Free Runaway Bride (Across the Stars: Book 2) by Ruth Ann Nordin Page B

liked her choice in colors?”
    Surprised he’d switched topics so unexpectedly, she cleared her throat.  “Actually, no.  The conversation didn’t get that far.  She spent most of it talking about you and what a great doctor you are.”
    “Really?”
    Noting the pleased tone in his voice, she added, “Yes.  She thinks very highly of you.”
    “And you made me look good, right?”
    “I think so.  She seemed to like the fact that we called her painting original.”
    He hesitated.  “When you say ‘original,’ do you mean that in a good way?”
    “Well, there are no other paintings in the gallery that look like it.”
    “I hope she thinks you liked it.”
    “I just don’t get art, Nick.  There was a lot of symbolism in it, and I’m not the kind of person who sees that kind of thing when I look at paintings.”
    “We’ll have to work on that.  Don’t despair, Lexie.  This is the kind of thing that can be taught.  You just need to know what to look for.”
    “Okay.”
    “What colors did she use?”
    “Brown and green.  They swirled around the Colosseum .”
    “That’s easy.  The colors and the fact that they’re swirling represent the conflict between the good and bad of Rome’s past.  It sounds like a good choice in colors.  Make sure to tell her you appreciate that about her work.”
    “Okay.” She turned her gaze back to Mark.  “I should get going.”
    “It’ll work out.  Good luck with the rest of the evening and make sure you talk to her again.”
    “I will.” She hung up the phone and returned to Mark.
    He smiled.  “Hey, I was thinking.  Since we’re done here and it’s still early, did you want to humor me and accompany me to Don’t Open the Door ?  I hear it’s more funny than scary, kind of like the movie you told me about when we went out to eat.”
    She checked the time on her phone.  It was still early in the evening, and while she could spend more time here and mingle with more people, she didn’t feel like it.  The thought of receiving instruction on how to appreciate art only depressed her because it was another reminder of how inadequate she was when it came to Nick’s friends.  She glanced at the engagement ring on her finger.  Was she about to make a horrible mistake?
    “Lexie?” Mark gently asked.
    She turned her attention back to him and sighed.  “I have to tell Mrs. Morris that the brown and green colors on her painting do a great job of showing the conflict between the good and bad aspects of Rome’s past.”
    “Is that what her painting represents?”
    “I guess so.  That’s what Nick said it meant.  Anyway, he wants to make sure I tell her that.” She took a step toward Mrs. Morris and paused.  “I wouldn’t mind seeing that movie, when we’re done talking to her.” If nothing else, it would be nice to get a break from trying to act more sophisticated than she was.  She’d enjoy escaping into a film that was supposed to be a bunch of cheesy nonsense.
    “Are you alright?” Mark asked.
    “Yeah, I’m fine.  Let’s get this over with, okay?”
    Though he seemed hesitant, he nodded and followed her as she walked to Mrs. Morris to tell her about the colors in her painting.

Chapter Eight
     
    On the way to the movie theater, Mark rambled on about the different movies he’d seen, and though she replied, he sensed Lexie’s mind was on whatever happened on the phone.  Mark didn’t like the change in Lexie’s mood.  Before Nick called, she seemed to be having a good time and now, it was as if the wind had been taken out of her sails.  He wasn’t sure why, but he got the impression that Nick said something to make her feel as if she didn’t meet his expectations, whatever those expectations were.  Mark hadn’t met the guy, but he had the urge to warn him to treat Lexie better.  But it didn’t matter.  Lexie wouldn’t marry Nick.  She’d marry him.  And he’d make sure she knew he appreciated her.
    After he