Levi’s laugh ghosted warm breath across my face. “Okay.”

We held the position for several seconds before he pulled away with reluctance.

“Want some canapés?” he asked.

“I’m dying for another one of those stuffed mushrooms,” I admitted, but tugged him back when he started to move away. “Wait!”

Levi lifted an eyebrow.

“Don’t you want a photo?” I pointed to one of his seascapes.

I purposely didn’t say to send your parents because I knew it was a sore spot. They’d wanted to come, but it hadn’t panned out. I knew, even though Levi didn’t talk about it, that he was disappointed.

He pressed his lips together and glanced around the gallery. Many of the other artists had brought their families for the exhibition. Achievements always seemed more exciting when you shared them with people you loved.

“Yeah, let’s do it,” he finally decided. “Where should I stand? Is here okay?”

I took my phone out of my clutch. “No, a little to the left—wait!—no, that’s it—perfect.” I snapped the picture.

“Oh my God, delete that one,” he said, covering his laugh with his hand. “I wasn’t ready.”

“It’s cute,” I protested, but I took another shot.

Levi groaned over my giggle. “Okay, let’s go eat.”

I was introduced to some of the program mentors over refreshments, which somewhat prevented me from scarfing as many mushrooms as I’d have liked. There was no polite way Levi could get out of receiving compliments, even though it was hard to keep a conversation going when I could see how quickly the mushrooms were being depleted.

Levi’s look of misery was almost comical by the time we finally got around to the salmon toast. “Why are there two platters of deviled eggs? Who decided that we really needed two dozen eggs?”

“Okay, I’m seriously going to make you some sriracha deviled eggs one day. You’ll convert.”

He made a face. “Doubt it.”

As I popped an hors d’oeuvre into my mouth, Levi put a hand at the small of my back. “Your friends are coming over,” he said.

Lorcan and Lucy, both dressed in black, had glided across the room to join us. Lucy’s smile sparkled brighter than the glittery pins in her upswept brown hair. “I saw your paintings,” she said. “They look so good.”

“Thanks,” said Levi. “I’m glad you like them.” He bumped fists with Lorcan.