Page 53 of Fresh Canvas
I ground my teeth. The fleeting look of surprise on Val’s face sent my eyes flying to the pebbled walkway. Once I daredanother glance, I found inquisitive, soft brown eyes searching mine.
Then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, his features smoothed into a sugary, warm smile. Extending his arm to Vanessa, he shook her hand.
“Vanessa, was it? I’m Val Russo. It’s nice to meet you.” He stepped close to my side, his hot breath sending goosebumps down my neck as he whispered, “You aresogoing to owe me.”
Without warning, he draped his heavy arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. Electrical sparks ignited into a fiery line where Val’s skin met mine, his faint dusting of arm hair catching in my periphery. A jackhammer pounded in my chest as I forced a neutral expression.
Vanessa’s interest in Val increased tenfold, and I wanted to knock it off her face.
“So, Ryan left you too? At home, I mean?”
The darker side of me thoroughly enjoyed the scarlet tinge beneath her caramel skin.
Embarrassed, Vanessa tried to form a response, but Val cut in smoothly.
“Sorry about that. We’re working on her social etiquette. Spoiler alert—it’s not going well.”
I couldn’t even muster an eye roll. Besides my annoyance with Vanessa, all I could register was the heat radiating off Val’s body and the weight of his arm. I peeked up at him as he continued to chat. Charisma and charm dripped from every word.
Oh. My. Gosh. He’s really selling this.
Tentatively, I nestled closer and tried to ignore how stupidly good he smelled. All to sell the charade, of course.
Vanessa’s prissy laugh pealed out at Val’s joke at my expense, threatening to damage my eardrums.
“Oh, you’refunny. Anthony and Ryan went on without me until I wrap up the case I’m working on. It should be done sometime in July and I’ll fly out then.”
“I’m sorry,” Val continued, “I’m playing catch up. Who’s Anthony?”
You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.
Vanessa again seemed uncomfortable about Val’s lack of knowledge. Because, whywouldn’tmy hunk of a boyfriend know about my child? This encounter had already revealed more information than I would ever want Val to know.
I glanced up, letting the awkward silence stretch on. His smattering of freckles attempted to whisk my thoughts away to darkened closets.
I sighed. “My son.”
Ignoring Val’s slackened jaw, I snapped my focus back to the pretty monster.
I would have willingly ingested a tapeworm if it meant this conversation could be over.
She shifted in her trendy pink running shoes, her cheeks nearly the same shade. “Onthatnote, I’ve got to run, but it was nice seeing you.”
I was ninety percent positive she was lying, but I didn’t care because I was lying too.
“You as well.”
I blew out a long breath as Vanessa jogged away. My relief was short-lived, however, as Vanessa hesitated after a few yards and turned back.
“What now?” I grumbled under my breath.
“It was great meeting you, Val. And Amantha, you guys make a really cute couple.”
Val turned to stone as Vanessa continued down the path.
His arm vanished, as did his body from mine. The vacated space felt oddly cold despite the warm weather. I’d never seen Val blush before, and it was freaking adorable. I felt tempted to tease him, but my own emotions were muddled enough.
Vanessa had unceremoniously dumped out my baggage for all to see, smack dab in the middle of Lincoln Park.
