The Art of Zen, page 44
“Dare I ask why you want Mario?”
“Because if Vivian wants mass-produced items, that’s what she’s going to get along with new paintings. But I need an apprentice.” She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I have a feeling there are plenty of family members to choose from to replace him for a while. Can I have him?”
“Sweetie, you can have anything you want, just stop talking about him while you’re naked.”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know.” His eyes held a hint of vulnerability. “But you can’t blame me for being a little sensitive to that.”
“Nothing’s going to happen. I just need a fellow artist who will know what I need and can speak the same language as me when it comes to creativity.”
“Ok,” he agreed. “How soon?”
“Tomorrow,” she decided. “I’ll need him to get me more supplies and then I’ll go over what I have in mind.”
“Ok,” he said once more. “We’ll talk about that more in a little while. Right now, let’s get to what’s on my mind.”
“I think I can guess,” Tia said as he laid back and pulled her on top of him.
“We’ll get to that in a minute. Since you seem to be in a better mood, and you’re highly motivated to get started, tell me what it’s going to take to commission two dozen paintings from you for Chadwick’s Steakhouse.”
“Hmm,” Tia pondered the thought. “I told you once I rarely commission my work.”
“I think you’ll make an exception for me,” he said confidently.
“I’ll think about it, but it won’t be until after I get my paintings done for my show.”
“When will that be?” His hands wandered down her back and settled on her bottom.
“When I decide to talk to Vivian again, she and I will decide that,” Tia answered.
“So, are you on board with me to create numerous works I can display as murals?”
Tia let out a long-drawn dramatic sigh. “I guess.” Her voice turned serious. “But don’t make a decision like that without me, again.”
“I won’t,” he promised. He reached for her legs and pulled her knees up around his hips. His eyes roamed over her body, his hands caressed her breasts as she sat on top of him. When he reached to remove his glasses, he chuckled as Tia stopped him with her hand on his arm.
“No, no. Leave those on,” she insisted. Her heart began to race when she saw the look of want in his eyes. Could feel his arousal press intimately against her.
“Anything you say, sweetie.” He sighed with her when she leaned forward and rested her breasts against his chest. “One more thing.” His hands gripped her hips and lifted her slightly as he slid inside of her.
“What’s that?” Tia’s voice was a breathy whisper.
“Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
“Yes, Spencer,” she breathed and began to move with him. “You’re forgiven.”
Chapter 30
They spent the night in her bed. Something Spencer had wanted to do from the moment he first kissed her. The next morning, after very little sleep, Tia woke up early and began to make her list of supplies. As she wrote down what was needed, she couldn’t resist a quick sketch of Spencer while he slept. She turned the page in her notepad and began to draw him. A slow grin spread across her face when he opened his eyes and looked at her.
Spencer loved the way she looked in the morning. Her curls were tumbled over her shoulders, her skin was flawless. Even though it was obvious she had heavily cried the night before with her red-rimmed eyes, he thought she was breathtakingly beautiful. He reached his hand out and tickled her knee. “What are you doing?”
“What’s it look like?” Tia laughed. “I’m drawing my favorite subject.”
“I’m a subject now?”
“Yes,” she answered. “You scowl in your sleep, you know. Makes me wonder if you were born with a frown.”
Spencer laughed as he considered the possibility. “I’ll have to ask my mom. She has my baby pictures.”
“Why don’t you have them?”
“No particular reason. I was planning on calling her today to talk to her about your loft if that’s ok.”
“That’s fine. Does she know you have someone living with you?”
“Not yet,” he answered. “Do your parents know you moved in?”
“They know I’ve been staying with you. I haven’t filled them in on my new residence. I suppose I’ll call them today and tell them.”
“I wonder what our parents will think,” Spencer wondered. When Tia only gave him a careless shrug for an answer, he scooted closer to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and laid his head in her lap. “I like your bed.”
Tia set her pen and paper down. Her fingers trailed through his hair. “I like you in my bed.”
“We’ll have to have frequent sleepovers here.” He reached for the notebook and studied the drawing of him. “Did you wake up this early just to sketch me?”
“No,” Tia said. She flipped the page in the book. “I was making a list of supplies.”
Spencer sat up and slipped his glasses on, then took the list from Tia. His brow furrowed in concentration as he read the items she needed. “Ceramic tiles. Two hundred of them. Paper trimmer. Modge Podge glue. Engine enamel. What the heck do you need that for?”
“To use as a sealant for this project.”
“What’s the project?”
She took the notebook back from him with a shake of her head. “You’re nosy. I told you last night you can’t see my work until it’s done.”
“See it, you said. You never said you wouldn’t tell me about it.”
“Same thing,” she decided.
“How long are you going to leave me in the dark?”
“Until I decide you can look at it. I’ll either start doing some rough sketches for my paintings today or jump right into the creation.”
“How long does it take you to complete a painting?” he wondered.
“Depends on how charged with energy I am. I’ve been known to finish one a day when I’m really on fire.”
“Don’t overdo it,” he requested. “I know you feel better, but listen to your body. I don’t want you to have any setbacks.”
Tia kissed him. “It’s sweet you worry about me, but I’ll be fine.” She snuggled into him and sighed with contentment. “I wish we could stay like this all day, but we both have work to do.”
Spencer pulled the covers up over both of them and kissed her softly. “We can stay like this a little longer, then you can shower with me.” With his arm around her waist, he pulled her close and spooned her. His voice was warm against her ear. “I’ll send Marcelo back with Mario to help you move the supplies into your studio, then Marcelo can drive Mario to pick up the items you need.”
“Sounds good, thank you,” Tia replied. “You know.” She trailed her fingers up and down his arm. “You promised me the most incredible night of my life.”
“What was last night?”
“Meh.” Tia shrugged playfully, then giggled when he tickled her. “That was you apologizing to me.”
Spencer kicked the sheets off of them and settled his weight on top of her. “Fair enough.” He nuzzled her neck and kissed the tender skin behind her ear. “I’ll make that up to you, but in the meantime, how about an incredible morning?”
Because neither Tia nor Spencer had extra clothes with them, they made their way across the hall and shared a long, hot shower. Satisfied, cleansed, and dressed, Tia walked Spencer to the door to see him off for the day.
Spencer reached out and played with his class ring. After she was dressed, Tia immediately found a suitable chain and wore it with pride. “I like the way this looks.”
Tia reached up and felt the ring. “I love it, thank you.”
“The guys will be here in about thirty minutes to help you. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
He looked her over and took in her appearance. Tia wore an old black t-shirt with paint splatters on the front of it, along with loose ripped jeans. “I haven’t seen you dressed like this in a while.”
“You have your work clothes, I have mine. Although...” She reached out and smoothed her hand down the lapel of his suit. “Yours are much nicer than mine.”
“I prefer you out of them,” he joked. He glanced down at her feet to see her bare toes peeking out from under her jeans. They were polished in a playful shade of red. “No shoes?”
She shook her head. “Even though I love shoes, especially Chanel boots, I’m a firm believer that life should be lived barefoot.”
“You’ve got cute feet.” His hand slipped under her shirt and felt her smooth skin. “How’s your bruise feeling?”
“Fades more every day,” she answered.
“Can I see it?”
“Didn’t you see it in the shower?”
“Trust me, I wasn’t looking at your bruise,” he teased. When Tia only rolled her eyes at him, he turned her around and lifted her shirt. She was right. The bruise faded more every day, but it was still there. What was once so dark blue it was nearly black, was now faded to shades of pale green and yellow with a tinge of brown in the center. The swelling was gone, thank goodness. He ran his fingers over the myriad of colors, then leaned forward and kissed her skin. “Does it still hurt?”
Tia turned to him as she pulled the hem of her shirt down. “Not really.”
“You ok?” he asked when she shifted on her feet.
“I am,” she answered. “I just don’t want to talk about it. I want to heal and move forward.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” He kissed her and gave her a tight hug. “I love you, Tatiana.”
“And I love you,” she replied. “Have a good day and don’t plan on dinner being ready when you get home. I rarely cook when I’m working.”
Spencer winked at her and kissed her once more. “Takeout it is. I’ll bring something home.”
Tia said goodbye then closed and locked the door behind him. Mario and Marcelo would be back within the hour. The supplies Spencer had brought home weeks ago remained in the corner of the living room. Tia had only used the one canvas the night she taught Spencer to paint, though she occasionally dipped into the bags for pencils when she felt like sketching. She left the bags where they were and made herself comfortable on the couch with her sketchpad. Oftentimes before she delved into a new series of work, she would make rough drawings of what she saw in her mind. As the desire to get back to work had intensified recently, she had a clear vision of what would go onto each canvas. No rough sketches would be needed. She turned to a blank page and began to title the drawings with small notes only she would be able to decode. Before she started on her new works, she would instruct Mario on her side project, then dive in.
The blinds in the living room remained closed. Tia walked to the window and pressed the button to open them. Slowly, the view of the city appeared. Anxiety tickled her stomach, but she kept her feet planted as she stared out at the water on the Hudson that sparkled with the morning sun. Tia took a deep, cleansing breath, and looked forward to this new beginning in her life.
Spencer sent Mario and Marcelo on their way after he was driven to the restaurant. He greeted Carlos, accepted a steaming mug of black coffee, then settled at his desk. While his computer booted to life, he thought about the conversation with Tia this morning and how they both had to inform their parents of their new living situation.
“No time like the present,” he decided and picked up the phone on his desk to dial his mother. The phone only rang twice before the voice he had been familiar with his entire life answered with a smile.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite son!”
Spencer chuckled on the expected greeting. “Good morning, Mom. How are you?”
“I’m wonderful. I’m having coffee on the balcony and enjoying the ocean view. Your father just left for an early tee time.”
“He’s still at it three days a week, huh?”
“Like clockwork,” Beth answered. “The perks of being semi-retired.”
“How are The Keys treating you?”
“Excellent,” she answered. “It’s the perfect way to winter, but I’ll admit, I miss New York. We’ll be back in February.”
“My new location is opening in January.”
“Oh,” she said, with regret in her voice. “We’ll spend Christmas with your sister and then we have some west coast friends we’ll be visiting for a few weeks. I’m sorry we can’t be there.”
“It’s ok. But as soon as you’re back, you’ll get VIP treatment,” he promised.
“I expect nothing less from my successful son. Tell me, Spencer, have you finally decided on a name for your new establishment?”
He sat back in his chair and crossed an ankle over his knee. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw notifications pop up on his computer announcing new emails. With purpose, he turned away from the screen so he wouldn’t get distracted. He always enjoyed speaking with his mother. “I have decided on a name. It’s called Tatiana’s.”
“Hmm,” Beth murmured and slightly clucked her tongue. “I thought Ainsley was putting the pressure on.”
“She was,” Spencer answered. He decided to fill his mom in on that area of his life. His mother wouldn’t be disappointed to see Ainsley go... even if she didn’t really go, he thought, as his mind wandered to Tia. “Mom, I’m sure you and dad will be devastated to hear this.” His voice held just a hint of sarcasm. “I broke up with Ainsley.”
Beth’s soft laughter came through the line. “Your father will probably open champagne to celebrate when I tell him.”
“I know neither one of you liked her.”
“What’s to like?” she asked sweetly. “That girl got her claws into you for a ring. I can only say I’m breathing a sigh of relief that you aren’t calling to tell me you popped the question to her.”
“When I do pop the question, I can guarantee it won’t be to Ainsley.”
There was a brief pause as Beth took a sip of her coffee and decided to pry into her son’s personal life. “Tell me about this Tatiana.”
Spencer grinned. He knew his mother wouldn’t be able to hold back her curiosity. “I believe you’re acquainted with her parents, Thomas and Abigail.”
His mother let out a soft gasp. “Oh, my God, Spencer,” she breathed. “Tatiana Meyer? Tia?”
“You know her by Tia?” he asked. “Her parents mentioned they knew you.”
“Know us?” she asked, incredulous. “They’ve been here to Florida to visit occasionally. Of course, Abby brings pictures.” Her voice lowered. “Tia’s gorgeous.”
“Yes, she is,” Spencer concurred.
“Tell me about her,” Beth insisted.
“It’s a long story.” He glanced at his watch and figured he could fill her in. “Do you have time?”
“I’m speaking to my son and he’s about to tell me all about the woman he’s going to marry. Of course I have time.”
“I haven’t asked her to marry me,” Spencer said. He couldn’t help but add, “Yet.”
“Spencer, honey,” Beth chuckled once more. “You don’t name a restaurant after a woman if you’re not going to marry her. Tell me all about her.”
Spencer filled his mother in on how he and Tia met. He gave her the details of his breakup with Ainsley. Told her about his date with Tia and coming back to her loft to find her artwork destroyed. He left nothing out. The mural was mentioned, along with the attack on Tia. His mother listened with avid interest and empathy. She was sorry to hear what happened at Tia’s expense, but she couldn’t be happier that her son had found Abby and Tom’s daughter. In her opinion, they were a perfect match.
“One more thing,” Spencer said as he began to wrap up the call. “After everything that happened, Tia is selling her loft. I told her I’d speak to you and maybe when you’re out here in February, you’d meet with her and take her on as a client.”
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “I can’t blame her for selling. And regardless of what happened to her there, I know it will sell immediately and she’ll get plenty of equity out of it. She’s not still staying there, is she?” she asked with worry.
“Um,” Spencer hesitated. Out of everything he just shared with his mother, he was waiting for the right moment to tell her the biggest news. “No, she’s not still staying there. She’s with me.”
“She moved in?” she asked with deep curiosity.
“Yes, mom. She’s with me permanently. I had all of her furniture moved into the one-bedroom across the hall. She’s using it as a studio, but she’s living with me. We’re living together.”
“Spencer,” she breathed. “This is a big deal.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “It is.”
“Well,” Beth said brightly. “I couldn’t be happier for you. I’ll let you know when we’ll be back and I’ll meet with Tia. In the meantime, I think it’s time I called Abby and said hello.”
“Mom,” he warned. “Stay out of it.”
“What?” Beth asked innocently. “I’m simply calling an old friend to catch up.”
Within two hours, Mario and Marcelo had not only transferred all of her supplies but had gone shopping for the new supplies she needed and returned with bags and boxes. As Mario unpacked the ceramic tiles and other various items from Tia’s list, Marcelo made another trip downstairs, only to return within five minutes with a tall rectangular box from a nearby florist.
“These are for you, Miss Tia.” He set the box down on the kitchen counter as she instructed.
“Flowers?” Tia questioned. “Are they from Spencer?”
“I don’t think so,” he answered. “He would have had me pick them up and bring them with us. These were in the lobby for you.”
Tia opened the small envelope on the front of the box and read the card inside.
I’m sorry. Please forgive me.
Vivian
Tia opened the top of the box and peeked inside. From what she could see it was a classy arrangement of long-stemmed red roses mixed with irises in a deep shade of purple, along with lush greenery accompanied with baby’s breath. She loved the mixture of the flowers and if it had come for any other reason than Vivian’s recent betrayal, she’d be touched and would display them immediately. Yes, she had forgiven Spencer, but that wasn’t without a heated argument that included Tia lashing out at him physically and crying her eyes out. She replaced the card in the envelope, closed the box, and left the flowers in the kitchen.
