Page 11 of Consumed By Fire

"Better now?" I ask her. She shakes her head, laughing. Seeing her laugh makes me feel good. Who am I kidding? Having her next to me makes me feel good.

We have breakfast and she explains her plan. She’ll paint the kitchen, the living room, the hall, and the bathroom downstairs and I’ll take care of the upper floor. We prepare the colors together. I love the peachy shade she created for the living room.

We work non-stop for a couple of hours. I go downstairs to make sure that she doesn't need anything and am amazed to see that the hall and kitchen have already been painted.

"Did you come to have a peek?” she asks, making me smile.

"You must tell me your secret."

"No way. Go to work,” she says, poking out her tongue. I grab a bottle of water and leave one on the table for her, too. I go back upstairs after peering once more at this wonderful angel.

The hours pass by without me realizing it. Then, suddenly, I feel observed.

"I love how it's coming along,” she says as she walks into the room. "I made some sandwiches. I hope you like them.” She looks around. "You should put the bed on this wall here. It would make the room seem more spacious."

"Really?"

"Yep. Come on, let’s have lunch. Time is ticking."

We go down to the kitchen. I’d like to have lunch in the living room but she stops me, distracting me. After we finish our sandwiches, she gets up and stands in front of me.

"Close your eyes and don't peek. I have a surprise for you."

"Okay," I tell her and she takes my hand. It feels small and perfect in mine, making me want to pull her toward me and kiss her.

After taking me to what I believe is the living room, she lets go of my hand.

"Open your eyes,” she says. As soon as I open them, I find myself in a tropical paradise. On the wall where the sofa will go, she has painted a landscape of Hawaii. I’m speechless.

"Please say something,” she says in a shaky voice.

"I love it, Charlotte. Hawaii is one of the places I love most of all."

"Really?” she asks, relieved. "I wasn’t sure if you’d like it."

"No, it's perfect,” I say, pulling her to me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome,” she says, leaning her head against my chest.

"Dylan, we have to get back to work," she whispers but she doesn't walk away. I’d like to make this moment last longer.

"I know," I reply, letting her go and heading upstairs.

We keep working, checking on each other from time to time. She finishes before I do and comes upstairs, carrying some paint. There are still three walls left to paint in the bedroom and I'm done, too.

"Do you want help?” she asks, handing me a bottle of water.

"You must be exhausted. Get some rest," I say, pointing to a chair. But she has her back to me and looks at the wall where I'll put the bed.

"Dylan, do you trust me?” she asks. I’m surprised by her question.

"I think so,” I say. She winks at me, pointing at the wall, and I understand that she’d like to do something. "What do you want to paint?"

"I have something in mind, but it will be a surprise. It will be a simple thing but it will help you relax."

"I'll give you carte blanche. I've seen the masterpiece in the living room and I'm curious to see what you have in mind."

She has an extraordinary talent. I had seen that she had taken painting courses but I didn’t imagine she was so good. I see her mixing colors but I continue to focus on my walls. Every now and then, I turn to peek but she warns me and so I try to resist the urge to do it again.

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