Beneath the Skyline
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