“I loved it. It’s going to be amazing once it’s finished.”
“It’ll be amazing when your paintings are hanging on the wall.” He smiled.
After I kissed him on the cheek, I laid my head on his shoulder while I was worried about whether or not I’d be able to finish all five paintings in time. When I was single, the worry would never have crossed my mind. But now that I was a wife and a mother, it was going to be difficult, even with Connor’s and Mason’s help. I took in a deep breath as Connor kissed me on my head.
Chapter 19
Connor
After we had a nice breakfast, we flew back to New York. I had Denny drop me off at Black Enterprises so I could catch up on business before he drove Ellery, Julia, and Mason home.
“I’ll see you later, baby,” I said as I kissed Ellery and then Julia goodbye.
“Bye, sweetheart. Don’t work too hard.”
I shut the door and walked into the building. As I stepped onto the elevator, my phone rang. It was Paul.
“I’m on my way up to see you. I’m in the elevator.”
When the elevator doors opened, I walked down the hallway to Paul’s office. I opened the door and sat down across from him.
“I found a place for Ellery’s art studio.”
“Great; where’s it at?” I asked.
“In your building.”
I looked at him in confusion. “What do you mean, in my building? What building?”
“Where you live, Connor,” he sighed.
I knitted my eyebrows while I got up and walked over to his coffee pot. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. I wanted it outside of the building.”
“Listen, Connor. It’s perfect, and I think she’d love it. It’s on the tenth floor, and it’s the end apartment. It has more windows for natural light, kitchen, bathroom, and a bedroom, which can be converted into a storage room. She’ll have everything she needs there and, most importantly, it’s safe. I know how you are with her about safety.”
I stood there, sipped my coffee, and nodded my head. “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll go have a look at it before I head home. Thanks, Paul,” I said as I walked out and headed to my office.
Later in the day, I decided to call Cassidy. I dialed her number and waited patiently for her to answer. I wasn’t sure if she would or not, considering how we left things the other day.
“If you’re calling to harass me about my love life, save it,” she answered.
“Now that’s a clever way to answer the phone. I take it you’re still pissed at me.”
“Pissed isn’t a strong enough word, Connor.”
“I’m sorry about the other day. I really am. Now, if you’ll forgive me, then I can tell you the reason I’m calling.”
“You didn’t call to apologize?” she asked.
“Well, yes, that too, but I also wanted to ask you for a favor.”
I heard a long sigh on the other end. “What do you want?”
“I’m looking at an apartment in my building to convert to an art studio for Ellery, and I would love for you to look at it with me. But please don’t tell her; it’s a surprise.”
“When do you want to do this?”
“What time is good for you?” I asked her.
“How about an hour?”
I looked across my office and I saw the door open. Cassidy was standing in the doorway. I smiled and hung up the phone, getting up from my chair as she stepped into the office. I gave her a tight hug.
“I’m sorry, sis. You know how much I love you and Camden, and I only want the best for you.”
“I know you do, Connor, and I love you too, but you can’t think that you can rule my life. Let me fall. I’ll get back up and try again. I’m not as weak as you think I am.”
“I don’t think you’re weak at all.” I smiled as I broke our embrace.
“I have a couple of things to finish up in the other office and then we can go.”
“Great, I’ll call Denny to come pick us up.”
“No need. I have my car. You can just drive us there.” She smiled as she left the office.
There was nothing I hated more than New York City traffic and she knew it. Perhaps it was her way of getting back at me.
***
Cassidy and I stepped into the apartment and, instantly, I knew it was perfect for Ellery.
“I love it, Connor,” Cassidy said. “She’ll love it!”
“It’s nice. Tell me your vision for the place. Remember, it’s to be an art studio.”
As Cassidy walked around the apartment and showed me what she envisioned, I knew that Ellery was going to adore it. The more I thought about it, I knew that Paul was right. It was a lot safer here for Ellery to have an art studio, and I wouldn’t have to worry so much about her. Pulling out my phone, I called the owner and bought the apartment. Cassidy and I walked out the door and, as I pushed the button to the elevator, I hugged Cassidy goodbye. The doors opened and I jumped when I saw Ellery standing inside the elevator.
“Connor, Cassidy. What are you doing?” she asked with a weird look on her face.