Page 92 of When You Saved Me

Stopping in front of me, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Feeling inspired today?” he asked.

I looked out over the tall pine trees, seeing the tops waveback and forth in the wind. I nodded as he sat down next to me, placing an arm over the back of the bench.

“I think we both are from all the ruckus I heard coming from the garage. How’s the armoire coming?”

He stole my mug of hot cocoa and took a sip. “It’s going to be a pain in the ass to move to the gallery, but I’m really proud of it. The oak tree carvings are turning out pretty great.”

I settled into his side. Being close to him would never get old.

“So, you’re really on board for this thing?” I peeked up at him. “Opening the gallery with me.”

He settled his stunning green eyes on me. My heart skipped a beat as that thread between us pulled taut.

“It’ll be our next great adventure, Sunshine.”

I smiled.

Because it certainly was.

Bonus Epilogue

Five Months Later

CHARLIE

Sunshine & Cowas written in large swirling letters above the barn-like structure that Deacon and I found just a few minutes from downtown Pebble Brook Falls right at the end of winter. Renovating the space had become our pet project. It had consumed us most days, but now that it was finally complete and we were about to cut the ribbon for the grand opening, I felt nostalgic.

I missed the days when we had the space to ourselves, and we got to create something together.Sunshine & Cohad been our love child, bringing us even closer together. Originally, Deacon thought it would be a great investment for me to have a gallery we owned together to display my artwork. But I’d convinced him that it was time he shared his own art with the world.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Deacon’s arms slipped around my waist from behind me. Closing my eyes, I let myself settle into his firm body. He always felt like home. With him here, my spirits were immediately lifted.

I laid my head back on his chest and looked up at the space. “Just wishing we had a little more time before the grand opening.”

His lips tickled the cuff of my ear. “Sunshine, the grand opening is in an hour. It’s a little too late to go back now.”

Twisting in his arms, I looked up into those pine green eyes. They were so bright and lovely; I couldn’t help but smile. “I know. I just miss building it all with you. Now that it’s over…I don’t know. I find myself wanting to do it all over again.”

“It was a special time.” His hand moved up and down my back.

I nodded.

“This opening will be just as special. All our friends are coming to celebrate us and what we’ve built together. And once we’ve settled into it for a little while, we can start talking about our next big adventure.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Really?!”

His laughter sent goosebumps down my arms. He laughed so often these days. But I still didn’t take it for granted.

“Yes.” He kissed my cheek and pulled me close to him. “But right now, we should soak in this moment. You’ve worked hard for it.”

“We both have,” I whispered against his chest.

“Why don’t we go inside and check it out one last time before everyone gets here.”

“Okay.”

Deacon interlaced his fingers with mine and opened the large oak door. As we strode inside, pride swelled in my chest at what we’d accomplished together. The large space had giant industrial windows that framed all four walls. Thick beams of oak wood lined the ceiling, giving it that rustic outdoor feel that was vital to the artwork Deacon and I would showcase. At the center of the room, there were four manufactured squares. All of them were a pristine white with art lights to display each one of my pieces.

I could still feel the ache in my palms and fingers from painting so much over the past several weeks. Once Deacon and I had decided to lease the space, a flurry of inspiration had struck both of us. When we weren’t snuggled on the couch together or hanging out with our friends, we’d spend countless hours creating.

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