But his parents had no clue. “I don’t know how you’ve gotten our son to lighten up, but you’re good for him, Nicole. I haven’t seen him smile like this in a long time,” Mrs. Behr said.
“I think I can figure out how she manages,” his father said.
“Ted!” His mom tried to seem horrified, but fought back a grin and playfully slapped her husband’s arm.
Goldie looked down and knew she was blushing. “I think he just works too hard. This vacation was a nice break for him. All work and no play makes Blake a dull boy, right?”
“Wow, Katrina was always after you to work more so you’d make partner sooner,” his mom said.
“Life’s more than work.” Goldie shrugged.
“You don’t want to let this one get away, son.” His father winked at him.
Goldie ached inside realizing how nice it would feel if their words were true. She wasn’t anyone’s catch. An apartment-hopping, jobless artist? His parents would drive her right back to the city if they knew.
With that thought, she wanted more. She was done wandering, hoping she’d find what was right for her. This was right.
Too bad what she was doing was totally wrong.
***
After dinner, his parents dropped them off at the cottage and claimed they were going out for a drink. He doubted they’d be dropping by the local saloon; there weren’t too many martini bars in this neck of the woods.
Miss Sniggles yipped and danced at their heels as they returned. Goldie scooped her up. “Did you miss us?” Goldie asked, nuzzling her nose in the scruff of the dog’s fur.
“Seriously, she likes you better than Katrina.”
“Sounds like she was a winner.”
Blake laughed. “One of my many mistakes.” Would he be making another with Goldie?
“So, your parents probably think we’re up to no good here all alone,” she said, in a soft hopeful voice. Blake was the first to admit he could be a dolt when it came to women, but he knew desire when he heard it.
Which is why he took her head in his hands, and walked her back against the wall, kissing her like he was about to move to Antarctica. Because really, who knew if he’d ever get the chance to do this again?
She plopped the dog on the floor and kissed him back. “What was that for,” she asked, breathless. “I doubt your parents are peeking through the windows.”
He shrugged. “The fresh mountain air is making me crazy, I guess.”
What
had
he been thinking? Was he really interested in this nomadic artist, or was this just his subconscious saying,
“Score! It’s a freebie pass for a little fun without the guilt when it’s over.”
Either way, it was more than he could handle tonight. He couldn’t be falling for this woman. He stepped back from her. “I’m heading to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked to his room without looking back so he didn’t lose his nerve.
***
“When are you going to dump me?” Goldie asked two days later, as they packed their things to return to the city. They’d spent a wonderful day hiking through the forest, and then Goldie finished a few more paintings as Blake sat and watched.
He folded his beach towel. “Oh, no. You’re dumping me. I need to be distraught and broken hearted. My mother’s so in love with you she’d hate me now if I dumped you.”
She shook her head. “But I can’t break up with you.”
He dropped his head back. “Goldie, you’re a great girl and a lot of fun, and you’re an amazing kisser, but I can’t have a girlfriend right now. I’m so wrapped up in my career, it’s just not fair. I’m being honest.”
I’m an amazing kisser?
She shook the idea out of her head and put her hand on her hip, tapping her toe. “I mean, your mother wouldn’t think I’d break up with you. Here’s our story: you find out I’m quitting law to pursue art, and my irresponsibility makes you wild. Why would I leave you?”
He shrugged. “Because I demanded you keep your job.” He pointed at her. “I was unreasonable; I didn’t support you. And you got mad.”
“But you’ve been really nice about my painting.” Miss Sniggles hopped on her lap and licked her hand. “You said my paintings were unique and thought provoking.” She’d almost cried when he said that the day before. She looked down, running a finger through the dog’s fur. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about my art.”
“Nicer than your parents?”
“They think it’s a waste. Just like you do. At least, that’s what you’re going to tell your mother.” Oh, it felt horrible saying that.
He frowned. And they stopped talking about the breakup.
***
Back in the city, Blake knew he should’ve gone back to work. But he told himself it was smart to stay at home to keep an eye on Goldie. Maybe she was really a thief who was going to rob him blind.
Yeah, right.
But instead of going back to the office, he watched her paint at the park. They took Miss Sniggles for such long walks, they ended up having to carry her. And they explored all the restaurants he’d been meaning to try. Basically, they were acting like a couple; and he liked it.
On Friday, he was disappointed when he realized he only had three more days of vacation left. And he wasn’t looking forward to going back to the office. Not just because he wouldn’t be spending time with Goldie, but the endless work just didn’t appeal to him.
After feeding the dog, Goldie was ready for dinner. It was ten blocks away, and normally, he would’ve hopped in a cab. But Goldie wanted to walk, and he looked forward to her observations as they strolled along. She noticed things he never saw: the strip of paper from a fortune cookie skittering along the street; a lonely button caught in the groove of the sidewalk; a balloon floating away in the sky.
As they ambled along the sidewalk, letting people stream around them, Goldie reached for his hand and pointed across the street. “Look, a pigeon is sitting right on top of that fire hydrant. I wish I could stop and paint it.”
Then she started swinging their hands—and he didn’t stop her.
Who is this man and what has he done with Blake
, he wondered.
He looked over at Goldie, grinning at the sky, and pulled her to him, kissing her right in the middle of the sidewalk.
When his hands started wandering down her back, he remembered they were in public, and stepped back.
“Wow,” she said, in a husky voice. “That was unexpected. I mean you don’t kiss just anybody in the middle of the sidewalk.” Her eyes sparkled. “It’s kind of special, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is.”
They walked in silence to the restaurant. Blake didn’t know what to say about what was happening between them. He didn’t know if it was real, or the result of their ruse.
They ordered champagne at dinner to celebrate her art show at the bakery the next day, but neither one talked about what was going to happen Monday when he went back to work. They hadn’t talked about their impending break up in a few days.
***
The next morning, Goldie had eaten more passion bread at the Naughty and Nice bakery than she cared to admit, but so far, she’d made zero sales. The bakery customers were too busy sampling the goodies, looking straight past her work.
She rearranged the paintings one more time, hoping the new layout would catch someone’s eye. Then the bell on the door jingled and Blake and his mother walked in. Her heart kicked up, nervous that they’d be surveying her work, but also thrilled to see him again. And it had only been four hours since she left his apartment.
Or maybe it was the passion bread kicking in.
“Nicole, how are sales? These are beautiful,” his mother cooed, immediately drawn to one she’d painted in the park.
“It’s been going okay,” she lied.
Blake stood, examining at her work. “Would a few of these add a little personality to my apartment?”
She laughed. “A few paint samples would add a little personality to your apartment.”
He tried to look angry, but she saw the corners of his mouth twitch. He strolled through the bakery checking out the paintings. She was as self-conscious as if they were nude pictures of herself hung on the wall.
His mother picked out two of the framed paintings, and Blake hovered in front of the series she did at the cabin. He turned to her. “I want all of these you did up in the mountains.”
Mentally doing the math, she silently squealed over the sales. But then she realized as his supposed girlfriend, she would be expected to give them to him. Truth was, she owed him. She could think of it as payment for room and board. “Oh, honey, you can just take them if you want them.” She twisted her hands behind her back.
Shaking her head, his mother put her hand on her hip. “Nicole, real artists don’t give their work away, not even to loved ones. We’ll pay for these like your regular customers. And I simply must talk to my friend about setting up a show at her gallery. Oh, and the prince’s ball! He lives in Blake’s building and I’ve already contacted his assistant to inform him you’ll be donating a piece for his charity auction to benefit the hospital. Blake will be taking you, of course.” She gripped Goldie’s arm and lowered her voice. “You’re going to make incredible contacts there.”
“Great idea, Mom,” Blake said.
The bell jangled on the door again, and she was feeling lucky enough to believe she could score another sale.
When she saw who it was, she froze; it was Gloria Midas. Her sister, Veronica, worked at the bakery. Gloria apparently liked to hang around looking for freebie cupcakes. Gloria Midas certainly wouldn’t be buying any paintings.
Goldie had the misfortune of meeting her a few days earlier while scouting out the location for setting up her work. And Gloria had noticed the apartment sitter flyers she’d hung up as well. “I’m never going to work,” Gloria had said, inspecting the flyer. “Unless you call finding a husband work.” Then she cackled.
Now, Gloria clicked across the floor in her high heels and cocked her head, looking at Goldie’s paintings. “You’ve still got a lot of stock here. If you don’t sell anything, are you going to have to start working here?”
Blake’s mother chuckled. “My dear, Nicole is a lawyer
and
an artist. She doesn’t need to work here. Painting is her hobby and she’s quite good at it.”
Gloria looked stunned, then laughed. “Nicole? You’re kidding, right?
Goldie
is an apartment sitter on a good day, and a struggling artist who crashes with her friends on the rest.”
His mother’s hand hovered over her mouth. “Blake?”
Blake looked ready to defend her. But this was Goldie’s chance to make everything right for him. As her heart sunk, she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Blake, it’s true. I’ve lied to you. I’m not who you think I am.” It hurt as much to say it, as if she were truly revealing a lie.
He took a step toward her. “Don’t do this…”
She couldn’t bear to hear what he’d say. Gathering her purse, she dashed out the door, realizing all her things were still at his place. Didn’t matter. She’d stay at Ariel’s and arrange to get her things later, then pick up her artwork another day.
She’d left things behind before during her stays: socks, barrettes, and toothbrushes.
But never her heart.
***
Blake paid for his paintings, and his mother’s, too. They left the store quickly before that horrible woman could make any more accusations.
“What was that all about?” his mother asked. “That woman was lying about Nicole, right? Right?” She sounded desperate.
He looked up at the sky. This was exactly what he wanted. He could pretend to be devastated by this news, and keep his mother off his back for a while. But in all honesty, he
was
devastated. He liked Goldie. A lot. And he was interested in seeing where this could go with her.
His mother stopped walking and grabbed his arm. “Blake, what’s going on?”
“Mom, come back to my place and I’ll explain everything.”
***
His mother sat in stunned silence as he explained how Goldie came to be his “girlfriend.”
She rubbed her temples with the tips of her fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was putting so much pressure on you.” She sighed. “The thing is, I really like Nicole—I mean, Goldie—even if she isn’t a lawyer. And I like what she’s done for you. You’re happier and more relaxed.”
He nodded. “I know. Everything has changed since she showed up.”
“Go get her, Blake. Don’t let her go.”
The thing was, he didn’t know where to find her.
Fortunately, she called to get her things the next day. “Goldie, we need to talk.”
“About what? I’m sure that got your mother off your back in a real hurry.”
“Come over. Let’s talk. I want you to see how your paintings look hanging in my apartment.”
“That’s really kind of you, but let’s just cut our losses and move on.”
“I’m not ready to move on.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m not sure. I just know the thought of you leaving my life hurts. And Miss Sniggles will miss you like crazy.”
She was quiet for a long moment and he felt hopeful. Then she said, “Blake, it’ll never work. I’m not from your world—unless I’m crashing in it, or babysitting a dog. Your toaster probably costs more than everything I own. I’m sorry. I’ve got to get my life together. Goodbye, Blake. And thank you for everything. I’ll be over tomorrow to get my suitcases.”
***
Being back at Ariel’s was only a temporary situation. With the earnings from her art sale and a job—location yet to be determined—she should be able to get her own place in three months.
She dreaded seeing Blake, but she would be as quick as possible, like she was pulling off a Band-Aid. Hopefully, the same theory applied for pulling someone out of your heart.
Turned out, it wasn’t a problem; he wasn’t there when she showed up. His mother answered the door. “Oh, hello. Blake just dashed out.”
Goldie’s heart sank, not only because secretly she had wanted to see him, but because she couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in his mother’s eyes, hear the disapproval in her voice.