Loyal Heir (The Heirs 4)

When I reach the art classroom, the pressure in my chest begins to ease a little. I go sit behind the easel and stare at the painting.

Love’s End.

That’s what I’ll name it.

Getting up, I take hold of the painting and let it rest beside me. I grab a clean canvas and settle it on the easel. Taking hold of my palette and brush, I lean forward, and I begin to immortalize what I felt with Forest.

A tear sneaks down my cheek as I remember how we used to make tents in our bedrooms, pretending we were camping.

The memories begin to flow onto the canvas. Blues, whites, colors as bright as a bubble floating through sunlight.

Chapter 18

FOREST

After I’ve spent most of the night replaying what happened, I’m sure Aria’s lying to me. She’s never kept anything from me before, and it hurts like a mother that she won’t open up to me.

I’m trying to understand where she’s coming from, though. The misunderstanding with Kennedy must’ve brought back all of Aria’s insecurities.

I’m pissed at myself for letting it happen, but I was shocked out of my mind by Kennedy's sudden return and caught up in falling in love with Aria.

No matter how perfect I tried to make the last week for her, it kept backfiring on me.

When I walk into the kitchen, I find Hana and Carla having coffee.

Shit. First things first.

I walk to my cousin and wrap her up in a hug. “I’m sorry you got caught in the shitstorm.”

I feel a sliver of relief when she hugs me.

When I pull back, Carla says, “I was just shocked last night. Sorry for the dramatics.” Her eyes search mine. “How are you holding up?”

I begin to fix myself a cup of coffee. “I’ll be okay.”

“Yeah?” Hana asks.

I nod, then focus on pouring the hot liquid into the cup.

“I talked with Aria,” Hana mentions.

“How did that go?” I ask as I add cream and sugar.

Hana waits for me to take a sip, then she answers, “You’re both hurting. Why can’t you just sit down and talk like adults?”

I take a deep breath. “I tried.” I shake my head. “Trust me, I tried. She won’t open up to me.”

Carla places her hand on my shoulder. “Aria’s scared.”

I nod. “I know. I don’t know how to reassure her. I’ve tried everything.”

“You show her she has nothing to be afraid of,” Hana says. “Just be there for her. Once she sees you’re not going anywhere, I’m sure she’ll come around.”

“That was the plan,” I admit. I finish my coffee, then rinse the cup. “I’ll catch you later.”

Walking out of the suite, I go to the restaurant. I get a cappuccino and a slice of chocolate cake, then head to the art department.

When I enter the classroom, and I find Aria behind her easel, I place the beverage and dessert down on the workspace next to her. “Peace offering.”

Aria doesn’t look at me as she murmurs, “Thanks, but you didn’t have to.”

I notice she’s wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt.

“You didn’t sleep, did you?”

I glance at the painting and see she’s working on something new. Bubbles fill the canvas, and in each one, there’s a picture.

The corner of my mouth lifts when I see one of us when we tried to do the water scene from Dirty Dancing. God, we almost drowned each other that day.

“You’re painting us?” I ask.

Aria nods. “My favorite memories.”

I grab a stool and sit down close to her.

I watch her hand move, our past taking shape on the canvas.

Suddenly, Aria stops, and then she lets out a sigh before asking, “I thought we were going to take time apart?”

Lifting my hand, I take hold of her chin and turn her face to me. “I’ll give you time, but I have something to say first.”

Aria lifts her eyes to mine, and when I see the heartache reflecting in them, I say, “I don’t know why you’re pulling away from me, but I’m not going anywhere. When you’re ready to be honest with me, you know where to find me. Okay?”

Aria doesn’t say anything, and it sends a ripple of frustration through my chest.

I lean forward and press a kiss to her forehead. Lowering my mouth to her ear, I whisper, “It has always been you and me. There’s no way I’m letting you go.”

I pull back and rising to my feet, I wait a couple of seconds, hoping she’ll talk to me.

She glances up at me, and it sends my heart racing in my chest.

“We’ll get back to being friends,” she says, and a smile begins to tug at her lips. “I just lost my way. I’ll get my shit together. Just give me a week.”

It’s going to be the longest week of my life.

I nod. “Seven days.”

“Thanks, Forest.”

I lean down, and not wanting to push things, I press a kiss to her cheek.