Undeniable by Abby Reynolds Page A

time.
    “Who is this?” she asked.
    “My sister.”
    “I see the resemblance.”
    It was hard not to.
    She set up her easel and began to paint. I directed her so she would stay true to the piece. Sometimes she would make the picture darker than necessary, or forget to add shadow. But we worked well together.
    Hours later, we were both covered in paint.
    “Is this fantastic or what?” Livia asked.
    It looked so similar to my photograph that it was frightening. “You’re the best at what you do.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    She smiled. “Thank you. But you’re the true artist here. You can capture something in real life and make something ordinary extraordinary.”
    “We could do this all day,” I said with a laugh.
    “That doesn’t sound bad. I like compliments.”
    “Me too.”
    Scotty came back out, wearing running shorts and a t-shirt. “How’d it go?”
    “Babe, come here,” Livia said excitedly.
    He came to her side, his shoulder touching hers. “Wow. That’s impressive.”
    “We make a good team,” I said.
    “You’re going to do well at this showcase.” He kissed her forehead.
    “Thanks.” Her cheeks blushed.
    “I’m going to play ball with the guys.” He walked away and grabbed the basketball from the floor.
    “Alright. Give them my love.”
    “I will. But I have a feeling a few of them wouldn’t want it.” He winked at her then walked out.
    “How long have you been living together?” I asked.
    “A few months.”
    “You like it?”
    “It’s great,” she said. “It’s nice being with him all the time. Besides, I’m here all the time anyway. It just makes more sense to move my stuff.”
    I wish Jace and I were that way.
    She moved the painting toward the back door so it would dry. “Now we’ll do one more and we’ll be ready for your debut.”
    “I’m nervous,” I admitted.
    “Don’t be. You’re an amazing photographer.” She stared at me for a moment then her eyes widened.
    “What?” I asked.
    “You’re a photographer!”
    Was I missing something?
    “My best friends are getting married and they are looking for someone. Are you interested?”
    “Of course,” I said. “But my schedule is pretty packed. It depends on when their wedding is.”
    “I’ll set up a time for you guys to meet,” she said. “And I’ll ask when their big day is. They’re a bit indecisive about it.”
    “Cool. I look forward to it.”
     
    Nana took a bite of the tortellini I brought her. “If photography doesn’t work out, you can always be a cook.”
    That was a huge compliment from my grandmother. “Thanks.”
    She finished it then put it aside. “For lunch, we had tuna sandwiches with pickles…why would you put pickles on a sandwich that already has pickles in it?”
    I tried not to laugh. “Maybe you should take over the cafeteria.”
    “Nah. I’d put a lot of people out of a job.”
    “Cocky, much?” I said with a chuckle.
    “The Patelo women know how to cook—that is something that can’t be denied.”
    I smirked while I listened to her.
    “So, how did your conversation with Jace go?”
    “Well. Really well. He apologized and said he would be better.”
    “Then why do you sound sad?”
    I couldn’t hide anything from this woman. “We went out to dinner the other night and he just…acted weird.”
    “What did he do?”
    “He was about toask for our reservations when he said he needed to leave. He pulled me out of there and said he wasn’t feeling well.”
    She stared at the opposite wall, lost in thought. “Did he go to the hospital?”
    “No. He didn’t really say what was wrong. He dropped me off and went home.”
    She fell quiet again. “Maybe he saw someone he didn’t want to see.”
    “Like who?” I asked.
    She shrugged. “An enemy, an old girlfriend…”
    He did have a lot of old girlfriends, or old flings would be a better way to describe it. “I guess that makes sense. Maybe he just didn’t want to make me