Days turned into weeks. Cole officially moved in with Ashley, bringing only three boxes of his things from his parents’ home. They finished unpacking all her items and enjoyed shopping together for the rest of the things they needed around the house.

Cole had put in his notice; after his mandatory leave period after the incident, he wouldn’t be returning.

Ashley spent her days painting while Cole spent his days preparing to be a business owner.

She’d gotten a few calls for art showings—several in the mountains, one in downtown Denver—that she was excited about. It was in one of the galleries she’d always dreamed of being in.

She’d gotten the call from her agent to set up the showing shortly after her sister had informed her that they had met the owner at a gallery while in Italy.

“Luca Marcello seemed very impressed with the pictures I showed him of your work. Then, when we ran into him the following night at a dinner party, he told us that he’d looked you up and was very interested in showcasing your stuff at his Denver gallery downtown. Marcello’s is one of the highest rated galleries in Colorado,” Amber had told her over dinner the first night they were back in town. Amber had gotten a little sun on their trip and looked very relaxed. Tom had looked pleased and happy sitting next to his wife. It was strange, but Ashley had always thought of the pair as belonging to each other. Much like she’d always thought of Cole and herself.

“You don’t have to tell me that,” Ashley had replied. “I’ve been dying to get a piece in one of his galleries.” She’d gotten so excited that her hands had started to shake. Cole had noticed and reached under the table to take them in his own. It helped root her and she’d felt peaceful sitting next to him.

“I gave him your agent’s name and number, but he’d like to meet you personally and see how many pieces you have for a showing.”

Ashley hadn’t expected the call to come so quickly or that Luca would want the showing to be so soon. She hadn’t even met the man first as Amber had hinted at. There was only a week and a half to get everything together.

Cole helped her pick out the pieces she would showcase and helped her determine prices for each one. She printed small cards with descriptions and prices for each piece.

She went shopping with Amber in Cherry Hills for a dress, new shoes, and a clutch purse for the event. The excitement welled up inside her and she began to think she would be too nervous to enjoy her very first exhibition.

When the night of the showing came, Ashley had failed to talk herself out of being nervous. Cole had spent all day yesterday and all morning helping her set up her pieces in the gallery. The staff at Marcello’s had done most of the work, but she had made sure everything was perfect.

When she made her way down to meet Cole at the foot of the stairs, his eyes heated as they ran over her.

“My god,” he whispered. “You’re so beautiful, no one is going to be looking at your art tonight.”

She laughed as her stomach did little leaps for joy.

“Where are you going to put your phone?” He handed her the device.

“I have a clutch purse.” She showed him. “But…” She slid the phone between her breasts and smiled when his mouth fell open. “I was thinking here would work too.”

“Yeah.” He reached out and ran a fingertip town the low V of the dress. “I can’t wait to peel this off you later.”

She took his hand as they walked outside.

“What’s this?” she asked out on the front porch, looking over at Cole.

“I thought that you deserved to show up in style.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Come.” He helped her down the front stairs and into the limo.

“Would you like a drink?” He held up a bottle of champagne as the car drove away from her house.

“You thought of everything, didn’t you?” She smiled as he popped the cork and poured the bubbly liquid.

His eyes met hers as he handed her a glass. “To new beginnings with the woman of my dreams.” He clicked his glass to hers and they drank.

“I’m so nervous,” she admitted, downing the champagne quickly. He took the bottle and poured her a little more.

“Don’t be. Everyone is going to love all of your pieces.” He brushed a hand over her hair.

She’d worn it up in a messy, curly bun. The silver V-neck dress she had purchased was a perfect fit and showcased what few assets she had. The matching silver shoes were a little too big, but Amber had assured her that was a good thing since she was going to be standing in them all evening.

“There is one more item we need to discuss before we arrive.” He shifted as he took her glass and set it down on the small bar area.

When he pulled out a small red box from his suit pocket, Ashley’s heart skipped.

“Ashley Scott, I think I’ve loved you from second grade, it might have been first, but…” He shrugged and smiled up at her. She held her breath as he opened the small case. “More than anything, I’ve wanted to marry you and start a new life with you. We’ve been working towards this all our lives.” He took the ring and slid it on her finger. “Tell me to go to hell, tell me I’m not good enough for you.”

“Never,” she interrupted, causing him to smile.

“Then tell me you’ll put me out of my misery and marry me.”

“Yes.” She smiled as he finished sliding the ring on her finger.

He pulled her to him and hugged her until she felt all the shaking and nerves disappear.

When the limo rolled to a stop, she felt that with Cole’s ring on her finger, she could conquer anything. He helped her out of the car, and she smiled when she saw her paintings in the windows of the gallery. There was a line of people outside, waiting to get in.

“Ready?” he asked her on the sidewalk.

She leaned up and gave him a kiss. “I am now.”

At first, Cole stuck to her side as she weaved in and out of people, answering questions about her pieces. But after Amber and Tom arrived with her parents, Cole relaxed a little more and stayed back with Tom.

She hadn’t had a chance to tell her family yet about their engagement, but there was plenty of time after the showing.

Of course, Amber had seen the ring and pulled her aside.

“Is there something you want to tell me?” Her sister smiled at her.

“This?” She held out the ring. “He asked on the way over tonight.” They hugged for a while before someone pulled her across the room to talk about one of the pieces she’d done in Paris.

An hour later, her feet were turning numb and she’d drunk too much champagne. She’d tried to offset it by nibbling on the hors d’oeuvre, but still, she was a little wobbly on her silver heels.

“Miss Scott.” Luca Marcello approached her and took her arm. She’d met him for the first time yesterday when she and Cole had delivered most of the paintings. He was an older gentleman, she guessed in his late seventies, yet still very attractive with his jet-black hair peppered with silver. His Italian accent wasn’t as thick as she’d expected, but he’d explained that he’d lived in the States since he was ten years old and only visited his family in Italy every few years. “I hope you are enjoying your evening.”

“Very much so. I can’t thank you enough for all of this.” She glanced around at the almost-full gallery.

“I have a private collector that wishes to speak with you alone.” He started walking her towards the back of the gallery.

“Oh?” She set her drink down on a tray as they walked by.

“Yes, a Mr. Bernard. He claims he knows you already?” Ashley thought of the name and frowned. The only Mr. Bernard she knew was an art teacher in Paris. Just as they made it to the back hallway, one of the gallery’s staff stopped Luca and whispered something in his ear. “I’m sorry, there is a matter which needs my attention. Mr. Bernard is waiting for you in my office.” He motioned to the last door. “Please, I will join you when I can.”

She nodded and continued down the hallway. When she opened the door, she frowned at the man who was leaning against the desk, smiling back at her. When she turned to leave, her arm was grabbed by a larger man and yanked behind her back. She didn’t have time to scream before a white cloth was forced over her mouth and nose.

---

Cole’s tie was practically choking him. He desperately wanted out of the stiff suit and into nothing, with Ashley’s naked body pressed up against his.

His eyes kept scanning the crowded room for that sexy silver dress of hers. All night long, he’d found it harder and harder to concentrate on holding conversations. Even with Tom, whom he’d always gotten along with.

Her entire family had been there at some point that night. Aiden and Kristen had stopped by for half an hour before heading out when their babysitter called and told them their son Camden had thrown up.

Ashley’s parents had come and gone as well. Amber and Tom had stuck around, hinting that they wanted to grab some real food with them once the party was over.

He knew that Amber had heard about their engagement, since Tom mentioned it to him as they stood in the corner of the room, trying to blend into the walls.

“I guess parties like this are something we both have to get used to,” Tom said grabbing another glass of champagne. “Don’t get me wrong, champagne is great, but I’d kill for a beer right about now.”

“You and me both,” he said, tapping his glass to Tom’s.

“It’s kind of amazing to see how talented Ashley has gotten.” Tom nodded to the closest piece of hers, hanging on the wall beside them. It was the piece she’d done up at the cabin.

“Yeah.” He smiled, remembering how he’d watched her create it. “Still, my favorite piece is the one hanging over our fireplace. She painted it in Paris.”

“Oh?” Tom’s eyebrows rose. “I’ll have to see it next time we’re over there. Sounds like we’re going to be brothers-in-law soon,” Tom added.

“Yes.” Cole’s smile grew.

“Any idea when the big day will be?” Tom asked.

“That’s up to Ash,” he said, as his eyes scanned the room for her. When he didn’t immediately spot her, he frowned slightly. “Have you seen her?” he asked Tom.

“Hmm.” Tom glanced around the room. “Not in a while. I’m sure she’s around somewhere.” Tom grabbed a small cracker with shrimp and cheese on top as a waiter walked by. “Maybe Amber has seen her.” He motioned for his wife to come to them.

“Can you believe the turnout?” Amber said when she stopped in front of them.

“Have you seen Ashley?” he asked, trying to hide the fear in his voice. Amber’s eyebrows rose, giving him the clue that he hadn’t done a good enough job.

“She might have gone to the bathroom,” Amber added, handing her glass to Tom. “I’ll go check.” Amber disappeared through the crowd and Cole counted the seconds as his eyes continued to scan the large gallery.

There were two floors and more than a thousand square feet broken up by the fake walls that held the paintings. Small benches had been removed for the showing, and lined up against a blank wall for guests who needed to sit down.

There were bathrooms both downstairs and upstairs, and they waited as Amber checked both.

“She’s not in either of those, but someone said that they saw her talking with Luca.” She motioned to where the gallery owner was deep in conversation with a younger couple. “Maybe he knows where she went.”

“I’ll go ask.” He made his way across the room with Tom and Amber in tow. Cole didn’t wait for a break in the conversation, instead, just barged in. “Have you seen Ashley?”

Luca’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, she’s in a private meeting with a Mr. Bernard in my office,” he said smoothly. “Regan will show you the way.” He motioned to a staff member standing beside him.

“No need, I remember where it is.” He quickly turned towards the back hallway where the older man had met them yesterday.

He wasn’t surprised when Tom and Amber continued to follow him.

When he opened the office door, his heart sank at the emptiness of the room.

“Where is she?” Amber asked, her voice going high.

Cole turned to Tom and pulled out his phone. “Dial RJ in my contacts,” he said as he passed them. “Tell him what’s going on.” He rushed down the hallway towards the back exit.