Tequila Nights (20 page)

CHAPTER
39

Feeling confident in my tea-length dress and loose curls through my hair, I took Leo’s hand as he helped me out of the car. We had pulled up outside his restaurant, but through the crystal clear glass frontage I could see that there was a function being held. A group of unknowns in formal attire.

“What’s going on?” I quizzed Leo, who still remained tight-lipped.

“You will see.”

Guiding me through the front door we were immediately greeted by a waitress carrying a tray of champagne glasses. Taking a drink each, Leo placed his hand on the small of my back as we joined the group. They all seemed like professionals from thirty years and up, engrossed in conversation as we made our way to one man in particular. I placed him mid-forties, dressed in a designer suit that helped disguise his semi-round belly.

“Mr. Santiago, a pleasure to see you again,” he greeted, his cheeks rosy. “And this must be Ms. Josie Marks.”

“Yes, please just call me Josie.” His smile became wide as he shook my hand.

“I have to say I am a huge fan of your work.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your paintings,” he gestured to the walls of the restaurant surrounding us. “They truly are spectacular!”

Taking a step back, eyes wide in shock, I looked around the entire room to see my collection from my college exhibition two months ago.

Turning to Leo, he took in my confused expression and held my hand in reassurance.

“You bought my artwork?”

“Yes. I know I’m not a gallery owner, but I am your number one fan.”

“You bought my artwork?” I asked again in total disbelief.

Leo chuckled lightly. “Yes. And while I have enjoyed seeing it on my walls, Mr. Jeffries here, came in one night for a private corporate function and spotted your work. You see, he and those around us, are from the State Gallery looking to purchase your collection.”

“You are?” I asked stupidly, turning to Mr. Jeffries.

“Yes, Josie. You have a rare talent we don’t find often, and while your work will be showcased in the main exhibition hall, we also want to employ you as our art restorer for the Renaissance collection.”

“You do?”

“If, of course, you’re happy to work with us.”

“How is this happening?” I turned to Leo for support. His humoured eyes quelling my disbelief.

“What do you say?” Mr. Jeffries asked holding out hope for my answer.

“Yes to both, I mean, as long as Leo is happy to sell the artworks, then yes!”

Mr. Jefferies took my hand again in a handshake. “Josie, it will be an honour to have you on our team.” And with that he joined his colleagues to share the news.

“You bought my artwork?” I asked Leo again.

“The truth is Josie, Mr. Jeffries dines here quite often and I knew taking one look at these walls with your artworks on them, he would snap them up in an instant. So here,” I watched as he reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a check, “this was going to be torn up if you said no, but since you didn’t, it’s all yours.”

Taking the slip, I looked at the name on the check. Josie Marks.

“Leo, this isn’t right! You purchased them originally. The sale money belongs to you.”

“Bella, I purchased them knowing that Mr. Jefferies would buy them. I saw the potential customers at the exhibition, and I thought you deserved better than to have your artwork displayed in some dingy side-alley gallery.” His hand folded over mine. “It’s yours.”

I was rendered speechless. Pulling me into his arms, I let Leo hold me. “I’ve always believed in you, Bella. I’ve always believed in us.”

***

We left the party early but not before sealing the deal. I would be starting my restoration job the following week, and the check for my college collection was sitting snug in my purse, thanks to Leo’s generosity and foresight.

Taking my hand, he led me through the dimly lit house, past the balcony and onto the sand. I stopped in my tracks eyeing the citronella flames that lined a path down to the water.

“What’s happening?” I could feel my throat constrict, salty tears burning my eyes with anticipation.

Leo didn’t say anything, just kissed my lips and continued leading us down. The night was as beautiful as I remembered just with the slightest chill in the air signifying autumn.

At the end of the path in the pale moonlight was a picnic blanket spread out with a bucket of ice and champagne. Releasing my hand, Leo poured us each a drink and handed me mine. He was abnormally quiet and my body was trembling from an uncharacteristic nervous energy.

Pulling me against his chest, his arms circled from behind as we watched the moonlight glimmering on the ocean’s ripples. I had missed this greatly. Feeling the tension subside, we sipped our champagne and enjoyed that energy that passed between us.

“A part of me left with you, Josie.” Leo finally broke the silence. “But since being with you again, I just feel whole.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” my voice was a whisper.

“I was planning on doing this in Paris before I knew everything that had happened.” Taking my glass, he balanced them on the sand before turning me to face him. When he got down on one knee, my heart stopped, lungs left begging for air.

“Josie, my beautiful girl.” That was all he had to say before I was bawling like a baby. “I knew from the moment I met you that you were made for me. All it took was one dare, four rhythmic beats and Tequila 47 and my heart was sold. Fate tested us, but I realised that even worlds apart, I didn’t ever want to be without you. Josie Marks, would you consider spending your life with me, eating, drinking, dancing, laughing and doing all the things we do best?”

Wiping furiously at the tears clouding my vision, I nodded, unable to breathe enough to form words.

Pulling a small velvet box from his jacket pocket, he opened it up, the stone glimmering brilliantly in the moonlight.

“Leo,” I choked lacking all composure. “I love you so much.”

Sliding the ring on my finger, he stood, cupping my cheeks and kissing me so passionately, I felt my already weakened knees buckling beneath me. Between us, I could taste my salty tears as they pooled around my lips, Leo claiming me the way I loved and craved.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him in, feeling our galloping hearts beating in time.

“Thank you for coming to find me.”

“Losing you was never an option, Bella.”

I’d had it wrong from the very beginning.

I didn’t need Paris.

I was at home.

I was where I needed to be.

Together, with Leo by my side, I could paint the world beautiful.

CHAPTER: Leo POV

School of Lafayette

“Who the fuck are you?” A thick French accent sounded from behind. He sounded pissed, ready for a battle.

Unfortunately for him, I already knew who he was which meant I was a step ahead.

Turning, I met his hardened glare with one of my own. Carefully placing Josie’s paintings to the side, I squared my shoulders noticing the shocked expression of a young woman behind my target. I had no doubt that was Cassie.

“Monsieur Bordeaux?”

“Yes!” he spat looking put out by my simple question. My lips twitched, almost breaking a smile as I took in his eye patch. One eye was covered, the other completely bloodshot. Josie had done a good job and my heart swelled with pride.

“What do you want?” he barked.

“It looks like someone got you good,” I said, gesturing to his face.

A scowl took hold of his already twisted features. “Some little bitch crying foul.”

I swallowed. Hard.

“Mm…some little bitches never learn do they?”

Realisation was slowly dawning, my pointed comment sinking in. His one semi-functioning eye narrowed in question. “Whoever you are, those paintings belong to Lafayette. The artist owes us that much for wasting our time.”

Ignoring his warning tone, I placed two canvases under my arm and held the other in my left hand.

“She’s here, isn’t she?” His tone had changed. Now, he had the balls to taunt. “Sending you in to clean up her mess? Don’t worry,” he said, moving closer, his voice lowering. “The feisty ones are always better in—”

I cut him off before he could finish, my fist colliding sharply with his jaw. The girl behind him screamed, dropping her brush. The pussy in front of me cowered on the ground held one hand up in defense while the other nursed his injury.

“Just take the fucking paintings,” he said, his accent thickening when scared.

I moved to collect the small bags of paints I had gathered, my sudden movement causing Bordeaux to cowardly flinch.

“And Bordeaux. Every time you look in the mirror and see the shit that’s been done to your face, you will remember Josie Marks as being the
little bitch
who kicked your ass.”

Stepping over his pathetic and defeated body, I made my way down the hall and back to the woman I admired. Seeing her through the glass sliding doors, wearing a panicked face, I fell even more in love with her. My clumsy talented artist with the beautiful dancing legs.

She was perfection.

She coloured my world and breathed life into everything she touched.

She didn’t know it yet, but soon Josie would be Mrs. Santiago and this time, no matter what fate threw at us, I was never letting her go.

EPILOGUE

“Here…definitely this colour.”

I looked at her with skepticism. “Nicole, last time you bought me a lipstick you told me a month later it was hideous.”

“I promise I was sober when I got this one. I thought it was
you
as soon as I saw it.”

Admiring the colour, I had to agree with her. “You’re right. I love it. Thank you.” Leaning into the mirror, I applied the last of my makeup when I saw an adorable face round the corner.

“Aunt, Josie,” Mimi’s sweet voice sounded. “Could you please tie my ribbon?” She turned around to show me her loose ribbons dangling at her waist. Shuffling my way over in my big dress, I sank to my knees and pulled her into a backward cuddle.

“You look like a little angel,” I whispered next to her ear. And she did. In her little flower girls dress and ear length hair, she looked too gorgeous for words. Mimi’s soft, strawberry blonde hair had grown back fast after the last of her treatment. Her good health astounding everyone including the Doctors.

“You look like a princess,” she whispered back, and I felt my eyes prickle with tears when I recalled what she’d said to me over a year ago. She wanted to still be alive for, if or when, there was a wedding. And now here she was, healthier than ever. In remission, but going strong.

Tying the ribbon around her miniature body, I planted a kiss on top of her head.

“I have something for you,” she said, handing me a folded up piece of thick paper.

Taking it from her, I carefully unfolded it before my heart stopped. Looking from the picture to Mimi’s smiling face and back again, I knew this kid shared a gift of foresight. While I wasn’t pregnant, yet, it was certainly something on the cards, just like she had pictured Leo coming to get me and knowing that there would be a wedding.

“Soon, I will have a niece or nephew and a brother or sister to play with,” she cooed with excitement.

We both looked at Nicole, who at five months pregnant, was radiant with her tiny bump. Mimi ran over to her and climbed on her lap, the affection the two shared for each other was both mutual and heart-warming. Jase now had two women in his life to dote on, and he did it so well. Nicole was a new woman. It was like a fresh gust of wind had picked her up and placed her down in the exact spot she was meant to be in life.

A gentle knock sounded, breaking me away from my thoughts.

“Everyone’s ready,” the celebrant announced, poking her head around the door.

Unlike a lot of brides, I wasn’t nervous. I’d been looking forward to this day since Leo proposed, and now I desperately wanted to get out there and be by his side.

Nicole walked over, holding Mimi’s hand and my bouquet in the other.

“Are you ready?” she asked with a bright smile.

“More than ever.”

Leaning forward she kissed me on the cheek. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Ditto.”

Taking the flowers, I waited while my flower girl and bridesmaid left me to start the procession. Less than a minute later I followed them out. When I rounded the corner, I saw the man of my dreams standing on the balcony with the vibrant blue ocean behind him.

He saw me and our eyes locked.

A smile stretched across his handsome face and I fell in love all over again.

After spending sixty long days apart, we would wed exactly three hundred and sixty-five days after he came to find me.

What I didn’t know as I stood in front of Leo taking my vows and resisting the urge to kiss him until we were told, was that at night when we privately celebrated our union, Mimi would prove to be right yet again.

As fate would have it, the two of us were a mere nine months and three days away from becoming the three of us.

Her name? Isabella Santiago.

Numbers.

They can be as cruel as they are kind.

As bitter as they are sweet.

For now, I was enjoying just how sweet they really could be.