One month later…

After a morning full of rain, the sun finally stepped out of the clouds, spreading an unreal color on the island of Montcove. The sunlight reflected off a newly-placed sign that simply read, The Empty Canvas below which another sign informed the general populace about a 50 percent off sale that was also going on at the establishment that previously existed there, a bookstore.

Outside, the street was empty and the only sound was of birds chirping. Inside, there was a single sound—that of a mouse clicking. The woman who ran the store sat in front of the computer, but instead of doing inventory for her books, she was cycling through different T-shirt designs. Rory knew that any customers or any of the art students that she had acquired over the last couple of weeks wouldn’t start dropping in till after lunch. She used the free time to catalog the new designs that she had come up with in the last week.

More importantly, she was starving. Running a fledging T-shirt business did not leave her time to cook. Yet another afternoon she made Lizzy run to Martha’s to pick up lunch. Her stomach was rumbling, but she was comforted by the fact that Lizzy would be back anytime now. It hadn’t surprised her in the least how hardworking Lizzy had become since their return from LA.

Rory was truly happy. Happier than she had ever been. The last month had been fantastic. She was finally getting paid to do what she liked, and for once, she was living a life without worry. Rory smiled a contented smile to herself. Her thoughts were stirred ajar by the sound of the main door of the shop opening. Finally. Lizzy! I’m starving, she smiled to herself.

“I was wondering when you were going to come back…” she said without looking up.

“That, I wasn’t expecting,” the reply came, but to Rory’s surprise it was not Lizzy that spoke. Instead it was the husky voice of a man, dressed in a white shirt, black tight jeans, with unkempt hair.

“I thought you were…” The words hung suspended in the air. Rory’s hand reached her wide-open mouth in surprise. During the last few weeks she had done her best to forget Arsen Ford, and now here he was, in the flesh.

Her hands formed into fists, fighting the urge to touch him. She fought her body’s need to embrace him, to engulf him in a kiss. But she deserved more. More than Arsen Ford could give.

“I was not expecting you here. What can I do for you?” she replied in a cold tone. For once Arsen wasn’t smiling.

“I wasn’t expecting myself to come here either.”

“Then what made you come here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“I am not sure it is. Do you need another T-shirt?” Rory said drily.

“I need more than that.”

“Arsen…” Rory hesitated.

“Rory. Enough. You have lived all your life in fear and doubts. Where has it gotten you all these years? What has it ever done for you?” Arsen paused. His words echoed the same thoughts that were running around her head not so long ago. Arsen took a couple of steps toward her.

“You doubt my actions or the lack of them. You’re suspicious of everything surrounding me and you’re not sure about my lifestyle. And all this when you haven’t even been a part of it yet? Are you really willing to let go of all that we could be, because of unfounded doubts?”

“Arsen, I have fallen too often to make the same mistakes again.”

“So have I. But I still think that when something as wonderful as this comes along, it is well worth the gamble.”

“Arsen…”

“Rory. There is no one else. There is nothing else. Forget the rest of the world. It is between you and me. It has always been you for me… ever since I got to know you for who you truly are. Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t have the feeling that this could be something special?” Arsen was right in front of her now, staring deep into her soul.

Something stirred in her. Passion? Emotion? Hope? Dear God, no hope, please. She folder her arms over her chest.

“Arsen…”

“Tell me you don’t feel even an ounce of what I feel and I will walk away for good.”

“Arsen…”

“Tell me that you didn’t think about me even once since you saw me last?”

“Arsen, please…”

“Tell me you aren’t happy to see me right now?”

“Arsen, please!” Rory replied, much louder than she intended. He held her by the wrists, gently but with a hint of possession, his face much closer to hers than she had realized.

“Rory,” Arsen said sternly. ”What is this?” he demanded to know. His gaze was fire. His eyes studied her, looking for answers.

“I wanna be with you, Rory, now and forever. I want to love you for who you are. I want to love you more than anything else in the world. I want my entire being to come alive when you fix those eyes of yours on me. I want it to be just you and me, in our secret bubble, away from everything else in the world. ”

A wall came crumbling down inside of her, her eyes welling up as she finally saw the truth in his face, in his eyes, in his words. The ache of loneliness and turmoil left her heart. This man really did see what was special in her. This man really did see the side of her that everyone else did not. This man had not pressured her to be a certain way. He accepted her for who she was.

Rory didn’t wait for her thoughts to complete as she lunged at Arsen, who instantly lifted her up in his arms. Their lips intertwined. Even with their eyes closed, they could see each other and feel the great connection, the electrifying energy that one can feel at the start of a great love. This is really something special, Rory thought.

Rory exhaled with a sound as they split apart. Arsen was smiling. A smile of innocence, a smile of happiness on his face. The smile of a man who had finally won the battle.

“So are you going to help me with that T-shirt or not?” Arsen joked. Rory hit him playfully and leaned in to kiss him again.

“OH MY GOD!” They both turned at the sound of a voice. Lizzy was back in the shop and her jaw had dropped to the floor to see Arsen not just present there, but with his arms wrapped around Rory.

“Is this a dream? Is this what I think it is? Is it? Has it?” Lizzy was hysterical, her confusion answered with shy laughter from Rory.

“Yes, Lizzy. It’s true. Rory is now much more than just my T-shirt designer,” Arsen grinned.

“T-shirt designer?” Lizzy was still confused. The look on her face was hilarious and Rory couldn’t stop laughing.

Arsen turned to Rory and kissed her gently on the lips. A quick peck. He knew Rory would be embarrassed in the presence of Lizzy were he to launch into one of his delicious kisses.

“Aww. You two are the cutest. When you called me in the morning, I didn’t know you would be in Montcove so soon,” Lizzy said to Arsen.

“Wait, what?” Rory asked. “This is your doing?”

“Oops. Guilty as charged.” Lizzy smiled sheepishly. “I told you that he wasn’t like the rest of them. That’s why I’ve been in touch with him since we left LA.”

“You have?” Rory raised a brow and then looked at Arsen, who just shrugged.

“I owed you one. After all that you did for me, Rory, I just had to return the favor. I knew you were hurting without…”

“No, I was not,” Rory cut her off as Arsen looked at her with a self-satisfied smile. “Anyway, enough of that.”

Thankfully for Rory, Lizzy quickly changed the topic.

“I got some yummy food from Martha and I’m starving,” she said.

“And looks like we have plenty of food for you, too.” Rory turned to Arsen.

“But do you have room for me here?” Arsen asked.

“What do you mean?”

“The first time I was in your house, I fell in love with it. There was something about the energy here. I asked you to rent it to me but you declined. I hope you won’t this time?”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Rory, Lizzy—you guys are the first people I am telling this to. I left Insurrection and now I’m going to embark on a solo career.” His eyes gleamed. He is so happy, like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders.

“Arsen!” Rory embraced him. “This is amazing. This is the best decision that you could’ve made.”

“About time, right? No more fights, no more unhappiness, and no more world tours. I might be starting from scratch again, but it’s better than working with someone who I can’t respect. ”

“Yes. That jackass does not deserve to even be in the same room as you,” Lizzy said, referring to Mickey.

“So Rory, can I…”

“Of course, Arsen.” She rushed to kiss him, not giving a damn that Lizzy was right next to them. “You can stay here as long as you’d like.”

“What if I never leave?” He winked.

“Even better!” she smiled.

As Rory carried the food from the kitchen to the drawing room, she saw Arsen and Lizzy setting the dinner table. This was her life now. A new art studio, a new life of financial freedom, and most of all—her own Prince Charming. The kind of love that happens in movies.

This is my family now, Rory smiled. She couldn’t believe that Arsen was here to stay. The idea of waking up next to him, the idea of spending nights in his arms, excited her beyond belief. This was just the first of the many more amazing days to come. The table was set and Rory had filled up their glasses with wine.

“Cheers to you two amazing ladies,” Arsen said as he raised his glass.

“To all of us,” Rory joined in.

“But most of all, cheers to Rory and Arsen. Finally!” Lizzy exclaimed, and they all laughed.

“Bon appetit,” said Rory and they all dug in to their plates.

The sounds of plates and knives faded into the background as the rain, in its typically loud fashion, started pouring down on the beautiful island of Montcove.