“You don’t have to. Logan will take me home. You have to be exhausted.”
He sighs into the phone, then repeats what is becoming my favorite phrase. “Two years, six months,—”
“Okay, okay! I get it,” I break in. “I’ll see you when you get here.”
“That’s better, Sweet Peach. See you soon.”
He hangs up right as Logan walks over with an expression of excitement.
“Guess what came in my email this morning?” He waves his phone at me.
“I have no idea, but it obviously made you happy.”
“A reference request for Grace Rae Monroe from the Art Institute.”
My heart starts to race as I rush to him and snatch the phone out of his hand. “How can this be? It’s been less than a week since I sent in the application.”
“You’ve impressed someone, which I knew you would.” He gives me a one-armed hug. “Good job!”
“It’s not an invitation, but it shows they may have interest.”
“Of course they’re interested. I had no doubt.”
I dance around, waving my hands in the air. After all this time of feeling like my life was on hold, I finally feel like it’s really starting.
Chapter 8
Nick
“I LOVE it! This is absolutely the most brilliant display we’ve ever created!” Grace’s overly excited voice fills the gallery as soon as I walk in.
Logan’s back is to me, snapping pictures as she wiggles excitedly behind him. I stop in my tracks and take the split second to admire her before she turns to face me.
Her face grows brighter as her smile widens. “Nick!”
My feet move fast with one goal in mind. Her eyes grow wide when she realizes my intentions. As soon as she’s close enough, I tag her to my side and drop my mouth to hers in a gentle yet firm kiss on the lips. Too quickly, I pull away, aware her brother is watching.
“Sweet Peach,” is my greeting, and I like the way her face grows soft at my new term.
“Hey.”
“Logan.” I acknowledge him with a chin lift, and he does the same, not fazed by my affection. “It looks amazing in here.” I peer around the rooms that have taken on a complete transformation since yesterday morning.
“It’s all Grace. She may have wanted to kill me when I told her we’d be displaying the sculptures, but she’s made it flawless,” he praises her.
“It’s a group effort.” She leans into me and squeezes my waist. “We have you to thank, too. If it wasn’t for you, I’d be living here tonight to finish. So thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“Seriously, Six, we appreciate your help. I owe you dinner.” Logan offers his hand.
“I’ll take you up on that.”
“I’m going to upload these and start working on the website changes. Be in the office if you need me.” He gives a wave and turns to leave, but I catch the grin spreading across his lips.
“I owe you dinner, too. Are you hungry?” Grace asks, twisting into me.
My chest tightens at how natural she feels tucked to my side. Less than twelve hours ago, I showed up at her apartment, planning to let her set the pace. But when she answered the door, all thoughts flew out the window with one glance.