Second Chances (Dreams Come True #2) (5 page)

His response was swift and shocking, even though I’d already grown accustomed to his way.

Sebastian: You’re adorable. Are you sure you don’t want to marry me?

me: Almost positive.

His next reply had me nearly howling in laughter.

Sebastian: So you’re saying I have a chance? I can work with that.

I didn’t even respond. Sure, he had as much chance as any guy. I was in no rush to marry. After growing up with my father, it would take a lot for me to ever give myself over to the institution. It had killed my mother. I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“Who’s that?” Mattie stood to pull the whistling teakettle off the burner. “Anyone who can put a smile on your face and make you laugh out loud is someone I ought to know about.”

“Just the gallery owner. He pays me to laugh at his jokes.” I stood and tucked the phone in my pocket before hugging her. “I have to go back with an invoice for the work. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay. Just remember I’m making pork chops. You love my chops.” She wagged her finger at me.

“I do. And I’ll be home. Promise.” I turned and jogged down the stairs to my makeshift office.

After calculating and printing the invoice, I left the building once more. By now, I probably could’ve walked to the gallery with my eyes closed. Of course, if I had, I would’ve missed seeing a gorgeous woman in business attire fawning all over Sebastian while Sylvie looked on with daggers shooting from her pretty blue eyes. Taking an extra deep breath, I ducked through the opening in the door.

Sebastian spotted me first. “I should warn you, the glass should be replaced by Monday. If you try that then, you’ll knock yourself on your pretty little ass.” He chuckled. He stepped away from the women and greeted me with a smile and an extended hand.

Eyeing him, I offered mine in return and watched as he lifted it to his lips and gave it a quick kiss on the knuckles. The other two women were watching and I felt self-conscious. The last thing I wanted to do was encourage him. His behavior had all my defense mechanisms kicking in. Time to create some distance. “I bet you charm all the girls this way.” I frowned. “Here’s the invoice.” Pulling my hand away, I passed him the paperwork for inspection. “If that meets your approval, sign and accept the terms. I take cash or PayPal.”

His mouth twitched. “Okay. Give me a minute to look it over.” He turned his back to me and wandered over to the counter where Sylvie and the insurance adjuster waited. Uncertain with how to behave, I rocked on my shoes, then tried to casually move about the room as though I was interested in the artwork. In truth, I couldn’t concentrate at the moment. Everything had me unnerved, from the chicks vying for Sebastian’s attention to his ways with me.

Luckily, a group of people burst into the gallery and offered a welcome distraction. “Are you okay?” A tall blonde man with a goatee was first to speak. He held a hand out to Sebastian while a really attractive woman with honey brown hair stood back a few feet and observed.

“Gabriel, I’m fine.” Sebastian seemed flustered at their arrival. “What are you doing here?”

“We talked yesterday. I was bringing Bella to see the gallery and talk to you when we saw all the police tape.” He gestured to the front of the building.

Glancing my direction, Sebastian mouthed an apology before responding to them. “I’m fine. Obviously now is not the time to discuss business.”

The woman started to wander around the gallery. She paused beside me a moment and smiled. After a slight struggle, I smiled back. Based on her attire and jewelry, this woman obviously had money, which made me uncomfortable. Unconsciously, I pulled my sweater tighter around me to hide my worn t-shirt. “Hi, I’m Isabella. Do you work here?” The woman extended her hand.

“I’m Marisa.” Hesitantly, I shook. “I’ll be making some repairs.”

Isabella looked me over and sighed. “I’m so jealous. Gabriel insisted I wear business attire today. I prefer my leggings and t-shirts. You look way more comfortable than I feel.”

A genuine smile spread on my face. This woman was nothing like I expected and I started to tell her so. “Huh. I guess I thought…”

Isabella waved her hand. Her diamond rings caught the light. “Gabriel has money. I’m a photographer.” She grinned. “What do you do?”

“Well…the repairs…”

Shaking her head, Isabella pressed harder. “I know what you said, but I think there’s more to it than that. I know an artist when I see one.”

Raising my hands to object, I explained. “I’m more crafty than artistic.” My phone caught Isabella’s eye.

“Oh, do you have pictures on there?” She reached for my phone.

Sighing, I nodded. “Actually, I do.” Slowly, I pulled up the albums on my phone. This would definitely clear things up. “It’s nothing, really.” Feeling incredibly self-conscious, I passed the phone.

Isabella began scrolling, pausing on some, moving faster on others. She stopped altogether on a redesigned dresser. “I love this one. You’re really good. You have a great eye for colors and style.” She shook her head. “The only difference between an art and a craft is merely location.”

“Location?” I frowned in confusion.

“Yeah. If you displayed them here, they’re suddenly art.” She nodded knowingly.

“Bella, my love.” Gabriel waltzed over to his wife. “Sebastian insists now is a terrible time to talk.”

“No worries. Will he call when he has time for us?” She smiled lovingly at her husband while he wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Absolutely. You know how much he wants to display your work.” He kissed her temple.

I didn’t realize how much I was staring, until Gabriel acknowledged me. I was completely mesmerized by their interactions. My hand clutched at my heart as I imagined what it would be like to have someone love me like that.
That
kind of love would be worth marrying for.

Suddenly, his hand was stretched out in front of my face. “I’m Gabriel. I seem to have forgotten my manners.” He laughed. “Bella has that effect on me, I’m afraid.” He winked at his wife.

“Marisa.” I shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Isabella made a much better introduction. “Marisa is incredibly talented. I saw a dresser I might like for Rebecca’s room.” She eyed her husband.

Gabriel smiled at Marisa. “Do you accept credit cards? Otherwise, I’ll need to go to an ATM.”

The dresser in question currently stood in my room and held all of my clothes. I hesitated for a moment as I mulled over the idea. I could find a new dresser. What I had trouble finding was money. “I’ll need help moving it. And it’s one hundred dollars.”

“What?” Isabella frowned and reached for the phone.

Nervously, I bit my lip. Maybe I was too greedy. After all, the dresser had been free, found on the side of the road in a nice neighborhood. All I supplied was the elbow grease and know how.

Staring at the picture, Isabella looked at her sternly. “We’ll pay four hundred dollars in cash when we pick it up. Do you have a business card?”

Fishing in my pocket, I pulled out a card that was only in slightly better shape than the one I gave Sebastian. Man, I sucked at this whole business owner thing. As I passed it to her, this became the least of my concerns. The first? Isabella was offering far too much. I opened my mouth to protest, but Sebastian stepped in and placed a hand on my lower back. Suddenly, my jaw snapped shut and I was aware of nothing but the warmth of his touch. I couldn’t move, afraid to shatter the moment.

“Don’t fight it. When Isabella sets her mind on something, she tends to get her way.” Sebastian smiled at me, making butterflies in my stomach. “Can I see?” He reached for my phone.

Numbly I nodded and passed it to him. Waiting for his reaction had me trembling slightly.

Sebastian must’ve noticed because he pulled me more tightly against his side. “Are you cold? The door will be fixed soon. I promise.”

Isabella and Gabriel exchanged looks before she spoke to me again. “How long have you known each other?”

  “Oh. I guess we first met…last night.” It sounded terrible the way I explained it. For all they knew, I’d been picked up at a bar and spent the night. Maybe they wouldn’t think that. After all, it was late in the afternoon. Who stayed that late after? Once again, my inexperience was showing. I’d never spent the night anywhere.

They beamed at me and I couldn’t tell whether they were happy or laughing at me. “One last piece of advice.” Isabella looked at me seriously. “Never sell yourself short.”

Chapter Five

Sebastian

Marisa fled the gallery before Gabriel and Isabella. The insurance agent left me with a very nice check and her business card. She even left me her cell phone number if I needed anything. I thought that was nice of her. Then I sent Sylvie packing because I couldn’t stand having her hanging around while I spoke to Gabriel and Isabella. At the moment, I couldn’t help but feel Isabella had run Marisa off and I decided to tell her as much the minute we were alone. As upset as I was, I merely blurted out the first thought which came to mind. “Why would you say that, about selling herself short?”

Then she gave me that innocent look of hers, the one Gabriel always falls for. “I’m not sure I know what you mean. I was only trying to encourage her. You saw the pictures. She’s really talented.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me you didn’t consider showing some of her pieces here?” She challenged.

If Isabella had been a man, I might have been in her face, poking her in the chest. Instead, the best I could do was turn around and kick at a pile of debris before continuing our discussion. “You know your comment had nothing to do with her work and everything to do with me!” I huffed a few times while she tilted her head as if she were assessing me.

“Calm down,” Gabriel urged. “Remember, you’re speaking with my wife.”

“Well, your wife is trying to sabotage me!” I whipped around and started tugging on my lower lip as I considered my next move with Marisa.

“How am I sabotaging you?” Isabella took a step closer to me and laid a hand on my arm, but I shrank from her touch.

“Don’t.” I wiped at the spot where her hand had been.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Gabriel reached out and tugged her back, away from my reach. He saw who I was. He’d seen the beast before. It made me feel better, and worse. I wanted to run upstairs, lock myself in and be alone.

“You like her.” Isabella spoke in a low and soothing voice. “I only started to pick up on that at the end.” She smiled happily. “I’ve never seen you like this before.” Her smile spread impossibly wider and I swear you could almost see the sunshine radiating from her. Still, the only warmth I wanted to bask in came from Marisa. And they had scared her off.

I turned away. Admitting my feelings would only make me vulnerable. They’d tease me. They’d make me feel weak. I knew it.

Gabriel stepped closer and grabbed my biceps. It took everything in me not to push him back. Instead I stiffened. “If this is true, I’m so happy for you!  Love is wonderful.” Thankfully, he released me and pulled Isabella to him. “It’ll change you. In all the best ways.” He bent down and kissed her on the lips. In front of me.

As recently as Christmas time, that sort of behavior made me practically puke in my mouth. This time, however, I noticed I was more intrigued than anything. Gabriel had been my competition when we went out. There was an animosity between us that he never commented on, but I was always acutely aware of. Watching him with Isabella, I barely remembered the guy he used to be. Maybe that could happen to me. Maybe Marisa could tame my beast.

“We should all go out to dinner. Have her meet the rest of the group.” Isabella seemed full of great ideas.

Laughing, Gabriel shook his head. “Silly Bella,” he murmured. “I think it may be some time before Sebastian wants to share her. Remember how long it took me?”

“Good point.” She smiled at him and they shared a laugh.

“If there’s time,” I mumbled, thinking of the looming deadline. I looked up, but neither of them was paying attention to me. This only further cemented my theory. See, I’m convinced there’s this secret language of love. When my parents were together, I’d watch them have entire conversations without saying a word. Now, Gabriel and Isabella were doing it. I scowled. Look at me. After only a few scattered hours with Marisa, she had me longing for things I could never hope to have. My head hung. My heart hurt. Slowly, I walked back up to the counter. It would be days before Marisa would come back. Monday. If only there was some reason for her to return sooner. Not only did I want to see her, but I had a time factor hanging over me every minute.

“Well, I’m very happy for you.” Isabella stepped around a broken chair on her way to the door. “Do yourself a favor. Don’t underpay her for this work. From what I’ve seen, she completely undervalues her abilities.” She reached for the invoice I held in my hands. After studying it for several seconds, she nodded. “Yup. If you want her to see you for the amazing man you are, then be sure to give her more than she’s asking for. That’s all women really want, you know.”

It felt like she was letting me in on some secret and I was missing it. I could barely focus on anything but seeing Marisa again. “What? What do women want?”

Leaning on the counter, she suddenly grew serious. “We want to be loved and appreciated. In this case, you show you value her with money, maybe even showing some of her work. Help her without really truly wanting anything in return but her happiness and well-being, and she’ll be yours for life.”

Her words made me hopeful and depressed all at the same time. After all, I’d already told Marisa I wanted to marry her. With a sigh, I nodded and sank against the counter.

“Hey, you didn’t sign it. And I didn’t see you give her a retainer.” Isabella set the invoice on the counter and pushed it towards me while pointing at the blank space for my signature.

Immediately, I perked up and grinned. Reaching out, I took her face in my hands. “Isabella, I could kiss you right now!”

“Ahem.” Gabriel shook his head. “I wouldn’t try it.”

Laughing, I released her and pulled out my cell phone. I had another chance.

me: You left before I signed the invoice and gave you the first half of the payment!

My heart pounded in my chest while I waited for a response.

“We’re going to get some dinner now. Care to join us?” Gabriel already pulled Isabella toward the door.

I shook my head and never even glanced their direction. Instead, I willed the phone to come to life and deliver a response from Marisa.

Marisa: Money, schmoney. I’m so loaded I don’t have to worry about it.

I laughed as a new message came through.

Marisa: Seriously though…when can I stop by?

Whoa. I had to think fast and carefully at the same time. These two things didn’t mesh for me. Now? Was now too soon? I looked up to ask Isabella, but they’d already departed. Slamming my hand on the counter, I considered the options. Tomorrow. Sunday morning. Yes!

me: How about tomorrow morning? 10am. We’ll do breakfast my way this time.

Marisa: Hm. What’s your way?

By now, the texting felt natural again. I could almost picture her face, see the sparkle in her eyes, hear her laughter as we messaged back and forth.

me: Cheese omelet, cheese danish, and a mocha.

Marisa: That’s a whole lot of cheese. Throw in some fruit salad and you’ve got a deal.

I threw my head back and laughed. It felt strange and wonderful at the same time.

me: Anything for you.

Little did she know how much I already meant it too.

Marisa: See you then.

Satisfied, I tucked the phone in my pocket. The repair guy would be back in a little while with new glass panes for the door. In the meantime, I decided to do something mindless. I’d sweep. If I only knew where we kept the broom.

***

Marisa

For some reason, I could barely sleep. I wanted to chalk it up to simple excitement about the job and the money, which was suddenly flowing in. Ah, but I knew better. It seemed, as of late, I was experiencing some strange phenomenon. I didn’t know how to explain it.

Last night, after I finished staining the table in this really cool dahlia pattern I’d been dying to try, I walked upstairs holding my stomach when Mattie called me for dinner. “What’s wrong with your belly?” She looked full of concern, but I brushed it aside.

“I don’t know. I think maybe it was something I ate. Or maybe because I didn’t eat enough…”

“Describe how it’s feeling and we’ll fix it.” She crossed her arms over her chest and studied me. “I can already see your face is flushed.”

I nodded and held the back of one hand to my cheek. “Yeah. And it’s all…fluttery inside. Weird, right?”

Slowly, a knowing look spread over her face. “What’re you thinking about, Marisa Rosemont?” Mattie grinned.

“Nothing,” I lied.

“That’s what I thought. Your gallery owner has you tied up in knots.” She chuckled. “Next thing you know, you’ll be coming and going at all hours of the day and night. You’ll stop sleeping in your bed. And I’ll be here all by my lonesome.”

“I’d never leave you!” I had hoped to comfort her as she placed a pork chop on my plate.

“Honey child, you better. I’m not going to be around forever.” She shook her head. “If you are lucky enough to find love, you hold onto it with both hands and don’t you let go. You hear me?” Her face grew stern.

“Yes, Mattie.” I nodded shyly.

“Okay then. Let’s eat.”

So we did. Then I went downstairs to work and wear myself out, but the tired didn’t happen until after two in the morning. Then there were hours of tossing and turning. Finally, it was time to get up and get ready to go to the gallery. Was breakfast a date this time? Or were we still just talking business? These are the things a more experienced girl would know. Me, I’m fumbling through life. This was why my stomach hurt and why I couldn’t sleep. Sebastian was ruining my life. And I was letting him.

The thought had me in such a foul mood, I was glad Mattie had gone to church and wasn’t around me. I trudged to the gallery, arriving minutes before ten. I was so lost in thought, I wasn’t even aware of my surroundings. Without paying attention, I started to let myself in, ducking low, and pointing head first toward the interior…only to crack my head on the glass, bounce back, and land on my ass on the sidewalk. “Fuck, that hurt!” My hand flew instinctively to my forehead. Gingerly, I felt around for a lump. Swallowing hard, I realized I had definitely disfigured myself.

Then the door burst open. “Are you okay?” Sebastian squatted in front of me and held out his hands. “I left the door unlocked for you. I had no idea you were going to try to open it with your head, however.” He bit his lip to keep from laughing at me.

The sight of him struggling made me giggle. “Go ahead. You can laugh. I’m ridiculous.” Then I giggled some more.

Soon Sebastian joined in. “I mean…if it’s not one Rosemont breaking my door, it’s another.” He held his stomach like he couldn’t catch his breath. “God, I’m glad you’re here.”

“Oh yeah, me too.” I wiped at my eyes, which had watered during my fit of laughter.

“Do I need to check for a concussion?” He leaned close and peered at my pupils.

I was painfully aware of how close our lips were. If I just shifted slightly, they might touch. My lids lowered as I prepared to test my theory. Instead, he pulled back, alarmed.

“Don’t close your eyes, babe. Oh, god. I’ll get you inside. I’ll call a doctor.” Sebastian scooped me up and carried me into the gallery before I had a chance to catch my breath or protest.

“I’m fine. I…” I what? What the hell was I going to say to explain that away? Oh, Sebastian, I just wanted to kiss you, feel your lips on mine, that kind of thing. No big deal, okay? Yeah. I’m not saying that. So I went with my standard response. “I’m fine.” This time I insisted, and to emphasize how fine, I stiffened in his arms and propelled myself to the ground. Note: I did not propel myself to my feet. Landing on my ass for a second time in a matter of minutes, I quickly struggled to my feet while he watched, his face contorted in a mix of horror and amusement. It was terrible.

“Are you still fine?” His normally dark eyes brightened.

Numbly, I nodded. “I’ll live, but I think my pride may be irreparably damaged.”

Closing the distance between us, Sebastian pulled me against him and wrapped his arms around me. His actions were unplanned and clearly instinctual, but I could feel him relaxing into the position. “You don’t do this often, do you?” Though I felt confident I knew the answer, I needed to hear it. I wanted to know I wasn’t just another in a string of girls.

“No, I don’t.” His words were muffled as he buried his face in my hair.

Pulling back some, so I could see his face, I pressed more. “What else don’t you do often?” My face was partially turned away from him to hide my emotions.

Sebastian’s mouth twitched. Finally he grinned. “Breakfast. I never share it with anyone.”

A smile spread on my face. “Really? Because you did with me.”

Taking my hand, he walked me down the hall to his office. As he pushed the door open, he gestured to the conference table where silver domes covered plates once again. “Twice now.”