- The art center
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- The art center
Lila’s P.O.V.
I sat in the passenger seat of Skye’s truck, the rumble of the engine and the steady hum of the tires on the road the only sounds as we drove toward the art center. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting warm, golden light across the dashboard, but I hardly noticed. I was too lost in my thoughts, too caught up in the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling inside me since last night.
Ever since our hug, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. The way his arms had wrapped around me, the warmth of his body, the way his scent had enveloped me-it had all felt so right, so natural. And then, there was the dream that had followed that same night.
Oh yes… THAT kind of dream!
I shifted in my seat, my cheeks flushing as I remembered it. I had dreamed of Skye last night, a dream so vivid, so real, that it was as if I could still feel his touch. In the dream, what had started as a simple kiss had quickly turned into something so much more-a passionate night filled with heat and desire that had left me breathless even after I woke up.
I squirmed, trying to get comfortable, but it was no use. My body still hummed with the remnants of the dream, my skin tingling at the memory of his hands on me, his lips trailing down my neck, his breath hot against my ear as he whispered my name. It was ridiculous, I knew that. I had been engaged just a week ago to another man, and here I was, daydreaming
about a man I had just met.
But I just couldn’t help it. Skye was… well, he was incredibly handsome, to put it mildly. And there was something about him that drew me in, something that made me want to know more, to be closer to him. It wasn’t just his looks, though those certainly didn’t hurt. It was the way he had been so kind to me, so protective, even though we were practically strangers. The way he seemed to see me, really see me, in a way that no one else ever had.
I stole a glance at him, his profile strong and steady as he focused on the road ahead. His jaw was set, his eyes fixed on the horizon, but there was a softness to him that I also couldn’t ignore, a warmth that drew me in. And those hands, the same hands that had gently held me the night before in my dream, were resting casually on the steering wheel, strong and capable. The memory of those hands on my skin, in the dream, made my stomach flutter.
“Excited?” Skye asked me, breaking the silence and pulling me out of her thoughts.
I blinked, trying to focus.
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“Hmm?”
“For the art center,” he said, glancing at me with a small smile.
“You ready to show them what you’ve got?”
“Oh, right. Yeah, I’m… excited, super excited.” I replied, though my mind was still half-distracted by the dream.
Skye’s smile widened, and my heart did that annoying little flip again.
“You’ll do great. I’ve seen your sketches, Lila. You’ve got real talent.”
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“Thanks,” I mumbled, my face growing warm. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, this kind of praise, especially not from someone like him. But the way he said my name, the way it rolled off his tongue, sent a shiver down my spine. I stared out the window, trying to distract myself, but it was no use. My damned thoughts kept drifting back to him and to the stupid dream. I could still feel the heat of his body pressed against mine, the way his lips had tasted, the way his hands had roamed my skin like he couldn’t get enough of me. It had felt so real, so intense, and now I couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like if it happened for real.
Get a grip, Lila, I scolded herself.
You can’t be thinking about him like this.
Not now.
Not after everything that’s happened.
But even as I tried to reason with myself, I couldn’t shake the feelings that were growing inside me. Skye was different. He made me feel different-alive in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. Maybe ever.
“So, what’s your plan after this?” Skye asked, his voice pulling me back to the present once again.
“You think you’ll stick around in Fairview for a while?”
I hesitated, not sure how to answer. My life had been turned upside down, and I still wasn’t sure what my next steps would be. But the idea of staying in Fairview, of being close to Skye
well, it wasn’t as unappealing as it might have been a few days ago.
“I don’t know,” I admitted, biting my lip.
“I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. I guess it depends on how things go at the art center.”
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“You’ve got time,” he said, his voice gentle.
“No rush to figure it all out right now.”
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I nodded, grateful for his understanding. But even as we talked about my future, which should matter to me, my mind kept wandering back to my own imagination, to the way it had felt to be in his arms, to kiss him, to be with him. It was all too much, too soon, but I just couldn’t help it. There was something about Skye that I couldn’t resist, something that made me want more from this man.
As Skye pulled up to the art center, I took a deep breath, trying to steady the nerves that had been bubbling up inside me. This was a big step-my first step toward something new, something that could maybe give me the fresh start I desperately needed. But even as I focused on the task at hand, I couldn’t help but feel Skye’s presence beside me, a comforting steadiness that she was growing more and more attached to.
“Ready?” Skye asked, turning off the engine and giving me an encouraging smile. I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I was ready for anything.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We got out of the truck, and just as we were about to walk inside the art center, two figures appeared out of nowhere. I blinked in surprise as an old, tiny, purple-haired woman and her equally spirited friend came bustling toward us, both wearing mischievous grins.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my handsome grandson and his lovely lady friend!” the purple-haired, older woman called out, her voice carrying across the parking lot with surprising strength.
“Gran,” Skye greeted with a chuckle, clearly used to her antics.
“What are you and Mindy doing here?”
Gran waved a hand dismissively, her sharp blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Oh, you know, just popping in for an art class. Gotta keep ourselves cultured and all that.”
Mindy, the other woman who had short, curly hair, nudged Gran with her elbow.
“Let’s be honest, Skye. It’s the only way we can see a naked man these days.”
I choked on my laugh, caught off guard by the bluntness. Gran winked at me, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“Mindy’s right,” Gran continued, her eyes now fixed on me.
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“But forget about that. Who’s this beautiful young lady? You must be that Lila-girl, the talk of the town!” My cheeks flushed, but Gran’s warm smile put me at ease.
“I guess that’s me.”
Gran’s smile widened.
“Oh, I love it! The runaway bride herself. I knew I liked you the moment I heard about what you did. Takes guts, my dear, and I admire that.”
Skye looked at me with a mix of amusement and concern, probably wondering how I’d take being the subject of town gossip. But I couldn’t help but laugh at Gran’s enthusiasm. There was something so refreshing about her, so unapologetically honest.
“Thanks, I think,” I said, still chuckling.
Gran waved her hand again, brushing off any concern.
“Oh, don’t worry about what people say. Most of them are just jealous they didn’t have the nerve to do what you did. And as for you and my Skye here…” Gran’s eyes sparkled with mischief again.
“Well, I think you two make a fine pair.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced at Skye, who seemed just as caught off guard by his grandmother’s matchmaking. He cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation back on
track.
“Gran, we’re here for Lila to meet with someone about a job. Not to discuss… anything else,” Skye said, though his tone was light like he knew better than to argue with her.
“Oh, I know, I know,” Gran replied, not looking convinced.
“But it doesn’t hurt to have a little fun, does it? And don’t think I didn’t notice the way you two were looking at each other just now. It’s about time you found someone who can keep up with you, Skye.”
I felt
my
cheeks flush even more, but before I could say anything, Mindy jumped in.
“Your Gran’s right,” Mindy said with a grin.
“You’re a handsome devil, Skye, but even you need someone to keep you grounded. And Lila, darling, you look like just the woman for the job.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the two women. Their playful banter and complete lack of filter were a breath of fresh air, and I felt a strange sense of comfort in their presence. They were
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clearly trying to lighten the mood, and it was working.
“Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence,” I said, still smiling.
“But I think we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves.”
“Maybe,” Gran conceded, though she didn’t look the least bit repentant.
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“But mark my words, young lady. You’ll see that everything happens for a reason. And if Skye here was smart, he wouldn’t let you slip through his fingers.”
Skye rubbed the back of his neck, clearly flustered by his grandmother’s boldness.
“Gran, can we focus on the art class? Please?”
Gran let out a hearty laugh, patting Skye on the arm.
“Oh, all right. We’ll let you two get on with your business. But don’t think this is the last you’ll hear from us, Lila. I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot more of you.”
My heart swelled at the thought. Despite the craziness of the past few days, I was starting to feel like I actually belonged here-like maybe, just maybe, Fairview was where I was meant to be.
As Gran and Mindy headed inside, I turned to Skye, who looked at me with an apologetic smile.
“Sorry about that. Gran can be a bit… much.”
I shook her head, still smiling.
“Are you kidding? I think she’s great. They both are.”
Skye seemed to relax at that, his shoulders loosening as he chuckled.
“Yeah, they’re something else, all right.”
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