Page 8 (1/1)

"Nineteen, ma’am," he replied Roed him off

"Well, shit! Nineteen!"

"And one of the best wide receivers you’ve ever seen," Lexi praised as she reached up to pat his cheek with her slender hand Levi beamed a wide smile at her, and you could just see the love he had for our little friend radiating out of his every pore

"Just like your brother, then, huh?" I teased, seeing Austin take a seat at our table next to Ro to sit beside each of their husbands

Linking h Levi’s, I said, "Well, looks like you’re ht, Lev You can sit beside me"

Levi fell into step beside e, Lev? Are you here in Seattle visiting Austin and Lex?"

"No, ma’aton now; I transferred fro somewhat confused "You didn’t wanna stay in LA?"

Austin shifted in his seat as he looked at his younger brother Levi lowered his head "I wanted to stay close to my brother and Lexi That’s all The Huskie’s ain’t too bad, and we’re doing real good this year"

My heart sank as I saash of vulnerability flit across his handsome face

"Best damn player on that field, hey, little brother?" Austin said, breaking the silence, and Levi lifted his head, blushing at Austin’s expression of pride

"So, Al, Molls and Ro so the attention of Levi, just after Rome ordered a round of drinks frohed at the way he put it "Yeah, I’ soht?" Austin said, as Lexi shook her head in exasperation beside hinore him He’s all football, football, football, not exactly an art buff," Lexi teased Austin, earning her a threatening scowl

Lexi batted her hand and looked to ain "Tell us about it, Al"

"Yeah, tell us about it Ms Aliyana Lucia," Rome said dryly I used my mama’s maiden name for business, and Rome always teasedme around I wanted to be independently successful, not connected with the fa with excitement "What can I say? It’s my dream come true This exhibition is the artist’s debut show, and I was hand-picked to curate it I still can’t believe it!"

"What does he paint?" Molly asked

"He doesn’t He’s a sculptor" I released a long breath "He’s the eous, beautifully dark, tortured, talented sculptor I’ve ever encountered…" I stared out at the darkened view of the Sound, lost in the slideshow of his sculptures running throughmy head, I met the shocked stares of my friends and anxiously brushed hair from my face "His work, it’s… it’s… it’s my soul That’s the only way I can explain it It’s life, death, love, tragedy, and everything in between, every hu His work speaks directly to my heart"

"Ally…" Molly prompted with unshed tears in her eyes When I felt a wetness onaway the tears, I took a deep breath and expelled a nervous laugh "I really love his work"

"I can tell," Rome said affectionately

"I’m so happy for you," Lexi said excitedly and leaned forward "What’s he like? Is he handso look at Lexi, but she either didn’t see it or flat out ignored hied "That’s just it, I’ve never seen him No one has He’s a complete recluse I was co the entire thing He’s a patron of the university’s art museuer museum, but they wanted to keep it small"

"Vin Galanti?" Molly volunteered

"Yeah, have you rin spread on her face "He’s quite the character He brought sos to the art museum for a temporary mash-up art/philosophy exhibition they were a part of I helped with the history and translation of the Latin for the text boards I adore him"