Page 85 of Until You're Mine
My brothers chose that moment to step forward and give their opinions on the pieces. Finn liked the girl with the fierce expression, and when Liam told me his favorite was of the girl with her feet in the ocean and her nose in a book, I barely bit back the urge to sayDuh, that’s because I used Chelsea’s likeness for it.
“They’re amazing, B,” Finn said. “And I’m not just blowing sunshine up your skirt.”
My big brother. Giving art show patrons a run for their money with his eloquent compliments. At least conversations had started up in the background again, the novelty of my band of brutes wearing off. I had a feeling I might not be invited to this particular gallery again. That was okay. As much as I appreciated the opportunity and the enthusiasm of the woman who organized the exhibition, and had an in with this particular venue, I needed a place that was more me.
Like the gallery where I’d already accepted an internship that would keep me in San Francisco if I didn’t let it go. For the guy who’d declared himself mine, I knew I wouldn’t regret it, even if the thought sent a bittersweet sensation twisting through me—I’d already connected with my mentor there and knew my artwork would benefit from everything she could teach me, and the job experience would really help solidify my future career.
I also understood that it wasn’t only about me anymore. If Shane and I wanted a future, it would mean compromising, and if long-distance ended up being too much of a strain, it might mean letting go of things I loved for what I loved more. Him.
My dad and brothers backed away to intimidate everyone else, leaving me alone with Shane. His gaze was on the painting of him. Slowly he turned his green eyes on me, the right one still slightly obscured by the swelling.
I twisted a strand of my hair around my finger. “Remember the night you took me to Josefina’s restaurant for enchiladas, and then we walked along the beach? That night I snapped a picture—a profile shot of you—which is what I originally painted, but it felt like something was missing. So I started over and added the torso and the red wraps on the hands for the color pop, and…yeah.”
“Do I remember that night?” Shane asked softly, something akin to awe in his features. “Of course I remember. All my life I’d been so careful not to hope, not to want anything. A few years ago, when I started winning all those fights and climbing my way up to the top, I thought my dreams were coming true. I let hope in, and then everything slipped right through my fingers. That night I wanted you so badly it scared the shit out of me.”
“That night scared me, too. I knew I felt more for you than I should.” I swallowed and my heart tap, tap, tapped against my rib cage.
“When things went south, I told myself it was what I got for being stupid enough to hope again.”
“No, it wasn’t stupid,” I said. “It was me. I was scared, so I messed it all up, and I—”
He put a finger to my lips. “Trying to make a big speech here, babe. I’m not going to let you take the blame, either. Liam pointed out that I wasn’t being fair. I asked you to give up your dream so that I could have mine. I’m sorry I didn’t see that before—that I didn’t even fully think through what I was asking of you.
“Tonight I made a major step toward achieving my dream. I won my fight, and while I wished that you were there, I understood why you weren’t. I’m working on my dream and career, and you’re working on yours, and I came here tonight to show you that even though we won’t always be able to make it to each other’s events, that if at all possible, I’ll be there for you. That no matter what—no matter how many obstacles get thrown in our way—we can make it work.” He cupped my cheek. “I don’t care if it means leaving fights early and not even knowing until hours afterward if one of my favorite fighters of all time won the belt.”
“He did. Fourth round, win by arm bar. My dad and I were keeping tabs on the fights the best we could.”
Shane fist-pumped and smiled, wincing when his lip cracked. He flicked his tongue into it and then tugged me closer, wrapping an arm around my waist. “That just makes me love you even more.”
My heart squeezed and squeezed, and if it didn’t take a beat soon, I might pass out, but I’d never been so happy to be lightheaded. “You love me?”
“So fucking much. I’m in love with you, and I need you, and if it means moving to San Francisco and training here so you can complete your internship, so be it. Long-distance, holding two jobs, fighting to prove you belong with me, despite preppy boyfriends or overprotective family members—you name it, I’ll do whatever it takes for us to be together.”
His features blurred and I didn’t bother trying to fight back the tears this time. “I love you, too.”
“Yeah, I figured. The painting kind of gave it away.”
I smacked his chest with the back of my hand. “Oh my gosh, you cocky—”
He cut off the rest of my words with a kiss. He slid his hand into my hair, tipped my chin up with his thumb, and claimed my mouth with a heated sweep of his tongue. Our mouths and bodies got reacquainted, and much more of this kind of kissing and groping, and we’d give the people in here a whole different kind of show.
Shane stroked my jawline with his thumb as he slowed the intensity of the kiss.
“Just so you know, I believe in you,” I said, wrapping my hand around his forearm as I peered into his eyes. “And in us. We’re the exception, no maybe about it. We can make this work.”
“Hell yeah, we can. And we will. I promise.”
“Me, too.”
He raised an eyebrow, silently telling me he’d prefer to hear the words.
“I promise,” I said, and he lowered his lips to mine for another kiss.
The clock struck midnight—metaphorically, this shindig technically ended at eleven—but the spell didn’t wear off. I was still standing there in the gallery, kickass heels on my feet, on my way to a happily ever after with an irreverent prince who was mine, all mine.
Epilogue
Shane
