Jennifer's Garden

Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta Read Free Book Online
Authors: Dianne Venetta
is.”
    As Jennifer hung up the phone, she was struck by his professional tone, his willingness to accommodate.  Neither was consistent with his surfer boy image. 
    Placing the phone in her pocket, she was tempted to call Aurelio and cancel their dinner tonight.  But she couldn’t.  It had been over a week since their last.
     
    # # #
     
    Aurelio reached over and squeezed her hand, the gesture warm, reassuring.  “It will be fine, sweetheart.  The yard will turn out better than you expect, you’ll see.”
    Staring down at the gold-rimmed china, chunks of lobster covered in cream sauce, Jennifer wanted to believe him.  Hopeful, positive, he sounded so sure.
    “Michael’s a stickler for details.  If he thinks the man can handle the job, then I’m inclined to agree.”
    She glanced at him, and relaxed into her first real smile of the evening.  Michael was certainly particular with a penchant for detail.  “Of course,” she replied, willing the silky glow of the restaurant to ease her doubt.
    Aurelio had made reservations at her favorite Chez Vendome, a Coral Gables institution, but its rich, indulgent atmosphere was no match for stress she felt over the wedding.
    Aurelio smiled.  “You know what you want.  Communicate it to him and all will be well.  Trust me.”
    Gazing into dark brown eyes, she sighed.  “Do I have a choice?”
    “None.”  He laughed.  “Absolutely none.”
    She tried to laugh with him.  Almost two years ago Aurelio Villarreal had walked into her life and changed it for the better.  He never wavered over the last year, during the worst of her mother’s diagnosis, and he wouldn’t waver now.  “None, he says.  Absolutely none.  Well, that is reassuring!”
    But like it or not, Aurelio was right.  She had no choice.
    “Michael hasn’t let you down yet, has he?”
    “No,” she murmured, and cast her gaze down toward her plate.  That much was true.
    But still.  Preparations for the wedding were crushing her calm, her mother’s condition providing the crank.  It was a lethal combination, but to admit as much made her feel like a heel.  Like a thundercloud looming over her big day, it undermined the joy she should be feeling and instead, made her feel like a schoolgirl wearing a new dress.  One who must continually glance over her shoulder in her rush to avoid the downpour, keenly aware of the emotional meltdown that would surely follow if she didn’t make it to class on time.
    “Sweetheart, relax.  Everything will turn out, you’ll see.”
    Jennifer dragged her gaze back to him.  Was she that transparent?
    “Now listen.  I want to discuss the opening.”
    Grateful for a change in subject, she brushed her own thoughts aside. 
    “We’ve added a few artists to the list.”
    “Really?”  An avid art collector, his latest venture was a gallery specifically geared to showcase new and upcoming talent.  Prominently located in South Beach’s art deco district, Illuminations offered the chance of a lifetime for budding artists.  Not only to display their work, but to meet Aurelio’s extensive clientele.
    It was a priceless opportunity.
    “Yes.  Two from Ft. Lauderdale and one is actually a student transferring down from New York.”
    “What type of work do they do?”
    As usual, when Aurelio discussed artists his face lit up, and it was then she found him most attractive.  Raven-black hair was cut in impeccable layers, a length stopping just shy of his collar.  Full black brows appeared flawlessly manicured, yet were completely natural, giving his face striking definition.  His features were soft, much like his fine olive skin and where his smile was quick and brilliant, his creative mind proved more of the same.
    Taking his pristine white napkin, Aurelio dabbed the corner of his mouth, then returned the linen to his lap.  “There have been some interesting new developments as well.”
    “Developments?”  His expression had closed just a bit, the

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