull his head out of his butt if you’d like.”

Censoring around children makes these conversations seem so much less serious.

“Daddy, butt!” Henry giggles happily, and Chris rolls his eyes.

“See, a parrot.”

“A cute parrot,” I defend Henry, running my fingers through his hair. “I appreciate the offer, but he’s getting married in two months. We had our chance, Chris. I don’t know what the right thing to do is, but I’m certainly not going to try and break up an engagement for someone I don’t even know anymore.”

“That’s bull. You know exactly who he is, but I can respect your decision. I think you’re making a mistake, though,” he says bluntly. It’s a lot easier for Chris to say that when he doesn’t know everything.

I look at him skeptically. “Are you really suggesting I try to break up the engagement?”

“I never thought you guys would stay broken up this long. I guess I’ve been wrong before. Six years ago, I never would have believed you two would last three years together.”

“It’s over for good,” I say with finality. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the coordinator of the Homes for Habitat charity.

“Thalia! I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I need you for a minute to say a few words. We had a large donation comein,” he explains excitedly, and I have mixed feelings. William was supposed to do all the public speaking tonight, but I should have known he’d rope me into something.

“Of course. Chris, I’ll find you when I’m done,” I promise, and he pats my shoulder.

“Go on, Lewis. Henry and I will be fine. I’m going to go find Owen and Blake,” Chris says, and I follow the coordinator up toward the front of the room where the first picture I ever sold to a major magazine is hung. It’s from the little cliff in the woods that overlooks that magnificent valley. It feels almost like a full circle moment.

I catch Penelope on our way to the front and pull her with me. “You did just as much work on this place as I did. Come with me,” I say and she smiles brilliantly at me. She’s been with me every step of the way and deserves to be recognized

The three of us stand at the front of the room and the music stops, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Welcome everyone! I’m William Vernon, coordinator of the charity, Homes for Habitat, that Ms. Lewis has graciously decided to host tonight during the opening of her wonderful gallery. We’d like her to say a few words because not only is she hosting, she’s donated her time, talent, and half of the proceeds from tonight to go toward the organization. On behalf of all of us at the charity, thank you,” he says, smiling kindly to me, and the room is quick to applaud.

I’m passed the microphone and I chuckle nervously. I’m not good in front of crowds. “Thank you to everyone who has come tonight. I’m Thalia if you don’t already know me, but a few years ago I was going through a hard time in my life. I wanted to find purpose again, and I’d been offered the opportunity of a lifetime to go to Africa to photograph aportfolio forNational Geographic. While I was there, I wanted to do more. I reached out to the charity, Homes for Habitat, which focuses on building homes in impoverished communities to give back. Whenever I wasn’t exploring with my camera, I was learning how to help build a house from scratch. It’s an incredible cause, and I was told that a few minutes ago there was a large donation made. Whoever you are, I’d like to thank you personally for your generosity, so please pull me aside at any point tonight. Finally, I want to thank my wonderful business partner and best friend for all the work she’s done to help me get this place ready for tonight. I could never have done it without you, Penelope. There’s plenty of champagne to go around, grab a glass, be safe, and I hope you all have a wonderful night.”

There’s more clapping and I can feel my cheeks turn bright red. From the viewpoint I have, I catch sight of a tall man with dark hair who looks extremely familiar to Sebastian Walker walking out the front door. Except before I can follow, I’m pulled away into another conversation with one of my work contacts to discuss when I’m going to accept more photography jobs.

Tonight has been perfect.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Sebastian

I’VE BEEN GOING stir crazy in this house. I drove back for Thalia’s gallery opening last night to see how everything turned out, but I made my escape before anyone saw me. It’s for the best.

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