Bewitching You(49)

Herbert held her mom’s hand. They’d been on a few dates in the past month. Her mom had told him every secret and every aspect of their family’s gifts in excruciating detail. Sofia had wondered if her mother had wanted to scare Herbert off. In any case, he was still around. A few more grey hairs, but still sticking it out.

“It’s because he loves her,” Nana whispered into Sofia’s ear.

Damn the mind reading.

“And your paintings are wonderful, dear,” Nana said for everyone to hear.

“They really are,” her mother agreed.

Herbert nodded. “Outstanding.”

“Thank you.” Sofia’s cheeks flamed. She’d picked out a few of her best to display, but only one of Gray. It was the painting he’d liked the most, where their bodies were entangled.

Even after two months, it still hurt to think of him. Where was he? What was he doing? Did he ever think of her?

A week ago, she’d gathered the nerve to go to his condo and knock on his door. She’d wanted to invite him to the gallery opening. Just as a friend, if nothing else. A teenage boy had answered the door instead. He’d told her he and his mother had moved in several days prior. He wasn’t sure where the old owner had relocated.

Sofia had been devastated. Shoot, she still was. How could he have moved without telling her? He must’ve really wanted to rid himself of her. Forget she ever existed.

Her mother and Herbert ambled on to view some of the other artwork the local artists had created and displayed along the walls and tables.

But Nana stayed. Her eyes were plastered to that painting. “Where do you suppose that dream took place?”

“Nowhere.” Sofia didn’t want to get into it. That part of her life was over.

“Red sheets. A gold comforter. Deep blue walls in the background. Have you ever seen this bedroom before? Was it his?”

“No, Nana.” Sofia tried not to sound too irritated. “I don’t want to talk about it, if you don’t mind.”

“Well, why not?” Nana chuckled. “It’s your future.”

“It’s not, though. I haven’t dreamed of him since the spell faded.”

“Oh. Do you think maybe the future was altered in some way?”

Sofia stopped an eye-roll midway. They’d been over this too many times to count. Was her grandmother growing senile? “Yes, Nana. I can only assume it’s been altered, and that we weren’t supposed to meet until later.”

“And the love spell screwed it all up?”

Sofia shrugged, not wanting to hurt her Nana’s feelings. But, yes, the love spell had done its damage. Gray was gone, out of her life forever.

“We can do a spell to erase your love for him, Sofia. If that would help you.”

“No, thank you.” She was done with spells that played with emotions. She’d been practicing hard, learning the ones that would help her with her visions. Saving people’s lives was how she planned to use them. Any other approach would only get her into trouble, she’d learned the hard way.

“I hate to see you upset.”

“I’m fine, Nana. Why don’t you catch up with Mom and Herbert? I heard there’s some sculptures of naked men just around the corner.”

“Hmm… I’ll see where the punch is instead. Would you like some? I’ll add a little vodka from my flask, if you want?”

Sofia shook her head.

“All right then, dear.” Nana leaned forward and whispered, “Good-looking gentleman right behind you. I think he likes the paintings.” She winked and left.

Anxious at the thought it might be Gray, Sofia turned too quickly on her heels and fell into the man.

The tall, thin gentleman—who definitely was not Gray—grabbed her elbow and steadied her. “You okay?”

“Yes.” Her cheeks warmed. “I’m so sorry. I’m not used to these shoes.”

“It’s all right.” He smiled and turned to her paintings again. “Are these yours?”

“Uh huh.” Sofia took in the way his deep green eyes found the different details of the paintings. Like Nana said, he was good-looking. But he was no Gray, and it appeared he was more interested in the stuff on the walls than the stuff under her dress, anyway.

Which was fine with her. She couldn’t imagine giving herself to anyone else. Not anytime in the near or far future. She was Gray’s. Plain and simple, whether she ever saw him again or not.

“You have quite a talent,” the man said.

“Thank you.”

“Have you gone to art school?”

“For a year in New York. I had to drop out. Family issues.”

“I see.” He finally met her eyes. “Do you ever think of going back?”

“I’d love to.” Sofia smiled at the thought. “But I don’t think I can afford it.”

“Yes, it is expensive, isn’t it?” He held out his hand for her to shake. “I’m Steven Burns. I’m an admissions counselor for San Francisco Bay Art School.”

Sofia shook his hand. “I’m Sofia Good. Nice to meet you. You’re a long way from home.”

“I’m visiting my mother,” he whispered. “She’s getting remarried again. Fifth time.”

“Ah. Sorry about that.”

“No, it’s fine. Whatever keeps her happy. But I heard about this gallery opening and thought I’d check it out. I’m glad I came.” He pulled out a card and handed it to her. “We have financial aid I’m sure you could qualify for, if you’re interested. We’re also giving away a few scholarships this year. You might be a candidate for one of them. Why don’t you visit us and see what we’re about? We need more people like you, Sofia. People with natural talent and obvious passion.” He pointed at that painting. “There are graduates who don’t have your eye for detail. Give us a try, okay?”

Sofia realized her mouth had dropped open, so she shut it and gulped. “Okay. I’ll do my best. Thank you.”

“See you out there then, Sofia. I’ll be looking for you.”

~ * ~

Gray sat in the coffee house that housed the first floor of his San Francisco loft. He hauled out his laptop and started his workday. Designing websites. Why he’d never thought of it before he didn’t know. People paid him to play around on his computer all day, and he had no one to answer to but his customers. It was perfect. And he was good at it. Business was flourishing.

“What’s up, Gray?” his new buddy, Nick, asked as he walked in the door and pulled up a seat at the table next to him. Nick had given him the idea of starting his own business. The surfer/genius spent half his day on the computer and the other half on a surfboard in the ocean.

Gray hoped to one day spend half his day on a sailboat. As soon as he found the right one.

“Not much, Nick. Just got two new accounts I’m going to start working on.”

“Awesome.” He sipped on his iced coffee and gave Gray a look. “I didn’t see you at the party last night. Kari was very upset she didn’t get to meet you.”

“I was busy.” Gray logged onto the Internet and started reading through his emails, hoping to pass right over this conversation.

“Dude,” Nick leaned over and said in a low voice, “you know you can tell me if you’re gay. I’m totally cool with that.”

“I’m not gay,” Gray said for the umpteenth time since he’d met Nick. “I like women, trust me. I’m just waiting for the right one.”

“You’re not going to find her if you’re not looking.”

“I look every day. Every damn day.”

“And? What the hell are you looking for?”

“I’ll know her when I see her.”

“Huh. You’re a weird dude. You know that?” Nick swatted at Gray’s arm. “Hey, check out this one. She’s kind of cute. A little bit of a mess, but cute.”

That description sounded familiar. Gray closed his e-mail and looked up.

And saw Sofia.

She was at the counter, ordering. Her hair was down, pushed back behind her ears. She wore a pair of wrinkled khaki shorts, a blue top, partially tucked in, and brown sandals that had seen better days. She was more beautiful than he’d even remembered.

“Holy hell.”

“What?”

“That’s her.” He grinned, shaking his head.

“Yeah? She the one?” Nick chuckled. “Go get her, dude.”

~ * ~

Sofia was running late for her first day of classes, but the coffee shop had practically screamed her name as she passed by the green and white sign. A cold vanilla blended coffee would hit the spot. And— she checked her watch—she did have ten minutes.

“Order’s up,” the barista called out, and set it on the counter.