I got out of bed the next morning and stumbled into the kitchen for some already brewed coffee. Connor was sitting on the couch with his cup and typing something into his phone.
“Hey, babe, I hope I didn’t wake you?” he said.
“Nope, not at all. What are you doing?”
“We need to talk. Come here and sit down.”
My stomach got all panicky as his tone was serious. I sat down next to him and kissed him on his cheek. He smiled and put his phone down on the table.
“I have to go back to New York today for a meeting regarding the acquisition of a company that I’ve been interested in. I want you to come back with me.”
I stared at him and twisted my face. “Can I?”
“Why not? You don’t get your next set of injections until next month. We’ll go back today, stay through Thanksgiving, and come back before your next treatment.”
A smile grew across my face. “I’ll get to see Peyton. She’ll be so excited! And I’ll see my apartment.”
Connor frowned. “You’re not staying in that box you call an apartment. You’re living with me.”
I gave him a pouty look. “Do I have to stay in the guest bedroom?”
He laughed as he touched my cheek. “There’s no way you’re staying in the guest bedroom. I want you in my bed.”
***
We took his private jet back to New York. I ran to Denny as I saw him leaning up against the black limo. I threw my arms around him.
“Denny, I’ve missed you! How are you?”
He smiled and twirled me around. “Look at you, Elle. You look great.”
I saw Connor smirking as he put our bags in the trunk. “I’m sorry, Connor. Let me get those.”
“No, Denny, it’s okay. She’s been dying to see you. She missed you.”
Denny looked at me and gave me a hug. “I’ve missed you too, and it’s nice to see your bright, smiling face here again.”
I slid into the back of the limo and Connor followed, interlacing our fingers.
“I called Peyton and told her I was back in town and that I needed her help with something for you, so she’s coming by the penthouse around seven o’clock.”
“You didn’t tell her I was here?”
He tightened the grip on my hand. “No, I was going to let you surprise her.”
I rested my head on his shoulder. “I love you.”
We arrived back at the penthouse around five o’clock. Connor took our bags to the bedroom while I went to the kitchen to get some water. I went up the stairs and headed straight to his room. I’d only been in his room one time, and that was when I brought him home from the club. The door was open, so I walked in. I gasped at what I saw. Connor turned around and looked at me.
“Oh, I forgot you haven’t been in here.”
My eyes glanced to the right, then above the bed, and then to the left side of the room. Each wall was displayed with my paintings from the art gallery.
“You were the one who bought my paintings?”
He held his hands up. “Please tell me that you aren’t mad.”
I looked at the painting that hung over his bed, the one of the man and woman dancing under the stars.
“I’m not mad. I just want to know why.”
He sighed. “Look at them, Elle. They’re beautiful. It was my way of being able to be close to you when you weren’t around.”
I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Thank you. It means a lot.”
He let out a sigh as if he was relieved there wasn’t going to be a battle. I walked over to his bed and slightly giggled, remembering the night I struggled to get his clothes off.
“What’s so funny?”
“I was just remembering the night you were passed out on this bed, and I was straddled over you, taking off your clothes.”
His sexy smile captivated me as he laid himself down on the bed and spread out.
“What are you doing?” I laughed.
“I don’t remember you doing that, and I want to, so I thought you could reenact it for me.”
I bit my lip as I pulled my shirt over my head and threw it on the floor.
“Um, I don’t think you did that.”
I seductively smiled. “No, I didn’t, but I’m going to make it a little more interesting this time.” I unbuttoned my pants and took them off, throwing them on top of my shirt. I straddled him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt.
“Fuck it. I need you now,” he said. Before I knew it, I was lying on my back and he was on top of me.
***
I stayed in the kitchen while Connor went to the elevator and greeted Peyton.
“Okay, Connor, what’s so important that you need my help with?”
I stepped from the kitchen. “That would be me!” I exclaimed.
Peyton shrieked as she ran to me, and we hugged, jumping up and down.
“Oh my God, Elle! I’m so happy you’re here!”
Connor smiled. “I’ll let you two catch up. I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
I took Peyton to the kitchen and poured us each a glass of wine. We moved ourselves to the comfort of the couch in the living room.
“So, tell me what’s going on with you and Henry?”
She smiled her big Peyton smile and told me they were doing great, and she thought he was going to propose at Christmas. We talked for a few hours before Henry called her and asked her when she was coming home. She took my hands and held them in front of her as I noticed her eyes start to tear.
“You’re my best friend, and I hate that you have to fight cancer again. I want you to know that I will always be here for you, no matter what. You will beat this, Ellery Lane, or I will kick your ass. Do you understand me?”
I hugged her and smiled. “Yes, Peyton, I will beat this because you scare me.”
She let out a laugh and walked out the door. I walked upstairs to find Connor in bed, sound asleep. I changed into my nightshirt and climbed into his king-size bed. I watched his chest slowly rise and fall with each peaceful breath. I envisioned this being my future. I laid myself down and snuggled against him. He stirred and put his arm around me, bringing me in closer to him. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
***
The week went by rather quickly as I visited the soup kitchen and the art gallery. Connor took me shopping and bought me some new clothes. I insisted on paying for them myself, but he just laughed and told me to stop being silly.
While Connor was at the office, I would occupy my time by painting and hanging out with Peyton. Sal called me to let me know that two of my paintings sold and that I needed to paint more. I asked Connor if he bought them, and he just laughed. Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was here, and I was a nervous wreck to meet his family.