Page 68 of Painted Dreams
“Thanks, Cassie. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Nice flowers, by the way.” Her voice pitched up in question. “I didn’t know you were seeing someone. These are…a Valentine gift? From a guy?”
“Yeah. Aren’t they fabulous?” She assumed they were from Nick, at least.
“Fun. We should double-date sometime.”
“Sure.” The chances of that happening were slim, though. She and Cassie were work friends and, so far, didn’t socialize outside of work. Maybe that would change when they no longer saw each other every day.
“I’ll catch up with you later.”
As soon as Cassie turned away, Kat opened the card.“These flowers remind me of you—bright and beautiful. Got you on my mind today. Can’t wait to see you.”
Tingles shimmied up her spine. She could hear his rich voice in her head. She pressed the card to her chest. Deliveries, cards, texts, and video were nice, but such poor substitutes for the man. An unfamiliar longing tugged at her. It was almost enough to send her racing to the nearest airport.
Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to indulge in daydreams today. She grabbed a protein bar and hurried out the door. Considering how much overtime she’d worked in the last few weeks, she was taking a long lunch to get to the frame shop. The delivery service was due there around two o’clock. After a short bus ride, she practically skipped inside the shop.
“We’re about ready to wrap them up,” the man behind the counter told her. “Over here.”
Kat held her breath as she followed him to the back of the store. In two rows, her paintings lined the hallway. A giddy sensation washed over Kat. It was a moment she had to share. She pulled out her cell phone and tapped Nick’s number.
* * *
Surprise mixed with a buzz in his veins when Nick saw his phone light up with a call from Kat at mid-morning. He opened his video chat to find her smiling at him.
“Hi there.”
“Hey, I’m looking at my framed pieces before they get shipped over to Loft. Want a tour?”
The excitement in her voice and on her face was unmistakable. He set aside the notes he’d received from Todd and Sherra on his initial submission. He had to get through their comments, but he wasn’t missing this time with Kat and the chance to be part of her big event. “I sure do.”
“Okay, but first, thank you for the flowers, Nick. They’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“I’m glad. I had you pegged for something different than roses. Did they hit the mark?”
“More than. They’re stunning.”
“As are you,” he said.
She held his gaze a moment and a soft flush stained her cheeks. He hadn’t meant to fluster her, but it was nice to know he had that effect on her.
“Show me your paintings.”
“Okay.” She gave a breathy laugh. “Here goes.”
She held out her phone and moved along the rows of paintings.
As they appeared on the screen, Nick let out a slow whistle. The colors were bold and striking, and he could almost feel the movement on the canvases. In one, a blue stream seemed to be rushing over rocks and spilling beyond an old stone bridge flanked by colorful wildflowers and grasses. She had a gift for capturing the light and motion of nature in her own unique style.
“Kat, these are spectacular. Have I ever told you how talented you are?”
Grinning, she fanned her face. “Now, now. You’ll have me swooning, and you aren’t here to catch me.”
“Sadly,” he told her. “Can’t wait to see them in the spotlights, babe. Can’t wait to seeyouin the spotlight.” Not to mention getting her in his arms again.
“Thanks. I think they look pretty great. So now they get wrapped and crated then shipped over to Loft.”
“That’s exciting. It’s getting close now. You look amazing by the way. Tell me about the interview.”
