Killian’s attentionsnapped back to me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to—”
I waved him off.“You didn’t. I get what you meant.”
“So, what do youthink?” he asked, his eyebrows raised expectantly.
I glanced at Veraagain, hating that she’d put me in this spot and hating even more that Killianhad brought it up in front of so many people. Fine, it wasn’t exactly a secretthat I liked to paint. But I wasn’t worthy of an offer like this.
If they wantedoriginal pieces, they should hire a professional. I didn’t have the chops forthis kind of job.
But instead oftelling them that, I said, “I’ll think about it.”
Killian settledback in his chair, more relaxed. “When you decide, we can give you a betteridea of what we’re looking for.”
“What’s thetimeline?” I asked, abruptly nervous over paintings that hadn’t even been fullydecided on yet.
“By the weddingthis fall,” Vera answered. “We’re going to have it at the restaurant before thegrand opening. So we’d like everything setup by then.”
“I can’t believeyou’re considering this,” Vann huffed. “I asked you for two pieces for my shopand you flat-out refused.”
I shook my head athim, embarrassed that he was bringing that up now. “I haven’t agreed yet. I’mjust thinking about it.”
“We’ll pay you!”Vera added.
I raised oneeyebrow, focusing on Vann just so I wouldn’t break out into a sweat. “Are yougoing to pay me?”
“Obviously. Atleast twenty bucks a pop.”
Laughing, I shookmy head at him. “Wow, Vann, I had no idea I was worth so much.”
He winked at me.“Plus, I’ll give your bike a free tune up whenever you need it.”
“I don’t own abike.”
He shrugged oneshoulder. “Well, hey, I can help you out there too.”
I contemplated remindinghim how our cycling class had ruined me for bike riding from here until foreverand ever amen. But I didn’t want to totally crush him.
So instead, Ishifted the conversation. “You know I have a real job too, right? And some ofmy clients are really high maintenance.” I nodded toward Ezra who was staringat my Foodie painting that was the focal point of the room. It hung centered inthe middle of the wall above a trendy buffet table made with different shadesof wood and looked like it weighed approximately three thousand pounds.
“You’re a braveman, Ezra,” Vann laughed. “Hasn’t shedrivenyoucrazy yet?”
Ezra seemed toblink back into focus, but he never lost the thoughtful look in his eyes.“Absolutely,” he answered Vann. “More than once.”
“Hey!”
“But I have toadmit,” Ezra went on, “she knows what she’s talking about. She’s only accusedme of being elderly once a day since we started and dismisses all of mybrilliant ideas, but I think I’m starting to trust that she’s not going to tankmy entire company and everything I’ve worked so hard for.” He pausedthoughtfully, then said, “At least as far as her design goes. She might stilltry just for fun.”
My cheeks heatedwhile the room burst into laughter at my expense. It wasn’t that I wasoffended, but I hated all the attention so focused on me. I had been trying todeflect it onto Ezra, but he somehow managed to bounce it right back at me.“Careful,” I warned him. “Hell hath no fury like a woman insulted.”
He pushed his plateto the side and leaned his forearms on the table. “I believe that from you.”
Only I wasn’tinsulted. Not even a little bit. Somehow Ezra’s backward declarations felt verymuch like compliments. It was unnerving to remember his success, all his accomplishments.And he was trusting me with them—well, at least as much as his control freakself would let him. He had asked specifically for me. He had gone out of hisway to get me.
“Who’s ready fordessert?” Vera asked, breaking the staring spell that had come over Ezra and meagain.
I turned away fromhim and tried to protest, but Vera had made coconut sorbet and dark chocolatebrownies from scratch, so to be fair, I didn’t try very hard. We spent the restof the night finishing off another two bottles of wine and laughing until mystomach hurt.
We talked aboutKillian and Vera’s plan for their restaurant and the progress they were making.They were living off savings and a business loan, so things were tight forthem. And on top of that, they were also planning a wedding. They were verystressed, but also very much in love. They laughed at a lot of their problems,having to eat cheaper and buy less wine. It was so interesting for me to watcha couple struggle financially without ripping each other’s heads off.
