Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 63564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“Good point. And you think painting could be your calling?”
“I’m not Picasso,” she said. “But I’m decent. I just finished this piece of my parents working in the vineyards. It captures everything I love about Italy. I’ll show it to you sometime. When you look at it, I don’t think anyone would think it’s a priceless piece of art. But it does tell a story…a great story. And there’s gotta be someone out there who feels the same thing looking at it as I did painting it.”
Vanessa wasn’t just smart, but deep. She was confident, but she was also open to new things. She lived emotionally but logically at the same time. I hadn’t seen her work, but judging by the way she spoke about it, it was her passion. “I’d love to see it.”
“I’ll bring it by next time. Did you know my namesake was an artist?”
“Your aunt?” I asked.
“Yes. My aunt Vanessa was a painter. She’d make these images, but she would incorporate buttons into her pieces. My father still has them up in his study. I wouldn’t call them masterpieces, but they’re beautiful.”
“Is that what inspired you to paint?”
She looked off into the distance as she considered it for a long time. She took another drink of her lemonade then licked her lips. “I guess it did. I used to see those paintings as a little girl. Maybe that did have something to do with it.”
“I’m sorry your family has been through so much tragedy. It’s another reason why I feel terrible dragging you into it.”
“You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it. My parents want men like Knuckles to be dead anyway. Now that he’s gone, the world is a little prettier. If you weren’t his victim, someone else would be, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So, the world has given us so much, and now we’ve given something back.”
I chuckled. “Good way to look at it.”
“So, are you going to be in the fashion show on Saturday?”
“Conway and I haven’t talked about it, actually. With everything going on…it just slipped my mind.”
“You should do it.”
“You think?” I asked. “I’m not sure if my mind is playing tricks on me, but I feel like I’m starting to show a little…”
“I think you are too. But that’s a good thing. It’s sexy.”
“That’s what Conway says…”
“And he’s right. This is one of the only times I’m going to agree with him. Pregnant women are so beautiful. Whether they’re modeling lingerie or umbrellas, that baby bump is hot.”
“Well, thanks. That gives me a boost of confidence.”
Conway stepped out the back door and walked toward us, wearing his black sweatpants with a matching t-shirt. He stopped at the end of the tub with his hands in his pockets. “Enjoying your evening?”
“I was telling your woman she needs to be in the show on Saturday,” Vanessa said. “She thinks her little belly will be a turn-off, but I don’t agree.”
Conway looked down at his sister, a slight smile on his face. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I actually agree with her. And if you’re wondering, that never happens.”
“Because I’m extremely intelligent, and he’s a little dull,” Vanessa said. “So we just don’t see eye to eye.”
The playfulness in his eyes turned into a small glare. “I love having you around all the time…”
Vanessa grinned. “I know you do, brother.”
“So what are you going to do about the show?” I asked. “It’s only a few days away. Did you postpone it?”
“No, I couldn’t postpone it,” he answered. “I have an alternate in place if you aren’t up for it. So it’s your call.”
“Mine?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah.” He stood tall, his chiseled arms contrasting against the dark color of his shirt. “I know you have the dance moves down. Just a few more practice runs, and you should be fine. But again, it’s up to you.”
“Well, what do you want me to do, Conway?”
He shrugged. “I’d like you to be in the show, but if you’d rather not, that’s okay too.”
I wanted to skip the spotlight. I preferred to stay home and enjoy the peacefulness of the house. All I cared about was the baby growing inside me. I wanted to start preparing for the baby’s room, getting all the supplies for when the baby arrived. But making one final appearance would be great for Conway’s career. After everything he did for me, it was the least I could do. “I want to do it.”
I stood in front of the mirror in my panties, checking my stomach from different angles. If anyone else looked at me, they wouldn’t notice the difference in my figure. I was still thin with a fairly flat stomach. But when I glided my hands down, I could feel the slight rise. It was hardly noticeable, but it was there.
Conway emerged behind me, his figure visible in the mirror. “What are you doing?”