by M R Field
“Hey, honey!”
“Girl! When are you coming to visit us?” Anja asks, while Odette nods enthusiastically.
“Soon, I promise. When I take some holidays.” She lifts her free hand toward my face. “I have to ask the boss first.”
“He can come, too,” Anja offers.
I smile. “I’d love to.”
We chat for a few moments, and I relax back in the seat, watching Letty get all animated about the pieces she’s made for my mum’s birthday fundraiser in two weeks. I make a mental note to give Mum a call to see what else she needs, while also pushing Parker to pick up the slack a bit. He might be staying at my place and have Duke wrapped around his little finger, but he can’t escape Mum forever. She’ll get to him sooner or later.
Parker returns to our booth with a few more drinks, but he strategically sits at the edge of the booth, out of sight of the phone. Letty doesn’t let him slip away, though. Her arm reaches out and she tugs on his shirt to bring him back in the frame, all while continuing her conversation.
“I still think you’re a weirdo for leaving all those hot footy guys for the soccer dudes. Those boys are drama Queens. You’re totally missing out,” she says.
“Trust me, I’m not missing out. Some are all flex and flaunt just like the footy guys. I just prefer ones who aren’t a PR nightmare with their weekend antics.” Odette shrugs.
“Well, their boss is a bit of a jerk.” Anja smirks, knocking her elbow into Odette.
“He’s your brother; you’re allowed to say that. I have to reserve judgment.”
“No you don’t. You can let out a few swears.”
“It’s too early. Let me at least have a coffee.” Odette lifts up her mug to the camera. Her normally bright smile is dull, and I can see why Letty is worried about her.
“I have to get my room set up, as I have a client arriving at nine.” Anja waves to the camera, and my eyes veer to the side to see Parker staring at the screen, a complete mute. As a seasoned and adventurous traveller, he’s always been a people person. Now he just looks constipated.
“Client?” Piper interjects. “You work from home?”
“I sure do. I’m a boudoir photographer.”
“So, couples who dress up?” Piper presses further, and I see Parker shift in his seat.
“Mostly. But I take photos of them being themselves. They pretend I’m not there, and I try to capture their intimacy. I have two beautiful ladies coming today. It’s an anniversary present to each other.”
“F-f-fucking hell,” Parker stammers beside us and lifts his drink to his lips. His cheeks are stained red, and I chuckle.
“Now, that’s something I could do!” Piper enthuses. “Lady of leisure getting a few pictures done while sipping margaritas. That’d be awesome.”
“Just pack some great lingerie, and I’ll get all your best angles.” Anja’s smooth voice sails through the screen, and Parker grunts beside me.
“I have to go, Letty Bear. I have to get ready for work.” Odette’s mouth pulls to the side in a frown, and I tighten my arm around Letty’s shoulder as she sighs next to me.
“I’ll call you on the weekend. In the meantime, you get some rest,” Letty says. They both blow kisses to each other, and Letty presses her finger down to end the call.
“She looks like shit.” Letty leans into me, and I kiss her forehead. “I think she’s overworked.” Her face turns to Parker. “What’s up with you? Cat got your tongue? Maybe I could paint a portrait of your red face and donate that to Judith’s birthday.”
“Smartarse,” he says.
“Odette didn’t look herself.” I tap the rim of the beer glass in front of me. “She’s lost her buzz.”
“She can get one of those from Amazon,” Parker jokes, and Letty grabs a coaster and tosses it at him.
“Careful, Park. I might call her back and get Anja to show you her workroom. Red satin sheets on a four-poster bed. She even showed me some of the pics. She’s not afraid of nudity at all,” Letty teases.
“Maybe she could take a photo of you dressed up as a Von Trapp,” Piper jokes, as we all stare at Parker.
“Well, there’s one good thing to come out of that call, besides a good catch-up.” I smile over to my brother.
“What’s that?” he prods.
“When I call Mum next, I can let her know that her baby boy is spoken for. The pretty girl just doesn’t realise it yet.”
“She’s out of my league, man. She’s in another galaxy.”
“Never say never, man.” I squeeze Letty’s arm. “You might surprise yourself.”
Letty
The sun slowly sets in the distance, casting a warm glow around Judith’s house. The soft string of outdoor garden lights cascade down from the house’s edge, lacing around the branches of the trees that line the side of the house. More lights cross from one side of the garden to the other, filling it with gorgeous dim light. The pastel blues and white illuminate the trestle tables, lined with powder blue tablecloths and silver lanterns. The candles’ small flames flicker and bring to life a fairy-like atmosphere once it’s dark.
Even after just a quick look around, I can see the amount of work it has taken to transform the backyard. Numerous trestle tables, an easel with Judy’s birthday announcement on it, and a small stage for the jazz band she hired. A catering van is visible on the far side of the clearing, and my mouth is already watering from the aromas coming from that direction.
The wood and glass texture of the railing is illuminated under the pretty little lights, and my fingers itch to draw them. I can feel a buoyancy in my bones. Cole spent last night here in preparation while I attended another gallery exhibition. There, I received some fantastic news I can’t wait to share with him.
Henri, a curator in Toronto, asked to discuss potentially showcasing some of my artwork in an upcoming exhibition. I have barely a month as an artist pulled out, and he is looking for someone under short notice. He visited Annette’s website, which displays some of my work, and it intrigued him. So much so that a Skype interview was set up for tomorrow afternoon.
My heart flutters in excitement. My plan is to take it easy tonight so I can be fresh-faced to show Henri some of the projects I have in my studio tomorrow. My steel shells will be some of the first pieces I let him see.
When I’d parked my car next to Cole’s, a thrill had tickled my skin at the thought of seeing him. Last night was our first night apart in weeks, and I desperately want to tell him my news in person. One night had me sleeping restlessly without his smooth, hard, and particularly warm body against mine. I am a complete and utter sap.
Armed with a few wrapped canvases under my arms and my handbag, I walk toward the yard to find Cole. I hope the pieces I prepared to show Henri tomorrow will convince him. I am willing to show anything to get into that gallery.
Each step takes me closer to Cole, and I feel the familiar flutter low in my belly as my dress swishes across my knees. I’m wearing a vintage scalloped-edge knee-length dress with a white base and navy-blue applique across the chest. My high crisscross heels are making my legs look less stumpy than usual. My hair is parted to the side with larger curls. Deep blue, peacock drop earrings swing against my cheek as I walk. A shawl covers my bare shoulders—for now.
We’ve spent the last two weeks in a fog of lust-filled bliss. We hadn’t picked a moment to tell the guys, and right now I’m enjoying having this time to ourselves. We’ve shared stolen glances and hot kisses by the photocopier, and fortunately, there have been no sightings of us in the shower, as we’ve decided to play it safe. Maybe that is because shower sex with Cole is hot. Any sex with him is hot. My DNR emails no longer contain grievances about my boss, but more ways I want to have him or describing how hot he is in bed. Now my frustrations are directed elsewhere, as my outlet is more physical. Having Parker stay with Cole didn’t deter us on the nights we were at his place. But we’ve somehow managed to make Parker blush and avoid eye contact with us most
mornings, even though he’s a guy who is hardly ever without a smart-arse retort and who dishes out more shit than a shovel. It is fun to embarrass him. Cole is a fantastic boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
I love the sound of that, and I know without a doubt that I am utterly and undeniably in love with this man. I love his deep blue eyes, his brilliant smile, his warm touch, and how he makes me laugh. When I talk to him, I’m reminded of the young girl I was, one who looked up to him but is now an adult, which makes for a much stronger connection.
He is my beginning, and I realise I’m at great risk of sounding like a Hallmark card or a sappy love song. I just haven’t admitted it to him yet. But I want to. I have my moment planned out. I’m going to be fearless and let him know tonight at our special place. Soon.
“Letty! Sweetie, there you are!” Judy’s voice calls out to me.
I turn my head back and forth, trying to locate her. Movement by the patio door catches my eye, and Judy steps out onto the floor, a large smile on her face. Physically, Parker looks more like her than Cole does, but the confident way she walks is the spitting image of the way her older son moves. Tonight is the first time I have seen her since Cole and I have become official. Yet, I don’t feel nervous, as even while Cole and I were distant, his mother and I kept in contact. This will always be my second home, and seeing her arms open up to me just proves it.
Judy looks spectacular in her A-line, knee-length beige dress with an array of flowers in rich blues, greens, and purples that flows from the left side of her hip to just above her knees. A thin black belt is tied across her waist, but what is even better are her bright blue heels. Her hair is up and pinned back in an elegant style. A beige shawl is draped across her shoulders.
I place the canvases on the bench seat near us and step into her embrace. Her floral perfume is the same as it was the last time I hugged her. I step back and indicate to the canvases. “Happy Birthday! I brought these two pictures for you as your present, and I have some more for the fundraising in the car.”
“Oh, honey, you didn’t have to get me anything! I’m just happy you’re here. Well, maybe not as much as Cole is.” She winks with a knowing smile. “Seems my boy gets back to his moody self when you’re not around.”
I hope my news will make his silly mood fade away and that he will be just as excited as I am. He is my biggest fan, after all.
“It’s all lies.” Cole appears by the patio door, and my face breaks into a big smile. He is wearing a navy long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his forearms, and white trousers with a black belt. Wow. I’ve never seen him in white pants, but boy, can he pull them off. Cole’s lean torso is highlighted in every shift the fabric makes as he moves closer to me.
“She was an absolute dictator while we were setting this place up. Didn’t even offer us any food, water, or shelter … the misery of it all.” He frowns, but I see his lips twitch to hold back a smile.
“Oh, hush now!” Judy scolds, swiping her hand across his arm as he walks over. “I’m just grateful I stocked the pantry, as you boys are a pack of vultures.”
Cole walks up to me and places his hand on my hip, leaning down to give me a quick kiss. His hand squeezes my hip as he stares down at me. “Hey there, beautiful.”
“Hey yourself.” Judy makes a noise akin to a sigh, breaking eye contact, and I remember my presents. The email from Henri will have to wait for a moment. “I went through Mum’s albums a few weeks ago and thought I could use them for inspiration.” Stepping away from Cole, I feel a little nervous, as I kept it from him as well. Lifting the first frame, I hand it to Judy. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, sweet girl.” She turns it over and runs her finger under the tape keeping the brown paper closed. I watch her face as she opens her present, taking in her smile, and then there is it—a gasp as the paper falls to the ground.
“Mum has an album filled with all your college photos,” I say. Judy’s fingers clutch the frame as her eyes follow the portrait. “I just loved how you are looking at each other.”
I’d painted using a photo from a casual college dinner where Judy and Kevin are seated at a table together as inspiration. A few empty wine glasses and plates are in front of them, but they don’t seem to notice as they face each other. Kevin’s arm is draped over her shoulder; her hand clutches it. What I love the most about the picture is that the two of them are staring directly at each other and laughing. Judy’s face is turned up slightly while Kevin leans in to her. It is a moment of pure joy and happiness.
Yet part of me is worried I might’ve caused a twinge of pain, as Judy has yet to say a word.
“I love how young you both look with your crazy perm and his blond moustache,” I ramble. “Maybe I should’ve painted the beach instead.”
“No,” Judy whispers. “I absolutely love it.” A tear falls down her cheek, as a smile touches her lips. “You are incredible, Letty. I fell in love with him that night. He made me laugh and filled my heart with joy. I knew he was the one for me.” Her eyes meet mine. “But if this is what I’m feeling with this picture, I wonder what you’ll do to me next.”
I reach into my bag to retrieve a tissue and hand it to Judy. Cole reaches for the portrait and takes it in. His shoulders rise and fall before a tender smile graces his lips.
“I really miss him,” he mutters.
“We all do,” Judy corrects him gently. Cole places the picture back down on the bench seat and hands me the other.
“I’m hoping you have a little laugh at this one,” I say. Cole’s arm wraps around my waist and I lean into it for support, holding out the canvas.
Judy dabs at her eyes with the tissue and takes the artwork from me. I watch her open the packaging tenderly, and I hold my breath. Cole must sense my tension, as he moves his hand from my hip, and runs it up and down my side, but the sensation is almost too close to a tickle, so I reach across my stomach and clench his hand. The paper unfolds, and Judy’s eyes open in surprise, before her head tilts back in loud shriek. Her shoulders tremble as her laughter continues.
“This is fantastic!” she chortles, lifting the canvas up for us to see. Cole’s feet shift as he leans in, and I watch his face light up as he laughs, just like his mother. Amongst Mum’s albums I found a few photos of us as kids. Mostly they were of us on the beach or eating watermelon on trestle tables. But there was one where our parents must have thought it would be funny to take a picture of us as toddlers, running into the waves—naked. The four of us were racing into the low tide at sunset, our knees kicking up in the waves, our bottoms covered in sand. But I didn’t paint all four of us.
“Is that Park and I?” Cole chuckles, his eyebrow raising to me.
“Yep.” I rock back and forth on my heels, feeling a bit mischievous. “I thought I’d be a bit cheeky for this one.”
“Why do I get a feeling that something is missing?” he muses, squinting at the image. “Perhaps two other figures chasing the waves?”
“I ran out of paint.” I wink, and he shakes his head.
“I have a spot right at the front entrance for this,” Judy says, looking at the portrait again. “There’s a downlight too, so every angle can be highlighted.”
“How about … no,” Cole suggests.
“No what?” Parker exits the house and walks onto the patio, looking dapper in a short-sleeved red shirt and dark blue jeans.
“Letty painted the most gorgeous memories, and I thought I’d put this one in the front entrance. What do you think?” She waggles her eyebrows as she holds it up to face Parker, and his steps falter for a moment before he corrects himself.
He squints at the picture and says, “Least it’s not us as adults. You’d have to make sure Cole had his butt crack waxed first.”
“Oh, piss off, you dick.”
Judy swipes at Cole’s arm. “Language!” She walks over to the other canvas and picks it up. “I brought you into this world, and I will knock you out of it!”
“Oh, thank
hell for that. I thought she was going to say she could put you back into—.”
“Parker! That’s gross.” I cringe. Judy turns toward Parker and delivers him a death stare.
“Sorry, Mum,” he says.
She nods and holds up the canvases. He looks at the other one, and all signs of cheek disappear. Instead, a soft smile touches his lips. “I want to put these on the trestle table that has the wishing well on it.”
“What?” Parker blinks out of his daze. “The one with my butt on it?”
“Yes,” she says calmly. “That’ll teach you for being a smart aleck. Besides, it’s my birthday.”
“Judy.” I step forward and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I love your style.”
“Letty, honey, you need to be ahead of the game to keep these boys in line.” She raises her eyebrow to her sons before turning and strutting over to the tables.
“I wanna be her when I grow up.” I smile back at Cole. “I like her sass.”
“Like you need anymore.” His eyes darken, as he looks me up and down. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
My cheeks heat, and I reach up and untuck the shawl to show him the dress’s bodice. He nods in approval.
“Did you guys plan to play twins tonight with your outfits?” Parker interrupts. I look down at my outfit and then at Cole’s, and I laugh. We both dressed in the same exact colours without even meaning to.
“Nope.” I shake my head at how unbelievable it is.
“Well, you also match the table settings, so try not to camouflage yourselves too much.”
“We’ve got great taste.” I link my arm with Cole’s. “Anyway, I have more things in the car for fundraising. Let’s go and get them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cole pretends he has on an imaginary hat and takes a bow. The boys follow me to retrieve the sculptures and other pieces I have for the auction. I look out across the garden as the guests begin to arrive and smile. The sound of the waves crashing has my insides sparking in excitement.
“Cole.” I catch his attention while Parker is up ahead. “I have some fabulous news to tell you about the exhibition Annette mentioned a while ago!”
