She reached out and squeezed my arm. “You will. One day. I have complete faith in that. But Brody shouldn’t be pushing you to do something you’re not comfortable with. I saw how hard it was for you to take all the steps you have over the past few months. Letting new friends into your world, playing at The Catch, spending more time on Anchor. Those are all huge strides. You need to give yourself some credit.”

I traced a circular design on the arm of my chair. “But I don’t know if it’s enough. I don’t want to hold Brody back—”

“You aren’t. You didn’t tell him he couldn’t go to Seattle, did you?”

“Of course not.”

Caelyn set her wine down on the side of her chair. “Then he is free to do what fills up his bucket, just like you can.”

“I’m not sure it’s that simple.” Of course, Brody would want someone who could go with him to all those events. It was only natural, and I couldn’t blame him for it.

“Do you love him?” she asked.

I met Caelyn’s gaze dead on. “More than I thought possible.”

“Does he love you?”

I thought about all the ways Brody had shown me just that. Not only with his words but also with his body, his actions, his every move. “He does.”

Caelyn gave me a gentle smile. “Then you two will figure it out. I promise. Love always finds a way.”

It was a beautiful thought. I just wished I could be as sure as Caelyn was.

42

Brody

I stared at the massive sculpture piece that took up the entire center of the gallery courtyard. Carson was moving in a different direction with his art. Instead of a piece that had an almost whimsical quality, this one was darker. As if he’d been incredibly angry when he set his flame to metal.

I moved around the angular sculpture freely now that most of the crowd had made their way inside to see the rest of the show. As I circled it, I couldn’t help but wish that Shay were with me. What would she have to say about this piece and the others? What would she think of Carson? The patrons of the gallery? Everything.

I just missed her. I’d spent every day and night with her for months. And now, she was gone. God, I was a mope. It wasn’t like I wouldn’t see her in twenty-four hours. This was pathetic.

“I hope you’re not scowling at my work.”

I turned at the sound of Carson’s voice. “That look was entirely directed at me. This piece is great. You’re working in a whole new way.”

His mouth pressed into a firm line as he surveyed the sculpture. “It was time for something different. My work was getting tired.”