the café as Ethan sipped his coffee, wa

o life the outline of a tree knotted with vi

reate something so vivid with

Clara said without looking up,

han asked, feig

re in my life' look," she teased,

him out of his head and into the present a rare gift in his whirlwind li

hrough the windows. Clara made light of it the first time, saying perhaps they thought she was the next Picasso.

o his world. She arrived in a simple black dress, her hair swept up in a loose bun. Ethan co

t dinner leaned over to Clara as they ate. "So, wha

t," Clara rep

said, turning to Ethan.

than clenched his jaw, determined not to cause a scene, though guilt

h the park with her sketchpad tucked under her arm. Ethan

h a massive oak tree. "But. I'm not sure I fit in

gers tightened around her sketchpad. "

exhaled softly, looking up at the sky through the branches. "I just d

first time, he feared that lo

ad already caught wind of it. Tabloids speculated about their relationship, articles dissected her background, and

nd a bottle of wine. "I needed a break from being your mystery

hug. "I hate that they

ything. Your world feels like a stage, Ethan. Every word, eve

his neck. "It's exhaust

flipped open her sketchboo

R image he put out into the world, this one of him looked. raw.

like this?" h

"It's how I think you s

hadn't realized that she

e invitations to the high-profile events became inevitable, and w

m in a world of diamonds," examining her looks, her past, and ev

hing more than, "I can't liv

alcony, overlooking the city skyline. He rea

tated, her voice

nd I can't lose who I am just to fit i

ghtened. "Ar

ow. I just know I can't keep pr

s believed love could bridge any gap, but was it eno

han found himself outside Clara's studio. He had hesitated and stoo

. Surprise danced i

you," he said, rain dr

lose yourself either. S

before moving aside and steppin

entine, with canvases leaning against w

pe," she acknowledged. "I need to know that if I walk into

n no

o more galas, no more sta

mething in her po

's a

e, she let him hold it. The storm outside raged on, but for the f