Chapter 63. Painted in Love

Vanessa's POV

I don’t know how long I stayed in the gazebo, but it was the only place I could find that gave me even a little bit of cover. The shadows clung to me, hiding my flushed face and jittery hands. The kiss had happened so fast, and yet it lingered on my lips like some kind of invisible mark. I could still feel the weight of his touch, the heat of his palm on my back. My heart hadn’t stopped racing.

I didn’t want him to find me, but at the same time, I wanted him to. It didn’t make sense.

The sounds of the violins echoed. I was stuck in a bubble that had popped and scattered everything I thought I knew about Mr. Garcia—about myself. What he meant by all these.

Then I heard footsteps. Slow, steady, like someone who knew exactly where I was. I didn’t have to look to know it was him.

“Hiding from me?” his voice came, soft and teasing.

I looked up, and there he was, holding a huge, French-dressed fluffy teddy bear almost half