#Chapter 60: The Artist in Her Element

I was in my studio in the next afternoon, sitting in the middle of a pile of fabric samples. I had them all spread out on the floor under the window. The sun had come out, and I wanted to look at everything under the natural light before it slipped back behind the clouds. I heard a distinct knock on the door that told me Nolan was here. I stood and saw him waiting in the doorway, holding a little gold box in his hand. “Please come in, sir,” I said with mock formality. We met halfway across the room and he handed me the box. “What’s this?” “Just a little something.” I lifted the lid off the flat, square box. Inside was a gold necklace. “Oh my Goddess,” I said, “it’s gorgeous.” “Would you like to try it on?” I nodded and led him over to the trifold mirror. I faced the mirror and he stood behind me with the necklace. I held my hair up while he swept it around my neck and carefully fit the clasp together. He made eye contact with me in the mirror and touc