Bewitching You

chapter Twenty-One



Sofia brushed the finishing touches on her latest painting, focusing on how the tiny lines by his eye creased just so when he smiled. She’d tried her damnedest to paint something or someone other than Gray, but he was the muse occupying her mind, day and night.

A week and a half had passed and she hadn’t seen or heard from him. She hadn’t dreamed of him either. In fact, she hadn’t dreamed of anything at all. Which was relieving in one aspect, and heartbreaking in another. It meant thirty-five people’s lives had been saved. It also meant Gray wasn’t in her future.

The spell had faded, and so had his love for her.

These paintings were a pathetic attempt to keep him close.

Why hadn’t her love for him dissolved? If anything, it had grown. She missed him.

Everything about him. His smile, his laugh, his touch, his kiss. She even missed the manly-man attitude.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

“I always hated that saying,” she mumbled under her breath.

Her cell phone rang from on top of her bed, and she jumped for it. The caller ID said Madeleine. Of course it wasn’t Gray. Why would he call?

“Hey, Maddy, what’s up?” Madeleine was her best friend and her own personal mechanic. Sofia always returned the favors by painting artwork and murals for her home.

“Are you still sulking? If you are, stop now. I have the greatest news.” Madeleine’s voice was husky but beautiful. It matched her tomboy slash model-gorgeous appearance.

“What, André agreed to hire me back on?”

Maddy’s breath gushed into the phone. “No, I’m sorry. But guess what? He bought that empty building by the restaurant. You know, the one where bums used to hide out?”

“Yeah. What is he going to do with it?”

“He’s going to turn it into an art gallery for local artists! He said he thought it would be a good way to attract customers. I hope you’re not mad, but I told him how talented you are. And he wants to know if you’ll show your art for the grand opening. Isn’t that great?”

Sofia gulped down the panic rising in her throat. “Uh, I don’t know.”

“Come on, Sofe. Your paintings are brilliant. I don’t know why you’re afraid to show them.”

Sofia took in a deep breath. The thought of sharing her passion with the public was petrifying. Painting as a hobby was safe, entirely different from setting it up on display for possible rejection and humiliation.

“What could be the worst that could happen?”

“I could have a panic attack, throw up, and be laughed out of the building.”

“Sofia, that’s silly. Think of it this way—what’s the best that could happen?”

“I’ll have something to worry about other than Gray?”

“Now there’s the Sofia I know and love.” Madeleine laughed. “Will you please come? I’ll take you out for drinks afterward. We’ll have a girl’s night out. Maybe you’ll meet another guy. How’s that sound?”

“Fine,” Sofia forced herself to say. “I’ll do it.”

~ * ~

“Thanks for looking after the place, Mr. Lowell.” Gray took the key from the hand of the elderly man who was apparently Gray’s new San Francisco neighbor. Now, how to get rid of him? Gray was eager to see the place Hayes had chosen for them to live.

“It was no problem, son. Sorry, again, about your brother. Quite a shame.”

“Yep. But he sure the hell knew how to live while he was here.” Gray patted Mr. Lowell on the back. Neither Gray nor Hayes needed any pity. Not when Hayes had moved on to a better place, and Gray had so much to live for.

The old man wedged his white disheveled eyebrows together. “I suppose. Glad to see you’ve passed the grieving stage.”

“Absolutely. Hayes wanted me to be happy. I’m going to make him proud.”

“Well, then, I’ll see you around.” Mr. Lowell almost turned to leave, but stopped. “Will you have someone to live with you, by any chance?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll be keeping the place. I may need to sell it. I’ve got another residence in Indianapolis.”

“Better weather here.”

“You’re right about that.” Gray loved this city. Whether it was sunny and bright or chilly and foggy. It was a hell of a lot better than the biting cold winters Indiana produced. Not to mention the scenery here was breathtaking. “I’m going to spend a few days revisiting my old stomping grounds before I make my decision.”

“Good. Oh, and Hayes left a note for you inside. I didn’t read it, though.”

“Thanks again, Mr. Lowell.” Gray gave the man another gentle pat. “See you around.”

Anticipation sped up Gray’s heart as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Hayes had left him a note, huh? His last words from his brother. He hoped they were good ones.

To Gray’s delight and surprise, the place was mostly furnished. When had Hayes had the time or the money to do this?

The downstairs area was laid out much like their condo in Indianapolis. Open, with the living room, dining area and kitchen revealed as you walked in. The furniture wasn’t much different either. All leather, dark wood, and heavy glass. Masculine. Instead of it being a single story, to the left was a modern winding staircase that must lead up to the two bedrooms.

The square footage here lacked in comparison to the other place. The price, however, was twice as much as the Indianapolis condo. Even after the supposed good deal they’d gotten for presenting most of the money up front.

Ah, well. It was worth it. At least, it would have been. The loft was only a few minutes from the bay. And the view of the city, Gray noticed, was spectacular.

The piece of paper on the dark granite kitchen counter caught his attention. Hayes.

What did his brother have to say? Gray picked it up with trembling hands. He sat on the bar stool, took a deep breath, and read:

Gray,

What do you think? Hope you like the furniture, dude. I figured I couldn’t go wrong if I chose most of the same shit we have at our other place. It’s pretty cool, right? Call me and let me know what you think of your bedroom, though. It’s nothing like your chick-repellent at home. I know you don’t like surprises, but I just had to do it. Our lives are about to change like you would not believe.

Love you, man. Can’t wait to set sail!

Hayes (the cool twin)

Gray closed his burning eyes and smiled to himself. This was the Hayes he wanted to remember. Giving, loving, and funny as hell. This was the Hayes he’d keep in his heart. His brother—he’d live and thrive in Gray’s memory.

Forever.

He set the paper back down and combed a hand through his hair. “I love you, too, Hayes,” he whispered, given there might be the slightest chance his brother could hear him. “Now, what did you do to my bedroom?”

Gray wandered up the stairs to the door that had a sticky note that read, Gray’s room. He slid the partition door open, looked inside, and swallowed down the knot that rose up his throat.

One thing was very clear. He couldn’t sell this place.