One year later.
I stand before my painting of the rocky ocean shore near Dustin’s new home as flashes of light blind me. Dustin slides his arm around me, pulling me to him. The gallery director stands on my other side. A podium sits a few feet in front of me. A crowd of people stand before us, but the director kept it to invitation only, so it’s manageable for me.
In the back my gaze connects with my sister and I smile. She’s been one of my biggest supporters as I’ve advanced my career. I’m glad she came. I look to her left. She’s standing beside my mother and stepfather, and I do a double take. I didn’t know they were coming. A thrill goes through me. Dustin is always setting up surprises for me. I lean toward him. “Thank you for bringing my family.”
He squeezes my hand. “I didn’t want them to miss this.”
The director speaks for a bit, introduces me, and lets me take the floor. Reporters take my picture.
“Mackenzie, which artists inspired you?” a reporter asks.
“Many, but I remember seeing a display from John Singer Sargent as a child and it moved me. It was the reason I started painting.”
“What’s your favorite subject to paint?” someone else calls out.
“I prefer landscapes. There are so many beautiful places in the world. I like to capture them on paper.”
“Are you through switching places with your sister?” a reporter in the back calls out.
The director steps forward. “Only art related questions, please.”
I answer a few more questions and the press part of my gallery showing is done. I walk through the art gallery, talking with the guests and answering more questions. Dustin stays by my side and takes my hand when he thinks I’m getting overwhelmed.
As soon as we have a moment alone, he turns to me. “You’ve done a fantastic job, Mackenzie. I can hardly see any signs of your anxiety.”
I smile, so happy I’ve made it this far. “Really?”
“Yes. I’m so proud of you.”
I turn to look at the walls of the gallery. Every wall is filled with one of my paintings. It’s my first solo show, and my largest one yet. It’s a satisfying feeling I can’t even describe.
It’s been a year since Dustin and I started dating and I moved to LA. I’ve been painting and working on getting my own show in the hot Los Angeles market. It hasn’t been easy, but I did it without Dustin or Jera pulling strings on my behalf.
We mingle some more, and the crowd wanes. I try to find my family but they seem to have disappeared. Disappointment fills me. I wanted to talk to them.
As the last of the people come by to congratulate me, relief floods through me. We’re almost done with the hard part.
The director is the last one to come up to us. “Congratulations, Mackenzie. We’ve sold over half of your paintings tonight. I’m sure more will go as we keep the display through next week.”
My heart feels light. “Is that good?”
“Very good. You should be proud.”
Dustin hugs me to him. “I’m so happy for you.”
The director smiles at us. “Let me go see these last guests out. Then the place is yours.”
I stare at her, not understanding what she means, but Dustin nods and smiles. “Thank you.”
I look up at him. “What’s going on?”
“There’s something I want to do. So, I rented the gallery.”
Confused, I stare at the sly smile on his face. “What do you want to do?”
“You’ll see.” He kisses my forehead in a sweet gesture.
I grow excited as I wait for whatever Dustin is going to do. Over the past year he’s given me many surprises. I’ve figured out it’s one of his love languages. And he knows how to give the best surprises.
When we hear the click of the front door locking, Dustin ushers me through the maze of gallery rooms to a room in the back with all my sea turtle paintings. Dustin and I have a special thing going with sea turtles. It’s like a secret I love you every time I paint them.
The lights are dim, and as we enter the room, I notice Jera standing against the wall with my mother and stepfather. Jera is holding Squint in his carrier. Before I can say anything, Dustin drops to one knee.
He takes my hand, and tears spring to my eyes. “Mackenzie, I can’t imagine my life without you. You brought all the color back into my life. And even though we met in unusual circumstances…”
“Falling out a bathroom window,” Jera says behind her hand. Everyone laughs.
“I’m so glad we did,” Dustin says, continuing. “I can’t go on any longer without you as my wife. Mackenzie, will you marry me?” Dustin pulls out a small, white box and opens it. A sapphire engagement ring sits inside.
I blink back the tears, but it’s too late. They’re flowing down my cheeks. I throw my arms around him. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I kiss his cheek.
My mother and Jera clap their hands. “About time,” Jera says. “I was betting on this months ago.”
Dustin stands and gives me a proper kiss. Jera hoots while everyone claps and I blush and pull away.
Squint wiggles and barks. Jera lets him down. He runs to Dustin, who pulls a dog treat out of his pocket. I laugh as Squint eats his treat. “I think you’re officially his favorite now.”
“Good.” He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “I hope I’m your favorite, too.”
“Absolutely. Forever and ever.”
Dustin gives me another kiss. Everything melts away, and it’s just me and Dustin. He is my other half. My anchor and my sunlight. Without him, my world is dreary and cold, and I’m so glad my twin sister convinced me to switch her places so I could meet him.
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