Josh wanted to suck the words back in and never say them again. “Frankly, he was a jerk.” Josh hadn’t cared how talented the man claimed his new artist was. Five minutes after he met the guy Josh didn’t want anything to do with either of them.

“He’s a jerk that owns the most highly acclaimed gallery in New York City. He can make or break an artist,” Lily said.

Josh had a feeling from her tone that the gallery owner was the man who had broken Lily. The man who had smothered the depth and life he had seen in her artwork online and the drawing that had floated into his life.

“Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked as he stepped up to the table.

Lily planted on a fake smile. “Yes, I know I’m ready for some great food and conversation. I’ll have the shrimp bisque, please.” She nudged into Josh. “It’s to die for here.”

“I’ll have that to start, too, then.” He had a dying need to comfort her. To heck with business, his heart would crack if he didn’t. With a light touch, he placed his hand at the edge of his knee and shifted his pinky to graze her fingers. She instantly turned her hand over and slid her fingers between his. They didn’t look at each other or say anything. They just sat and listened to Allen and Connie order.

When the waiter left, Allen leaned in with his arm around Connie, but she wasn’t as difficult to get to know. Josh couldn’t remember the last time he wanted to connect with someone like this. Natalie had been the one who pursued him. When he thought about it, all his former girlfriends from middle school to now had pursued him. Lily was the first real challenge he’d ever faced outside of work. She was complex, beautiful, smart, and talented. Even with the pain her ex had caused her, she still maintained her pride and dignity. That spoke volumes about her.

“What’s your favorite movie?”

“What?”

Lily dipped her chin to her chest then looked up at him again. “I know I’m out of practice, but aren’t we supposed to get to know each other on a date? Unless…” She lifted her chin a little higher.

“Yes, I guess I’m out of practice on dating, too. I’m not sure I have a favorite movie.”

Lily bit her bottom lip as if to stifle a laugh. “Sure you don’t.”

“He likes Fargo and Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, but he’ll never admit it in public,” Allen said.

Josh smacked himself in the forehead. “Thanks a lot.”

“Hey, I like Bill and Ted’s. I’m not a Fargo fan, though.” Lily used her free hand to brush hair from her eyes. He’d noticed how pretty her eyes were the first time they met, but in the soft candlelight they were even more so. A green with gold flecks in them. “Your turn. Ask me something.”

Josh thought for a minute, not wanting to ask a generic question. “What’s your favorite artwork?”

She lit up. “Oh, I don’t know if I can choose. Have you heard of Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq?”

Josh smiled. “Rembrandt? More commonly known as The Night Watch? Yes, I’ve seen it.”

She leaned into him as if to reward him for his answer. “You did? Like in real life and not just in an art book?”

“Yes, when I went backpacking in Europe. Actually, I love architecture and art.” Across the table, Josh noticed Connie shift closer to Allen. They were getting chummy quick.

“I wouldn’t have guessed that. I have a feeling there’s a lot we don’t know about each other,” Lily said. Her thumb swiped over his hand, and he thought he’d lose all conscious thought if she did it again. His body heated. How did such a simple touch make him short of breath and his pulse quicken?

He took a steadying breath. “I know an easy solution for that.”

The soup arrived and Lily had been right. It was the most delicious bisque he’d ever eaten. They talked about work, home, places they’d traveled and places they still wanted to visit. All while Connie and Allen were nose snuggling and cuddling on the other side of the table. That was how it had been with Natalie. They had an instant connection, but things got boring and by the end of a year he was exhausted with her drama.

They stretched dinner out as long as they could, chatting long after the waiter had brought their check. He was sad to end the night so soon. He was trying to think of a way to stall when Connie said, “Let’s take a walk on the beach. It’s gorgeous this time of night.”

For the first time since arriving in Florida, Josh was eager to feel sand between his toes. “That sounds like a great idea. And this time I don’t have to worry about a sunburn.”

They’d held hands under the table throughout their meal, even though he had never eaten with his left hand before. He reluctantly released her, and stood to pull out her chair. To his surprise, she stood and slipped her hand back into his, walking side by side with him as they left the restaurant. She seemed to fit perfectly next to him, her long, beautiful legs matching his strides easily.

“So, you’ve really been to all those museums? I can’t even imagine.” Lily swung their hands as they walked down the path to the beach.

It was like one of those old black-and-white movies he used to watch with his mother growing up. The moonlight, the sea breeze, and the amazing woman at his side. “I’m surprised you haven’t been. From what I read online, you’re an incredibly successful artist. Some of your pieces sold for more than what I’ve made in two years at my company.”

“Perhaps, but I never saw most of that money. I worked for Stephon. He commissioned the pieces for me, and I made a percentage of the sales price. When it was all over, he said he had to reinvest my percentage to keep his gallery open because I’d cost him so much in advertising and event costs trying to sell my stuff. He claimed he was in debt and it was all my fault.” Lily stopped swinging their hands and the lightness in her faded.

“You know that he lied to you, right?”

Lily shrugged. “Yes, but by that point it wasn’t about money. It was about gaining my freedom again.”

Connie cleared her throat. “I tried to get her to sue him, but I soon realized she had so much more to gain by leaving him. A lawsuit would’ve only tied them together in a legal battle. That was something she didn’t need. She didn’t need any ties to that man.”

“In case you haven’t guessed, Connie didn’t like him very much.” Lily said with an eye roll.

He loved her playful side and appreciated her trying to keep the mood light despite how hard it must be for her to talk about the past.

Connie tugged Allen down a fork in the path. “I’m going to go show him the lookout.”

They disappeared up the hill and around the sand dunes before Lily mumbled, “You mean the makeout.”

Josh dropped his shoes to the ground along with Lily’s and they walked to the edge of the water. “It’s beautiful here.”

“It is,” Lily whispered.

He released her hand and tucked her hair behind her shoulders to see her face. “You’re beautiful, too.” Her lips parted slightly, and she took in a quick breath. He loved the way he affected her and how she affected him with the slightest of touches. “I admire you. Even after all the things that man did to you, you don’t seem to hold any resentment. I must confess, though. The fact that man shattered your confidence in your talent makes me want to punch his lights out.”

She smiled. “Nicest thing a guy has ever said to me.”

He brushed her soft cheek with his thumb, longing for some connection with her. To kiss her. To hold her tight and make all her troubles go away. “I want to kiss you. More than I’ve ever wanted to kiss anyone in my life.”

She placed her hands on his waist and stepped closer, looking up at him.

“I’m not going to, though.”

She went to move away, but he kept hold.

“I won’t kiss you because he is still here.” Josh place a finger over her heart. “Your ex. He still has a hold on you.”

She shook her head but didn’t protest.

“You know it’s true. I might not have your gift for reading people, but I can tell he’s the reason you can’t let yourself paint or sketch the way you used to. He stole that from you, and I want you to get it back. To get yourself back.”

She closed her eyes and leaned into his palm. “That’s what I want, too. To find myself again. You’re right. As much as I don’t want to admit it, he’s still here, still haunting me. He made me feel like I’d lost everything. That I’d never be able to create a piece of art anyone would want again. But I’m tired of giving him that power. I’m going to finish that sketch for you.” She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth, and he thought he’d go insane. The hint of pressure stole his breath and he rethought his words, but before he could react she pulled free and walked away in the moonlight.