You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)
E. L. Todd
Chapter One
Silke
I headed to my mailbox before I walked inside then grabbed the pile of mail. Most of it looked like junk and coupons so I wasn’t excited to go through it. After I set my things down, I sorted it at the counter.
One piece of mail caught my attention. “From Harvard Academy of Art…?” What the hell was that? I ripped open the envelope then pulled out the letter. In a wordy invitation, it explained that one of my sculptures had been nominated for an award. And I was also invited to enter the piece into the annual auction.
“No fucking way…” I read it again just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Then I checked the envelope to make sure it was addressed to me and not someone else. I loved sculpting and was decent at it, but I never thought I was good enough to be recognized for it.
Now I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t believe this was really happening. I jumped to my feet and did a dance I would never do in front of another living soul. “Yes!”
I took out my phone and texted Denise. Guess who’s awesome?
Not you. I can tell you that much.
I rolled my eyes then texted her back. Actually, it is me.
I find that hard to believe.
I was nominated for an award for one of my pieces. And it’s going to be sold at an auction.
She didn’t text me back. Instead, she called me. “Seriously?” she blurted once I answered the phone.
“Dead serious.”
“That’s so awesome, girl! I didn’t know you were so serious about sculpting.”
“I’m not,” I said. “I actually didn’t think I was very good. I guess I was wrong.”
“You’re always wrong. When is the award ceremony?”
I grabbed the paper and skimmed through it. “In two months.”
“Char and I will be there.”
“I don’t have to drag you?” I teased.
“You know we’re always there for you.”
I plopped down on the couch. “How’d it go with those two guys the other night?”
“You know…hit it and quit it.”
“He hasn’t called you back?” I asked sadly.
“No, I haven’t called him back.”
I burst out laughing. “Such a heartbreaker.”
“Love wouldn’t be nearly as fun if it always had a happily ever after.”
Maybe that was why I was so hung up on Arsen.
“So, you went home with your man?”
How did she know that? “What makes you think that?”
“I saw you with him.”
I didn’t deny it. “We made up.”
“Shocking…is he going to this award ceremony?”
“I haven’t told him about it yet.”
“You mean, I’m the first?” she asked.
“Yep.”
“I am your best friend…”
“As I’ve been saying for years…”
“Well, I’ll let you go. I’m sure you want to call your boy toy.”
“Yeah, but it won’t be to tell him about the art show…”
She laughed. “Dirty bird.” Then she hung up.
I lay back on the couch then texted Arsen. What are you doing?
Thinking about you.
No, you weren’t.
He texted back instantly. I was.
What were you really thinking about? This could go into dangerous territory.
Something that would get me slapped.
I smirked. Come over. I want to see you.
I’m a busy man, baby.
You’re never too busy for me.
He responded instantly. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
I fixed my hair and touched up my make up before he came over. When I heard the distant sound of a raging muffler, I knew he was there. Several minutes went by and he didn’t knock.
I opened the front door and looked out. Arsen was leaning against the rail of the stairway, his hands in his pockets. “Why don’t you ever knock?”
“Why? You knew I was here.” He wore dark jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair was messy but in a sexy way. Only he could manage to roll out of bed and still look hot as hell.
“Coming in or what?” I shifted my weight to one leg.
“I haven’t decided.” He looked down the hallway like he saw something interesting.
“Why are you always playing hard to get?” I demanded. “It’s annoying.”
“It keeps you on your toes.” He turned his blue eyes on me. “Give them just enough to want more.”
I rolled my eyes. “Those rules don’t apply to me. Now get your ass inside.”
He gave me a quick smirk before he walked into my apartment. Once he was near me, his cologne reached my nose. It was a mixture of masculinity and bar soap. He strutted through my living room and looked at everything like it was the first time he’d been inside. “Why did you want to see me?”
“You’re my boyfriend. I don’t need a reason.”
He opened his mouth to speak but abruptly closed it.
I knew what he was going to say. Out of habit, he was going to make the argument that he wasn’t my boyfriend. But he realized his error just before it was too late. “Missed me, then?”