Page 70 of If My Wishes Came True
Before I can thank her, I burst into tears, and she hugs me. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It’s true. You are so incredibly talented…I mean, you captured something in each piece that I’d only expect to see on a living, breathing person. You painted real emotion on their faces. Just one look, and I can tell what they’re thinking.” She turns to look at each portrait again. “Mom’s sad. And Dad’s an ass?—”
I chuckle.
“And I absolutely adore the hint of mischief in my eyes,” she continues with a playful smile. “It’s the new me. Single and ready to grab life by the balls. Or grab a hot guy by the balls, at least. Consensually, of course.”
I throw my head back, laughing. “I should introduce you to my new friend, Sam—that’s short for Samira,” I add,to avoid confusion. “I met her through Vanessa, but she and Sunny Dexter go way back, since college. I think you two would have fun taking the Windy City by storm. She definitely enjoys grabbing life by the balls. And she’d make an excellent wingwoman.”
“You’re making Chicago look pretty darn attractive,” Christy admits with a smile. “I could use some help in the dating department. I’ve been out with a few guys since Kyle, but there’s never any chemistry. Maybe I’m too picky.”
“Promise me you won’t settle,” I tell her. “Because youwillfind what you’re looking for, and once you do—there’s no going back.”
My sister grins at me. “Speaking of Charlie…this has to be him,” she says, pointing to his portrait.
I nod.
“Wow,” she says on a deep exhale. “First of all, he’s insanely gorgeous. But second of all, does he really look at you like that?”
My cheeks warm. “Yeah, he does.”
Christy shakes her head, still smiling. “He adores you.”
“It feels that way,” I say, my heart fluttering.
“Thisis the portrait you have to show at the gallery. Charlie’s. It’s perfect.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” I reply before biting my lip.
“Why?” she asks, her brow furrowed.
“Because if I choose it for the gallery, I’ll have to show it to him soon, to make sure he approves. And when I do, I want to tell him the truth…that this painting was inspired by the look in his eyes when we first met. You said it yourself, it looks like he adores me. I do think it was love at first sight, Christy. Or something even more inexplicable than that,” I say, picturing my sketchbook full of wishes. I haven’t told anyone—not Christy or even Esther—about my journal’s connection to Charlie. I’m still trying to process it, myself.
“I feel like I’ve always loved Charlie Sutton,” I go on, “even before I knew him. Which makes no sense.”
“It does if you’re soulmates,” Christy says, matter-of-factly.
I smile, relieved she doesn’t think I’m crazy. My sister’s a romantic at heart, like me. It’s a little surprising, given our parents aren’t the picture of a loving marriage. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them kiss—or even hug, for that matter. Maybe the lack of romance in their relationship is what makes me and my sister crave it so much in our own lives.
I take in Charlie’s portrait again, and almost get lost in his dark brown eyes. “He says we were made for each other,” I tell my sister.
“Then he feels the same way,” she replies. “Show him the painting—you have nothing to worry about.”
“Hopefully,” I say. “I just…I can’t shake the feeling that this is all too good to be true.”
Christy puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure that’s normal, given what happened to Hunter. You’re finally getting everything you’ve always wanted, and you’re afraid you’re going to lose it.”
I nod. “That makes sense. I’ll keep working on it with Esther, in therapy.”
“You’ll get there,” my sister tells me. “It might just take some time.”
I hope to god she’s right.
The rest of the weekend with Christy is everything I hoped it would be. Since I turned the guest room into my art studio, her options were to either crash on my living room couch, or sleep in my bed. She chose the latter. We never shared a room growing up, so it’s a new experience for us, and even better than I could’ve imagined. We stay up late, drinking wine and watching rom-coms and giggling about guys, and I tell her things I’ve never told anyone—things you’re only supposed to tell your sister, if you’re lucky enough to have one you’re close to. And Christy makes jokes at Kyle’s expense, and tells me all about her dream man. During the day, I take her all around the city, and she marvels at how beautiful it is. When we hug goodbye at the airport, I’m almost convinced she’ll move here.
Afterward, I drive back home. I’d originally planned to pick up Charlie, because his plane from Denver was supposed to arrive soon after I dropped off Christy, but his flight got delayed. So I go back to my place and catch up on the design projects I’ve been putting off. I haven’t missed any deadlines, and I know I’ll get everything done before it’s due, but typically I’m way ahead of schedule. More and more, though, I have to resist the urge to close my laptop, put on a smock, and paint instead. Tonight, I find it so hard to stay out of my art studio that I decide to call the one person I know will understand—because she’s been there.
“Hey, Jenna,” Sunny says when shepicks up the phone. She sounds pleasantly surprised.
