“No,” I said finally. “I guess it doesn’t.”
Maya lifted her water glass. “To not overthinking things.”
I clinked my glass against hers. “To not overthinking things.”
We both drank, and for a moment, everything was lighter. Easier.
Then my phone buzzed on the table. I glanced down. Cam’s name lit up the screen.
Girls are asking if you can come over tomorrow. Something about teaching them to paint rocks?
I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face.
“That’s him, isn’t it?” Maya was grinning again.
“Shut up.”
“You’re glowing again.”
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are.” She stood up, gathering our empty bowls. “Go respond to your man. I’ll do the dishes.”
“He’s not my—” I started, but she was already walking to the sink, humming to herself.
I looked back down at my phone, at Cam’s message, and felt that flutter in my chest that I was definitely not examining too closely.
I’d love to. What time?
His response came almost immediately.
10? I’ll make pancakes.
Perfect.
I set my phone down and picked up my water glass, taking a sip. From the sink, Maya was still humming, rinsing our bowls.
In the sunroom, the shadows stretched long across my easel. My landscape was finally coming together, and for the first time in years, I felt like my life might be doing the same.
For now, that was enough.
CAM
The pancake batter sizzled as it hit the griddle, filling the kitchen with the smell of butter and vanilla. Behind me, Emily laughed, followed immediately by Alice’s giggle.
“But what if I want to paint a dragon?” Alice was asking. “Can dragons live on rocks?”
“Dragons can live wherever they want,” Emily replied. “That’s the best part about dragons. They make their own rules.”
“I’m painting a butterfly,” Audrey announced. “With purple wings and sparkles.”
“Sparkles are essential.”
I glanced over my shoulder, spatula in hand. Emily sat between the girls at the kitchen table, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, wearing jeans and an old t-shirt that was covered in paint stains.
Her eyes flicked to mine and caught. Held for a beat longer than necessary.
Then Audrey tugged on her sleeve, pulling her attention back. “Do you think I should do yellow spots or keep it all purple?”
