Page 48 of The Ruse of Romancing
Joane raised an eyebrow at me and I ducked my head, unable to hold her gaze as I thought about the loneliness that had been creeping in more and more lately.
“Maybe happy is the wrong word. I think you’ve been chasing moments of happiness, but I don’t think you’ve found joy in your life in a long time, Mason. You’ve been too busy keeping true connection at arm’s length. If my divorce taught me anything, it was life’s too short to be settling for temporary moments of happiness when you could pursue lasting things that bring you joy. It’s time you took a chance and let someone back into your life again. Give joy a chance.”
With those parting words, Joane stood and walked back to her car, leaving me alone with the twilight and my thoughts. Could she be right about giving Dani a chance? And if so, was there anyway I could let her in and tell her the truth without hurting her?
Chapter 25
Dani
Thedaysfollowingmykiss with Allen passed in a blur. I quickly fell into a rhythm of beach meetups with Allen in the morning, writing in the bakery or bookstore during the afternoon, and outings with Allen to visit one tourist location or another that would leave me inspired enough to keep writing late into the night. Having internet back up and running at the duplex made it easy to coordinate plans, but I didn’t spend much time texting my family or scrolling on social. I was too busy writing and enjoying all Oregon had to offer with Allen.
One afternoon, we drove up to a nearby lighthouse. Another evening, we tried the legendary fried cheese curds he’d raved about after the cheese factory tour.
Tonight I was finally getting to see an Oregon coast sunset. We’d come to the beach with a dinner picnic, spreading out a blanket on the sand. Both of us brought devices so we could work after we were done eating. My efforts to be productive had lasted all of ten minutes after dinner was put away. I was too busystealing glances at Allen as he worked on his tablet, using his stylus to make quick, confident strokes on the screen.
“Stop looking at me and get to writing! Avery’s going to hate me if she thinks I’m distracting you from your deadline,” he said when he caught me staring once again. To be fair, the man was wearing swim trunks and an unbuttoned shirt, leaving miles of tanned muscles visible.
“Well, if you weren’t so distracting,” I muttered to myself as I ducked my head and committed to at least finishing the chapter in front of me.
“How amIdistracting?” Allen asked, pointing his stylus at me. “I’m just working like I’m supposed to be. You’re the one who keeps staring!”
“And you’re the one putting all of that,” I gestured at him, “on display out here in the open. What do you expect me to do?”
“I expect you to hold still and work because that’s what I’m doing even though you’re putting all that,” this time he gestured at me in my floral print swimsuit and shorts, “on display and I’m still focused.”
“Oh yeah? Let me see how focused you’ve been.” I reached for his tablet, which he quickly moved out of reach.
“It’s not done. I don’t like showing anyone my work until it’s finished,” he said, locking his tablet screen.
“But I’m not just anyone! And you really haven’t shown me much of your artwork. I want to see,” I said, knowing full well my voice was coming out whiney and not really caring. Over the last few days, this man had seen me hangry, twitterpated, tired, discouraged, excited, and so many other emotions. Why not add exasperated?
“No, it’s not ready.”
“Please? I’ll let you read my first chapter.”
“That won’t do me any good since I haven’t started the first book yet,” Allen said with a laugh, leaning away from me as I tried to reach for the tablet again.
“Please?” I asked, this time resorting to dirtier tactics as I leaned in close and pressed my lips to his ear. “I’ll give you a kiss.” I said this last part in what I’d hoped would come across as sultry and enticing, though honestly I just felt silly doing it.
He turned his heated gaze on me, one of his hands reaching up to cup my jaw.
“Promise?” His voice was a low growl that did funny things to my insides.
“Promise.”
He lowered his hand and unlocked the tablet, but hesitated.
“Just keep in mind this is a rough sketch. It’s not finished yet.”
Allen extended the tablet, and I took it eagerly. He’d mentioned working on a commission for a florist, so I’d expected to see sketches of bouquets. But instead of roses and peonies, I found myself on the screen. Me typing on my laptop. Me in front of the lighthouse. Me eating ice cream in a green dress with his jacket on top.
“Sorry, I should have asked before drawing you, but you’re so expressive and I wanted to see if I could capture your emotions and—”
I pressed a finger to his lips, cutting him off.
“They’re incredible. How did you even draw these? The only place I remember taking pictures was the lighthouse.” I continued to stare at the images, noting a rough sketch down in the corner, this one an outline of our current moment with me wearing a swimsuit, my hair twisted into a claw clip.
“If you think I could forget how beautiful you are at any given moment, you’re wrong.”
